Stewart/Colbert Rally - Meetup?

[The Continental]

A friend of mine who runs with the Penny Arcade crowd mentioned that a decent sized group from their community has organized a meet up at the Restore Sanity/Keep Fear Alive rally this Saturday, the 30th and I figured I'd see if anyone round these parts wanted to look into doing the same. Any takers?

[National Kato]

Wish I could go...alas, I'll be watching from home. Have fun!

[Serapth]

I mostly just posted here because I felt pity your thread only had one response.

[Stmfuller]

I really want to go...but...while is the rally for me...I have things to do. So, I'll be watching the stream.

[civil]

I mostly just posted here because I felt pity your thread had a response from Serapth.

[Serapth]

I mostly just posted here because I felt pity your thread had a response from Serapth.

Now we are just wallowing in thread pity!

[LordDon]

Seems like most places are having local rallies showing the main rally in DC, I might be hitting the one in SLC.

[ShivaX]

I really want to go...but...while is the rally for me...I have things to do. So, I'll be watching the stream.

I think this likely summerizes most people's situation on the rally.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Seems like most places are having local rallies showing the main rally in DC, I might be hitting the one in SLC.

Yeah there's flyers all over campus here to watch it live at one of the student centers.

[The Continental]

You sadden me Mid-Atlantic CoGers. If anybody wants to upload a banner size CoG sign in the meantime I'll wave it at anything that looks remotely like a camera.

[BrassGecko]

I might actually make it down there. I'm a fairly short drive from one of the outer metro stops, so I can decide last minute. Which is good, because I won't know until the last minute.

[divinechaos]

I have a show to play that same night, which sucks because I was looking forward to being there.

[Uatu]

I am going, just not affiliated with this site :P

[Jason]

If I was in the area, I'd go. I'll watch on tv, if I remember to watch.

[diablopath]

I'll be watching it on TV, too. If you want, just post your cell and we'll text you about it.

"Yeah, man, that was some serious shit."

[Typical Michael]

I will watch it, but I wont be there. Cause the plane ride from Korea would be tits-expensive.

[MachEnergy]

I'll be there, wearing my I'm With Coco shirt. Not sure if I'm available for a meetup, as the wife has been sick and we might not even be out for very long. Still, I'd love to hear more about this or other meetups, just in case she feels up to it.

[The Continental]

I will watch it, but I wont be there. Cause the plane ride from Korea would be tits-expensive. You were going to be there anyway, in my heart.

[National Kato]

Funny aside: two of the six people chosen by The Daily Show to join them on their Sanity Bus this week are my relatives. The Finley couple (salsa dancers). I didn't know they were going to be on, so it was a drink-spitting revelation when I saw Jason Jones picking them up (and rifling through their cupboards).

:D

[Lint of Death]

I already have plans for during the time of the rally. I really hope Comedy Central puts the whole thing online for people like me.

[The Continental]

Funny aside: two of the six people chosen by The Daily Show to join them on their Sanity Bus this week are my relatives. The Finley couple (salsa dancers). I didn't know they were going to be on, so it was a drink-spitting revelation when I saw Jason Jones picking them up (and rifling through their cupboards).

:D That's awesome. Between the Sanity Bus, and the Walking Dead premiere, it's a pretty big weekend for people somehow associated with National Kato.

[LordDon]

That's awesome. Between the Sanity Bus, and the Walking Dead premiere, it's a pretty big weekend for people somehow associated with National Kato.

Shit, I need to have beers with Kato or something.

[MachEnergy]

That's awesome. Between the Sanity Bus, and the Walking Dead premiere, it's a pretty big weekend for people somehow associated with National Kato.

Oh? I missed whatever thread talked about the Walking Dead connection to Kato. What was it??

I have a friend who was one of the zombies. She's the girl in the front, staring down the cops with a thirst only brain juice can quench.

http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2010/10/26/PH2010102606489.jpg

[National Kato]

Shit, I need to have beers with Kato or something.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f27/NationalKato/young_guns2_emilio1.jpg

I'll make ya famous.

Oh? I missed whatever thread talked about the Walking Dead connection to Kato. What was it??

It was in the Walking Dead thread in the Screen/etc. forum. I have some actors and filmmaking friends who are going to be in the series.

[Vermillion]

http://valkilmertherealdeal.com/images/doc%20holiday%20great%20smile.jpg

I'm your huckleberry!


