Reviews (4)

Bush
"....otherwise [the book] is two covers surrounding emptiness."
Love It
I decided to post a review because I'm responding to the one below. I actually loved this book. Bush is made to look like a fool because he is a fool and then some. If you are a big fan of George W Bush than buying this book is probably a mistake but if you are like the rest of us, it's a lot of fun and quite informative. The fact is it's funny. period. It's nice to have for the cover alone. I'm giving it for Christmas gifts this year.

Not funny
Anybody -- anybody -- can be made to look a fool if he has been recorded enough and spoken enough.Liberals don't understand that W is a superb manager and scorn him because he is not a polished speaker.I'd rather have a solid manager than an articulate pol in charge of the country.You might enjoy this book if you are a liberal wishing to confirm his or her prejudices, but otherwise it is two covers surrounding emptiness. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Humor    2. Quotations    3. Topic - Political    4. Humor / Political    5. Reference-Quotations   

Reviews (64)

As informative and insightful as his TV show!
Olbermann - whose journalistic work could prove him to be this century's Edward R. Murrow - has written a fine alternative to Bernie Goldberg's "100 People Who Are Screwing Up America" that's far more witty and not nearly as one-sided...for those who deride him as another lackey of the "liberal media", I suggest you take a look back @ his coverage of Lewinskygate during the Clinton administration.
Bill O'Reilly wannabe
Give me a break. . . People you have got to be more intelligent than this.All this guy does is essentially ride Bill O'Reilly's coat tails.He's looked at what Mr. O'Reilly has done with his career, realized that he is not even CLOSE to being able to beat him at his own game, so he becomes the "anti-O'Reilly" wow - what a novel (and idiotic) concept.Keith Olbermann is a Bill O'Reilly wannabe - and can't even come close to measuring up.I thought this book was more of a typical liberal whining session.BORING and TERRIBLY PREDICTABLE!!Don't waste your money on this one. . . go check your neighbor's trash dumpster for a copy.

Great book coffee table book
While this book does not look like the typical coffee table book (no pictures) it is a great book to keep somewhere handy for those moments when you have a little time to kill.The stories are incredibly funny and enjoyable, and don't take very long to read at all.While all of them appeared on tv during Keith O's show, the ones I remembered were still funny the second time.Love his show, and love his book!
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. Celebrities    3. Conduct of life    4. History & Theory - General    5. Humor    6. Miscellanea    7. Politics / Current Events    8. Topic - Political    9. United States    10. Political Science / General   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (577)

Teachers United
As a high school teacher I was surprised and pleasantly amused to hear that Jon Stewart had decided to make a Teacher's Edition of anything.When I found out that a colleague of mine had decided to buy the book and reference it in a History class I thought that I should look it over and see if it was worth its weight in satire.It is definitely worth its weight in something.I find that The Daily Show's viewpoint is refreshing and that Jon Stewart's attempts at unraveling the political veil is essential to what we consider Democracy.The Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction is a good reference and cocktail party conversation starter.I think that most of the book is interesting but I wouldn't want my child to come home and quote verbatim some of the blather that is inside.As a book for the masses sure.As a book intended for teachers no.I suppose that is the joke of it all.No teacher should use this text as a real reference or they would probably end up on 60 Minutes or The Daily Show explaining why their students were arrested for harrassing Supreme Court justices with naked pictures.

FUNNY!!!!!!
If you are a Democrat...you will like it.If you are a Republican...you will probably not like it quite as much.Either way, you cannot deny that this book is HILLARIOUS!

