Marc Maron talks to Norm Macdonald about politics and spirituality

On a recent live episode of the WTF podcast, political-talker Sam Seder ribbed his old friend and former 'Air America' co-host Marc Maron, "Politics! You remember politics right Marc?"

In a conversation with SNL alum Norm Macdonald, Marc Maron explains his current stance on Politics and Politicians.

Transcript: Maron on politicians (37min mark)

WTF Episode 219 - Norm Macdonald
NORM MACDONALD: ...Even with politicians, they're still human beings.

MARC MARON: Barely. But yeah, they're the worst f*cking people in the world. All of them!

MACDONALD: Well I agree, I'm glad to hear you say that because everybody thinks you're all leftist

MARON: Well I definitely land on the lefty side of things on ideological terms. I've found from doing political talk radio, carrying water for any of them you just gotta realise the quality of people you're dealing with. You're dealing with corporate whores who are operated by business interests. Really its gonna come down to - however you view politics- the question is "Do you give a sh*t about poor people?" and "Are we being taken advantage of?".

Now if you wanna frame that as "Obama is a communist and draining us of our livelihood", well that's your particular delusion and thats fine. But I just got disillusioned with all of it. These are not quality people. I did a joke on Michelle Bachmann on 'Real Time'...

MACDONALD: I saw that

MARON: Yeah and I was getting flack from a very small portion of the Right, (imitating) "He's a misogynist". Well she's a f*cking politician. Can you name me two politicians who demand any respect whatsoever. Why do we respect these people? These people are car salesman, they're idiots, they're more disingenuous than anybody as performers. They've basically figured out a way to bait and placate morons into voting against their self interest. It's an amazing skill but is it respectable? I don't know. Do you respect a guy who sells you horsesh*t in the guise of a health supplement?

The conversation goes into an interesting comparison of Politics and Evangelism and into a much larger, compelling discussion of spirituality.

- Listen to Norm Macdonald interviewing Ann Coulter (Jan 3, 2008)

VIDEO: Daily Show; Moment of Zen - U.K. Hulkamaniacs

VIDEO: Moment of Zen - U.K. Hulkamaniacs (Aug 9, 2011)
Hulk Hogan wants to grab the U.K.'s rioting Hulkamaniacs and shake them.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Moment of Zen - U.K. Hulkamaniacs
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Popular heels Glenn Beck and CM Punk deliver farewell promos

Crossing the midpoint of 2011, two of the most popular heels in America cut memorable farewell promos as they departed their respective companies. Controversial Pundit Glenn Beck is leaving Fox News after 2.5 years with the Network. A stint that catapulted him into the national American consciousness.

VIDEO: Glenn Beck's Final Show

Glenn Beck's Final Show (Transcript)
I'm outside tonight. I want to show you. This is the NewsCorp building. This is where FOX is. That's 6th Avenue. This is Times Square at the end of the block. And this little corner is not even attached to the building. It's kind of hanging out there.

When we started, we were up -- most of the 12th floor? Twelfth floor.

And then, we wanted a space that we could change a little bit so they put us in this studio here. And for a while, we had windows open. For a myriad of reasons, we closed them and they haven't been opened I think since we've been in the studio.

Wrestling superstar CM Punk leaves WWE after a great run that places him as one of the more memorable heels of the past decade. Punk started his WWE career as a 'face' but came into his own when he returned to his natural fit as a villain. Punk intends to leave as WWE champion and unlike Beck is planning to burn bridges on his way out.

VIDEO: CM Punk shoots on his bosses (WWE RAW June 27, 2011)

CM Punk shoot from RAW (June 27, 2011)
I've grabbed so many of Vincent K. McMahon's imaginary brass rings that it's finally dawned on me that they're just that. They’re completely imaginary. The only thing that's real is me, and the fact that day in and day out, for almost six years, I've proved to everybody in the world that I am the best on this microphone, in that ring, and even on commentary.

