As the guest on Wednesday's Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central, Ted Koppel ribbed host Jon Stewart for not ridiculing President George W. Bush over his trip to Vietnam and then Koppel offered his own sharp-edged joke about it. Koppel scolded Stewart, "I'll tell you what I have been thinking: I can't believe you haven't done anything on George Bush in Vietnam." Koppel then delivered his wisecrack: “Thirty-five years ago, he joined the Texas Air National Guard to stay out of Vietnam. And now, he's going to Vietnam to stay out of Washington.” That generated loud applause and laughter from the audience in the Manhattan studio, as well as hearty laughter from Stewart, and Koppel chuckled at his own one-liner.
Seconds earlier, Koppel delivered another politically-loaded quip: "Remember the joke before -- it wasn't that much of a joke -- before the invasion of Iraq in 2003, we used to say in Washington, 'we know Saddam has weapons of mass destruction, we still have the receipts.'" That prompted Stewart to express bafflement with why Koppel's news agenda isn't shared more widely: "This is the thing that always befuddles me and you and I have this conversation all the time: Why isn't that joke the lead of every news story about Iraq? You know, the context that we sold them all those weapons, why isn't that more prominent in all this?" (Partial transcript follows)
Video clip (1:55): Real (3.2 MB) or Windows Media (3.7 MB), plus MP3 audio (670 KB)
Koppel, the long-time anchor of ABC's Nightline, made the appearance to promote his two-hour Sunday night special on the Discovery Channel, Koppel on Discovery: Iran -- The Most Dangerous Nation, scheduled to air at 9pm EST/PST and again late Sunday night/Monday morning at 1am EST/PST
A transcript of the relevant portion (matching the video clip) of the November 15 Daily Show with Jon Stewart, which will air again Thursday at 1am, 8am, 2pm and 8pm EST/PST:
Ted Koppel: “Remember the joke before -- it wasn't that much of a joke -- before the invasion of Iraq in 2003, we used to say in Washington, 'we know Saddam has weapons of mass destruction, we still have the receipts.'” (audience laughter)Jon Stewart: “And this is the thing that always befuddles me and you and I have this conversation all the time: Why isn't that joke the lead of every news story about Iraq? You know, the context that we sold them all those weapons, why isn't that more prominent in all this?”
Koppel: “Well, because a long time ago, and I think the nature -- especially of 24/7 cable news today -- is, you know, a focus on what's most recent, not necessarily on what's most important. You know, that was years ago. That was back in the 1980s. When you think about it, the chemical weapons that were used by the Iraqis against the Iranians came from components that were sold to them by the British, the French, the Germans and [pause] the United States. The weapons that were used, the chemical weapons that we used against the Kurds in Halabajah, in 1988, again, the components were sold to them by western Europeans and U.S. companies.”
Stewart: “You're a real downer.”
Koppel: “All right, I'll tell you what I have been thinking: I can't believe you haven't done anything on George Bush in Vietnam.”
Stewart: “We were going to do, he's getting there on Friday. It's his first visit.”
Koppel: “Just think about it. Just think about it.”
Stewart: “He tried to get a deferment. He couldn't get one this time.” (Audience laughter)
Koppel: “Thirty-five years ago, it's a sign of the times: 35 years ago, he joined the Texas Air National Guard to stay out of Vietnam. And now, he's going to Vietnam to stay out of Washington. Right? (audience applause and laughter, Koppel laughed at his own joke)
Stewart: “Very funny, my friend. You know, I had heard that he had asked his father to try and get him out of this trip. But his father has no pull over there anymore, so it's a difficult situation.”
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
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Ah, Ted Koppel. That ponder
November 16, 2006 - 02:35 ET by Republic1Ah, Ted Koppel. That ponderous, self-important liberal fool used to send me into a rage every other time I watched Nightline. It was a happy night when he signed off. His comment "we used to say in Washington, 'we know Saddam has weapons of mass destruction, we still have the receipts.'” is pretty characteristic. So, the current liberal line is Saddam didn't have WMD's--but IF he did, it's because the U.S. sold him the means to make them? Self-righteous lefty elitists always find a way to blame America.
One of the bad things about b
November 16, 2006 - 10:05 ET by danboOne of the bad things about being where Katrina came ashore. In the days after the storm, the only national news I could get was this creep.
He was a bastion of misinformation. I really resent the creep for his arrogant attacks on the people who were helping us. And his lazyness in finding out what was really going on.
The creep. Haven't watched him since Katrina and never will.
But as the appologist and aides of these creeps. I didn't know what was really going on. I couldn't see it through the magic veil of TV. I was only living it.
One of the 1st places I went to after I got back power and connections was Newsbusters. I vented here. Thank you.
"Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of truth and knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods." Albert Einstein
That they think this shows
November 16, 2006 - 03:10 ET by benrandThat they think this shows their complete ignorance.
Were those American tanks we were shooting at in the Gulf War I? How was France's relationship with Saddam vis-a-vis nuclear technology?
This stupidity is why I don't own a television.
"he joined the Texas Air National Guard to stay out of Vietnam."
Where was Ted? How about the ANG pilots who died in VN Ted?
Ted is a silly characiture of
November 16, 2006 - 05:16 ET by Andrew H.Ted is a silly characiture of a newsman. He simply proved it with this "joke." As far as I know Ted was as far away from Viet Nam as he could get during the war.
Never relent to those who would enslave our life... fight the leftists until death!
benrand and Andrew O. Huddles
November 16, 2006 - 08:16 ET by ding7777benrand and Andrew O. Huddleston - Koppel, born in 1940, was too old for the VietNam draft whose cut-off was for those born between 1944 and 1950. However, Koppel was in the mist of the Gulf War:
Koppel too old?
November 16, 2006 - 09:35 ET by inquiringmindMy math might be a little rusty but if Ted was born in1940 he would have been in his early 20s as VietNam was going on. Maybe they wouldn't have drafted him but he could have put on the uniform.
Seeing as how the first advis
November 16, 2006 - 09:48 ET by BDSeeing as how the first advisors were dispatched when Ted was 18, he could have gone over with a SF Group.
Or he could have enlisted at 25 and joined the First Cav as they air assualted into the Ia Drang Valley.
Or he could have enlisted at 32 and participated in the Cambodian Incursion.
On a more positive note, This week here at Fort Huachuca we had a MSG who Re-enlisted at 58 years old following a LONG break in service. Believe it or not, he came out of retirement in order to do this.
Why is the press not pasting his face on the front page?
...yeah, they could make it l
November 16, 2006 - 12:42 ET by TruthMonger...yeah, they could make it look like he couldn't find work in the Bush economy - that would nicely fit "the template."
They must be too busy lying their asses off about other stuff right now...
I don't think so, ding. My
November 16, 2006 - 11:58 ET by gaubster2I don't think so, ding. My father was born in 1950 and his number was picked to report for the draft (the notice was in his mailbox when he got back from his honeymoon). He ended up failing the physical due to a football injury and being overweight at the time and didn't go to Vietnam.
gaubster2 - Not sure what you
November 16, 2006 - 12:37 ET by ding7777gaubster2 - Not sure what you don't agree with but if your father was born in 1950 he would have been included in the VietNam draft lottery for those born between 1944 and 1950 which is what I said.
Anyway , for those who need links
Just curious....Is it more pa
November 16, 2006 - 13:33 ET by BDJust curious....
Is it more patriotic to be FORCED into the military than to volunteer for a unit?
Koppel was in 'Nam-- as a reporter
November 16, 2006 - 11:59 ET by nkviking75In fairness to Koppel, his ABCNews.com official bio says he did some reporting from Vietnam, but he was not in the military there.
BTW, Kerry elisted in the Navy thinking it would keep him out of combat in Vietnam, but he had the misfortune to be assigned to a Swift Boat. When he racked up 3 Purple Hearts for minor injuries, he took advantage of that fact to get himself out of the combat zone. Kerry was only there for a fairly short time.
nkviking - . John Kerry bega
November 16, 2006 - 12:48 ET by ding7777nkviking - .