Warning! Hysterical Content!
Wow, this book was so refreshing and funny!Jon Stewart's wit and wisecracks always leaves me in hysterics and this book didn't disappoint.This is book is a farce on US history - but isn't done in a demeaning way..more of a poke fun type of way which is typical of Jon's sense of humor. Really enjoyable! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. History    3. Humor    4. Politics and government    5. Topic - Political    6. United States    7. Humor / Political    8. Bargain   

Reviews (3)

Yiddish with the WASP Family
This follow up to Yiddish with Dick and Jane takes another step in doing something different - putting Yiddish words into the mouths of George Bush and family, a well-known WASP crew. In Yiddish with George and Laura, the Bush clan gathers to celebrate Bar (Barbara Bush) and Poppy's (George) birthdays with a few adventures on the way.
a fabulous gift
What a wonderful, warm laugh I got when I received this book as a gift. I recommend it to anyone and everyone that is interested in the nuances of Yiddish as used to describe our embarrassing White House leadership! The artwork is fantastic, and I must say we are still laughing about it. Great gift!
If you have a sense of humor!
The authors of Yiddish with Dick and Jane have written another equally humorous book, Yiddish with George and Laura.
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Subjects:  1. Bush family    2. Form - Parodies    3. Humor    4. Topic - Political    5. WASPs (Persons)    6. Yiddish language    7. Humor / Parodies    8. Humour collections & anthologies   

Reviews (3)

Absolute Joy
I have always enjoyed Larry Miller's stand up, and now I am delighted to find his point of view in book form.I love his take on marriage and family (his wife is a hoot!) to the everyday nonsense that we all do.I feel this book is very relatable and smart -- even though there where times I didn't understand one of his many historical refrences, I still understood what he was saying.Mr. Miller is a terrific writer, who is not afraid to reveal all sides of his personality.If you want a good laugh, then get this book!You will not be dissapointed.

Laugh-outloud funny, but wait - it's great writing, too!
That Larry Miller is a crafty one all right.You think you're reading a book of comic essays but then it suddenly dawns on you: this is really good!Impressive!It's got my brain - and my heart - pumping.How'd he do that?
This is not only delightful writing and fun reading, it is wonderfully funny!
I love Larry Miller.Ever since I heard his "Five Levels of Drinking" years ago, and his comment that woman is the most powerful magnet in the universe and all men are cheap metal, well, I knew we had found a mind that could tell the funny truth.This is not a simple thing.Most of what is passed off as comedy is just awful and obscene twaddle that gets laughs by punching the audience in the gut.The laughs are more explosive exhalations than expressions of delight and joy.Miller brings delight and joy.
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. American wit and humor    3. Form - Essays    4. Humor    5. Topic - Political    6. English    7. Humor / Essays    8. Humour    9. USA   

Reviews (2)

I can hardly wait!
What a great item!I am buying this calendar for my entireChristmas list.The countdown has already started in my house, and perhaps this calendar will help make it go by faster.

Just counting the days!
If you can hardly wait for a new administration this calendar will help you count down the days! It is peppered with many Bushisms that will make you smile (or cringe!). Plus there's still plenty of room to write your own appointments. I can hardly wait until January so I can begin using it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars & Diaries    3. Non-Classifiable    4. Topic - Political    5. History / General   

Reviews (1)

THIS IS SURPRISINGLY ENTERNTAINING!
The authors spent about four years collecting doodles from as many presidents as possible. The results are presented here. Did you know Hoover's doodles were used for a line of baby clothes? Did you know Johnson's administration was filled with doodlers? The authors give context to each president's times along with the reproduced doodles. I read about this book online, but when I actually saw a copy and picked it up, I was hooked! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American - General    2. American Satire And Humor    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Government - Executive Branch    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: American    8. Subjects & Themes - General    9. Topic - Political    10. United States - General    11. United States History (General)    12. Drawing & drawings    13. English    14. Political leaders & leadership    15. USA   

Reviews (2)

For Fans of Air America
Not a bad book, but it's really NOT for those of a conservative bent. If you enjoy Air America, you WILL enjoy this book. I was a bit disappointed that the book has so much non original material. A few too many transscripts from the Air America shows, but still, over all a good, though lite, read.

Air America, R.I.P.
Whenever I'm in L.A., I like to find Air America and listen for pure entertainment value (Air America didn't last in Phoenix and lost its station to yet another Spanish channel a couple of years ago).I would listen to Randi Rhodes' nightly meltdown over some vote in Congress and seriously wonder who on earth could listen to these people without wanting to slit their own wrists after a few shows.
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Subjects:  1. Interviews    2. Liberalism    3. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    4. Political Science    5. Politics / Current Events    6. Politics/International Relations    7. Radio - General    8. Radio Journalism    9. Right and left (Political science)    10. Topic - Political    11. United States    12. Humor / General   

Reviews (13)

This book is worth it.
Whether you like animatated novels or not this is one of the most facinating books concerning a country we have all heard about but don't know too much about.The animation is nicely done but the store of his time in North Korea is just amazing.

This Place is Ripe for Ridicule
Usually I am not a fan of graphic novels.But as I do have an interest in North Korea and its lunatic regime, I could not help but be intrigued by a cartoonist writing of his experience there.One cannot feel anything but sorrow for the poor people trapped in such a God-forsaken place.Yet humor has always been used to illuminate serious situations and few places are more ripe for or deserving of ridicule than North Korea.
Superficial and Distant
I was hoping for journalism in the same vein as "Palestine" or "The Fixer" by Joe Sacco. Unfortunately, this book doesn't probe below the surface of North Korea at all. It often reads like a sightseers guide to Pyongyang.
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Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Comic books, strips, etc    3. Comics & Graphic Novels    4. Fiction - General    5. Fine Arts    6. General    7. Graphic Novels    8. Graphic Novels - General    9. Humor    10. Korea (North)    11. Literature: Classics    12. Politics and government    13. Social conditions   

Reviews (3)

Highly recommended
Featuring a foreword by General Richard B. Myers (USAF, Ret., Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff) The War Within: One More Step At A Time is a unique collection of G. B. Trudeau's Doonesbury newspaper comics that is not only humorous, but also cutting-edge relevant . The strips follow the daily life Vietnam, Gulf War, and Iraq War veteran B.D., whose tour of duty was cut short by a near-death experience, the loss of his leg, and perhaps most shockingly, the loss of his iconic helmet. Far more life-altering than the physical damage is the post-traumatic stress disorder that leaves him increasingly disoriented, hostile, withdrawn, and turning to alcohol to self-medicate. When B.D. is on the verge of mistaking friends and family for mortal enemies, the turning point comes when he overhears his own daughter say that she has become afraid of him. Help comes in the form of the local Vet Center, and the skillful aid of counselor and fellow Vietnam vet Elias. The War Within brims with classic Trudeau wit, yet also reveals the author's resolve to accurately portray the harrowing pressures America's armed forces are subject to during and after risking their lives in the service. Highly recommended. Proceeds from "The War Within" are to benefit Fisher House, a "home away from home" for families of patients receiving medical care at major military and VA medical centers.

Worth the wait!
Received and read "The War Within" last week but find it hard to characterize this one.While BD was the central figure in "The Long Road Home" I think this one has a cast offigures with equally important stories to tell.BD continues his journey but one gets a much deeper understanding of his pain and struggles as well as those of his family.
A service to our country's fighting men and women
These are some most heart-rending yet funny cartoons I have ever read. For a man who has never "been there" Trudeau does an outstanding job of showing the long road that a miltary man has to walk to "recover" from war. B.D. is wounded both on the outside and the inside and as Trudeau shows in a daily comic strip, sometimes it's the hidden wounds that are the worst. If any comic strip is worthy of a Pulitzer, it is the current run of Doonesbury with the ongoing journey of B.D. If you have any empathy for the American fighting man/woman these strips will bring tears to your eyes. They are Art with a capital A. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. Graphic Satire And Humor    4. Humor    5. Topic - Political    6. Comic book & cartoon art    7. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons   

Reviews (54)

