Isn't that Paul Krugman clever? The title of his latest op-ed ("Paranoia Strikes Deep") quotes a line, presumably deliberately, from a 1960s protest song many consider one of the opening shots in that decade's protest movement.
Before he got cute with his title, Krugman should have gone to the song's full lyrics, as they only serve to prove that what he describes as paranoia is, based on what is in HB 3962 (or was, if excised at the last minute), really very justifiable concern and fear. Or maybe he read the lyrics and was too dense to appreciate their meaning in the current circumstances.
The song that apparently inspired Krugman's column title is "For What It's Worth," a 1966-1967 mini-hit by Buffalo Springfield. The album containing the song peaked at #80 on the hit charts; my recall is that the single made it to the mid-30s.
That band featured Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay, Jim Messina, and Dewey Martin. A YouTube of their lip-synching Smothers Brothers appearance is here.
Here are a few paragraphs, otherwise known as insults to our intelligence, from Krugman, commenting on the crowd that gathered last Thursday to protest the House's statist health care bill. I'll follow it with the song's final lyrical lament that destroys Krugman's diatribe:
The key thing to understand about that rally is that it wasn’t a fringe event. It was sponsored by the House Republican leadership — in fact, it was officially billed as a G.O.P. press conference. Senior lawmakers were in attendance, and apparently had no problem with the tone of the proceedings.
True, Eric Cantor, the second-ranking House Republican, offered some mild criticism after the fact. But the operative word is “mild.” The signs were “inappropriate,” said his spokesman, and the use of Hitler comparisons by such people as Rush Limbaugh, said Mr. Cantor, “conjures up images that frankly are not, I think, very helpful.”
What all this shows is that the G.O.P. has been taken over by the people it used to exploit.
The state of mind visible at recent right-wing demonstrations is nothing new. Back in 1964 the historian Richard Hofstadter published an essay titled, “The Paranoid Style in American Politics,” which reads as if it were based on today’s headlines: Americans on the far right, he wrote, feel that “America has been largely taken away from them and their kind, though they are determined to try to repossess it and to prevent the final destructive act of subversion.” Sound familiar?
But while the paranoid style isn’t new, its role within the G.O.P. is.
This comes from a guy whose publication and others on the left were constantly worrying about "stifling of dissent" that occurred at the behest of George W. Bush only in their vivid, authentically paranoid imaginations.
The final verse of "For What It's Worth," with text added by me frpm what's really in HB 3962 (unless excised in the final hours, but which could reappear at any time if that's case), reads as follows:
Paranoia strikes deep.
Into your life it will creep.
It starts when you're always afraid.
You step out of line ....
the man come ....
and take you away:
Thanks for proving our point, Paul. It's not paranoia if it's really there, or if "the man" (actually in this case Nancy Pelosi and her party) is really contemplating putting people in jail merely for not buying health insurance.
I think that a better theme song describing the Tea Party and other sensibly conservative, Constitution-based protests would be the Who's "We Won't Get Fooled Again." It may be too late for Krugman, who seems totally fooled by the current bunch in the White House, more and more resembling one of Lenin's useful idiots.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
—Tom Blumer is president of a training and development company in Mason, Ohio, and is a contributing editor to NewsBusters
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Comments Policy
I read Krugmann's article... very poor...
November 9, 2009 - 13:33 ET by jazboI don't even think he's trying any more. It's like a Dem talking point.
"Democrats; Breeding voters like farm animals since 1962"
His articles remind me of a
November 9, 2009 - 13:48 ET by jkwtradingHis articles remind me of a paranoia chant.
Tom, how DARE you quote
November 9, 2009 - 13:59 ET by motherbeltTom, how DARE you quote actual language from the bill?
You're not supposed to do that! Doing that is just fear-mongering of the worst sort. You want to bring down health care to confuse and dispirit Democratic voters [ ] and encourage the extremists.
in the words of The First One.
the Man
November 9, 2009 - 13:46 ET by forestLeftists are having a hard time getting their minds around the fact that they are "the Man" now.
No, the problem is that now
November 9, 2009 - 13:48 ET by motherbeltNo, the problem is that now that they are "the Man"....it's perfectly OK to come and take you away.
This is great...
November 9, 2009 - 13:55 ET by Robert17This is great analysis. I am conservative and have always liked this Buffalo Springfield song. My favorite part is when it talks about "people carrying signs, mostly say hurray for our side". I always think of brain dead anti-war liberals when I hear this song.