I'm worried that the audience isn't going to show up in mass. It's not like Fox News, people who watch the Daily Show actually have lives.

[MachEnergy]

I'm worried that the audience isn't going to show up in mass. It's not like Fox News, people who watch the Daily Show actually have lives.

That, and it's far easier to organize people using crazy as a tool. If you are blaze and say, "It would be nice if you showed up" people are less likely to mark the date on their calendar with the tip of a bowie knife.

I sure hope the numbers are shockingly high.

[Zero]

I am going, just not affiliated with this site :P

C'mon dude, you intervene in the affairs of Earthlings all the damn time, just carry a CoG sticker.

[MachEnergy]

C'mon dude, you intervene in the affairs of Earthlings all the damn time, just carry a CoG sticker.

We have stickers? I would gladly wear one on my back! How could one acquire such a thing before noon tomorrow??

[The Continental]

I'm worried that the audience isn't going to show up in mass. It's not like Fox News, people who watch the Daily Show actually have lives. For what it's worth, and it's admittedly not much, I've heard a couple news reports throwing around the 200,000 anticipated attendees based on Facebook and other social networking sites. If attendance is even half that, it'll still be considered a huge success.

[TurboKinny]

Was planning to go, but I have a thesis-related event to attend in Bmore from 10-12. It's not worth my time to fight to get down there for only an hour. :(

[National Kato]

Holy shit, I just turned it on and that mall is packed. It's gotta be a big number. I can't even see where it ends.

[Jason]

Just saw a "Civil is sexy" sign.:eek:

[Camel]

Had some friends go today, and on any other day I would have went as well (would be fun, and cool to meet the Continental, assuming we could actually find each other).

Huge Halloween party tonight, though, and I have a ton of work to do beforehand. BOO!

[National Kato]

The Roots as back-up band, Father Guido Sarducci giving the benediction, Yusef Islam singing 'Peace Train' only to be interrupted by Ozzy Osbourne singing 'Crazy Train?!?'

Awesome.

[National Kato]

And now the fucking O'Jays singing 'Love Train.'

Wish I was there. Continental, you gotta be having a blast.

[Generation ABXY]

Looking at some pictures coming out of the event, it appears a predominantly white crowd. It's nice to know D.C. can play host to yet another veiled Klan rally. ;)

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Looking at some pictures coming out of the event, it appears a predominantly white crowd. It's nice to know D.C. can play host to yet another veiled Klan rally. ;)

It's clearly a crowd of Jews, c'mon.

[Darkmatter]

With a little more love we could be seeing the biggest orgy EVAR!

And yes, I saw the "Civil is sexy" sign.
You know Civ, its not true if you pay someone to hold the sign. ;)

[National Kato]

Reports are saying 150,000 turnout. That's pretty good. It was great just seeing so many people turn out for such a genuine reason. Gives me faith that what we're seeing in the media isn't a reliable sample.

[muddi900]

Looking at some pictures coming out of the event, it appears a predominantly white crowd. It's nice to know D.C. can play host to yet another veiled Klan rally. ;)

...and hipsters ruin another liberal event. :D

[Stmfuller]

watched the live stream. Thought it was pretty good. More of a rock concert than a rally or march, but still pretty good none the less. At least comedy central took the time to ensure a decent backbone instead of their usual shitty website fair.

Stewart's moment of real sincerity was excellent and poignant, a great way to make up for his interview with Obama (for a guy who usually has excellent conversations with politicians, his interview with Obama seemed pandering and weak).
As a stark contrast, the Mythbusters guys absolutely died on stage. Is was the perfect way to kill the awesome buzz that the roots/john legend created in their opening act.

The Mall looked like there was plenty in attendance, enough for people in the numbers game to call it a success.

the media coverage seems good, nothing overblown...and the fox new comment section was hilarious to read.

I enjoyed watching it and as a guy who generally hates crowds am even happier that I didn't go. :D

[National Kato]

the media coverage seems good, nothing overblown...and the fox new comment section was hilarious to read.

Granted, I was watching the rally most of the time, but I'd flip back to CNN and FOX periodically to see what their take was...and all they had on was how vulnerable we are to Al Qaeda mail bombs. :p

CNN's website did have a headline of, "Funnymen Go To Washington' which is alright given that the rally was lambasting them as well.

