Many years ago, I was introduced to Randy Rainbow through a series of video clips that lampoons some of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays.

I was more than tickled by his drag renditions of Desdemona (from Othello), Ophelia (from Hamlet), and Juliet (from you know what).

He nailed the humor that could be found in a fourteen year-old drama queen rattled by teenage hormone surges and a willingness to try specially mixed potions to induce a long nap.

But his most recent offering is more than inventive and funny…

I saw a link to his new piece on Daily Kos, a political newsfeed that I often check out.  In Cheeto Christ Stupid Czar, he sings a mash-up of song parodies from the rock opera that made the story of Christ cool.

As I have been pre-occupied with a summer work slowdown (and reduced income) and extra disheartened by the news of POTSUS’s most recent act against decency (deporting kids receiving life-saving medical treatment in the US), the uncontrollable laughter stirred up by watching the clip (I’ve run it five times already) was needed.

As in the chorus of the song from the musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Randy Rainbow belts out Cheeto Christ, Stupid Czar, mad tangerine colored commissar.”

He makes fun of The Donald’s signature orange, not quite human, complexion and jumps on the gist of recent tweets.

It’s hard to believe that our president, or anyone for that matter, can refer to himself as “the chosen one” and not be institutionalized for the sake of his and everyone’s wellbeing.

“Cheeto Christ – He’s like if Jesus was pumpkin-spiced….”

Randy Rainbow also artfully goes into the absurdity of our politics; that in rallying support, messaging is more important than policy, that theatre is more important than substance.

Who would have imagined news of executive actions being communicated by tweet? That little or no thought, only impulse rules the day?  Everything POTUS does is about news cycles and personal benefit, not about the common good.

How dare I laugh?

I have to.

Laughing at the sheer magnitude of craziness that seems to be at play does not mean I am not sad, or outraged — or frightened.

I’m amazed at how many supporters this man still has even though more and more people are beginning to recognize the corruption and self-serving that has been on display.

More and more Americans are seeing that policies are being reinvented based on the wishes of rich donors, not on the cries of most citizens.

But I have to laugh – tipping my virtual hat to the trickster archetype that makes us all look at ourselves.

I have to laugh — and participate in marches and sign petitions and volunteer to make calls for candidates that I feel would do better.

When I think about what makes something funny, I know there are many considerations.  There are different levels of funny.

There’s funny as in a wry or ironic observation.  I see things all the time that amuse me, but I’m comfortable keeping the moment to myself.

There’s memorable funny.  I might experience things that I want to remember because I’m aware they lightened my mood or gave me a new perspective.  Maybe I’ll want to commit the details of the situation to memory, so I can write about it or tell a friend next time I see them.

Then there’s some kind of funny that causes me to sputter and laugh out loud.  Some things are the kind of funny, so clever and cleansing, you want people you love to experience them.  You can’t wait to share them.

So I copied the url of the YouTube clip in an email and wrote a short personal message so the link wouldn’t be viewed as spam.

I selected a few friends that I thought would appreciate the humor and brilliance of Randy Rainbow singing Cheeto Christ, Stupid Czar  Then I pressed SEND.

Sharing a good laugh, especially from something that’s makes you think, is no small thing.