The Onion Takes On The Terror Attacks
from the irony-returns? dept
Ron Morris writes “This isn’t tech, but we could all use a laugh… If you’re tired of all the prissy solemnity concerning the terror attacks and want some good old-fashioned American-style irreverence, be sure to catch the Onion this week. My favorites: In the “What do you think?” section: “I used to think Reagan was a simplistic, vengeful, jingoistic cowboy. Now, I’m starting to think he was just ahead of his time.” and “In the wake of the recent national tragedy, President Bush is urging Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson, and other singers to resist the urge to record mawkish, insipid all-star tribute ballads.” I agree this is much needed. It’s good to see the Onion come back as strong as ever. It’s worth reading just to see the quotes from God’s press conference clarifying the “thous shalt not kill” commandment: “I don’t care how holy somebody claims to be,” God said. “If a person tells you it’s My will that they kill someone, they’re wrong. Got it? I don’t care what religion you are, or who you think your enemy is, here it is one more time: No killing, in My name or anyone else’s, ever again.”
Comments on “The Onion Takes On The Terror Attacks”
The Onion has lost its bite
For the most part the black humour of The Onion is gone from this issue; perhaps it is too risky in these us/them times, but the current issue reads mostly like boosterism, with all barbs directed firmly at The Enemy. (The piece about the hijackers in Hell with all the demons wanting a go at them reminded me of a Weekly World News article reporting that someone who almost died saw great villains like Hitler and Lee Harvey Oswald being tortured in Hell.)
For something more irreverent, check out The Chaser. a sort of Australian Onion; some of the headlines include “Terrorism matches obesity as top killer of Americans”, ‘US Defence Dept reassures Americans: “The President is not in control”‘, and ‘WORLD TRADE CENTER JANITOR DECLARES: “Best sickie ever”‘