Suffice it to say, Kerry had more medals (purple, bronze and silver) and was shot at more often than Bush or Cheney or Rumsfeld.
So, guys who spent two tour
November 16, 2006 - 13:34 ET by BDSo, guys who spent two tours = 24 months in contact are SIX times more patriotic than Kerry's three months?
Sounds about right.
November 16, 2006 - 13:37 ET by Free StinkerSounds about right.
Yeah, John F.in Kerry, the he
November 16, 2006 - 16:58 ET by kathleenirishYeah, John F.in Kerry, the hero of Vietnam. or, of Christmas in Cambodia, or wherever else he lied about.
You are a syncophant Kool-aide drinker of the highest order. One could only wish that you meet your 'hero' in person and see how he really is.
"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM????"
Pompous, selfish, elitist and unAmerican. Traitor. Along with his senior blimp senator, Ted K.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
except those hunting with c
November 16, 2006 - 18:18 ET by BlameTheMediaexcept those hunting with cheney
(sorry, it was just too easy)
Cheap shots usually are.
November 17, 2006 - 06:00 ET by PeskyDaneCheap comments usually are.
That's very true--Kerry was i
November 17, 2006 - 05:14 ET by Andrew H.That's very true--Kerry was in country. He turned creep lefty and enough of the good people in Mass voted for him and he has a home in the senate now where he can do as much damage to America and her military as he can muster with other lefty creeps.
Never relent.
So now you're denigrating R
November 17, 2006 - 05:41 ET by Jack BauerSo now you're denigrating Rumsfeld's distinguished service as a Navy pilot, as well as Bush's service as a National Guard fighter pilot?
Wow. Why do you hate flyboys so much?
And by the way pilot hater, I ain't a big fan of non-conservative President Bush either, so don't play that lark.
Admit it, you loath the military really, doncha there hater.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
"John Kerry began his se
November 17, 2006 - 05:49 ET by NL207"John Kerry began his second tour of duty"
How could this man have ever served a second tour of duty? He never completed the first and only one he served. He was returned home after about 4 months in theater on the claim that he was wounded 3 times.
Yoiu are factually incorrect. John Kerry served less than one tour in Vietnam. There was no SECOND tour.
Colbert's segment on Rush L
November 16, 2006 - 03:24 ET by sarcasmoColbert's segment on Rush Limbaugh's post election commentary was a classic. VERY funny stuff.
JMR
Koppel
November 16, 2006 - 07:33 ET by pocomocoI watched Koppel when he had Nightline for only one reason: his dull, droning voice acted like a sleeping pill - he'd put me to sleep every night. Thanks Ted.
So, Ted. One question. Did yo
November 16, 2006 - 07:57 ET by TradesmanSo, Ted. One question. Did you even serve in the military at all? Maybe you should pore over those fake docs with your buddy Dan Rather. Lord knows your claims are as relevant as his.
Koppel
November 16, 2006 - 08:10 ET by pocomocoThere is a good chance that Koppel's jokes were written by Stewart. Letterman is notorious for setting up his guests, especially if they are politicians.
WOW
November 16, 2006 - 12:05 ET by iveseenitallKoppel and Stewart-- the next Martin and Lewis. They are sooo funny. WOW!
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
My bro on Krappel
November 16, 2006 - 14:24 ET by reelman46I saw him say all this on The Daily Show.
He prefaced the WMD by listing France, Germany, England (then us).
We have always traded with other countries, but we restrict the level
of security-issue stuff we give him. I have a vague recollection of the
2 continental countries giving him the needed DANGEROUS parts (at least
they also did that even after Gulf War I). The parallel he doesn't cite
was the Clintons (Loral) selling guidance missile stuff to China
(allowing MIRVs to work). THAT was the Administration that sold WMDs.
He was promoting his Sunday Discovery Channel show on Iran, as
Nightline became all the rage during the 444 day hostage crisis
(1979-80). IF Iran was so dangerous, why didn't hopeless, hapless Jimmy
Carter do anything (except crash in the dessert in a rescue attempt).