[MagGnome]

I'm surprised that the MSM covered this at all. If 100 Tea Partiers had shown up it would have been all over the news.

[Stmfuller]

I announced it to my Twitter followers and now to CoG in general to counter the rally4sanity. Today, I am announcing my "loose get-together to maintain the status quo" on November 2nd 2010.
To be a part of it, all you have to do is go to the voting booth in your local district and vote for a career politician or a looney toon. Doing so will keep business at usual in Washington and ensure that nothing ever changes, thus keeping the "status quo".

[civil]

Just saw a "Civil is sexy" sign.:eek:
Wha...wha...wha...wha...whaaaaaaaaa?

[Jason]

Wha...wha...wha...wha...whaaaaaaaaa?

They ended up showing it twice. Either you have fans or paid people off.:p

[Stmfuller]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20021284-503544.html
CBS and their independent crowd-estimating buddies are putting the rally at about 215,000 in attendance. The same company put the glen beck rally at 87k and obama's inauguration at 800k.

There is much debate on CBS' website about how right this all is (mostly Beck people angry at even the slightest consideration that is smaller...whatever). Fox News people have put Beck's rally at 500k (but with no statistical evidence to back it up). I think I figured out where beck really went wrong though.
Stewart put his rally to restore sanity in a sensible location, one that doesn't have a reflecting pool smack dab in the middle of it. It really looks like as long as you got there at a reasonable hour the view wasn't terrible. Yeah, there's not any historical significance to the area, but at least more people got to enjoy the goings on.
Beck on the other hand put his in a space that, while offering a more historical value kind of ruined the viewing area. Looking at aerial pics of becks rally it appeared that Beck was playing to the water. Water doesn't vote or have cash to buy books and junk. :(

[Stmfuller]

Also, Comedy Central has put up the rally in clip form:
http://www.comedycentral.com/shows/rally_to_restore_sanity_and_or_fear/index.jhtml

[Mike Kelehan]

I enjoyed watching it and as a guy who generally hates crowds am even happier that I didn't go. :D

You would have HATED it, then. You'll note by the pictures that there really aren't spaces in between people. The metro was just as bad; trains were literally packed to the point where no one else could get in.

As a stark contrast, the Mythbusters guys absolutely died on stage. Is was the perfect way to kill the awesome buzz that the roots/john legend created in their opening act.

And I'll tell you why: the sound system died while they were on. I didn't hear 90% of what they said. Maybe you heard on the webcast the crowd chanting, "Louder! Louder! Louder!"

[Stmfuller]

You would have HATED it, then. You'll note by the pictures that there really aren't spaces in between people. The metro was just as bad; trains were literally packed to the point where no one else could get in. Yeah, I got that impression. Besides, there's no way I would have gotten the view AT the event I got online. TV ruins live events once again ;)

And I'll tell you why: the sound system died while they were on. I didn't hear 90% of what they said. Maybe you heard on the webcast the crowd chanting, "Louder! Louder! Louder!"
OHHHHHHHH...yeah, that'd do it.
You didn't miss much though. They were more interested in trying out their stupid "crowd experiments" than being entertaining.
lamest.episode.of.mythbusters.ever.

[The Continental]

It was definitely a good time. Against my better judgment we had to take care of an errand before the rally so we didn't get on the metro until close to 10:00 AM. There were definitely a lot of out-of-towners and DC Metro area suburbanites in attendance as the fare card machines had lines going out of every station we saw, whereas the turnstiles had little to no backup.

We got to the 7th Street entrance around 11:00 and tried to conga line our way onto anything that looked like it was making its way forward but only ended up getting into view of the last row of jumbo trons. If you stood up and craned your neck, you could see stage, but we had a great view of the jumbo-trons and were able to hear everything perfectly over the sound system.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1262/5133220194_49b09545b0_z.jpg

That said, absolutely everybody underestimated the size of this thing. The area from 7th to 4th was packed to the brim with tons of onlookers seated on the steps of the National Gallery, Air & Space, and all points in between outside the official rally area. Local news was saying the rally permit was only for 60,000 people and that the National Park Service made the decision at rally time to open up the area west of 7th leading up to the monument for additional viewing, but without jumbo-trons or the PA system, there was nothing to see or hear. We got plenty of the "Louder, Louder" chants that Mike mentioned come wafting up from behind, and at least one set of them worked as they juiced the volume on the PA system at one point, but for anyone west of 7th, I doubt you could hear much.