Political Flatulence, or, The Art of a Fart

Disappointing
Savage didn't put much work into this book and it shows.
WELL, HE DOES HAVE A POINT...SOMETIMES!!
I WONT SAY I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING MR. WEINER SAYS AND SOME OF HIS VIEWS ARE WAY TOO EXTREME FOR MY TASTES. BUT I THINK HE MAKES SOME SENSE ON CERTAIN ISSUES. ESPECIALLY ISLAMOFACISM AND THE TRUE NATURE OF THIS ACCURSED RELIGION. AS A KEEN STUDENT OF HISTORY AND PHILOSPHY I WOULD AGREE WITH MR WEINER'S VIEWS ON THE RELIGION; ITS EVILS,INTOLERENCE,HATRED AND INCITEMENT TO COMMIT HEINOUS CRIMES IN THE NAME OF ALLAH. IT IS BIGGEST THREAT IN THE LONG TERM FOR ALL CIVILZATION IF YOU HAVE READ YOUR WORLD HISTORY. SAY WHAT YOU WILL BUT HE IS AN INDEPENDENT THINKER AND NOT LIKE THE OTHER RIGHT WING STOOGES OF HANNITY,LIMBAUG,BILL O' NEIL AND THE REST OF THE CIRCUS WHO TRY TO SPIN THE INADEQUACIES OF THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT.YOU HAVE TO ADMIT HE IS EDUCATED,WELL QUALIFIED(WITH ALL HIS DEGREES) AND SPEAKS HIS MIND. IT IS GOOD TO HEAR HIS POLITICALLY INCORRECT SPEECH AND JUST CHUCKLE AT SOME OBSERVATIONS. AMERICA,DESPITE HIS EXTREME AND RIGHTIST TENDENCIES YOU NEED A PERSON LIKE HIM TO BLAST THE BIPARTISIAN HYPOCRISY AND POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. I THINK SOME OF HIS TALK IS MORE FOR SHOCK AND ENTERTAINMENT VALUE THEN REAL OPINION. WELL,PERHAPS HE IS EXERCISING HIS OWN PERSONAL DEMONS THROUGH TALK RADIO. WELL, MENTAL ILLNESS SHOULD NOT STOP ANYONE FROM DOING TALK RADIO.ANYWAY, THE SHOW IS NEVER BORING.. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Celebrities    2. General    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Humor    5. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    6. Political Science    7. Political Sociology    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Politics/International Relations    10. Satire And Humor    11. Topic - Political    12. Political Science / General   

Editorial Review

Nearly a year after the presidential election of 2004, Al Franken is still checking facts, exposing lies, and trying to clear the record as he sees it. Sneering at President Bush's declaration of a mandate after a two-and-a-half percent victory, he deconstructs Bush's 2004 platform of "fear, smear, and queers," and explains how the president has done some flip-flopping of his own. He offers comment on well-known stories, including the Terri Schiavo case, and some more obscure, such as reports of forced prostitution, indentured servitude, and squalid conditions at clothing factories in Saipan (which is part of the American Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands). Franken focuses on Tom DeLay's connection to the territory and his efforts to prevent bills from being passed that would have required Saipan to follow U.S. labor laws. Iraq, too, is discussed, from its planning stages to the huge sum of money currently unaccounted for, including $8.8 billion missing from the Coalition Provisional Authority's coffers.Read more

Reviews (455)

