The Colbert Report Season 5 Episode 92 Paul Rieckhoff, Paul Krugman

In season 5 episode 92 of The Colbert Report, host Stephen Colbert welcomes two guests to the show: Paul Rieckhoff and Paul Krugman. Rieckhoff is the founder and CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and their families. Krugman is a Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist known for his commentary on economic policy and politics.

The episode begins with a monologue from Colbert, in which he takes on the topic of America's military industrial complex. He sarcastically praises the country's "endless wars," and suggests that the United States should take a page from the Soviet Union's playbook and stop pretending to have freedom. He then welcomes Rieckhoff to the show.

Rieckhoff begins by talking about the problems that veterans face when they come home from war. He notes that some veterans struggle to find jobs or housing, while others grapple with physical and mental health issues. To address these issues, IAVA has launched a number of programs and initiatives aimed at helping veterans transition back into civilian life. Rieckhoff also discusses his own experiences as a veteran, describing the difficulties he faced upon returning home from his service in Iraq.

After speaking with Rieckhoff, Colbert brings out Krugman for a discussion on economic policy. Krugman begins by talking about the factors that led to the 2008 financial crisis, and the policies that governments around the world have implemented in response. He then talks about the challenges that the United States currently faces, including income inequality and economic stagnation. Krugman argues that the government needs to take a more active role in stimulating the economy and creating jobs, rather than relying on market forces to solve these problems.

Throughout the episode, Colbert injects his own brand of humor and satire into the conversations with Rieckhoff and Krugman, poking fun at the absurdities of American politics and society. He also performs several sketches and segments, including a parody of the popular TV show "Survivor" called "Gitmo's Island," and a segment called "The Word" in which he hilariously skewers politicians' use of language to manipulate public opinion.

Overall, season 5 episode 92 of The Colbert Report is a thought-provoking and entertaining exploration of two important issues facing the United States: the challenges that veterans face upon returning home, and the country's economic outlook. Through his conversations with Rieckhoff and Krugman, Colbert shows that he is not only a skilled comedian, but also a talented interviewer who is capable of engaging with complex topics in an informative and engaging way.