Since I was small there was an iconic radio comentator that always cut through the massive amount of opinion that was presented as fact from every political persuasion. Everything stopped as far as I can remember at noon to listen to him on the radio. Paul Harvey.
Every aspiring commentator wishes to achieve the level of admiration and clear vision of Mr. Harvey. Very few ever make that goal because they take their eyes off the goal of rising above fad and what passes for critical thought.
In 1965 Mr. Harvey broadcast an essay that was so far ahead of the time yet the source was timeless. When asked Mr. Harvey would dig out this piece and rebroadcast it. If you go to Google you will find a lot of the dating from the 1990's. I think he rebroadcast it to gauge how it was actually playing out in the world. Even he would be amazed at how it describes the state of the United States today. It was truly a piece of vision that so seldom is made from media sources. I wish to reproduce it here, for I can not claim to have the vision of this man.
IF I WERE THE DEVIL, PAUL HARVEY
If I were the prince of darkness, I'd want to engulf the whole world in darkness, and I'd have a third of it's real estate and four fifths of it's population. But I wouldn't be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree: Thee.
So I'd set about however necessary, to take over the United States. I'd subvert the churches first. I'd begin a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve, "Do as you please." To the young I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince them that man created God, instead of the other way around. I would confide that what's bad is good, and what's good is square. And the old I would teach to pray after me "our father who art in Washington."
And then I would get organized: I'd educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I'd threaten TV with dirtier movies, and vice versa. I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could. I'd sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I'd tranquilize the rest with pills.
If I were the devil I'd soon have families at war with themselves; churches at war with themselves; and nations at war with themselves; until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings, I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellect, but neglect to disipline emotions; just let those run wild, until before you know it you'd have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
Within a decade I'd have prisons overflowing; I'd have judges promoting pornography. Soon I could evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. And in his own churches I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls-and church money.
If I were the devil I would make the symbol of Easter an egg, and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
If I were the devil I'd take from those who have, and give to those who want it, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what'll you bet I couldn't get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich.
I would caution against extremes, and hard work, and patriotism, and moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old fashioned-that swinging is more fun. That what you see on TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you to bed with diseases for which there is no cure.
In other words, if I were the devil I would just keep on doing what he is doing.
I cannot say anything as insightful as this. I have to side with Mr. Glenn Beck with the opinion that this piece was of God. Noon times are nothing special anymore. I do miss the man. Good Day!
No comments:
Post a Comment