So I went Franken on Franken and did a little checking of my own with a LexisNexis account
So I went Franken on Franken and did a little checking of my own with a LexisNexis account and I have to say that he is right almost all of the time.Good for Al to tell people the truth.I felt connected to Al in so many ways greater than just a reader.I felt as if I were sipping coffee with the man and listening to his political tirades and family anecdotes.
A call to action
I was a little disappointed with Franken's last book, Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them (A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right). I thought it was too jokey, too silly. There was plenty of important stuff in there, but it was wrapped in a marshmallow coating of humor that prevented some people from taking it seriously, and allowed others to dismiss it outright. Not this time.
A brilliant piece with a ray of hope for our hijacked nation
This was the first Al Franken book I had ever read. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect. I'd heard of him once or twice, but I'm just a teenager, so I thought he was just another political writer. This book changed all of that. I am an avid reader, and I tore through it in one night's read. When I was done, I thought about what I had read, and went back to read it again.
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Subjects:  1. Government - Executive Branch    2. Government - U.S. Government    3. Humor    4. Political Doctrines    5. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    6. Politics / Current Events    7. Topic - Political    8. U.S. Practical Politics    9. Humor / Political   

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. General    3. Humor    4. Stupidity    5. Topic - Political    6. Humor / General   

Reviews (1)

laughing till I cry
This is the most hilarious collection of political cartoons I've ever seen. It is worth the price of the book just to read the intro about the "pyramid of freedom" and the story behind Jimmy Carter's endorsement... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. General    3. Humor    4. Topic - Political    5. Humor / Political   

Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. Comics & Graphic Novels    3. Graphic Satire And Humor    4. Humor    5. Topic - Political    6. Comics & Graphic Novels / Comics & Cartoons    7. Graphic novels   

Editorial Review

Reacting to an itch common to Midwesterners since there's been a Midwest from which to escape, writer Bill Bryson moved from Iowa to Britain in 1973. Working for such places as Read more

Reviews (249)

Hilarious
I love Bill Bryson's books, even though I've criticized a couple of them. He's witty, urbane, insightful and an all around fun guy. In fact, he's my favorite liberal and one of only 4 or 5 with an I.Q. above 95. This book is just a wonderful insight into the mind of the British, and a sad eye-opener to some of the tragic destruction of the environment that made Great Britain what it was. If you want to have a wonderful, relaxing and quite funny journey through Great Britain from the eyes of an American who lived there for many years, do read this book. In fact read all of Bill's books, you won't be sorry. Thanks Bill, you're my hero!!!

Great stories, good humor, bad narration voice
The book is brilliant, no question about it. His stories are great, his humor dry and culturally insightful. The problem is that, like all audio books, the voice of the narrator can make or break the experience. And in this case, unfortunately, the voice of the author fails the material.
Laughs galore
This is the third Bill Bryson travelogue I have read.This has several laugh-out-loud sections, particularly if you have travelled in the United Kingdom.It is excellent for relaxing on weekends or on a plane.If you have never been to the UK and don't know any British people, then don't form all your opinions based on this one book, but Bryson does a good job distilling some of the differences between our nations into an amusing few hundred pages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Bryson, Bill    3. Civilization    4. Description and travel    5. England    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Europe - Gt. Britain/England    8. Form - Essays    9. Journeys    10. Topic - Political    11. Travel    12. Travel - General    13. Travel / General   

Reviews (29)

Zero Evidence Against Creation Science
Concerning the author's evaluation of creation science / creationism / intelligent design, he, attempts or thinks his sarcasm about laws requiring more than just evolution to be taught, qualifies as evidence. In other words saying things like,
For Us Beyond Anger and Remorse
This book is funny. This book is true. Why not five stars? Because I'm just not sure that humor will do it anymore. The subtitle to "F.U.B.A.R." is "America's Right-wing Nightmare", and that pretty well sums it up. Can humor really continue to assuage the destruction that this subtitle summarizes? Would humor have helped rational Germans put a stop to the Nazi party before that party had crossed an irrevocable line? Probably not, but the United States isn't Germany and Right-wing Republicans haven't quite become Nazis...yet.
an interesting take on American conservatism
"FUBAR: America's Right-Wing Nightmare" is a book in which the writers, Sam Seder and Stephen Sherrill, express their rage about the current state of affairs of America as relative to its current leadership as well as its tactics. According to these two gentlemen, the country's current state of affairs are messed up beyond recognition, rivaling even Watergate, the Great Depression, and Vietnam, in that it is revealed that the leaders seem to have plans to taking control of every aspect of the inhabitants' lives. I found this to be an entertaining, clever, well-researched and meaningful read. The only part that was not amusing was that some of it was true. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (George Walker),    2. 1946-    3. American Satire And Humor    4. Bush, George W.    5. Ethics    6. Government - National    7. Government - U.S. Government    8. Humor    9. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    10. Political Science    11. Political culture    12. Political satire, American    13. Politics / Current Events    14. Politics/International Relations    15. Topic - Political    16. U.S. Practical Politics    17. United States    18. Political Science / Government / National   