A friend of mine coming in from Fairfax County via the Vienna Metro station left around 10:00 AM and didn't make it to the rally until around 2:00, and was so far back on the mall that it wasn't even worth showing up. I imagine stories like his are more common than not as the number of people that showed up easily surpassed Comedy Central's own best case scenario.

That said, the entire rally was a blast and my only regret was not getting there much, much, much earlier. It was easily one of the friendliest, well mannered crowds I've ever been in, and I really hope that the outright positive vibe of the whole rally came through for those watching at home.

[MagGnome]

That is an awesome picture.

[The Continental]

That is an awesome picture.Thanks, I just held my phone up and grabbed a couple shots just to see what we were facing in terms of trying to get closer. That's the only one that wasn't sideways or completely wonk.

I wish I'd have turned around and done the same just to show how far past the "official" rally area the crowds extended.

[Mike Kelehan]

That said, the entire rally was a blast and my only regret was not getting there much, much, much earlier. It was easily one of the friendliest, well mannered crowds I've ever been in, and I really hope that the outright positive vibe of the whole rally came through for those watching at home.

Can't agree more. Everyone I ran into was really friendly; it was a great time.

[MachEnergy]

I only took a few pics, but here they are for your amusement. Reduced size for thread, click for full resolution.

I wish I would have taken more pictures of all the creative signs, but I'm happy I at least captured the "I LIKE TURTLES" sign. Also note the people climbing trees and traffic signals. Crazy pants!
http://www.mach-energy.com/Droid/Pictures/Resized/1288457663018.jpg (http://www.mach-energy.com/Droid/Pictures/1288457663018.jpg)

That's me in the I'm With Coco shirt in the lower middle. I have no idea what building this was, but the steps were absolutely packed.
http://www.mach-energy.com/Droid/Pictures/Resized/1288458231620.jpg (http://www.mach-energy.com/Droid/Pictures/1288458231620.jpg)

And here's wifey in front of the Capital building, after the rally.
http://www.mach-energy.com/Droid/Pictures/Resized/1288466182109.jpg (http://www.mach-energy.com/Droid/Pictures/1288466182109.jpg)

I have to echo the sentiment that everyone there was in a great mood. No anger. No violence. But a whole lot of humor. The signs and the costumes really made the day for me. If only I had snapped a pic of the "Palin/Voldemort 2012" campaign sign. Oh well :)

Speaking on the diversity of the crowd, I saw a very large amount of people with skin tones far darker than mine. If I had to guess, it would be something like 70% white crowd. Not as diverse as we would all hope, but not as whites-only as I've heard from a few people on here and other comment threads elsewhere. I guess we see what we want to see.

For any future event of this magnitude, I don't think I'll bother with the Metro again. Trying to get on the Orange line in East Falls Church was impossible, so we ended up taking the reverse-bound train all the way back to Vienna, stayed in the jam-packed car until it went the other way, and finally got to the Rally after 2 hours. I pity the people who don't have Smart Trip cards or at least the foresight to buy Metro tickets in advance. The lines for the ticket machines were easily over an hour long. For the Inauguration, we rode the VRE, and it was so easy and pleasant. Next time, it's either VRE or we drive. Screw the Metro!

[MagGnome]

Did you see any super mutants?

I hope you didn't venture down into the Metro without a gun. :eek:

[Mike Kelehan]

Also note the people climbing trees and traffic signals. Crazy pants!

Where you were, was the crowd cheering while people tried to climb the trees? We had a particularly difficult tree that someone was trying to scale, and every time he get a little higher, we cheered, and every time he couldn't make it higher, we sighed. When he finally made it, we roared.

We were at least halfway down the mall, and the people up in the trees said down to us, "We literally can't see the end!"

[MachEnergy]

Where you were, was the crowd cheering while people tried to climb the trees? We had a particularly difficult tree that someone was trying to scale, and every time he get a little higher, we cheered, and every time he couldn't make it higher, we sighed. When he finally made it, we roared.

We were at least halfway down the mall, and the people up in the trees said down to us, "We literally can't see the end!"

We got off at the Federal Triangle stop and walked up the left side towards the stage. I would guess we spent most of our time near the middle. The crowd was so thick, we never made it into the mall, and just walked alonng the barricades. I'm not sure where it was, but a really skinny hipster chick failed at climbing a tree near us, to much hilarity. Her skin tight jeans did not help her lack of upper body strength as she clung to the trunk, legs trembling. When she finally gave up, everyone cheered.

