The first time I remember seeing Jon Stewart he was hosting some short-lived late night show on CBS (I think it was CBS) and I just stumbled across it.  All I remember is thinking, “Damn that guys short” and “Damn that guys pretty funny.”  So when he took over the Daily Show I made sure to watch and have been rewarded ever since. 

Thanks to Patrick Eakes I just found the commencement address he gave at William & Mary in 04.  It has what is now my favorite quote about the war:

We declared war on terror. We declared war on
terror—it’s not even a noun, so, good luck. After we defeat it, I’m
sure we’ll take on that bastard ennui.

Of course with his first name you know he has to be brilliant; we “Jon” folks are a pretty sharp lot.