Reviews (926)

A Great Bathroom Book
Before I begin, I must state, that I have read this book... unlike many Amazon 'reviewers.'
Though not in complete agreement, I nodded A LOT!
I bought this book after seeing Mr. Goldberg on the Today show.I was not sure what I would think after reading his book and was surprised to find that while reading, I was nodding more than shaking my head.I liked Mr. Goldberg's style of writing - similar to how I reactively think - but I did find him a bit repetitive.He also made a lot of sweeping generalizations that made me roll my eyes and skip ahead a couple paragraphs.
Unenjoyable
This hardcore conservative did not enjoy this book.The book is filled with a wealth of eye-opening information on significant people that I did not know but should (like Hugo Chavez's new best friend, Noam Chomsky), but the reading is so laborious and draining that I cannot recommend it.It has none of the light-hearted fun that we often get from Rush Limbaugh.Rather, it brought to mind the dark experience of listening alone to Michael Savage in a bad mood after dark.The cheeky title is misleading - this was a joyless book to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conservatism    2. Contemporary Politics    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Liberalism    5. Mass media    6. Media Studies    7. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    8. Political Science    9. Political aspects    10. Political culture    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Topic - Political    14. United States    15. North America    16. Social Science / Popular Culture    17. Social theory   

Reviews (1)

Hysterical
This is one of the funniest books I've ever read. And it's one of those things that you can sit down and read for a minute or two--maybe in the bathroom--or even a paragraph or two at a stop light!
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Subjects:  1. Humor    2. Topic - Political    3. Humor / Political    4. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (4)

Fantastic
When I first heard about this title, it sparked my interest. Anyone who pays any attention to politics always wants to know where the other side is comming from. Some like George Lakoff (Moral Politics) will look at the other side through a social psychological framework while others like Bill O'Reilly (Culture Warrior) will use a demonizing framework of the other side (traditional-conservatives are good, secular-progressives are bad). John Moe on the other hand wants to know where the other side is comming from by trying to become one of them. In a one month period, he reads only conservative literature and newspapers, and listens only to conservative talk shows and music like Tobe Keith, Kid Rock, and Lee Greenwood. He also talks to conservative heavyweights like Rich Lowery, William Kristol, Michael Medved (who by the way doesnt even like Fox News, gets a little embarassed by Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage, and prefers to listen to NPR), and talks with the mayor of the most conservative district in the United States.
Not so smug Jon Stewart
I went in for the funny on this book but discovered it also had some interesting insights, and helps folks to step out of their "right/left" boxes a little bit.Seems in the end we all have a fair bit in common, much as I hate to say that about Sean Hannity.
Fair, Balanced and Funny
I could give this hilarious and honest book to my granola-chewing Bush-hating mom and my hunting-loving, tax-cutting enviromental advisor to Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Montana) uncle (I'm not kidding) and they would both love it.Not only would they laugh but they each could quote parts of the book to each other and say "See this part here?It proves i'm right!"
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Subjects:  1. 21st century    2. Conservatism    3. Conservatives    4. General    5. Humor    6. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    7. Political culture    8. Politics / Current Events    9. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    10. Popular Culture - General    11. Satire And Humor    12. Social life and customs    13. Topic - Political    14. U.S. - Contemporary Politics    15. United States    16. Social Science / Popular Culture