RSS Feed MenuThank you for printing my response to the conservative who took exception to my trumpeting the song, “Born Again American” by Keith Carradine. And thank you, too, for your personal reaction to the song itself and to my involvement with it.
Correction: When I started People for the American Way in 1980, it’s mission was to counter the roster of TV ministries –Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart, et al., that were proliferating across the tube mixing politics and religion. That was made very clear by the television spot that started it all. It featured a factory worker talking about these ministers, concluding with these words: “So there’s got to be something wrong when anyone, even a minister, tells you you’re a good Christian or a bad one depending on your political point of view. That’s not the American Way.”
Now, despite the fact that you are a master of modern political history and had to know the truth of People for the American Way’s origins, you chose to write: “Thus, when he (Lear) decided to form a political action committee to support the agenda of the American Civil Liberties Union, he did not call it ‘Hollywood Celebrities for a Permissive America,’ or ‘Gays and Jews United,’ ‘Get God Out Of The Schools, Inc.’ He called it People For The American Way.” In a single mischievous fabrication, Mr. Frum, you manage to toss out 6 buzz words, standard bait for the snapping jaws at the extreme right –God, Gays, Jews, Hollywood, Permissive and the ACLU– while ignoring the truth as to how there came to be a People for the American Way.
As for “Born Again American”, the music video, it isn’t, as you described it, just a “young man in a Marines t-shirt” singing about being out of work and his job shipped overseas. That was a genuine United States Marine, newly returned from Iraq telling us that he came back from the desert with a wife and kid to feed only to find his job had been shipped overseas. Suspicious of something dire in the song’s construction you then inform us that it takes all of 2 minutes and 15 seconds until the music video “shifts to a non white non male voice.” But you figure it all out a paragraph or so later when you happily conclude that the song is primarily targeting “working class Americans who vote Republican.” BINGO!
We need to talk to one another across ideological lines, critically if that’s the way we’re feeling, but sincerely. I sense more mischief than sincerity in the way conservative opinion makers manipulate language and ideas to make a point. I am accused by Mr. Frum of having dedicated three decades to “astutely packaging liberal causes as broad national concerns.” What subjects arouse the loudest, angriest of Republican voices these days — Guns; gay rights; right to life; immigration; taxes; Iraq; whatever. To take my side of the argument surrounding such subjects is, according to David Frum, to espouse a liberal cause. To take his side is to express a broad national concern. Mischief.
A.B. // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:31 am
I would suggest that you are missing the point, by a wide mark. There is a desire in this country to transcend identity politics, not refine them through production values. So, you found a “genuine US Marine” to illustrate your cartoon, congratulations. I hope he gets residuals. (A mischief-free post.)
midcon // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:32 am
David and NormanKudos to David for allowing Norman to contribute and to Norman for being thoughtful and sincere. Regardless of your politics you have to admit that this is better state of affairs than what we typically see from both the left and the right. As an indepedent, when I get both sides of a debate, I have more information on which to form my opinions and make decisions.I agree with Mr. Lear in that we need to talk to one another across ideaological lines, both critically and sincerely. Maybe this is the start of something new.
ottovbvs // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:28 am
My trouble is that I never know where David is coming from. One moment he’s talking entire sense in warning of the dangers of the GOP being held hostage by talk radio or of over simplistic reading “issue” polls, and the next he’s demanding that Obama should start issuing threats against Iran. It doesn’t add up. Lear’s also right about his original comments which seemed an awful lot of polemic ink to spill about an essentially trivial subject. In David’s case I’ll put it down to recidivism.
barker13 // Jun 24, 2009 at 10:53 am
Mr. Lear,The song does indeed speak to me. But then again… I’m a true conservative… a libertarian-leaning conservative… an American nationalist conservative.Political fault lines are funny things; one day guys like you and me are standing on opposite sides of the line screaming at one another, the next… me, you, Toby Keith, Keith Carradine, Pat Buchanan, Lou Dobbs, Glen Beck, Ralph Nader, Newt Gingrich… we’re all more or less straddling the same line, standing shoulder to shoulder for the protection of our shared “American dream.”Was Mr. Frum’s initial posting on this matter disingenuous? Perhaps… to an extent. I must admit I’ve “caught” David Frum using less than completely savory tactics from time to time. Are you, sir, above… er… likewise employing your skills in order to “re-package” classic ’60’s/’70’s American liberalism into something appearing more… er… “big L” Liberal – more “libertarian-leaning” to borrow an identifier from my own oft-used lexicon? With all due respect… doubtful.In any case, now that I’ve shared my views on the personal back and forth between you two, allow me to concentrate on policy… on substance vs. style:DAVID FRUM WROTE…”Lears video is astutely packaged to look like an early campaign film from the Sarah Palin presidential campaign….the music has a country feeling to it….Almost one full minute elapses before you see the first glimpse of someone other than an iconic red-state white American male….Its 2 minutes and 15 seconds a long, long time on video before the camera shifts to a non-white, non-male voice: a blonde-haired woman standing in front of the St. Louis arch….Okay, you get the idea.”Well, Mr. Lear…? Frum does “get” the idea, does he not? Or are we to believe that the “message” in terms of political partisanship could and should just as easily be taken as “Join With The Republican Party as a vehicle for becoming a born again American” as opposed to “Join With Our President – Barak Obama – as He strives to Give Justice to All”?Be honest! Com’on… DAVID FRUM WROTE…What exactly is Barack Obama proposing to do for that guy welding chassis? The auto bailout will not raise his wages. As for those “jobs shipped off to China,” aka international trade, Obama professes to favor it. (So, I suspect, does Norman Lear…)Again… is Frum wrong…??? If you know something Frum doesn’t about how bailouts are going to raise wages and about President Obama’s “true” feelings considering international trade as opposed to his on the record statements… please… enlighten us!(And I’m with Buchanan and Dobbs on trade – I’m for whatever trade policies directly and indirectly benefit the most Americans across the board, keep the most Americans gainfully employed in profit producing enterprises, halt and indeed reverse the deindustrialization of America. In other words, I’m not your average Republican.)DAVID FRUM WROTE…”The Obama administration is planning a massive increase in debt likely ultimately to be financed by some kind of consumption tax in order to support government spending programs.”Is Frum wrong, Mr. Lear?”Meanwhile, at least one of the pressures harming working-class Americans heavy levels of low-skilled immigration will continue under President Obama. Immigration has bid down wages in once formerly reasonably highly-paid blue collar jobs, like meatpacking and construction. If the president has his way, in fact, illegal immigrants now present in the country will receive some kind of amnesty…”(*SHRUG*)That’s my understanding of President Obama’s position on immigration “reform.” Is Frum mischaracterizing the President’s ultimate policy position in this regard; am I?I’m anxious to hear your responses, Mr. Lear.Respectfully,William R. Barker
ottovbvs // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:20 am
…….Great news for David…..Sarah’s the Republican favorite by a milehttp://people-press.org/report/524/republican-favorability……..Sanford meanwhile is learning to dance the tango in Argentina………….Can this stuff be made up?
ottovbvs // Jun 24, 2009 at 11:32 am
With the Sanford presser coming up on the heels of the Ensign presser you might want to see how the British do it. I promise you it’s hilarious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-zmTr9wMvA&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edailykos%2Ecom%2Fstory%2F2009%2F6%2F24%2F746313%2F%2DPopcorn%2DTime%3A%2DMark%2DSanford%2DPress%2DConference&feature=player_embedded
midcon // Jun 24, 2009 at 12:18 pm
To give credit where credit is due:Democratic Governors Association Executive Director Nathan Daschle issued a statement saying, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Gov. Sanford and his family, and I wish them the best as they try to heal this wound.”Some folks take the high road. It’s just who they are.
ottovbvs // Jun 24, 2009 at 12:56 pm
midcon wrote 31 minutes ago”Some folks take the high road. It’s just who they are.”……….It’s not the affair it’s the hypocrisy…….These bible punchers like Vitter, Ensign, Craig, Gingrich and now Sanford have made endless speeches about the sanctity of marriage, Jesus, Clinton’s zipper problems, the evils of teenage sex, responsibility, gay perverts, the whole nine yards. In the process they are wrecking the Republican party. As far as I’m concerned they well merit the ridicule and hilarity they attract.
mlindroo // Jun 24, 2009 at 12:58 pm
This is off topic but quite amusing nonetheless.Ottovbvs wrote:> With the Sanford presser coming up on the heels of > the Ensign presser you might want to see how the > British do it. I promise you it’s hilarious.The Sanford’2012 website’s snarling spin is pretty hilarious too! (via TNR’s The Plank)”Where in the world is Mark Sanford?”Wednesday, June 24, 2009″ Well, thanks to the invasive media, starting today he is back at work in Columbia. So where has he been hiding? Ill let the government-run media fight over which trails he was at. But dont believe for a second that his wife and other VIPs didnt know where he was. Quite simply, he left for a few days to clear his head. He did this without taking his private security detail, which you and I pay for. Because of this no one really wanted to tell the media where he actually was. They knew – but they were smart enough to not give it away.”———————————————————————————So, which party has had more marital infidelity scandals involving their leading politicians (presidential candidates, senators, governors)? Let’s start in 1992. On the Dem side we have Bill Clinton, John Edwards and Elliot Spitzer. Who else? My impression is the GOP list is significantly longer, or does it only seem that way due to “liberal media bias”?MARCU$
ottovbvs // Jun 24, 2009 at 1:31 pm
mlindroo wrote 25 minutes ago……….These Brit spoof’s were hilarious but having now watched the Sanford presser……. truth exceeded fiction….and all delivered in front of a backdrop of smiling aides (some did start laughing)…..very weird…….look guys have affairs….it’s a fact of life……it’s the hypocrisy that is the killer……basically Republicans need to get out of the morality business but I don’t see it happening.
