Stephen Colbert is Wittier and Truthier Than You [Updated]

Recognize.

On Friday, I posted about Stephen Colbert’s appearance before Congress to defend migrant workers, and to call for “quit treating migrant workers like shit” reform.  If you haven’t read it, well I really don’t even know what’s wrong with you.  Seriously?  Go read it already.

Well, in my rush to get my post out the cyberdoor, I missed perhaps one of the most hilarious moments of the whole affair.

We all know that Colbert is a witty and funny guy.  We also know that he’s got a team of bad ass writers helping him churn out his hilarity.  But this is one of those “rubber hits the road”¹ moments. (I really hate that expression, so I’m hoping that I can learn to love it by using it more.)

A discussion about corn between Iowa Rep. Steve King and comedian Stephen Colbert on Friday ended with a joke about gay Iowans.

“Maybe we should be spending less time watching Comedy Central and more time considering all the real jobs that are out there — ones that require real hard labor and ones that don’t involve sitting behind a desk,” said King. [Got it.  Working for Congress is not real hard labor.  No wonder you're not getting shit done. -ed.] “If we did we’d realize that every day — Americans perform the dirtiest, most difficult, most dangerous (jobs) that can be thrown at them.”

Many of these workers, King said, “would prefer the aroma of fresh dirt to that of the sewage of American elitists who disparage them even as they flush.” [What does this even mean?  Who the fuck knows.  He's not really saying anything, but it sounds like he just called farmers stupid. -ed.]

Colbert was testifying at a House hearing on illegal farm workers. Colbert spent a day on a vegetable farm in New York before attending the hearing. He said he was there to defend farm workers.

During the hearing, King commented to Colbert about a video shown at the hearing. King said Colbert was unpacking corn instead of packing it during his trip to the farm. King said he presumed the film was run backward because that was counter-productive to getting the corn to market. [Good ol' wag the dog Colbert! -ed.]

Colbert said he didn’t understand the statement, but explained that he was packing corn, even iced it down.

Colbert went on to say, “I know it’s offensive, because corn packer is a derogatory term for a gay Iowan.“ [YES. HE D'I'D. -ed.]

Here’s the clip:

And then here’s a clip of Rep. Judy Chu (D-Cal.) attempting to fend off the complaints which some Republicans (and some Democrats) went ahead and made despite her efforts, by pointing out that in the past, Republicans have invited Loretta Switt (Hot Lips Houlihan!), Clint Eastwood (Old Man River Eastwood!), and Elmo (What the..??) to testify before Congress, so you know… STFU, haters.

Also in this clip, Colbert speaks from the heart and it’s really touching:

Colbert: eleventy

The rest of us: ??

Advantage, Colbert.

And that, citizens, is where the rubber meets the road.¹

¹ It’s a new thing I’m trying.  Cut me some slack.

Update: Here’s The Daily Show‘s take, because it’s The Daily Show, that’s why: