Filibuster: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

John Oliver explains why filibusters exist, why they shouldn't, and why it's stupid to drink coffee like a cat.
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[@nohbuddy1]

McConnell isn't a tool. Tools are useful.

[@robertojarrin3634]

AmericanNohbuddy ™ Oh he’s very useful, he’s just useful to Trump

[@sirslickrock]

Yeah but he is like a rubber hammer that squeaks like a moose dying while snipe hunting

[@Odinsday]

He's what would Skeletor would look like if he had skin.

[@alex8480]

He's extremely useful to his base and supporters

[@peanutbutterjellyfish2665]

AmericanNohbuddy ™ 😂🍻🧠

[@onemadgamer8064]

"Or if you are watching this on youtube" Awwww John knows me so well 😊

[@ColoringKaria]

One Mad Gamer when I saw that last night as a paying HBO subscriber I was annoyed because I was like “what about those of us who watch it at 11:10pm and then again on KZbin the following morning”

[@itac.2280]

I love the guy behind John Oliver in the filibuster bit, who nods when he starts to use the bucket. Extras like him are the life blood of comedy

[@jennifergriel861]

If I was a senator I would filibuster by reciting this episode word for word.

[@galfinsp7216]

It would at least be more on topic then ted Cruz reading dr Seuss.

[@TheNinthGenerarion]

You’d still need a few more hours

[@yomi001]

I would read "Shrek is Love, Shrek is Life" over and over again until I pass out from exhaustion or until Shrek actually shows up on the senate floor to fill my butt with his love.

[@J.R8765]

@Alina Waterstraat surprisingly more appropriate than what every other senator does

[@mmusya793]

Brilliant!

[@deanquinlan1618]

So basically instead of being a cooling saucer, the US senate just lets the coffee sit there until it evaporates. Well done everyone.

[@themillfloss]

More like grow mold and make what was once a yummy drink now a disgusting poison and stink up the room.

[@hazukichanx408]

"Okay, on today's agenda... something about poisoned water in Michigan. Democratic suggestion is to fix the pipes, maybe put wells somewhere less poisonous." "To hell with that! I ain't passin' no Dem legislation!" "Well then, on to our 15-hour lunch for today..."

[@burningwings136]

@@hazukichanx408 "Sorry but I can only afford an 8 hour lunch. I have to go back to my home state to campaign for reelection. I'm going to tell them all about how I'm going to fix our problems and fight for them. I don't know why, but they keep buying it."

[@yudithcaron8053]

Did you know that in some countries, it is forbidden to eat on the House or Senate floor? Not only does it allow for shorter filibusters but it also shortens the debates considerably.

[@ericcao4829]

The only appropriate time to scream because your coffee disappeared is when the US Senate drinks it all

[@ArcaneEther]

The worst part about Ted Cruz's Green Eggs and Ham spiel was that he completely missed the entire point of that Dr. Suess book. In the childrens' story, Sam-I-Am convinces the unnamed antagonist to try some green eggs and ham and he learns that he actually likes them. The moral of the story is to try new things without judgement.

[@kappadarwin9476]

spoken by a true man of the literary arts

[@tharp769]

Leave it to a Republican to miss the true point of ANYthing.

[@CaseyFinSF]

I'm going to take a wild guess that you've made a career out of interpreting Dr. SUESS PHILOSOPHY FOR DUMMIES 101.....

[@doctorjones278]

Morals escape conservatives.

[@jetetarro]

Jeremy Higgins Great point!

[@redumptious2544]

I don't know why, as a European, but USA politics presented by a very british looking Britain with the unfortunate lack of a deep accent is one of my favorite things to watch.

[@AuspolExplained]

Fun fact: this doesn't happen in Australia anymore (sorta). William Webster spoke for almost 11 hours straight in 1909 so the House of Representatives decided "hey screw that, let's change the rules for speaking times" and that record is forever etched into Australian history... For the House that is. The Senate didn't seem to think it was important. The hubris. So in 1918 a senator decided to talk for 12 hours and 40 minutes straight on a bill he hated. He started this at 10pm. That's right. He decided to start his fillibuster shortly BEFORE MIDNIGHT. He was initially permitted to sit but when they realised this would go on indefinitely they forced him to stand until he was done. The Senate then realised its mistake and changed the rules for speaking limits. Of course then there's state parliaments too and, well... They haven't caught up.... Fillibusters can still happen, though rarely. But yeah Australia had two idiots decide to prove a point and we changed the rules.

[@stinkybritches8174]

Who is Hubris?

[@radinkajp99]

That simple! Americans treat their political parties like sports teams instead of understanding they are supposed to represent the people in the country (aka the big picture) instead of their own egos.

[@rehaanphansalkar4187]

So not american learning and stuff

[@spaceman081447]

Good for Australia! As an American, I have nothing but respect for your nation's sensible decision.

[@adamthompson6443]

They should get a guy in a wheelchair to filibuster... then he doesn't have to stand up the whole time :)

[@hilde2097]

ah, yes, time for my weekly dose of anxiety with Concerned English Man

[@khuprock]

Hahahhaha

[@gabriellewhite9607]

Hilde that’s the best comment ever 😂

[@ebbyc1817]

😂

[@RN-ez1ii]

I prefer "Sad News with Weasel Faced Brit"

[@themedicus3432]

Ah yes, Enslaved Anxiety

[@tamarlambert6121]

John Oliver: "The Rock is 5 years older than me" ME: "Damn. That means you have five years to get in unbelievable shape" John Oliver: "I KNOW"

[@elijahfox6509]

Good Guy Tamar

[@redcapetimetraveler7688]

Wrong!! because the rock will always be five years older, so oliver will always get 5 years to go!! LAZY-BONES' POWER !!

[@brainflash1]

Well the Rock does workout 6 hours a day. And John only works ine day a week.

[@Cervantesbracetty]

John Oliver: “The Rock is five years older then me” ME: he’s probably 5 inches bigger too John Oliver: “I KNOW”

[@abbyiswatching2046]

The Rock is yummy looking, and seems to be a decent guy in real life. But when I hear things like "works out x hours per day" what I tend to hear is "AND WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT. A LOT. CONSTANTLY." Instead, I prefer someone who makes me laugh constantly. Did The Rock ever start his own church? Huh? Didn't think so. John Oliver is like a chibi John Cleese. How can you not love that?

[@Angry5704]

I love how the United States Senate, the place where rule are made, has more chill food rules than a kindergarten classroom.

[@andrewollmann304]

Technically, the House and the Senate have their own rule-making committees.

[@Angry5704]

@@andrewollmann304 That's true, but still.

[@thomasconnors4338]

Simple judicial fix: a court could easily rule that they have to actually do what they claim to be doing, or not be able to hide behind the claim they are doing it. Every single senator who votes against cloture should be required to remain in the room and listen, and the person holding the floor should have to actually speak ABOUT THE SUBJECT without interruption of any kind.

[@conors4430]

Hence why the Republicans care so much about judges because they can stack the court in favour of the position they already hold. Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell told Trump that as soon as he was elected. The most important thing you will do for the Republican party is nominate judges we like.

[@angelasmitheram7370]

No, the filibuster is a stupid idea in any form because it’s just a time waster, even if they are discussing the bill in question. The filibuster should be banned completely.

[@supermatx]

US Constitution, art. I section 5: ``Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, (...)´´ . Usually this has been construed that Congress ways of internally organizing are a matter for Congress only to resolve. Neither the courts nor the President may alter them. You may wanna check SCOTUS case NLRB v. Noel Canning, where the matters of proceedings of Congress was tackled.

[@Maxcraft12]

Conflakes and John Oliver is how every day is supposed to start. Greetings from Europe dear americans

[@Elephantstonica]

Maximilian Afternoon Tea here.

[@Clockwork-Rat]

it's 1 in the morning here

[@mrclueuin]

Hey. How ya doin? 2:47AM in Brooklyn, NYC here! Have a nice day! ☺

[@Elephantstonica]

undead squirtle Snack time then.

[@Bimbonotbothered]

Happy 3 am... I’m ready to die now XD

[@scottbatley1983]

Great segment. And now I really want an entire Dr. Seuss-style book of John roasting politicians.

[@virginiatyree6705]

9 9 19 Hey Scott Batley, Great idea! Maybe, someone has already started the book, maybe...hope so! Be well. v

[@tharp769]

YAAAAASSS!!!

[@korben600]

DO IT. (Link plz when done)

[@xtoadsannom6704]

In French, "flibustier" is basically another word for "pirate" and I always wondered if it had any relation to "filibuster" (you basically move one of the "i")... and now I know that it indeed does!

[@Larchitecte13]

Tout à fait ! Les flibustiers avaient pour habitude de coincer les navires en formant un blocus au travers d'une baie ou d'une embouchure, d'où l'idée de blocage par glissement :)

[@rohankurian5641]

Get rid of the filibuster and #manchin 😇✌

[@mirandaharlow3719]

c'est comme le mot "flics?" la seule raison que je connais ca est que j'ai regarde le film Black Panther avec les soutitres français😂

[@krmccarrell]

Anyone watching this show in 2021? This show on filibusters is completely apropo to today's troubles. John Oliver, you are once again so totally awesome! Thank you.

[@mastertrams]

I'm watching in 2022...

[@theshunnedBandersnatch]

2023 here

[@alasdair_pl]

2024, unfortunately.

[@Khorothis]

Replace the filibuster with the "locked up together until you get shit done" move they do in Rome when a Pope needs to be elected. It would improve efficiency a lot.

[@DaDunge]

Do what Augustus did wall the door of the senate up with the senators inside. DO that every time they go a year without passing anything and you'll see them cooperating soon enough.

[@mortuos557]

@@DaDunge you wouldn't want them passing shit just to be passing shit... That would go horribly wrong...

[@nercksrule]

@@mortuos557 so you prefer paying them $160,000 per person, per year, to do absolutely nothing?

[@mortuos557]

@@nercksrule this thing needs a huge reform. You need more than two parties...

[@mrbrainbob5320]

@@nercksrule it's better then them fucking things up more

[@Persiansweetcat1]

My fav thing about mondays is waking up, drinking my coffee and watching John Oliver! Greeting from Germany 🇩🇪

[@Doochos]

I hope you're drinking your coffee from a saucer

[@Silverlight397]

That is exactly what I do , glad someone else share my hobby 😊

[@riverviewmirrorbrokeoff9703]

Persiansweetcat1 I’m right there with you! Happy morning 🙌

[@riverviewmirrorbrokeoff9703]

Moribund 🤣 Yas!!!

[@tabethahowell5859]

Good morning!

[@RHTeebs]

Honestly, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington is one of my favorite old movies.

[@dominikadovicakova1848]

Me: a slovakian living in England religiously watching LastWeek tonight even if a lot of it is on US politics and I have no idea what's going on

[@coltmartin152]

Me:a man who says Hoib Also me:Hoib

[@hostar2]

also wishing show like this would be in our country as well

[@chriswp5087]

@@coltmartin152 whoa

[@coltmartin152]

@@chriswp5087 hoib

[@tylerhackner9731]

John Oliver’s Ted Cruz poem was the best thing I’ve ever seen.

[@StGeorgedragonhunter]

I mean, it was good, but the best? Really?

[@demonqueen26]

That poem is why I support the arts.

[@biksw]

You must've had a sad life man

[@chetankhope4348]

@@biksw you must don't know the sarcasm MAN.

[@hydrocarbon8272]

Someone needs to make a deep fake showing Cruz reading that poem.

[@WesleyOverdijk]

I'm Dutch, and found that terrible imitation to be insulting. 8/8 would watch again.

[@hendrikdependrik1891]

Indeed it was more Danish than Dutch.

[@christianbender6877]

@@hendrikdependrik1891 Them be fighting words. It was perfectly Dutch.

[@SneakyJ1991]

Or was it Limburgs perhaps?

[@ninjadodovideos]

It was definitely a solid impression of Austin Powers Goldmember.

[@shadowmanwkp]

@@ninjadodovideos Goldmember sounds very German, he's not a good example of a Dutch accent at all.

[@mosslinden5058]

In case anyone is wondering about the the whole cup to saucer thing, it made sense at the time. Your hot beverages would literally be boiling hot. You put it in a saucer because it cools faster that way, as more of the surface of the liquid is in contact with the air. Not like they could grab a couple of ice cubes out of the fridge, lol.

[@uncannyvalley2113]

i just add some room temperature water lol

[@mosslinden5058]

@@uncannyvalley2113 who wants some watery tea or coffee lmfao

[@uncannyvalley2113]

@@mosslinden5058 i- i just add like a few milliliters and leave the teabag in longer-

[@mosslinden5058]

@@uncannyvalley2113 lol you do you then

[@ClawedAsh]

@@uncannyvalley2113 To be fair Tea tended to come in slates, not bags, as those were better for shipping, and due to the markets at the time both were a lot more expensive then they were nowadays. So while that makes sense to do in the modern era, it doesn't make as much sense to do now

[@guambyguambelle1864]

I just live for these videos, now more than ever! Thank you, Mr. Oliver!

[@stormsurge1]

John Oliver: I never heard of Dutch pirate. Flying Dutchman: Am I a joke to you?

[@inquisitorialrecaf-fetcher5508]

Jan de Bouff: offers a consoling pirate hug.

[@AbiGail-ok7fc]

While the Dutch did have quite a number of pirates (or as they are commonly known off in the Netherlands "Sea Heroes"), the Flying Dutchman isn't one of them. It's myth is based on a merchant ship of the East Indies Company. (Of course, you could make a solid case that the entire East Indies Company was organized, state sanctioned, robbery).

[@kefkapalazzo1]

Abi Gail nigga stop

[@tylerhackner9731]

Not to me I love him😍

[@thelyle1399]

The Dutch are one of several countries composed of mixed Viking ancestry. Vikings are pirates that had the best boats of their era, and they’d come onto shore and rob you while you were thinking about making one yourself. Then they’d come back every so often and take your new shit. Which included women and children. So basically pirates, without a Johnny Depp franchise.

[@sivrahc]

That means when John Oliver was born Dwayne the Rock Johnson was 5 years old and getting *shredded*

[@TheRealpennyInfo]

That's a nice way to put it

[@mr.Swartz]

Your an idiot!!! The Rock was born the “baby boulder” and could rep 200lb 10x

[@tygrahof9268]

Dwayne is why I lost twenty pounds and am eating better.

[@RBickersjr]

yeah I agree, the filibuster and gerrymandering are the two biggest hindrances and governmental politics right now that I can think of. They're probably more but these seem to have the most direct blocking potential.

[@sivrahc]

@@RBickersjr are u replying to me? Or ?!

[@MegaCharliehunter]

Australia solved this issue 60 years ago when someone talked for 18 hours so they limited it to a few minutes

[@angelasmitheram7370]

I think the US might be the only parliament that allows the filibuster. It’s insane, like the Electoral College!!

[@andrewollmann304]

In the USA, you don’t have to talk at all….someone can just say “I filibuster it.”

[@lillyisnthere1305]

We learned about Sumner in history class! The worse part is after he got out of office, people were still sending him canes 😂

[@arando689]

"Obamacare was a decade ago" Wait no that-oh yeah but... I'm old

[@ereristark425]

Same!! I was like "a decade" fudge!

[@fiverthefabulist]

Right

[@LYLY-je6wk]

Same response...though I have not thought about my being old yet~

[@Ciselure]

no doubt

[@zeno8402]

4 years to a 15 year old feels like 40 sometimes >_

[@totsuka2213]

You should do a segment covering the protests in Hong Kong.

[@ColoringKaria]

Panzerkampfvagen VI Ausführung B. Königstiger he has.

[@BrittonFilmmaker]

ColoringKaria to an incredibly small degree

[@cls63amgwagon34]

PLEASE

[@dreamerthief2216]

@@ColoringKaria I guess it was only on HBO

[@alvatrous]

Panzerkampfvagen VI Ausführung B. Königstiger tyt has had good coverage.

[@adrielsebastian5216]

For those wondering why Thurmond had his aide wait with that bucket, it's because a filibustering senator cannot leave the floor for any reason. So he ended up pissing into the bucket with one of his feet still on the Senate floor, which was only possible because Barry Goldwater asked Thurmond to yield a few moment to him so that he can relieve himself, which Thurmond did.

[@JonathanNeilRhodes]

Pouring coffee and tea into a saucer and drinking from it was practiced almost everywhere the British went, not just America.

[@forton615]

Factcheck: Holland has a big history in pirate ships.

[@bwammes4191]

YES I AM DUTCH AND OFFENDED. No but seriously the Dutch taught every famous pirate captain how to sail, litterally.

[@DaDunge]

@@bwammes4191 Cept the vikings. Oh and the Vitalienbrüdern.

[@michielvoetberg4634]

@@DaDunge Lots of Frisians (part of the Netherlands now) joined the Danish vikings. The same goes for the Vitalienbrüdern

[@timdehoog5584]

Piet Hein all the way!

[@jorgegomez524]

dutch and britain pratically had the hegemony of piracy, that’s how they made their empire.

[@hollykuhl232]

Could you imagine working on this show? They come to you and say, "we need you to photoshop a picture of Hitler giving a speech but he must be clipping his toenails." I imange this is a normal weekday for the crew and creative team. Can I please intern on this show? It's amazing.

[@kittystarr8874]

Holly Kuhl this is a job I would want... how do I get this job?

[@gamlaman]

"No, sorry, no time to photoshop a picture of Hitler giving a speech while clipping his toenails, I'm still busy getting that 600 sqft marble cake depicting the dictator of Turkmenistan falling off a horse"

[@biancanewhouse3871]

I do graphic design and have had the same thoughts!!

[@rovkprain5393]

I'm black and would simply want to work on the show just due to this fact.

[@letian162]

John Oliver is amazing. A solid sense of humour while talking and TEACHING US SERIOUS IMPORTANT SUBJECTS..LIKE THE FILIBUSTER BRAVO JOHN !

[@kenhoover1639]

Incredibly insightful and also hilarious

[@OfNoImport]

The guy behind Jon while he relieves himself: *Not Bad.*

[@philipjang6842]

cute of john oliver to think I'm watching this on youtube after I wake up

[@Hihihihihihi147]

He was spot on in my case tho 😂

[@DieReineWahrheit]

Well, its 9am in Europe now, so I didn't really have a choice here.. :D

[@tantegreta]

definitely first thing i do in the morning. (couldnt watch Steelers-Pats live tho)

[@meditatewithcastidy6684]

Touche

[@dannyganelin9777]

It's 10 am here, cheers!

[@tasims1015]

I'm from South Africa, and my grand mother used to do the cooling saucer thing. I thought it was weird until I saw her church friends doing it as well. Apparently it's something grandmother's do in over here 🤣🤣🤣

[@blkcatzette]

Thank you John Oliver. You made smile. Love from Texas!!!

[@Laurence2000]

I looked up Dwayne Johnson’s age. John wasn’t joking.

[@Jayjay20015]

Laurence 5 years. wow and the difference is clear

[@robinsutton4952]

Laurence immediately asked SIRI how old J. Oliver was.

[@ForrestFox626]

That man is a national treasure!

[@DLRudder]

that’s why it’s funny

[@edeworabraham2761]

He is the same age with John Cena

[@saltedsins]

Mitch McConnel: "Just think of me as the Grim Reaper..." Millions of students: "Already do."

[@pervyturtle2673]

lol but "Moscow Mitch" is taking it too far in his mind

[@machdude3366]

"Whatever, Moscow Mitch."

[@syrialak101]

@Telly Vin-a Is this bait?

[@koskipaaa]

I have a Twitter account just for trashing mitch! And i dont Even live in The USA

[@couragekarnga8735]

In this case, we really do fear the Reaper.

[@Stravalnak]

“Didn’t know there were Dutch pirates” - an Englishman should know better.

[@kaypee1972]

Actually I am totally heartbroken and feeling miserable but this guy makes me laugh so hard. Thank you ! Hope Ted will never go down on you.

[@braxtonthartabrig]

Deserves next year’s Emmy based off of the rhyme about Ted Cruz alone...

[@ToddKeck98]

Would everytime Ted Cruz speaks in Congress means he's giving a Ted Talk? Hmm

[@rickc2102]

Hell yeah, that was awesome!

[@AisuruMirai]

*based on

[@Fisker94]

@@ToddKeck98 Only a normal Ted talk includes a new idear or at least a new view on an old idear, a ted Cruz talk only contains BS and lust for media attention. Our cartoon president really nailed him. Some Ted trivia for you: The secret service refuses to protect him. He once kidnapped his neighbors cat so that he could use it to practice kissing. He can play the banjo. He supports a flat tax of 0.0%. He believes that the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is 20 good teachers shooting guns like out of control fire hoses. He does not know what toothbrushes and underwear are. He doesn't show up in photos.

[@nessisvanillabean2570]

Someone give that background guy a raise. The look on his face when jon started peeing was so funny!

[@NicoFitz]

THANK YOU!! I scrolled down here to comment exactly that! he had me cackling through the entire bit 😂

[@viddork]

Not entirely sure, but I think it was Ben Affleck taking a break from converting lesbians. Note also how, unlike with Jimmy Stewart, nobody rushed to Oliver's aid when he collapsed.

[@DominickGuzzo]

@@viddork If that wasn't Affleck it was a damn good lookalike

[@dolebiscuit]

That was Ben Affleck lol

[@FrttMs]

@@dolebiscuit it wasn't lol

[@TheHobatron]

Kudos to the guy sat behind John during the filibuster. So many subtle looks.

[@demirgenc2271]

This video saved me during the AP Gov test, randomly popped into my head during the test, thanks for the save!

[@badman477]

Isn’t it funny how nothing seems to get passed except tax cut bills for the rich?

[@stevedubzz]

@FiniteAutomaton amen

[@zacharyhenderson2902]

Well, what seems to happen isn't necessarily what happens

[@codyg4693]

Our system was literally designed for gridlock. It was designed so that nothing gets passed without significant majority support, while also trying to protect the minority from the unjust whims of a majority. Read the Federalist Papers. Corruption sucks and is causing most of our problems which is why term limits and preventing legislators from becoming lobbyists and vice versa would be a much better solution than getting rid of the filibuster.

[@igorschmidlapp6987]

That's definitely funny=strange, cuz it definitely isn't funny=haha....

[@Yarblocosifilitico]

naaah, you're just being conspiranoid x)

[@machixmachi9435]

Starting the week off right with some John Oliver

[@vaustfeuerwaffe]

I'm just watching all episodes from last to first and wondered why John Oliver always recites a poem when Ted Cruz comes up..now I know😅

[@gundamnmechas8518]

"He was a bad actor." HOW DARE YOU 😂😂

[@raywilliams5352]

Also hello from China. I break the law just to watch your videos haha.

[@Elephantstonica]

Ha ha? You can but laugh, I guess.

[@denjowim2359]

And we never reed an comment from her again...

[@Vistrus]

North American name and look Suuuuuure

[@tuni31]

@@Vistrus She literally has a website called A Year in China. xD

[@sinishq_by_cosishq]

I'm in China too... Hope I can continue watching his videos.. Hehe

[@NewMessage]

I suspect the same people that came up with filibustering came up with the whole 'you need credit to get credit'.

[@scottm2649]

Or you need experience at a particular job in order to get the job to gain the experience.

[@leonc4653]

honestly its such an american idea, never thought a credit card was necessary until i visited usa

[@eerereps]

Entry level position requires 25 years experience in that field...

[@feha92]

@@leonc4653 Credit cards with credit exist here too, but I never really used one of those. I can see its use though, if there was a system where the terminals warned you that you were using credit and not money. The use being to simply exist as a buffer that exist as a reminder to wire cash into the card, so you can keep a habit of not walking around outdoors with cards connected to accounts with more cash on them than you might need on a single purchase, and yet not run the risk of forgetting to refill the account and find out the same day you forgot your phone at home and cant move money to it without going home first. But even then there are better options. Say, a card that had the same warning feature, except happening based on the money in the card dropping below a certain threshold instead. Would literally have been the exactly exact same feature, except gotten away the need to deal in credit.

[@aeis3007]

@@leonc4653me= I would like to rent this place for a few months Apartment place=well what's your credit? Me=I will give you the money upfront right now. I can show you my bank account I can afford this Them= We can't, we need to see your credit

[@1ahsgdf]

It seems like youtube recommended this to me again just because of the current senate arguments. IT KNOWS

[@swanhookheart]

Not gonna lie; I'd put up that print of Jefferson lapping up coffee out of a saucer right in the center of my living room

[@endaohalloran6649]

Not gonna lie, John Oliver has some great fitted suits

[@Anne--Marie]

Yes. Thankfully he doesn't go for that tight, show off the lumps style.

[@fearanarchy]

I'd like at least 1 episode where he wears an off the shelf suit from JCPenny's. You know, like a 10 yrs old that has to give an oral report in school

[@tylerhackner9731]

Agreed love his suits

[@schoppepetzer9267]

he is a skinny, weak brit.....like Hugh Grant....anemic twats

[@robertaylor9218]

*whispers* “Indo-chino...”

[@joryjones6808]

Filibuster gets its name from pirates. I would say that’s a fair comparison but at least pirates usually accomplish something.

[@mrcipher5339]

Usually it was to drink a bottle of rum a day, but it was done and done right

[@kathrinbaka7338]

@@mrcipher5339 Pirates still exist and they usually kidnap Tourists for ransom Money or Cargo Ships including the whole crew for the same reason, to then buy guns. So the definition of "done right" is correct, because they usually succeed. If it is ethically done right is then another question I would say.

[@Dave_ja_vu]

If senators actually followed the pirate code theyd be much better people

[@Odinsday]

That’s an insult to people like Blackbeard

[@artembentsionov]

David Johnson they need Captain Teague to keep them to the code

[@randomstuffwednesday1877]

To any one reading this, when It’s my time to read a filibuster I plan to read the whole bee movie script, this eps script, and Hamilton. Just u wait, just u wait

[@williamlaker7686]

Can't wait

[@lowleypeasentmr.l8836]

Are you in the government or are you just going to have a reenactment in a public space?

[@ImmortalCosmic]

You are not throwing away your shot

[@muhammadarief6490]

I heard Oliver's poem on roasting Ted Cruz like 100 times lol

[@creedleader5583]

John: I didn't even know there were Dutch pirates! The Flying Dutchman: Am I a joke to you?

[@tommywilliams2760]

. . .yes

[@reginafranke5130]

@@tommywilliams2760 I absolutely love that reference!

[@shahidabegum4195]

*le gasp* I never noticed that! :O

[@TheMoviePlanet]

That was a pretty ignorant statement from Oliver, even for the sake of a joke, seeing as how the Netherlands were one of the most powerful seafaring nations of the 17th century.

[@vertsang5424]

@@TheMoviePlanet well, to most people, the world conquest was done first by spanish and portugues people and then by french and english ones, all the others being taking scraps (which is very not true)

[@seopark7467]

7:51 it should be noted that abolitionist Charles Sumner was beaten by a pro-slavery representative, Preston Brooks, who beat him for giving a speech criticizing slaveowners. It should also be noted that Brooks was re-elected.

[@calikid05]

And took a tour of the south with the club he beat him with..

[@drrisen-9442]

Steve BG Exactly. I don’t think many take pride in the idea of utter destruction of the enemy in all facets, but sometimes the extreme is necessary to hasten the inevitable and ultimately save more lives than sacrificed.

[@jessicashen1583]

came here after watching the newest episode...And i just wanted to say how much i miss live audience

[@mariokuttel2107]

Think about this show whatever you want, but that picture at 9:50 is pure artistry

[@twotimesj6478]

As a comment, not only was the Filibuster not a founding idea, *neither was the party system*

[@davidfalkner6282]

TwoJay pretty sure it’s exactly the reason democracy and republic style governments keep failing. Two parties becomes a sporting contest founded on a popularity contest. And that basically explains American politics. A pageant on steroids.

[@basilmemories]

@@davidfalkner6282 You're sorta close? Part of why we end up with two (stagnant) parties is the voting system. First past the post only takes in who wins, not who people would vote for if they weren't afraid of their largest political opposition winning. A system like Instant-runoff voting, where you rank your choices and can stop at any time? Keeps the political parties on their toes. Even if your favorite doesn't win, you can choose the next person you're okay with, and the next, until you hit the line of "I don't want THIS guy in office at all". However because that would endanger the stranglehold on the big two, and because it would require either a constitutional amendment or each state treating it as personal voting law... nobody in the upper chambers will touch it.

[@SB-or5mj]

@@basilmemories No politician will vote for a law solely designed for them to lose their seat. At least most won't... Ted Cruz, oddly enough, has been trying to push term limits through for years. Always blocked though.

[@basilmemories]

@@SB-or5mj Yep, which is why the best hope for it is on a state level. or revolution. I'm good with either really.

[@orochifuror7148]

@@basilmemories Rank choice voting is a thing in a few states. Lots of push back against it, but even if it doesn't solve any of our problems by having more parties at least it's trying something other then the choke hold that the two party system currently has.

[@CloudsGirl7]

That Seuss-style burn of that Cruz freak was awesome.

[@jameschatwick5754]

74 year old black Vietnam veteran. That was the best civics lesson since highschool and college. Yes, (The Dallas Texas Independent School district) forced us to take government civics, or take the guillotine. I just look like a fool. ❤️☮️& happiness. 😎

[@elliesanders5525]

It's fabulous to watch this now!

[@yowatchie]

Finally, the Last Week Tonight dry spell comes to a close.

[@couragekarnga8735]

O great British parrot, rain down your wisdom upon us!

[@durzio9630]

Until next week

[@diazinth]

Courage Karnga *gray, otherwise I agree :D

[@mariep5348]

I know, I mean, we need him more than he needs a vacation. How can he leave us high and dry for a whole two weeks?

[@Ruhrpottpatriot]

And here I'm sitting in Germany, where every MP has a set time to talk and the president of the parliament can, will and has shut off their mics if they overuse their time.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

Parliamentary systems make so much more sense than the clusterfuck we have in the US.

[@giggabiite4417]

@@Dorian_sapiens I personally disagree with that, I think that putting the executive, and legislative branches together just confuses everything. To me it seems to put to much power in the hands a large confused assembly where nothing ever gets done.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

@@giggabiite4417 It's the opposite of "nothing gets done". "Nothing gets done" is what you get when the legislative and executive branches can be elected to work on opposing agendas. Or when the two chambers of the legislature can be elected to work on opposing agendas. When the executive is formed from the legislative's majority, they get to work on their agenda. Thus, stuff gets done.

[@granville7]

What do you mean by 'putting the executive, and legislative branches together'? Having the head of the government been elected by parliament thus making sure he/she has a parliamentary majority to back his/her plans? What's so bad about this concept? Depends on the government if anything gets done or not. Much easier than having a legislative that isn't expected to support the government and whose members are not bound to a whip.

[@granville7]

@Chaim Gross: it sounds as if you have little to no knowledge about Germany's present or past democratic systems. It was ahead of its time in the 1870s, it introduced universal suffrage earlier than most, even the steps leading up to that were ahead to most others, the Weimar constitution of 1919 was very modern for its time with all those basic human rights enshrined in it. And we haven't even started with today's democracy. Please just don't be too harsh on the Germans for electing an old, senile fool for president in 1932. Happens to the best of us.^^

[@giffordscanlon6503]

The graphics department was working overtime! I love it!

[@T_Syrep]

I remember that my mom used to do the whole “cool saucer” thing when i was little. So somehow, that practice was still alive until late 90s-early 20s in Indonesia 🤣

[@Zefo_No]

And today in "Stupid things that for some reason you can still legally do in the US":

[@elg6197]

today in "How's is this still a thing"

[@hansbass8119]

This week : Filibuster How is this still a thing

[@BryonLetterman]

We have plenty of laws already. Calm down.

[@tylerhackner9731]

#5,000

[@Larchitecte13]

17:42 let's give an Oscar to this man on background.

[@quinntupled9121]

I was scrolling way too long for someone to acknowledge this moment

[@bennyton2560]

He looks like Ben Affleck

[@SillyValentine]

He's having a blast back there

[@SomeBadGamer]

He seems satisfied lol

[@stephaniesmith8686]

@@bennyton2560 I agree, he DOES look like Ben Affleck. Probably is, he gets some of the craziest random celebrity cameos.

[@muraalia]

Good lord it's weird watching a show with live audience reactions. It's gonna be an adjustment when we eventually get back to this.

[@AnimalLover101195]

17:50 Someone give that guy in the background a raise. He’s acting //the shit// out of that bit! 🤣

[@kommu17]

We in India still drink tea from the saucer. Thank you Britain, I guess?

[@BryonLetterman]

You guys have some semblance of civilization, too. Remember to thank the British.

[@5urg3x]

Bryon Letterman You realize that Indians were _civilized_ long before the Brits showed up, right?

[@nunyabusiness3786]

Ravishankar Kommu well it isn’t a bad idea compared to diluting it with ice So much bleh could have been avoided...

[@victoriaque601]

Ravishankar Kommu that’s actually a good idea, why didn’t I think of that.

[@kommu17]

@@victoriaque601 I mean it is what the saucer is for!

[@MartyD]

“That man is five years older than me.” 😭😭😭

[@davidhollenshead4892]

Steroids & hanging out with men in the gym...

[@SasukeUchiha-pv4xn]

People in south asia still drunk tea from the saucer and I like it

[@kainlockley]

With the coffee in a mug, it's in a tall, but narrow container, which insulates its own heat. By pouring it into a saucer, you spread the coffee thin, thereby preventing the coffee from behaving like a thermus. Today, we stir the coffee while blowing upon it, but the cooling saucer is utilizing thermodynamic principles very smartly. That said, I absolutely love the Jefferson Dogbowl image.

[@natalie_kendel]

The best quote to sum up this video: "The side you agree with won't always be in power. Abolishing the filibuster would make it easier for everyone to do things..."

[@soccrstar4]

Natalie Kendel for you to want to change things immediately for their party’s gain is ignorance. We should fix our governance, regardless of who is elected. Hopefully, one day, eliminating the two party system.

[@austinleach1307]

@@soccrstar4 Then it's time to restructure our entire means of elections, specifically into a ranked voting system if not a complete dismantling of the Electoral College. Because the fact of the matter is, the way we currently elect our government encourages a two party system.

[@informationyes]

@@soccrstar4 two party is better than one party, a party always effect independent views of its member

[@meeshermans297]

​@@informationyes So a one party system is the only alternative to a two party system, then? At no point did the person you are replying to state they wished a one party system instead of a two party system.

[@informationyes]

@@meeshermans297 Yes you are correct and I retract my original comment

[@Lucy-fn9rj]

you guys don’t even understand how iconic the caning of charles sumner was. sumner literally _ripped up a desk that was bolted to the ground_ , brooks broke his cane but continued to hit sumner with the little head gold of the cane while another senator kept people from intervening by threatening them with a gun and his own cane. it was pure, distilled chaos. also sumner was an abolitionist and brooks was a big racist, and the caning supposedly started the events that caused the civil war. in my apush class, we learned more about charles sumner getting his ass beat than any president except george washington

[@msarge2853]

God bless APUSH. Did I learn about American history? A little bit. Did I learn a lot about weird and obscure shit my teacher found interesting? Oh hell yes.

[@cheeseonyomama]

The US had a president Sumner?

[@Lucy-fn9rj]

cheeseonyomama no, he and brooks were both senators

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

Lucy thank you, I’m Australian and was thinking, well, he’s a less known pres.

[@viddork]

What the hell is APUSH?

[@aladinsura121]

It is doing exactly what it's intended to do, only to a larger extent. The US was meant to be a shy union with a lot of autonimity for the individual states and so, they wanted to get only the most important and least controversial legislations done. This made sense before technology connected the world and demanded an efficient federal government to manage the union's affairs.

[@MrJBA79]

This is my favorite episode.. incredible.

[@jayarby8494]

Goddamnit, I need to go to sleep... But it’s John Oliver

[@jessetorres8738]

I have work in the morning, but I stay up to watch his show then comment about it on KZbin.

[@thelyle1399]

They say regular sleep throughout life staves off memory disorders like Alzheimer’s. Who wants to know that they’re 90? Until the reward for not dying young isn’t only to wind up old, count me out.

[@couragekarnga8735]

Hello, my friend. I hope you have an awesome week!

[@gehadesam9017]

We all want to be happy with our lives. We all want to live in a state of gratitude as well. But why is it so hard to be happy and grateful for what we have? A lot of times it is because we are too busy being jealous of what others have, and being blind to great life that we have. This story will help you find happiness and gratitude throughout your life. Watch the last video in my channel please 🤗

[@IAmSuzyQ]

Same here!

[@shane3127]

You also need to get rid of the Speaker's ability to refuse to call a vote. Given, Oliver touches on that too.

[@KyrieChii]

This is a HUGE deal, I absolutely agree. It basically allows for all the work put into things passing the House to be tossed out purely based on the political opinions of the Senate majority leader, which isn't fair. One person (& therefore one party) should never have that unilateral power.

[@stevenschmelling5597]

Yep, I'd even go so far as to make it the anti filibuster, any bill that gets 40 cosponsors, gets a vote. Committee chairs, nor the senate president can't stop it. Yes it would be abused, but you make everyone go on the record at least. And less rule from the top down, and more from the bottom up.

[@KyrieChii]

@@stevenschmelling5597 This is a good point, about making everyone go on the record. We _know_ that's part of the reason Moscow Mitch has been killing these bills without letting them get a vote (even knowing the bills wouldn't get the votes needed to pass), so they don't have the outright refusal to do what their constituents want there in black & white in their records to be used against them during campaigns.

[@MrBlaktoe]

@@stevenschmelling5597 and that's entirely the point. Not being on record voting against things Americans overwhelmingly desire. It's despicable.

[@kmh1556]

F...Joe Manchin

[@jessiecurl1843]

Relevant

[@bigbengamer]

You didn't know there were Dutch pirates? Enter Flying Dutchman

[@isawadelapradera6490]

When the most famous dutch pirate is famous because he is (un)dead, I'd say it's safe to ignore them.

[@bigbengamer]

@@isawadelapradera6490 Famous last words

[@theevildrummingsithlord1492]

Followed by...Enter Sandman!

[@johnny5wd567]

Well pirate, privateer, thin line.... Supported by the British at some point (to fight the Spanish). Bunch of terrorists really. Sorry, freedom fighters. Beggars. Geuzen. Whatever. ;-) (jk)

[@unitedspacepirates9075]

Long family history

[@TheNN]

11:19 Warning: Ted Cruz's whole face is about to be seen, viewer discretion is advised.

[@cocoaliveson3235]

Think of McConnell as Moscow Mitch because that's who he is.

[@Sadiqi]

Saw this at 10 24... you're the mvp

[@tony172]

After reading that, I can start hearing the theme song to Cops. Seems appropriate. lol

[@wergar_the_warwolf6834]

hey i like ted cruz!

[@TeamCashCache]

Aiden Tak I do not like you Nether your ted Cruz I respect your right for having free speech But also you can not speak You have your rights but so do I And that is why I do not like you Nether your Ted Cruz I do not like his far right views I do not like his anti green egg views Nether his white egg only views And there for I do not like you or Ted Cruz

[@jplabs456]

‘We need to have our transportation run on electricity!’ Sadly, for that, you first need to *have* a transportation system….

[@HEADSHOTKILLER48]

12:10 anyone notice John and ted were wearing the same suit and tie lol

[@phillipmccandlessbp]

I legit thought John would go into a 15 hour filibuster he would live stream on some website like johnspeaksonfilibuster.com because that's something this show would do 😂

[@ChristopherMangels]

The Ted Cruz Poem was just beautiful. I'm moved.

[@carolyperez8075]

LOL

[@riverviewmirrorbrokeoff9703]

Christopher Mangels haha! Yes, 😂 I was waiting for someone to say that...it ‘twas beautiful Chris so well written 🙃 absolutely beautiful. Brought to tears...maybe that’s just anytime I hear about Ted Cruz 🤔

[@ChristopherMangels]

@@riverviewmirrorbrokeoff9703 And it's one of the few poems I know about lizards.

[@riverviewmirrorbrokeoff9703]

Christopher Mangels yes sir!!! Oh lawd you’re cracking me up!

[@frowlinian8175]

@@riverviewmirrorbrokeoff9703 not that this is really relevant in any way/shape/form but just as an FYI; "'twas" is a contraction of "It Was" so you wouldnt say "It 'twas" just 'twas... but carry on lol

[@aysada]

The S sounds in your Dutch accent are amazing

[@Googledebunker]

The Mr. Smith goes to Washington gave me flashbacks to my American Government class from 9th Grade 😂

[@LucTheSlug]

As a dutchman, I'm offended and dying of laughter at the same time 😂

[@onkelpappkov2666]

"Gegegege!"

[@SuAva]

We apparently sound ‘Nordic’ to him 😂

[@sunago]

As a dutchie myself I was confused to hell by the freebooter thing (took me way too long to realise he meant vrijbuiter and just translated it literally) and then the confusion continued when the accent came. For a moment I thought someone had confused us with denmark again.

[@SuAva]

sunago I was also wondering how ‘vrijbuiter’ became ‘filibuster’ but apparently it’s not really clear in history either: www.etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/filibuster But apparently back in the 17th century the French and Spanish got it all wrong too 😂 Freebooter is more accurate than filibuster 😂

[@Auriel_Direnni]

@@sunago Dutch sounds a lot like Danish to the untrained ear.

[@franciscogalhetas9954]

"I didn't know there was dutch pirates", man they were some of the biggest pirates of history

[@dustinharford8454]

Thought the same thing. Dutch pirates were most of the pirates.

[@helios24601]

Yeah I mean the Dutch East India Company were some horrible people! Wait, wrong type of plunderers? Never mind...

[@tetyoonlee4373]

My first thought when hearing him say that was 'Someone never played Sid Meier's Pirates! or any other game with historical piracy as a key element.

[@Hydralyph]

@@tetyoonlee4373 that was a great game

[@BiffChunksteak]

@@tetyoonlee4373 mine was "Why does he keep impersonating Dutchmen by speaking English with a heavy fake Swedish accent?"

[@jesusramones1]

This was art

[@user-qp2uu7mz4i]

best sam i am featuring rafael cruz ever and precisely how we feel in Texas. 😆😆😆