Video: National ObamaCare debate reaches awesome conclusion
posted at 6:50 pm on December 1, 2009 by Allahpundit
A hallucinatory palate cleanser to clear your mind ahead of The One’s speech. Remember that Muppet cover of “Bohemian Rhapsody”? Not the most surreal video to appear on Hot Air in the past week, as it turns out. If you’re curious about how this came to be, HuffPo’s got you covered, but I recommend skipping the link and enjoying it on its own mysteriously magical terms. How’d they meet? How’d they end up discussing this subject? Who picked out the chairs? Is this the Holodeck? The only limit is your imagination!
I had a dream just like this once, actually, except I was debating an Orion girl on social security. I won.
Blowback
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Rush talked about this today. The spoke for two hours and it will be edited for a show to be aired on Sunday, I believe 30 minutes. He said he has since watched football at Mr. Shatner’s house when he was back out in California.
Cindy Munford on December 1, 2009 at 6:53 PM
I. Love. Denny. Crane.
Knucklehead on December 1, 2009 at 6:54 PM
Rush said they talked for like two hours. And he has been over to Shatner’s house for football since then. I’m quite interested to see if he was able, in the timespan of the show, to effect Shatner’s POV.
Spirit of 1776 on December 1, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Um, what Cindy said :)
Spirit of 1776 on December 1, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Only a 1 minute clip?
Weak…
Joe Caps on December 1, 2009 at 6:55 PM
Hmm. I dream the same scenario except for the its the Girl with 3 boobs from Total Recall.
portlandon on December 1, 2009 at 6:56 PM
If this was a sneak preview, I bite my tongue.
Joe Caps on December 1, 2009 at 6:56 PM
RRRRUUUUUSSSSHHHHHHHHH
alexraye on December 1, 2009 at 6:57 PM
We are going backwards.
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but as the truth, it is as American as apple pie & Sarah Palin.
That’s not even a whole sound bite!
singlemalt_18 on December 1, 2009 at 6:57 PM
SNL
Rusty Shackleford on December 1, 2009 at 6:58 PM
And we’re supposed to trust anything or reason from a man who spent most of his life saying “beam me up”? Why does an actor even have a platform in the conversation?
Rovin on December 1, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Did Shatner ever get it? I forgot all about Rush doing this interview.
Terrye on December 1, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Here is how the healthcare debate should ACTUALLY run;
Senator 1; “National Healthcare is just beyond our powers to legislate.”
Senator 2; “Yeah, I can’t find healthcare anywhere in the Constitution, let’s see, bankruptcies, immigration, coining money, post offices and roads, providing for the Army and Navy….Nope, it’s not here anywhere.”
Senator 1; “Do you suppose we should do something that is WITHIN our powers, like, I dunno, cutting taxes on businesses so they can hire more people and maybe provide better insurance?”
Senator 2; “That sounds like something we can really discuss!”
END OF DEBATE
nelsonknows on December 1, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Rush makes too much sense on this issue, and although I know he and Shatner have “hung out” before I dare say Rush is talking about this in a way that his liberal view won’t permit him to accept.
Just look at the title of the YouTube submission “Health Care like Houses.” The person who uploaded this doesn’t understand that health CARE costs money, and great, world-leading health care costs a lot of money when it comes to saving or prolonging your life. However, just because we have the capability doesn’t mean you are entitled to anything. Health care costs money because it costs someone a portion of their life and wealth to provide you with that care, and just because you think its a right doesn’t make it so, because you have no right to another’s life.
smfoushee on December 1, 2009 at 7:02 PM
He has a show where he interviews people? What the bigs? If it doesn’t bother Rush, what does it matter to anyone else?
I’ve seen a couple of his interviews. I liked them, to be perfectly frank. But even if I didn’t, why should we censor who can talk about issues?
Spirit of 1776 on December 1, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Damnit Jim!!! I’m a political pundit, not a doctor….its my job to know.
Koa on December 1, 2009 at 7:03 PM
Why are they sitting like that? It seems like an awkward way to talk to someone.
lorien1973 on December 1, 2009 at 7:05 PM
LOL +100
ucantbserious on December 1, 2009 at 7:06 PM
Lame. You changed it.
Typically beta. Can’t even dream about nailin’ a woman.
lorien1973 on December 1, 2009 at 7:06 PM
I have not seen Shatners show yet, but I’m hitting the DVR now. I love that guy…Captain Kirk…Denny Crane…the whole Rocket Man while smoking thing!