→ The Byrds
November 9, 2009 - 14:39 ET by Cool ArrowI Wanna Grow Up To Be A Politician
I wanna grow up to be a politician
And take over this beautiful land
I wanna grow up to be a politician
And be the old USofA's number one man
I'll always be tough, I'll never be scary
I want to shoot guns or butter my bread
I'll work on the towns or conservate the prairies
And you can believe the future's ahead
I'll give the young the right to vote
As soon as they mature
But spare the rod and spoil the child
To help them feel secure
And if I win election day
I might give you a job
I'll sign the bill to help the poor
To show I'm not snob
I'll open my door, I'm chargin' no admission
And you can be sure I'll give you my hand
I'll be glad you got me in everything I do
And I'll defend until the end
The old red, white and blue
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Krugman's favorite song
November 9, 2009 - 14:24 ET by Jack BauerKrugman's favorite song from the 1960s is Puff The Magic Dragon.
In fact, wasn't he the Paul in Peter, Paul & Mary.
Ooops, my mistake. He was Mary.
We've taken care of
November 9, 2009 - 14:25 ET by mattmWe've taken care of everything
The words you hear, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
It's one for all, all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers
Fill the hollowed halls
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life
Are held within our walls
Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the brotherhood of man
Oh what a wide contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the red star proudly high in hand
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers
Fill the hollowed halls
We are the priests
Of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life
Are held within our walls
We have assumed control.
November 9, 2009 - 18:08 ET by RukusA link.
Good stuff. The Professor just got better and better as time went by. : )
Gary
Old media species: Moonbat-a-saurus-rex. Getting more endangered by the day.
What do you expect . . .
November 9, 2009 - 14:31 ET by KylerkWhat do you expect from a former Economic Advisor to Enron?
- Somewhere in Kenya a village is missing its useful idiot.
Krugman illustrates on a
November 9, 2009 - 14:51 ET by fitzfongKrugman illustrates on a daily basis the practical irrelevance of academia. When you take your cue from a bunch of hippie washout musicians, you know that you have nothing of value to offer the discussion. Paul Krugman, and those like him in "higher" education are liabilities because they're given credibility that they don't deserve and use it as license to make college graduates stupider and more ignorant of the world than they were before they enrolled.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Lies, Damnable Lies, Treasonous Lies, Murderous Lies
November 9, 2009 - 14:53 ET by AbraxosDemocrat politicians and media soap-boxers who talk like Krugman aren't changing the minds of thinking, clear-sighted people, but they are feeding their own flock and solidifying the foundations of their big lies among those who already think that way.
Where does that kind of propaganda lead if allowed to evolve to its fullness? Ask Arabs and Palestinians what they think of Jews and Israel.
Krugman's rhetoric lies on the same track as Islamic extremists who pound lying propaganda into their people that Jews are pigs and monkeys who should be violently slaughtered. While Krugman's statements are mild and benign by comparison, the methodology and intent is the same, though they would deny it with feigned outrage.
History always repeats
November 9, 2009 - 14:54 ET by cajun2Just a few random thoughts from an old southern woman.
1. Numerous community organizations all coordinated for an agenda of "social justice". These organizations all feed off of and are created as part of a larger organization, The Tides, headed by a man, George Soros, who hates this country.
2.Find a candidate for President that is familiar with bullying the Chicago way, immune to opposition from the safety net of "racist" label.
3.Engage and enlist hollywood, weird, and intellectuals in your agenda. Follow Stalins lead by controlling the media. Opposition media are not "real news". Intellectuals have scripted parts to play and are heavily engaged with the media.
4. The media, intellectual appeasers, community organizers coordinate voting recruitment throughout the country. Even voter fraud (14 states at last count) if possible without dessent.
5. Bribe current leadership by offering them money and perks for themselves, friends and relatives, through legislation of 780 billion dollars under the guise of stimulating the very economy they wish to destroy.
6.While 10.2% of the population is un-employed, pass legislation that will raise taxes, raise un-employement, raise consumer prices, raise utility rates. While increasing taxes to ordinary working citizens, spend 120 billion dollars for housing assistance to thousands who have never had jobs or paid taxes.
7. Those agencies and institutions designed to protect the government and its people must first discredit these organizations and/or remove powers of regulation and enforcement. Then publicaly embarass the leadership of those agencies. (CIA and Military)
8.Ignore all opposition to the agenda of destruction. If opposition continues to grow, engage in threats, intimidation, bullying by the Chicago way.(shut up Humana, what tea party?)
9.To ensure illegal and unconstitutional actions are ignored, hire an Attorney General who is fearful of daylight.(Eric Holder) Yes, I mean blood sucking vampire)
10.If the opposition continues to grow toward the destructive agenda of those in power, pass legislation that will penalize and incarcerate individual Americans if they do not surrender to the moral call for "social justice"
Just my thoughts for today. Oh, Mr. Krugman, you are now #15 on my T-SOU-I list. Just a small reminder. Stalin enlisted many intellectuals and so loved Hollywood, to assist him in his grand design for Russia. However, after his "useful idiots" and appeasers were of no further use to him, he had them face a firing squad.
Stalin was Hitlers mentor. So many of their beliefs and actions are beginning to appear once again. My memory of details may be faulty, but the stench, I remember very well.
Those who have a better memory and larger library, please feel free to correct my random thoughts.
"Just a few random thoughts from an old southern woman."
November 9, 2009 - 16:14 ET by CO2MakerFlorence King!
Ann Coulter before there was an Ann, and with much more wide ranging range and sneaky-shrewd observations.
What, btw, is T-SOU-I?
T-SOU-I
November 9, 2009 - 20:09 ET by cajun2Thanks for asking CO2. I must say that I was so angered by the fringe media, I had a difficult time finding real news. A relative told me about NB. Oh JOYJOY. I not only found the information I needed but friends as well. Noel, my hero, and his friends watch and read the garbage heads for me and gives out summaries so I dont get sick. However, after a time, I saw a pattern that I am sure others more gifted than I have seen as well. To find some way of releasing that anger,(at my Dr's insistence) I created my own little "blacklist". I hate the pigs because of how dangerous they are. I have given some priority on my blacklist.
The STY (foul place) OF USEFUL IDIOTS
is the name of my "blacklist". Useful idiots and appeasers were instrumental in Stalin and Hitler's destructive and evil empires. There are those in our society today spewing some of the same garbage as their predecessors. Some journalists are even repeating the same "arguments for social justice".
Membership is easy. Piss me off. Here is my list.
1. Chris Mathews
2. Rachel Maddow
3.Ed Shultz
4.Charles Gibson (heehee I didn't know that)
5.Katie Couric
6.Bill Maher
7.Joy Behar
8.Sam Tenenhaus
9.Maureen Dowd
10.Keith OOOberdorf(you know who I mean)
11.Dana Milbank
12.Tom Brokaw
13.Sam Donalson
14.Joe Klein
15. Paul Krugman
Some of you may or may not agree with me. Its MY list and it makes me feel better to put a**holes and pigs in their rightful place. If any one has suggestions who to add, let me know. Until then SSOOOOOOOUUUUUUUIIIIIIIIII
14 out of 15 ain't bad
November 9, 2009 - 23:03 ET by CO2MakerBut I don't know what a Sam Tenenhaus is. Details, please? Or do I have to resort to Google?
Thanks Cajun2
November 9, 2009 - 16:22 ET by general companyVery well organized and detailed, I may use these in my liberal enlightening spiels if you dont mind.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Thanks GC
November 9, 2009 - 18:25 ET by cajun2I was on a rant this am. This list was just random events that when studied closely can be frightening. I dont want to do any "fear mongering" but everyone is free to add their random thoughts as well. When we all contribute this way, I truly feel a part of NB. It gives me courage to face difficult times ahead until Nov. 2010. History is repeating itself. I think so many young people are missing these events because history is no longer taught, revisionist history is in, and it has become shameful to be a patriot. Hell of a thing.
I hope he fails, soon.
Stupid Liberals can't let go
November 9, 2009 - 14:56 ET by bse5150Stupid Liberals can't let go of the 1960's - the WORST decade ever in American history.
Hay, man landed on the moon, Talladega Superspeedway opened
November 9, 2009 - 15:01 ET by upcountrywaterJuly 1970 The EPA was born..
Whoa there pardner
November 9, 2009 - 15:15 ET by ricklailThe 60's were the greatest time in our decade. Great music, Jets had the guaranted Super Bowl win which changed the NFL forever, Chappaquidick happened keeping Ted Kennedy from becoming prez, Mets won the World series, Woodstock, I graduated from HS and went into the Army. All this in 69 alone.
Texas won the national championship in football over Arkansas. Tricky Dick landed on the field and presented the trophy to the Longhorns.
Semper suprene nitens
OBAMACARE: If it ain't good enough for my Congressman then it ain't good enough for me.
Damn, that never happened to me in 69!
November 9, 2009 - 15:19 ET by CO2MakerI never thought of how to spin Chappaquiddick into a good thing. <g> All it did for me was ruin the moon mission ... almost.
CO2
November 9, 2009 - 15:22 ET by MrShyWow, did rick leave off the Moon landing? Ricklail, what have you got to say for yourself? :p
→ Shy
November 9, 2009 - 15:27 ET by Cool ArrowOK, this is just low-hanging fruit, but "The 60's were the greatest time in our decade."
I think the 60's were a decade. (in a "by definition" sort of way)
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
cool -->
November 9, 2009 - 15:34 ET by MrShySometimes you're too clever, even for me... (yeah :))
"Was a decade", you're saying, technically? But because it encompassed so much, it deserves a pluralized "were" ??
"Low-hanging"?
November 9, 2009 - 17:27 ET by CO2MakerLike a ... teabag. <g>
Oh, btw, O'Bama used that term himself in a "private pep talk to Democrats." See this article in the NYT (3d paragraph).
Lawmakers Detail Obama’s Pitch - Prescriptions Blog - NYTimes.com
→ Saw that
November 9, 2009 - 17:31 ET by Cool ArrowI guess "queer" and "faggot" are acceptable terms, too.
Of course there's a reason Obama uses slang homosexual terms. He wants us to forget about the limousine thing.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Mr Shy
November 9, 2009 - 15:33 ET by ricklailUpwatercountry had mention the moon landing. Didn't want to repeat it. Worst thing in '69 was that I let a girl talk me into getting engaged. Best part of '70 was I dumped her. There is no way the music of today was as good as the 60's. The Beach Boys recorded the greatest album in history in '66-Pet Sounds. I am not a Beatles fan but they were big. Elvis had 2 great hits in '69-Don't Cry Daddy and Kentucky Rain. Both of them are my all time Elvis favorites.
I remember Buffalo Springfield. They were part of the anti-war crowd. So were many others at that time.
Semper suprene nitens
OBAMACARE: If it ain't good enough for my Congressman then it ain't good enough for me.
"I am not a Beatles fan but
November 9, 2009 - 15:37 ET by MrShy"I am not a Beatles fan but they were big."
Do not address another post to me.
:p
Although Pet Sounds is right up there, and influential to "the greatest band of all time", so maybe I take that back. :)
Mr Shy
November 9, 2009 - 15:45 ET by ricklailI'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I liked the Dave Clark Five, Gary and the Pacemakers, Three Dog Night, Credance, Grassroots, The Guess Who, early Stones, etc. I have over 700 songs on my MP3 player and not a Beatle song at all.
Semper suprene nitens
OBAMACARE: If it ain't good enough for my Congressman then it ain't good enough for me.
ricklail
November 9, 2009 - 15:49 ET by MrShyAll great stuff. Now if you can just squeeze a few Beatles songs in there (I mean, come on, won't kill you), you'll be all set! :)
Three Dog Night was my first single... "Joy to the World"... so that has added personal, sentimental value for me. (It was that or ABC by The Jackson 5...?)
Yes, I'm a tad younger. :p
My son in law has a bunch
November 9, 2009 - 16:20 ET by ricklailMy son in law has a bunch of Bealtes CD in my garage. If I can find Yesterday on one I'll add it.
Semper suprene nitens
OBAMACARE: If it ain't good enough for my Congressman then it ain't good enough for me.
→ Yesterday
November 9, 2009 - 16:23 ET by Cool ArrowThat was Paul's first solo recording.
Weren't no other Beatles involved.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Rick, look for the Help
November 9, 2009 - 17:19 ET by general companyCD, or "1" it is also on one of the Anthology recordings. If you listen to either in their entirety, you will end up with more then 1 Beatles song on your i-Pod
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
That's back before
November 9, 2009 - 15:58 ET by CO2MakerPacemaker meant an implantable medical device that you will need Lugosicare, um, Pelosicare to pay for.
Bits and Pieces, Ferry Cross the Mersey, Never Been to Spain, Bad Moon Rising, etc. Oh yes.
→ Who's Next
November 9, 2009 - 15:41 ET by Cool ArrowPet Sounds was boring, though it's ranked higher by afficianados.
Influential? Yes. Great album? No.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
cool -->
November 9, 2009 - 15:44 ET by MrShyIt's a pretty solid album with some beautiful songs. And it did revolutionary* things recording-wise.
* Only problem is, The Beatles seemed to do revolutionary things on a yearly/album-ly/song-ly basis.
→ Yeah, I guess
November 9, 2009 - 15:48 ET by Cool ArrowBut I'd put the Moody Blues above the Beach Boys when it comes to innovation.
I'd also put Ray Charles' Country Album higher.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
-- >
November 9, 2009 - 15:58 ET by MrShyYes, Moody Blues were the first to really combine soul/blues with folk/pop, with a distinct style and sound.
Heck, it was all so dang good then. The greatest post-60's year, for me, soon after all of it, was 1973. Go google the Top 50 or 100 that year. It's mind-blowing, and so eclectic.
→ 1973 was great
November 9, 2009 - 16:00 ET by Cool ArrowBut have you checked out Steel Panther "Death To All But Metal"?
Check it out on youtube and let me know what you think.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
hay lailrick,
November 9, 2009 - 16:04 ET by upcountrywaterAnd there is this, SR -71
hear it fly by
ICBM... I watched one of these launch at 5,000 feet. Way louder than a KISS concert.
Ahh the 60's
And then there was the first time ...
November 9, 2009 - 16:10 ET by CO2MakerYou know, "it." The real thing. With another person who had different moving parts. Every cell in my body thanked her, but my toes were the last because they were tightly curled up.
I think I'll drop Keith the Sports Boy a line and tell him what he's been missing in that bathtub.
ricklail
November 9, 2009 - 15:23 ET by MrShyUm.... George Lazenby (great, sturdy name, huh? "Lazenby") took over for Sean Connery?
Hmmmm??
:)
libs
November 9, 2009 - 15:27 ET by rfpzzzzzFor the most part these folks don't/can't even have rational discussions. They just call names and spout invectives. I really have to look at them like deranged people I might see on a big city street corner, yelling to no one in particular. I keep and eye on them and give them a wide berth and stay ready in case I need to defend myself.
They don't understand that all people started as unborn children and killing the unborn is a reason to pause and think. They can't see why we get upset over foolish , doomsday levels of debt and wasteful spending. They can't see why we just don't think the government will deliver quality medical care and that we fear they will turn our nation into something that is irretrievable. There is no point in trying to be rational toward them. Just defeat them like the Islamists.
Another Appropriate Song
November 9, 2009 - 15:32 ET by owr084Elected
------Alice Cooper
I'm your top prime cut of meat, I'm your choice,
I wanna be elected,
I'm your yankee doodle dandy in a gold Rolls Royce,
I wanna be elected,
Kids want a saviour, don't need a fake,
I wanna be elected,
We're all gonna rock to the rules that I make,
I wanna be elected, elected, elected.
I never lied to you, I've always been cool,
I wanna be elected,
I gotta get the vote, and I told you 'bout school,
I wanna be elected, elected, elected,
Hallelujah, I wanna be selected,
Everyone in the United States of America.
We're gonna win this one, take the country by storm,
We're gonna be elected,
You and me together, young and strong,
We're gonna be elected, elected, elected,
Respected, selected, call collected,
I wanna be elected, elected.
"And if I am elected
I promise the formation of a new party
A third party, the Wild Party!
I know we have problems,
We got problems right here in Central City,
We have problems on the North, South, East and West,
New York City, Saint Louis, Philadelphia, Los Angeles,
Detroit, Chicago,
Everybody has problems,
And personally, I don't care."
For What It's Worth . . .
November 10, 2009 - 16:45 ET by NoMoreClintonsThe song actually peaked at #7 on Billboard, the only chart that counts. And, hey, let's not forget that Neil Young once said that Bush was doing a "great job" (but he did slam him a few times before that). Go figure.
Really?
November 10, 2009 - 23:52 ET by Tom BlumerI tried to find a web link but couldn't. I remember that in Cincinnati it definitely didn't break the top 30 on WSAI. I do have a link for the album only getting to #80, unless that wasn't Billboard either.