Star Trek has made its way into the political discourse. Were you watching The Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night on Comedy Central when Leonard Nimoy and George Takei called in to give their two cents worth?

See for yourself: Go to ComedyCentral.com and find the video titled "Daily Show: Faux Klingons," or go directly to the video at this link.

The segment revolved around a January 10 clip from C-SPAN of Congressman David Wu, D-Oregon, giving a speech in the House of Representatives protesting President Bush's war policy, stating that Bush does not listen to military professionals, to Congress or to the American people. "Now, this president has listened to some people, the so-called 'Vulcans' in the White House, the ideologues," he said, referring to Bush's foreign policy team, past and present — Rumsfeld, Cheney, Powell, Wolfowitz, Rice, etc. — who have dubbed themselves "the Vulcans" after the Roman god of fire (not the pointy-eared species of Trek). This self-description was made public by James Mann's book "Rise of the Vulcans: The History of Bush's War Cabinet."

Wu's speech, as excerpted on The Daily Show, continues: "But you know, unlike the Vulcans of Star Trek who made their decisions based on logic and fact, these guys make it on ideology. These aren't Vulcans! There are Klingons in the White House! But unlike the real Klingons of Star Trek, these Klingons have never fought a battle of their own. Don't let faux Klingons send real Americans to war."

As you see in the video, anchor Jon Stewart comments, "I don't think that's an issue — I believe the Constitution specifically states that only real Klingons have that power!" He continues, "But for more on whether or not ersatz Klingons are to blame for our war policy, we are joined by Daily Show Senior Star Trek Analogy Analyst, Mr. Leonard Nimoy."

To uproarious cheers and applause from the audience, Nimoy joins the show by phone, with a still graphic of his smiling face shown against a backdrop of downtown L.A.

Stewart begins, "Now, people may not know this, but a long time ago you actually played a Vulcan, Mr. Spock, on Star Trek."

"What's your question, Jon?" Nimoy says impatiently.

Stewart: "Well, uh, Lenny, Congressman Wu's remarks comparing the White House to Klingons, as opposed to the more logical Vulcans — is that a valid comparison?"

Nimoy: "Jon, first off, I like Star Trek as much as the next guy, it was three great years, but I expect to hear a speech like that by the smoothie booth at Dragon-dot-com" [we suspect he meant "Dragon Con," a huge convention in Atlanta] "rather than on the floor of the House of Representatives."

Stewart: "Well, that's fair enough Lenny, but why do you think—"

Nimoy: "Not to mention, the analogy is weak!"

Stewart: "The analogy is weak? How?"

Nimoy: "Well, Klingons, while warlike, are bound by a strong code of honor, while Vulcans, though logical, can also be quite emotional! For example, during the mating ritual known as Pon Farr — you remember it from the episode 'Amok Time.' As you'll recall, McCoy had noticed that I was..."

At that point we hear an alarm sound effect from Trek, and Stewart asks to put him on "call waiting." Then there's a communicator chirp and we hear, "Yes Jon, George Takei," and the graphic changes to a picture of Takei, with enthusiastic laughter, cheers and applause from the audience.

Stewart: "What can I do for you, George?"

Takei: "Jon, the remarks proffered by Congressman Wu are troublesome in many regards. As a policy assessment, they—"

Stewart: "Yes, George, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I actually have Leonard Nimoy on hold right now..."

Takei: (indignant) "I see. How is Lenny?"

Stewart: "Well, he's, uh, he's fine sir..."

Takei: "And you felt his telephone voice was more distinctive than mine?

Stewart: "No I didn't..."

Takei: "Do you realize by our sixth film, I'd become a captain, while Spock had become marginalized?"

Stewart: "I didn't know that! Anyway, George, thank you so much for joining us, I should probably get back to Lenny right now..."

Takei: "Perhaps under other circumstances I can appear on your show again."

Stewart: (hesitant) "Perhaps."

Takei: "Well then. Takei out. Mother-[bleep]."

The graphic changes back: "Lenny, are you still there?"

Nimoy: "Yes Jon. Anyway, McCoy had noticed I'd grown listless and had stopped eating, so..."

Stewart: "All right, Lenny, I'm terribly sorry, but we really do have to go..."

Nimoy: (exasperated) "All right, whatever."

Stewart: "Well, fair enough. Hey, take care, and would it be okay that if, instead of, like, hanging up, we did, like, a beaming-you-out kind of thing?"

Nimoy: "You do whatever you need to do, Jon, I'm hanging up now."

Stewart: "All right, cool."

And then, of course, the still graphic of Nimoy "beams" away, with the accompanying sound effect. "Leonard Nimoy, everybody!"

You can download the full half-hour, if you have iTunes installed on your computer, at this iTunes Store link. It's the episode dated 1/16/07 with guest Michael Oren.