Nobody can touch me. And yet, no matter how many times I prove it, I'm not on your lovely little collectors' cups, I'm not on the cover of the program, I’m barely promoted, I don’t get to be in movies, I'm not on any crappy show on the USA Network, I’m not on the poster of WrestleMania, I'm not on the signature that’s produced at the start of the show. I'm not on Conan O'Brien, I'm not on Jimmy Fallon, but the fact of the matter is I should be, and trust me, this isn't sour grapes, but the fact that "Dwayne" is in the main event of WrestleMania next year and I’m not makes me sick!

Jon Stewart's unedited interview with Chris Wallace on 'Fox News Sunday' (transcript)

 VIDEO: Exclusive: Jon Stewart on 'Fox News Sunday' (unedited)

Transcript of Chris Wallace interviewing Jon Stewart (June 20, 2011)
WALLACE: I'm just trying to understand you.
STEWART: Is that really true?
WALLACE: Yes.
STEWART: Because here's the thing that surprises me about that. I've existed in this country forever. There have been people like me who satirize the political process and who have satirized — what was it that Will Rogers said? How crazy is it when politicians are a joke and comedians are taken seriously? I've existed forever. The box that I exist in has always been around, the change is the box that you guys, you've moved closer to me. But I'd like to know what I'm doing that's really different than what you've seen previously from satirical comedians that work in the political milieu. What is different about it, that makes you so perplexed?

Transcript: Bill O'Reilly Interviews Jon Stewart - Day 2

VIDEO: Bill O'Reilly Interviews Jon Stewart (Day 2, 05/17/11)

Part 2: O'Reilly and Stewart Discuss Presidential Politics
O'REILLY: Sarah Palin, governor of Alaska, but left office with high approval rating.
STEWART: I'm sure she did.
O'REILLY: Yes.
STEWART: Then they got to know her.
O'REILLY: No, she left with high approval rating. She was in there.
STEWART: Fair enough.
O'REILLY: Like her?
STEWART: I'm not a particular fan of her style of rhetoric. I think she's too thin-skinned.
O'REILLY: Sounds like Colbert you're describing.
STEWART: Colbert, I would actually endorse for president. She's reminiscent to me much more of a television personality than a politician because I think that her inability to get past slights, it makes it very difficult to -- like I would just imagine her at night just with the hands going, did you see that thing that Maher…

John Cena announces Osama Bin Laden's death at WWE PPV

VIDEO: John Cena Announces Osama Bin Laden Death at WWE Extreme Rules

JOHN CENA: I'm gonna put this down (puts Championship Belt down)

I walk out here every night with "Hustle, Loyalty and Respect" on my sleeve. That is a credo I've adopted from the men and women who defend this country. (crowd cheers)

The President has just announced that we have caught and compromised to a permanent end Osama...

(crowd hoots and chants "USA, USA, USA")

This is the sort of night(?) when I feel damn proud to be an American!

This happens after President Obama appropriated Hulk Hogan's iconic 'Real American' theme to lead into his 2011White House Correspondents' Dinner monologue.

 - Find more on the analogy that American Politics is not unlike professional wrestling here
- Read more about the WWE's history and ongoing support of the American troops 
-  Hillary Clinton appears on WWE Television supporting the troops

To readers of PunditFight: Sorry for the lack of updates just when Donald Trump shows up

That's just great! Donald Trump throws his hat into the 2012 Presidential election and the blog is on hiatus. Shamefully as I am traveling Europe for the year, maintenance for the site will be sporadic.

This is unfortunate as news of Trump challenging President Obama is perfect fodder for this blog - The analogy that American Politics is not unlike professional wrestling.

Trump is exactly the type of theatrical media personality that makes American Politics wrestling-like. He is no stranger to wrestling, being a frequent guest on WWE programming and the marquee draw for Wrestlemania 23. This experience has certainly sharpened his ability to cut wrestling promos as evidenced by his high-profile feud between Rosie O'Donnell and his recent tirades on Robert De Niro and China.

VIDEO: Donald Trump signs contract for WWE WrestleMania 23