Humor—a perilous thing that has, on occasion, left me with metaphorical battle scars. I know; count me among the wounded.
Some people argue that I could have achieved a semblance of success if only I could resist the siren call of a perfectly crafted sardonic quip. But let’s be honest: politics is a comedic goldmine just begging for a punchline.
At its finest, humor shines a bright, irreverent light on the hilariously tragic comedy that is the human experience. Those who are self-righteous, pompous, self-important, or feel entitled to greatness are just begging for a roast. And guess what? Politics is practically overflowing with these fertile comedic fields.
This makes the political arena something of a minefield for those with a knack for irony. I fondly remember moments when my compulsion for a cheeky comment nearly derailed whatever fleeting career aspirations I held.
Take a lovely day in 1999—an assembly of politicians gathered in Toronto, ostensibly to celebrate the grand designation of the Humber River as a Canadian Heritage River. You might think, “Great! A bunch of political types rallying around something positive.” Spoiler: it was a trudge toward irony.
As each speaker laid on the gravitas thicker than the river itself, I couldn’t help but ponder the plight of all those unfortunate waterways in Canada. What about those underappreciated streams languishing in obscurity? Must their aquatic inhabitants now occupy a perpetual state of embarrassment at being harborers of unforgivable mediocrity?
Ah, the delicate balancing act that is political life! Sure, politicians must take governing seriously—because we all know the apocalypse is just one election away. But when they forget their inherent flaws and start mistaking themselves for demigods, you know things are about to go sideways.
A government trapped in a bubble of its own self-righteousness has no qualms about bulldozing anyone’s rights who dares to disagree. It’s simply a valiant battle against the ‘forces of evil,’ whatever aberration that may amount to.
Enter the jesters, those audacious fools who dare to brandish humor and call out the unholy emperor’s lack of attire. Sure, comedy isn’t always clean and neat; sometimes it’s irreverent, insensitive, and occasionally, just plain wrong. And let’s not forget the tragic consequences that can arise from pushing the envelope of humor.
Consider the comical blip in Jimmy Kimmel’s career—hardly a tragedy. Now contrast that with the somber tale of Charlie Hebdo, where a decade ago, humor literally cost lives. Some comedians, like Lenny Bruce, dared to dance along the razor’s edge of free speech, only to find themselves in courtrooms more hostile than your average Thanksgiving family dinner.
Indeed, comedy is a fickle master. It becomes especially treacherous when the subjects of your satire are those oh-so-sensitive purveyors of societal truths—those on high who’d rather dodge the spotlight than accept a well-placed jab. Kudos to humor for keeping the charlatans on their toes! May it continue unabated.