I’m assuming his politics would drive me batty, BUT, Shatner is about the only celebrity that I think it would be cool to hang out with.
mctowler on December 1, 2009 at 7:09 PM
OK we CANNOT top this one, it would be foolish to try!
nelsonknows on December 1, 2009 at 7:09 PM
S chair for Shatner
blatantblue on December 1, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Well put, some people can’t seem to grasp healthcare is a commodity like any other service, not a right.
lowandslow on December 1, 2009 at 7:10 PM
Exactly. I`d be another thing if he was doing a Star Trek convention and started in on health care.
ThePrez on December 1, 2009 at 7:10 PM
I wish I could see the whole show, particularly since I like Shatner and he’s always seemed sensible. I want to know if he’s doing devil’s advocate or if that’s really his position.
MadisonConservative on December 1, 2009 at 7:11 PM
woahhhh.
I missed his show today so I had no idea this happened. Want more!
Diane on December 1, 2009 at 7:12 PM
To be fair, how many people have we excoriated for opinion on political issues solely on the basis of their being an actor?
MadisonConservative on December 1, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Dude, seriously. hahahahahahaa Barely beat me to this one.
Diane on December 1, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Who is “we”? You and I? Me – Zero. You?
Spirit of 1776 on December 1, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Ditto. I never paid much attention to the guy and hated Star Trek. But he totally reinvented himself on Boston Legal as Denny Crane.
Knucklehead on December 1, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Beam me up, Scotty.
bridgetown on December 1, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Is this a Lone Ranger joke?
I’m talking about conservatives in general.
MadisonConservative on December 1, 2009 at 7:15 PM
Unless its John Voigt or Gary Sinise, every single one I believe. It`s just some knee-jerk hating on Hollywood to prove how conservative one is.
ThePrez on December 1, 2009 at 7:16 PM
That seating arrangement is perfect for settling debates by arm-wrestling!
SheofTwoMinds on December 1, 2009 at 7:17 PM
It is both a joke and serious point. I’ve not tried to squash debate. I don’t watch shows that get preachy on me, but that’s the market at work. Same here. Whatever his views, more power to him. But I’m sure we agree in general, so no need to hammer the point further.
Spirit of 1776 on December 1, 2009 at 7:17 PM
don’t forget dennis hopper, angie harmon, clint eastwood, bruce willis, robert downey, jr… and maybe even angelina jolie. ;-)
homesickamerican on December 1, 2009 at 7:18 PM
Speaking of Gary Sinise………..did anyone watch World War II in HD on the History Channel a couple weeks ago?
It was outstanding, original color footage of the war never seen before.
Knucklehead on December 1, 2009 at 7:19 PM
my new, very favorite of all times saying:
Thank you,
singlemalt_18 on December 1, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Onager on December 1, 2009 at 7:19 PM
Love those chairs
royzer on December 1, 2009 at 7:19 PM
DITTO
cmsinaz on December 1, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Shatner’s best side is his ass.
Enoxo on December 1, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Umm why does a former disk jockey, college dropout from Missouri have a platform.
A: Because people listen and buy advertising, get over it.
Squid Shark on December 1, 2009 at 7:21 PM
Can’t wait til airs in January,Rush said he really likes Shatner.
ohiobabe on December 1, 2009 at 7:23 PM
More lefty brain trust. Yeesh.
ronsfi on December 1, 2009 at 7:24 PM
I did and I loved it!
ThePrez on December 1, 2009 at 7:24 PM
They didn’t have a holodeck in the original series. (Ed would know that!) :)
kc8ukw on December 1, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Shatner is a goof.
darii on December 1, 2009 at 7:26 PM
Robert Downey, Jr? Are you sure about that?
changer1701 on December 1, 2009 at 7:26 PM
I LOL’ed IRL
Hesiodos on December 1, 2009 at 7:27 PM
Nerd glasses on*
Ah, but Kirk did re-emerge in the 24th century in Star Trek: Generations. So technically Kirk existed in the time of the holodeck and could have gone and checked one out (had he not died at the end)
*Nerd glasses off*
ThePrez on December 1, 2009 at 7:28 PM
I always liked Shatner, but was a little sad when he became a lush and let himself go. His show with Rush is on the Bio channel Sunday, December 6th 9pm cst. Check to be sure.
Nalea on December 1, 2009 at 7:29 PM
The main difference here is that Rush has been opining for 20+ years day in and day out. He has followed the issues, read up on them, and observed them. Rush has great political instincts and insights. That’s why people listen to him. I have no problem with Shatner having an opinion (hell, I’m just an opinionated grad student), but I’d say Rush is different than Shatner. It’s more than “entertainment dollars.” It’s political insight.
darii on December 1, 2009 at 7:29 PM
Figures.
darii on December 1, 2009 at 7:30 PM
Oh, you don’t need to take those off.
