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STEPHEN COLBERT vs. CORNEL WEST & TAVIS SMILEY: WATCH COLBERT GET SCHOOLED (1032 hits)

HUFFINGTON POST, April 20, 2012 -- Colbert came out swinging in his interview with Cornel West and Tavis Smiley, accusing the two of waging class warfare with their new book, The Rich and The Rest Of Us.

West & Smiley took Colbert's mock outrage in stride, sparring back with him while also making their case for the poor.

In a particularly inspired response to the host's suggestion that the book is a $12 guilt trip for the rich, West shot back, "You've got a whole lot of unemployed people, thank god, who are going to Bruce Springsteen's world tour, The Wrecking Ball... Why? Because he's a white blues brother and understands; he's concerned about the poor, too. If they can get a Bruce Springsteen ticket, they can buy this book."

Posted By: Richard Kigel
Sunday, April 22nd 2012 at 8:19PM
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At first, I couldn't tell if he were joking or not. And I agree with Mr West. If they can buy a concert ticket, they can buy the book.

Another thing, we needed the economy to work before anything could be done about poverty. Isn't that w hat welfare is suppose to do? Except that what they get from the government keeps them in poverty. Without a functioning economy, there will be no money or jobs to help anybody much less the poor. So what was the President suppose to do? They don't want the health plan that will help everybody.
Sunday, April 22nd 2012 at 11:00PM
Thomasena Martin-Johnson

This was a good interview for Brother West and Tavis. colbert plays it for jokes--but they got their points in. And cornel WEst even got to ding Colbert a couple of good shots!

But you are right--poverty has to be on the nation's mind and agenda in this election--even though the powers that be don't want to talk about it.

Good for Cornel WEst and Tavis Smiley!!!

Sunday, April 22nd 2012 at 11:11PM
Richard Kigel

Colbert is hilarious as usual and as usual he set up the guests to get their "real" points across. Both Colbert and Jon Stewart have great shows and always keep a brother laughing - and informed.
Monday, April 23rd 2012 at 1:52PM
Darrell Garrett

Great point, Darrell...most of the time, the guests are in on the joke and don't take themselves too seriously--and if they are quick--like Brother West, they can nail Colbert--as he did here.

it's always fun to watch.

Monday, April 23rd 2012 at 1:58PM
Richard Kigel

Hello to all,

Seriously, for Black Americans is not all this an age old merry- go- round? In other words, despite any points West, Travis, or any Black American have made in the past or present things remained the same because they don't know that Black America's only permanent solution is to
become a sovereign free people on a protion of this continent that we could call our very own conutry, otherwise all we are doing is whining and complaining, am I right.

Monday, April 23rd 2012 at 3:23PM
Harry Watley

Missed it, but will catch it on ON Demand.

CALLING PLANET EARTH....PLEASE TRY TO USE THAT PWOERFUL WORD "I" ONCE IN A WHILE...IT IS A WONDERFUL THING TO BEHOLD. (S-M-I-L-E)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA