The Politics of Laughter

I have read quite a bit today about whether or not it is appropriate for the President to laugh while talking about the war in Iraq. I don't know if you say the press conference he did today, but I have posted in the past about this subject.

The President seems to be a person who is at heart a salesman. Many salesmen I have met use humor to get the closing process going and to help make a difficult situation less so. At the same time, I believe that the healing power of laughter can ease the sadness and sorrow which can accompany the most tragic events.

Combine these two things and I think you get a scenario like the one you saw today.