Cforchange // Jun 24, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I couldn’t make sense of David’s first round but I say Lear 2012. He’s a forward thinking genius if he came up with: “When I started People for the American Way in 1980, it’s mission was to counter the roster of TV ministries –Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Jimmy Swaggart, et al., that were proliferating across the tube mixing politics and religion.” Just look at where we’ve evolved – GOP humiliation via the evangelical snake oil salesmen. This music video in contrast points out my stand that I’m sticking to – the American worker isn’t morally bankrupt like let’s say a genuine GOP hypocrite, they’re idle thus financially sqeezed and very unhappy. Indeed the mental health of the nation is at stake. Everyone needs a purpose and we’ve outsourced it – the party that tackles this will prevail and I think the Independents are telling us so… Pencil pushers or trust fund recipients can ignore this all they want. But we the GOP are done winning until we become the practical party instead of shock and awe personalities.But back to the juice. What’s up with the GOP spring fever – Viagra getting the better of them??? It’s just too damn bad SNL is on holiday – maybe they better have a week night special. There’s some great banter over at the beast these days, completely entertaining.David, I’m not sure this was your intent but thanks for pointing out a sane side of Hollywood – I’ve eliminated bandwidth for any of them as the size of their lips became bigger than their brains.
joescannura // Jun 24, 2009 at 2:08 pm
who the hell is norman lear? I’ve never heard of this guy ever. Nothing he says is the “American Way”. Being against guns is American? supporting unending illegal immigration is American? High taxes are American? abortion on demand is American? What the hell is this guy talking about? selling those things as if there issues deep to the American spirit is stupid and wrong. Trying to tell a preacher at a private church what he can say or discuss with his congregation is also wrong. Glad the left can make shit up, congrats Mr.Lear. When the hell are these old socialist college professor guys going to go away already?
midcon // Jun 24, 2009 at 2:35 pm
joescannura, we need to delve into this a bit more. Are you honestly saying you have never heard of Norman Lear? I mean for reals? No kidding? Not funnin us? Pulling our leg? Yanking our chain? I mean really, really, really never heard of him?
ottovbvs // Jun 24, 2009 at 3:28 pm
midcon wrote 51 minutes ago”joescannura, I mean really, really, really never heard of him?”……I could believe it.
Cforchange // Jun 24, 2009 at 4:13 pm
well Norman you may really encounter Archie here! So just what is Republican about being fiscally incompetant and void of personal ethics? This is not the Republican I signed up to be. Gripping the American spirit by removing any path to prosperity is a certain road to ignorance and reliance on faith to get the aimless or fearful through the darkness. American’s in majority have chosen not to follow to GOP into this platform blunder – wake up, citizens were told to get educated and skilled. They did and what’s out there, plenty of time to hear about another Republican who can afford to keep his large family plus jaunt off internationally to pleasure himself on an unplanned whim. When a hardly working loser can afford to buy a big gun and mow down a police force causing death in triplicate, its time to open the discussion to find solutions. The GOP really has earned it’s rap as one closed mind no issue bunch, just listen to the preacher, leave you offering in the plate to right your sins but be damned if you willingly contribute time or money to the community. Mind control has occurred.
nwahs // Jun 24, 2009 at 5:16 pm
I watched the video and its exactly what All In The Family was – theft
(“Till Death Do Us part” ) Its an obvious political version of Michael Jackson’s “We Are The World.”Hollywood sorely lacks originality. I don’t know if the “We are the World” simplicity will fly in a world where tyranny is so exposed with all its violence.
sinz54 // Jun 24, 2009 at 5:53 pm
After the Sanford revelations, I’m beginning to wonder if Sarah Palin isn’t the best choice the GOP has after all.I can’t think of even one case where a married FEMALE politician was caught having an affair. Hey, maybe we should just elect only women from now on.
joescannura // Jun 24, 2009 at 8:34 pm
wow, it’s almost as if if you don’t know who the hell some old fog hat is, it’s like you’ve never heard of Shakespeare, or GOD or something. Obviously i know who he is now, but no, I never heard about the old, useless Mr. Lear before a few days ago. shucks, i must really be missing something.but let’s just anticipate the next few posts. “wow, if you don’t know who norman lear is, you don’t know anything”. Is this going to be the argument of the liberals on here? that’s rich. and I’ll be happy to pull a few random names out of my ass of people you’ve never heard of if you wish.
Churl // Jun 25, 2009 at 2:11 am
Norman Lear vs. David Frum. It doesn’t get much more trivial than this.