Thursday 15 August 2013

Our Upcoming Election


Yesterday I noticed this on the Yahoo home page about how some American talkshow had to make fun of our upcoming election on the 7th of September. It struck me as both strange and funny so I am sharing it here with everyone. I have never thought American’s or anyone else would give a rats ass about our election.

US voters have put up with a lot in recent years, whether it was Alaska governor and moose hunter Sarah Palin's bid to be vice president, New York mayoral candidate and serial sexter Anthony Weiner living up to his surname or just the severe pain of suffering through the multi-year presidential campaigns.

But, America is enjoying some relief courtesy of the Australian federal election.
Yes, Australia. That's right.

America, land of the never-ending cycle of absurd politics and scandals, is laughing at us.
The US political late night TV talkshow, The Daily Show, devoted a segment on Monday to the oddities of the Australian election campaign.

The segment had the studio audience in hysterics and on Tuesday was picked up by America's mainstream media, including the Los Angeles Times which ran the headline: "The Daily Show discovers Australian politics as absurd as our own".

The show's host, British comedian John Oliver who was filling in for regular frontman Jon Stewart, began by telling the audience "Australia might have something to teach us when it comes to democracy" because the election campaign is only one month long.

"Four weeks!" Oliver exclaimed.
"That's like only three new iPhones from now."

Oliver also noted Americans who enjoyed the scandals that a three-year presidential campaign unearthed might think they would miss out if the US election campaign was just four weeks.

"You're wrong," he said.
"You name a great (US) campaign moment and Australia will get to it this month."
He then went through, with Australian news clips to back up his points, recent hiccups on the campaign trail.

"You want a clumsy on camera pratfall from a candidate for major office? Check," Oliver said.
A clip was shown of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott attempting to kiss a baby, but missing and puckering the back of a woman's head.

"Yes, that's a creepy moment, but is it any creepier than a stranger pressing his lips on the head of a non-consenting baby?" Oliver asked.

Then onetime Republican presidential frontrunner Rick Perry's moment of amnesia during a nationally-televised debate that led to his downfall was compared to Liberal Party candidate Jaymes Diaz's abysmal failure to explain Mr. Abbott's six-point border protection plan.

Next up was Weiner being compared to Queensland MP Peter Dowling's sexting scandal.
"You do not pair a penis with red wine," Oliver said.

"Try something lighter, crisper to offset the nuttier notes of the penis, plus it is almost impossible to get red wine stains out of a penis."

Then came Oliver's grand finale.
"So, in just four weeks Australia already has a Rick Perry and an Anthony Weiner," Oliver said.

"Of course, the real test: Does it have an under informed right wing woman thrust into a national political spotlight she is not only unprepared for, but at times, seems to barely comprehend?

"What I'm asking is: Does Australia have a Sarah Palin?"

The show then aired the interview where One Nation candidate Stephanie Banister mistook Islam for a country and confused haram with Koran.


"Australia, you truly are a nation of criminals because with that magnificent sound bite, you just stole my heart," Oliver smiled.

20 comments:

  1. Politics from anywhere (but especially US) make me laugh and make me tired. I would love a 4 week campaign~

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    1. I do like that we are not subjected to months on end of campaigning, it would drive me nuts

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  2. And then Stephanie Banister was promptly beheaded by an imam when she walked onto the street.

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  3. I could never make fun of another country's politics when our own is so under scrutiny.

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    1. Elections are a time for the pollies to see who can spin the best crap

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  4. Al's first comments are exactly correct! could not have said it better!

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  5. had to go watch the clip HYSTERICAL! I love that y'all are as absurd as US. (I secretly feared it was just US!)

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  6. American politics are ridiculous! American "journalism" is horrendous! I'd love a 4-week campaign. It would save me so many headaches.

    -andi

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    1. Most countries politics are ridiculous and some are just so bloody dangerous, at least our pollies can be stupid without fear of death

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  7. Four weeks would be LOVELY instead of the year-round grind and hate-fest that has become American campaigning!

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    1. It was a shock over here when Julia announced a election in September back in April the thought of announcing it 5 months in advance it is just not what we do over here

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  8. Al...you are so right on everything you said. I vaguely remember a poll a couple of years ago, where people in the U.S were asked what news program they watch. I don't remember the percentage but it was a substantial number, that listed the Daily Show.

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  9. I would love a 4 week campaign but how could American politicians get all their bad behavior squeezed into just one month. Americans should never point fingers at other countries politicians as we take the prize for dirty (absurd) politics.

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    1. Yeah it is good only have to listen to a month of rubbish before deciding which liar to vote for

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  10. Confused Koran with harem? I'll bet that one went over well...

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    1. Who knows the world is full of confused people.....I am one of them........lol

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  11. I know that that the Daily Show is not a real news show but a comedy show, I just found it odd that our election was mentioned, of course all elections are a source of amusement

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  12. So over this election already and we are only half way through. I saw the clip you are talking about and it made me crack up laughing.
    Mind, half our pollies are a bit of a joke anyway

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