Today’s Video: A "layover in St. Bart's"?

During his official visit to Puerto Rico on Tuesday, U.S. President Barack Obama gave his support to a referendum to decide the commonwealth's political status. Even though it was the first trip by a sitting U.S. president in fifty years was the four-hour visit really worth it? "The Daily Show" tried to answer that question in a segment that first aired last night:

The Daily Show - West Wing Story
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Online Source - BBC News
Video Source - The Daily Show

Today’s Video: Mind over matter

Could paralyzed individuals soon be able to walk with the help of a unique robot-like suit? This may be a reality in the next few years thanks to the breakthroughs in neurotechnology by Brazilian scientist Miguel Nicolelis. He appeared on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" on Tuesday and discussed the amazing work he does:

The Daily Show - Miguel Nicolelis
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Nicolelis' ambition is not confined solely to the laboratory; he was recruited by the Brazilian government to help create a "City of the Brain" in Natal that could become a major scientific research center. Earlier this month Nicolelis was named as the head of a public "future commission" with the aim of promoting science in Brazil.

Speaking of scientific breakthroughs, Colombia's Manuel Elkin Patarroyo announced this week that he found a method for developing synthetic vaccines. This finding by Patarroyo, who in 1986 created an anti-malaria vaccine, could lead to vaccines that "can cover virtually all the 517 infectious diseases."

Online Sources - uv10.com, Terra Brasil, Colombia Reports, AFP
Video Source - Comedy Central

Today’s Video: Forgetting Romero

Earlier today we highlighted the life of the late Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero including his work against government oppression and how his countrymen admire him today. “The Daily Show” (TDS) last night also looked at Romero but under the guise of a story we mentioned last Friday: the controversial curriculum changes in Texas. “That is how Oscar Romero got disappeared by rightwingers for the second time” concluded TDS host Jon Stewart at the end of the report.

Fast forward to the 2:45 mark to view how such a vital person in Latin American history was removed from future Texan textbooks:

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Don't Mess With Textbooks
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Why did Rio de Janeiro win the 2016 Olympics bid?

The answer to the above question was provided by The Daily Show. As the following Not Safe For Work video shows, Rio's winning bid came as a result of one key factor: the hypnotic power of the Brazilian derriere. (Fast forward to about the 3:25 mark).

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Chicago Nope
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All laughs aside, there are some interesting tidbits to consider regarding Rio and the Games:

• Since 2008, three of the five winning Olympic sites are in the developing BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries - Beijing (2008), Sochi (2014) and Rio (2016).
• The breakdown of votes cast showed that Rio won easily in the second and final rounds. Yet in the first round Rio only placed in second with 26 votes (two behind Madrid but only eight places of last place Chicago.
• Will the implementation of policies a la Rudy Giuliani in 1990s New York City eliminate Rio's security problems ahead of the Olympics?
  

Online Sources - The Daily Show, The Latin Americanist, olympic.org, Foreign Policy Passport, The New Republic

Daily Show skewers Sotomayor hearings

Let’s face it; the past two days and change of Senate hearings for Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor have been pretty damn boring with the only fireworks being the few unruly disruptions on the first day. That dullness (as well as Sotomayor’s odd serenity and the unnecessary rehashing of Miguel Estrada) was not lost in this “The Daily Show” clip that aired last night:

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White Men Can't Judge
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Click here if you are brave enough to watch live today’s proceedings including witness testimony for and against Sotomayor.

Online Sources- Comedy Central, Christian Science Monitor, The Latin Americanist

Today’s Video: Much "achoo" about nothing?

Is the news over the swine flu outbreak blown out of proportion and as terrible as is being reported? “Face it: this story is dumb” mentioned Gawker in a post this morning which admonished the press for using scare tactics and creating a panic. A similar critique was described on “The Daily Show” Monday night:

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Snoutbreak '09 - The Last 100 Days
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What do you think?

Online Sources- Gawker, Comedy Central, The Latin Americanist

“An American doing an American job”

In “The Daily Show” report below, correspondent Aasif Mandvi wonders which border vigilante is the “Mexican”: the Minuteman volunteeer who patrols part of the Rio Grande for free or the gentleman hundreds of miles away who uses a series of webcams to patrol part of the border for free.

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Borderline Cops
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As you can see at the end of the video, the correct answer is neither one!

Online Sources- The Daily Show

Today’s Video: Has Terry McAuliffe lost his mind?

Is he serious or is he crazy?

Does he mean what he says or is there some pitiful ruse he’s playing?

Should we be feeling queasy?

Ugh.

(Video link):

Update: Speaking of queasy, here's the man in question shilling for his preferred candidate while drinking Puerto Rican rum earlier this morning.

That probably explains the light, pastel-like wardrobe.


(Hat tip: Wonkette).

Video of the Day: Coming soon – “Hoy Rogers”

A few days ago we mentioned how Taco Bell will expand into Mexico after a disastrous attempt in 1992 and how some were not pleased with the notion of “Americanized” Mexican food being sold in Mexico.

“The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart commented on Taco bell’s return south of the border and how:

“At last Mexicans will have access to Mexican food.”

Yes, finally authentic Mexican food will be enjoyed be Mexicans.

(Video link):

Links- Comedy Central, The Latin Americanist

Quote of the Day: Evo’s humble plea

“Please don't consider me part of the axis of evil.”

--Bolivian president Evo Morales jokingly wished not to be lumped with the likes of Kim Jung Il during his appearance last night on “The Daily Show” (TDS).

As the Associated Press observed of the interview:

“Looking a bit stiff and speaking through a translator, Morales did not seem at first to understand some of (TDS host Jon) Stewart's jokes, delivering serious responses. But he gradually relaxed under gentle questioning from Stewart and a crowd that delighted in the leftist leader's indictments of Western capitalism and appeals for social justice.”

See Morales and Stewart discuss democracy, economics, coca, and other issues in the video below (video link):

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Associated Press, Comedy Central

Event: Evo on “The Daily Show” tonight

Leaders from around the world have converged this week in New York City for the latest session of the U.N. General Assembly. While much attention has been paid to yesterday’s speech by Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, other heads of state including several from the Americas will be doing their share of public appearances in the “Big Apple.”

Bolivian president Evo Morales will be making a guest appearance tonight on "The Daily Show." Morales will be only the second sitting head of state to guest on the show and according to Reuters his interview will be conducted in a unique manner for their program:

“In a first for "The Daily Show," Stewart will conduct his interview of Morales through an interpreter, who will translate the host's questions from English to Spanish and the Bolivian leader's answers from Spanish back to English, a network spokesman said.

Last night, Morales touched on several controversial topics during a speech at Cooper Union such as coca leaf production and Bolivia’s relationship with Cuba and Venezuela.

Sources- Reuters, newsday.com, Washington Square News

Image- barrioflores.net (Evo Morales being satirized during a 2006 broadcast of “The Daily Show”)

Bill Richardson on “The Daily Show”

Below is video of New Mexico governor Bill Richardson’s appearance Wednesday night on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.” Richardson explains why he is “the most qualified candidate to be president” and confesses how cultural differences nearly derailed negotiations with Saddam Hussein in 1995.

Links- YouTube, Albuquerque Tribune