I stand corrected.
kc8ukw on December 1, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Poetry. The way it was supposed to be.
russcote on December 1, 2009 at 7:32 PM
Seven Percent Solution on December 1, 2009 at 7:32 PM
If this chair was in the dream I see why you debated, anything else, and you get hurt.
donh525 on December 1, 2009 at 7:33 PM
This is pretty much the only guest that could entice me to watch Shatner’s show.
myrenovations on December 1, 2009 at 7:34 PM
The loveseat is oddly wonderful. Does every debate end in a hug?
LASue on December 1, 2009 at 7:34 PM
He may not be conservative, but he’s gone on record saying he’s not a lib. The last decade and a half of his life(especially his time behind bars) apparently changed him.
Doughboy on December 1, 2009 at 7:34 PM
Hey, you don’t have to pay for your health care in Starfleet.
Jim Treacher on December 1, 2009 at 7:35 PM
I stand corrected. :) But I`m still waiting for a turd in the punch bowl in regards to Angelina. It just can`t be true, it CAN`T!
…….I mean really, it`s just too good, damn it! I can get myself to believe!
ThePrez on December 1, 2009 at 7:36 PM
Why don’t you debate with us in the comments?
jaime on December 1, 2009 at 7:37 PM
We don’t excoriate them for being actors. The fact that they’re actors is the only reason we know what they’re saying. We excoriate them when what they’re saying is stupid.
Jim Treacher on December 1, 2009 at 7:38 PM
I never could quite figure out Roddenberry’s vision of the future. I remember Kirk mentioning they don’t use money, but Scotty once said he “bought a boat”. And in the new Star Trek flick, they’re shown buying brand name beers at a bar.
Maybe it’s the Howard Dean vision where capitalism and socialism co-exist in peace.
Doughboy on December 1, 2009 at 7:38 PM
Remember when Alfre Woodward was on the Enterprise and asked Picard how much it cost? And he gave her an indulgent chuckle and said something about how money was an outdated concept.
Which is easy enough to write and perform, for a bunch of millionaires.
Jim Treacher on December 1, 2009 at 7:41 PM
Oh, I had no idea he had said he’s not a lib. I can see where Kurt Russell, Eastwood, etc would lean Right/Conservative/Libertarian, but I always had Downey pegged as your typical Hollywood Leftist. Good to know.
changer1701 on December 1, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Shatner…”There’s someone out on the wing without healthcare…..”
Is Shatner still Canadian? He can go get “great” free health care anytime he wants…
Caper29 on December 1, 2009 at 7:43 PM
Wowser.
I think Bill suffers from transporter psychosis.
.
locomotivebreath1901 on December 1, 2009 at 7:45 PM
How come whenever AP posts about Rush it’s always with feigned detatched amusement.
commodore on December 1, 2009 at 7:45 PM
Nonsense!
It is said that no man can resist their charms.
JohnGalt23 on December 1, 2009 at 7:46 PM
lorien1973 on December 1, 2009 at 7:05 PM
It a modern version of one of these. We know these two men are secure in their manliness.
http://juststephen.com/blog/?p=29
Cindy Munford on December 1, 2009 at 7:46 PM
Captains log stardate 12012009: I managed to lure a conservative into the trillian debate chairs where I planned to re-educate him on health care. The conservative refused to engage and kept wanting to discuss real estate… most curious. The intelligence of this species appears to be severely underestimated.
Koa on December 1, 2009 at 7:48 PM
I think I have that beat.
STG I’m not lying here….had a dream just last night that I was visiting Beijing (wtf) and ran into Janeane Garofalo in a dim sum restaurant where we discussed the tea party movement.
In short, she didn’t hate my guts and invited me up to her hotel room for nudge, nudge, wink wink, say no more.
Bizarre to say the least.
The Ugly American on December 1, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Fortunately, the clip cuts out right before Shatner goes into Ponn Farr and Rush has to fight him off with one of those bamboo canes.
Jim Treacher on December 1, 2009 at 7:53 PM
Personally, neither do I see no difference between buying healthcare and buying a house, including the fact that the government has artificially inflated the prices on both houses and healthcare by intruding into the marketplace, thus harming many in the service of a few.
unclesmrgol on December 1, 2009 at 7:56 PM
And then?
Kralizec on December 1, 2009 at 7:57 PM
So this is what became of Kirk’s ‘Agony Booth’ from that episode where he and Spock became all evil and stuff in an alternate universe.
Dr. Carlo Lombardi on December 1, 2009 at 8:05 PM
I {heart} Rush Limbaugh!
Mojave Mark on December 1, 2009 at 8:05 PM
I
I
I
I
I
Fact check, he was against Afghan war, they mostly all voted for action after 9-11.
father on December 1, 2009 at 8:14 PM
I love it when political talk merges into Star Trek Talk!
There was always technical jargon and description of scientific concepts, but NEVER a hint as to how the Star Fleet economy worked.
I remember an episode of DS9 Where Captain Sisko laments how Earth is so slow to respond to the stations’ needs because Earth was just way too comfortable. Another time he mentioned how on a trip to Earth he was pickpocketed, but his wallet was later returned, as the “crime” was just performed as entertainment!
Come to think of it, there was an episode of TNG where some people from the 20th century were thawed out on the Enterprise, and a man commented on how powerful a man he was in his time. Picard said that want and need had been eliminated, that there was no more struggle to survive.
The man asked “Then what’s the point?”
Picard said “To better yourself” which I thought was a totally pussy answer.
redshirt on December 1, 2009 at 8:24 PM
Nice.
JeffinOrlando on December 1, 2009 at 8:26 PM
Shatner Attacked Palin and it wasn’t even funny.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/85839/the-tonight-show-with-conan-obrien-shatner-does-palin
IlikedAUH2O on December 1, 2009 at 8:32 PM
That was my first thought as well! What an awkward way to have a discussion!
Tzetzes on December 1, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Just for the record, Folks, Shatner talked about this interview with Rush on his panel with Nimoy, at DragonCon this year. And contrary to what most would think, he was very complimentary of Rush.
Here’s the link to the first clip of the hour long panel. Definitely WORTH the watching of all clips.
He’s not batshite liberal crazy. (Tho Nimoy may be. Still it was a GREAT panel.)
tickleddragon on December 1, 2009 at 8:37 PM
“First interview. No tongue.”
mojo on December 1, 2009 at 8:37 PM
I had a dream about an orion girl too but, we weren’t debating anything.
boomer on December 1, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Best caption ever.
disillusioned on December 1, 2009 at 8:46 PM
I love it when political talk merges into Star Trek Talk!
There was always technical jargon and description of scientific concepts, but NEVER a hint as to how the Star Fleet economy worked.
I remember an episode of DS9 Where Captain Sisko laments how Earth is so slow to respond to the stations’ needs because Earth was just way too comfortable.
Come to think of it, there was an episode of TNG where some people from the 20th century were thawed out on the Enterprise, and a man commented on how powerful a man he was in his time. Picard said that want and need had been eliminated, that there was no more struggle to survive.
The man asked “Then what’s the point?”
Picard said “To better yourself” which I thought was a totally pussy answer.
redshirt on December 1, 2009 at 8:58 PM
I love it when political talk merges into Star Trek Talk!
There was always technical jargon and description of scientific concepts, but NEVER a hint as to how the Star Fleet economy worked.
I remember an episode of DS9 Where Captain Sisko laments how Earth is so slow to respond to the stations’ needs because Earth was just way too comfortable.
Come to think of it, there was an episode of TNG where some people from the 20th century were thawed out on the Enterprise, and a man commented on how powerful a man he was in his time. Picard said that want and need had been eliminated, that there was no more struggle to survive.
The man asked “Then what’s the point?”
Picard said “To better yourself” which I thought was a totally wimpy answer.
redshirt on December 1, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Yea, but he made up for that with the Levi Johnston Twitter reading.
jon1979 on December 1, 2009 at 9:01 PM
He’s right. There’s nothing about health care that makes it any more “morally” compelling than a swanky beach compound.
disa on December 1, 2009 at 9:34 PM
Capt. Kirk never saw a holodeck.
Just sayin’.
B26354 on December 1, 2009 at 9:43 PM
I “luffed” Denny Crane..altho BLegal sometimes made me nuts..especially his buddy ..brain freeze, can’t think of his name.Ah, Alan Shore..I am 99% sure he is a big lib in real life and just loved bashing conservatives…at every turn…..
Xango Annie on December 1, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Little trivia..did you know WShatner is a superb horseman?
Has showed on the circuits for a long time.
Xango Annie on December 1, 2009 at 9:46 PM
Shatner was p*wned!!!!!!!
bill30097 on December 1, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I wouldn’t say healthcare is breaking the country. It is breaking some individuals. Of course, a certain portion of those idividuals chose to live with the risk of no insurance. They had to have the fancy cars, the big house, the big screen and so on. Yet, somehow, they couldn’t afford insurance. Hmmmm. Now we as taxpayers are expected to bail them out. No thanks.
boomer on December 1, 2009 at 10:14 PM
Good lord, that seemed to make sense to me.
PattyJ on December 1, 2009 at 10:16 PM
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