The moments in which I find political and cultural reality impossible to satirize — or impossible to distinguish from satire — are becoming more and more frequent. It's possible the world is getting stranger. Or stupider. It's also possible that I'm going crazier. It's possible that's not either/or.

Case in point: Tom DeLay will be on "Dancing With the Stars." Is that reality? Or brutal social satire? I now know, having read the answer. And a few years ago I would have been confident saying "satire." But now I've learned not to assume, and certainly not to wager.

Has the line between American popular and political culture and the deliberate ridicule thereof become obsolete?

What's your most recent instance of realizing that reality is stranger than satire?

Last 5 posts by Ken

• Citizen Incredulity And Law Enforcement Reality - May 2nd, 2012
• Regarding The Obvious Dangers Of Anal Artillery - May 1st, 2012
• Debate Is Fine. Even Ridicule Is Fine. Threats Are Unacceptable. - April 27th, 2012
• Occasionally My Timing Is Less Than Optimal - April 26th, 2012
• How Not To Draft A Probable Cause Affidavit - April 13th, 2012