The Best Rally Ever!

Rally stage in front of the Capitol building. Photo courtesy of: Nick Vasiliadis

More than 250,000 people attended Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert’s Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear Oct. 30 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

With Halloween only a day away, it was, for many, a costume party. Popular costumes included bald eagles, patriots, Waldos, and even Snookis.

            Stewart, host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” was philosophical about the rally’s purpose. “This was not a rally to ridicule faith or to suggest that times aren’t difficult and that we have nothing to fear,” he said. “They are and we do. We live now in hard times, not end times.”  

He added that the American people need to stop magnifying their problems and try to solve them together as a nation, not just as a political party, and shut other voices out.

            Guest appearances included The Roots, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ozzy Osborne, R2-D2, Tony Bennett and more.

For a few, it was a good concert, for others a chance to express their feelings and political beliefs.           

“[The rally was] entertaining and inspiring,” said Kyle Hetricx, a rally attendee. “Jon’s message at the end gave me hope that we still can work together.”

Before Stewart and Colbert took the stage there was a musical guest appearance by The Roots and John Legend.  The rally opened up with the National Anthem and a benediction given by “the Rev.” Guido Sarducci.

Sarducci asked God for a sign that revealed the true religion.

Surprisingly, God did not answer the question. After the benediction, Colbert, of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” invited Sam Waterston, from the television series Law and Order, to read a poem that Colbert wrote himself the night before called “Are You Sure?”

Next, Stewart introduced musical artist Yusuf Islam, formally known as Cat Stevens, to sing “Peace Train,” but as he was singing his song Colbert brought on stage Ozzy Osborne to sing “Crazy Train.” Since Colbert and Stewart were bickering about which performer should play, both Ozzy and Yusuf could not finish their songs. As a compromise, The O’Jays hit the stage to perform “Love Train.”

Then cameras cut to the crowd where Jason Jones and Wyatt Cenac were covering the rally. Whereas Cenac reported sanity and a calm crowd, Jones reported “chaos” and “fears” for his own life.

After Jones anxiously ran away from the crowd, P.K. Winsome came on the jumbotron with an important message, “This rally is sure to be a historic event, one you’ll remember forever…” Winsome reminded all viewers to buy souvenirs to remind them of what they will never forget.

Moments later, Stewart and Colbert sang a duet, “I’m More American Than You,” enlightening the audience on how America is the greatest and strongest country in the world.

Next, Kid Rock and Cheryl Crow performed. Afterwards, Stewart and Colbert had a debate on the subject of reason versus fear, to which Kareem Abdul-Jabbar spoke his mind. “No matter what religious position someone plays, we’re all on the same team,” he said.

John Oliver approached the stage dressed like Peter Pan to mediate the discussion between Colbert and Stewart. Oliver asked the masses to chant, “Will this help! Will this help!” Americans chanting proved too much for Colbert, and he “melted” to the ground like the Wicked Witch of the West.

Finally, Stewart took the stage alone saying, “I’m really happy you guys are here, even if none of us really are quite sure why we are here.”

Stewart explained his intentions for them holding the rally, and added that the press is a great tool to help Americans see their problems but magnifies them too much, thereby creating blindness resulting from fear.

“If we amplify everything, we hear nothing,” Stewart said.

Tony Bennett closed by singing, “America The Beautiful.”

“It is not important what happened today,” Stewart told the attendees before they left. “But what is recorded of what happened today.”

This man showing his distaste towards tea parties. Photo by Nick Vasiliadis