[National Kato]

100 Best Signs at the Rally to Restore Sanity. (http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-100-best-signs-at-the-rally-to-restore-sanity)

[MagGnome]

Most of them signs are hilarious!

"Don't let Glenn Beck teabag our children!"

"I want more tortillas when I order fajitas at a restaurant!"

Amen. ;)

[MagGnome]

This one also deserves to be seen again, it's brilliant:

http://s-ak.buzzfed.com/static/enhanced/terminal01/2010/10/30/17/enhanced-buzz-3292-1288475456-11.jpg

[Superman's Dead]

Keith Olbermann: Jon Stewart Jumped Shark (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/01/olbermann-jon-stewart-shark-rally_n_776829.html)

It wasn't a big shark but Jon Stewart jumped one just now with the "everybody on Thr cable is the same" naiveté

The America before today's cable wasn't reasonable discussion.It was the 1-sided lockstep of Fox and people afraid of Fox.That got us Iraq.

I wish it were otherwise. But you can tone down all you want and the result will be: the Right will only get LOUDER. Sorry.

CAN YOU SAY MISSING THE POINT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

God.

First of all, I don't think he knows what 'jumping the shark' means.

Second of all, Stewart says everyone is shouting too loud and his response is to say, "Of course! We NEED TO SHOUT! OTHERWISE PEOPLE WILL HEAR THE OPPOSITION WHARBLGARBLGARBL"

[MachEnergy]

Second of all, Stewart says everyone is shouting too loud and his response is to say, "Of course! We NEED TO SHOUT! OTHERWISE PEOPLE WILL HEAR THE OPPOSITION WHARBLGARBLGARBL"

you win this thread for referencing that!
http://static.funnyjunk.com/pictures/normal_1_1223373662_9763717.jpg

[Hemalin]

The rally seems to have been popular. (http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4717)
Metro set a new record for highest Saturday Metrorail ridership on Saturday, October 30. Officials estimate 825,437 Metrorail trips were taken, with many people traveling to the National Mall for the “Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.”

[Zanzibar]

100 Best Signs at the Rally to Restore Sanity. (http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-100-best-signs-at-the-rally-to-restore-sanity)

I swear to you, click this link, you won't be sorry. It's probably the best five minutes I've spent all year.

EDIT: There's also this (http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-best-fake-teabagger-signs-at-the-boston-common), which are signs brought to a Pro-Teabagger rally by troublemaking progressives. LAUGH RIOT.

[LordDon]

CAN YOU SAY MISSING THE POINT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

God.

First of all, I don't think he knows what 'jumping the shark' means.

Second of all, Stewart says everyone is shouting too loud and his response is to say, "Of course! We NEED TO SHOUT! OTHERWISE PEOPLE WILL HEAR THE OPPOSITION WHARBLGARBLGARBL"

Oh Keith... you've gotten so over the top lately I can't stand to watch you much anymore. You make good comments now and then but they're chock full of goddamn absolutes and strawmen... WHARBLGARBLGARBL!!!!

[TheFlyingOrc]

"I want more tortillas when I order fajitas at a restaurant!"



Seriously. 3 tortillas? That's a HUGE plate. Ante up, Carlos!

[MagGnome]

I swear to you, click this link, you won't be sorry. It's probably the best five minutes I've spent all year.

EDIT: There's also this (http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-best-fake-teabagger-signs-at-the-boston-common), which are signs brought to a Pro-Teabagger rally by troublemaking progressives. LAUGH RIOT.

Wow, there are several cute guys in that second link. Further proof that liberals are hotter. ;)

[boratika]

100 Best Signs at the Rally to Restore Sanity. (http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/the-100-best-signs-at-the-rally-to-restore-sanity)

#89 is clearly the best one.

[Troggles]

The signs are much funnier than the rally itself. In fact, most things are funnier than the rally itself. Only the last 20 minutes were any good.

[Serapth]

For some reason the Is this the line for Bieber tickets? Made me laugh most.

[Panthera]

For some reason the Is this the line for Bieber tickets? Made me laugh most.

Haha, that guy posts at the other forum that I post on ( www.nintendorks.com ) so it's funny to see it mentioned here.