Ted Koppel is/was English, coming here as a child after WWII. He
was upset because England had been thru meager food supplies during the
war & he gets to America & the first thing he sees is
billboard ads for overeating, so he thinks Americans are gross gluttons.
koppel
November 16, 2006 - 15:43 ET by tumblerKoppel is the word for horse, in German.
His features, come to think about it are quite equine at the 3/4 angle. He is horse-faced. Looks like a palomino, but it could be stage makeup. Hmmm.
Well if you're going to go th
November 16, 2006 - 15:21 ET by HypocriteHaterWell if you're going to go that route, Teddy, how about some jokes about the Clinton administration's sale of sophisticated computer and satellite technology to China? Hmmmm? I bet you could come up with a real knee slapper to share with Johnny boy during your next visit to his show!
"Today we did what we had to do. They counted on America to be passive. They counted wrong." - Ronald Reagan
or, nuclear technology to Nor
November 16, 2006 - 17:00 ET by kathleenirishor, nuclear technology to North Korea. Can you imagine how the MSM would be treating this fact if Bush had given it to them?
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
What a piece of work that lib
November 16, 2006 - 16:53 ET by kathleenirishWhat a piece of work that liberal piece of shite Koppel is. Some journalist, too, with his quips that even outdo the liberal politicians for their audacity and unAmerican sentiments. What a joke those weapons of mass destruction are, hahaha. SO FUNNY! That's some comedy goldmine, there, wow. How many people did Saddam wipe off the face of the earth with them? They're laughing, too, I'm sure, huh, you jerk? I'm am beyond sick of this guy, Dan Rather, Walter Cronkite, the whole crew at CNN and MSNBC...the rest of 'em. Makes me long for Sharia law nearly, just to see the looks on their faces when they're the first to be lined up to get their "reward" .
As noxious or more: Has anyone caught the promotion on Discovery for Koppel's special on Iran that's airing this weekend, I believe? He asks the leading question of some guy, "Do you think the Bush Administration is provoking Iran into a war?" Guess what the answer might be? Yes, and of course we must consider the terrorist state's position first. Hmm. Did you remember to stop by Hezbollah's leader's house for tea as well? I'm sure they're excellent hosts for the likes of you, they must be so grateful to you and your cohorts in the MSM, carrying their water day in and out for free! al-Jazeera probably charges them, for Pete's sake!!!
Koppel: You are a pompous, elitist, igonorant ass, just like your other buddies in your so-called field of 'journalism'. You had better pray you don't ever meet me in person.
"He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare, and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere" -Ali ibn-Abi-Talib, 4th Islamic Caliph
kathleen
November 16, 2006 - 17:03 ET by misterbillBriefly, over the years I have admire ted Koppel. Reading today's post, all I can say is I am extremely disappointed, I never thought he was that bad. Well, at least he made it to Misterbill's "people I will never watch again" list.
Koppel " the weapons we used.."
November 16, 2006 - 17:18 ET by SportPoliticsKoppel [ The weapons that were used, the chemical weapons that we used against the Kurds in Halabajah, in 1988,..}
The weapons that WE USED against the Kurds....
That says it all my friends, that is the mindset of every demo leftist in the USA. WE DID IT. We murdered the Kurds in 1988. The USA did that.
I guess the NEW WORLD ORDER (aka USA) has been functioning in complete totalitarian control for a long time for the 60's hippies and their MAD alfred e neuman crew.
Yes, we did it all. We did everything. Pick the spot and the horror, the good 'ol USA did it. Just name it, I'm sure we are the key masters in the whole shebang.
( Is there a reason that talking head morons like Koppel are lofted to power ? I don't get it. I'd expect Americans who hear someone say something like that to punch him square in the nose and bloody up and twist that puss so he'd never be on air again. { ok Herlado made it back on } I guess I'm living outside the DC Marbles Tower.
koppel
November 16, 2006 - 17:26 ET by misterbillSport, I sincerely hope to God that that was a slip of the lip. As of today, I already have decided to never watch him again. Any more and I will have to find out where he lives. I sent him an email question, Let's see if he responds.