Most of you know who Paul Harvey was.
Back in 1965, he did a piece that is maybe even more appropriate today than it was back then. I feel that we should revisit this at least one more time.
I'm putting the video on first, followed by the text for those who might not be able to see the video. That OK with you?
This speech was broadcast by legendary ABC Radio commentator Paul Harvey on April 3, 1965:
If I were the Devil . . . I mean, if I were the Prince of Darkness, I would of course, want to engulf the whole earth in darkness. I would have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree, so I should set about however necessary to take over the United States. I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.” “Do as you please.” To the young, I would whisper, “The Bible is a myth.” I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what is bad is good, and what is good is “square”. In the ears of the young marrieds, I would whisper that work is debasing, that cocktail parties are good for you. I would caution them not to be extreme in religion, in patriotism, in moral conduct. And the old, I would teach to pray. I would teach them to say after me: “Our Father, which art in Washington” . . .
If I were the devil, I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull an uninteresting. I’d threaten T.V. with dirtier movies and vice versa. And then, if I were the devil, I’d get organized. I’d infiltrate unions and urge more loafing and less work, because idle hands usually work for me. I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. And I’d tranquilize the rest with pills. If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine yound intellects but neglect to discipline emotions . . . let those run wild. I would designate an athiest to front for me before the highest courts in the land and I would get preachers to say “she’s right.” With flattery and promises of power, I could get the courts to rule what I construe as against God and in favor of pornography, and thus, I would evict God from the courthouse, and then from the school house, and then from the houses of Congress and then, in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and I would deify science because that way men would become smart enough to create super weapons but not wise enough to control them.
If I were Satan, I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg, and the symbol of Christmas, a bottle. If I were the devil, I would take from those who have and I would give to those who wanted, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And then, my police state would force everybody back to work. Then, I could separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines, and objectors in slave camps. In other words, if I were Satan, I’d just keep on doing what he’s doing.
Paul Harvey, Good Day.
I don't know about you, but this all sounds very familiar to me. Maybe we should pay attention!
Coffee out on the patio this morning. The weather is supposed to be nice!
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Yes, There Was A "Broncho Billy"...!
This might have been a name many of us used in jest, but it turns out that there was a character by that name!
The real story, though, is in how the character came about...and why!
You just never know what you might find when exploring history.
Gilbert M. Anderson, the first western movie star, is born in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Better known as "Broncho Billy," the name of the western hero he played in over 300 short films, Anderson was the first western movie star. Furthermore, he played several small parts in one of the first movies ever made, The Great Train Robbery. In 1903, Anderson won a role as a bandit in the film after telling the director he could ride like a Texas Ranger. When it became clear that Anderson could hardly get onto a horse, he was made an "extra" and played several minor parts. Later that year, the 10-minute movie received an enthusiastic reception from the public, and Anderson decided to make a career in the promising new business of telling stories in moving pictures.
Anderson moved to Chicago, which was becoming a minor moviemaking center. After a few years directing and occasionally starring in movies produced by others, Anderson decided to create his own production company. Forming a partnership with old friend George K. Spoor, in 1907 Anderson created the Essanay Company, which would later be credited as one of the best of the early movie studios.
At first, Anderson made comedies, but remembering the brilliant success of The Great Train Robbery, he eventually turned to Westerns. Anderson was one of the first movie producers to realize that the public needed a central character in the movies, a "star" on which they could focus their attention. In 1909, though, there were no movie stars and stage actors were reluctant to risk films. Anderson decided to make himself the star, creating the character "Broncho Billy" out of ideas about the West culled from popular dime novels.
In 1909, Anderson released his first western, Broncho Billy and the Baby. It was an enormous success and convinced Anderson that he should stick with Westerns starring the Broncho Billy character. Over the next five years, Anderson made over 300 short one- or two-reel movies featuring Broncho Billy. Physically, Anderson was not especially handsome or dashing, but audiences liked Broncho Billy for his courageous virtue and bravery.
In 1915, Anderson released his last film in the series, Broncho Billy's Sentence, and thereafter turned to writing. A few years later he attempted a comeback, but by then the western field was dominated by more dashing actors like Tom Mix and William S. Hart. He made comedies for several years before retiring. Later recognized and honored for his pivotal role in the development of the Western, in 1965 he made a cameo appearance in a modern Hollywood Western called The Bounty Killer, his first talking picture.
Anderson died in his sleep on January 20, 1971, at the age of 88.
It's always fun to find out the origin of fictional characters, don't you think?
How about some fresh coffee in the kitchen? It's still raining outside, but I have some sweet potato pie I'll share.
The real story, though, is in how the character came about...and why!
You just never know what you might find when exploring history.
Mar 21, 1882:
"Broncho Billy" Anderson born
Gilbert M. Anderson, the first western movie star, is born in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Better known as "Broncho Billy," the name of the western hero he played in over 300 short films, Anderson was the first western movie star. Furthermore, he played several small parts in one of the first movies ever made, The Great Train Robbery. In 1903, Anderson won a role as a bandit in the film after telling the director he could ride like a Texas Ranger. When it became clear that Anderson could hardly get onto a horse, he was made an "extra" and played several minor parts. Later that year, the 10-minute movie received an enthusiastic reception from the public, and Anderson decided to make a career in the promising new business of telling stories in moving pictures.
Anderson moved to Chicago, which was becoming a minor moviemaking center. After a few years directing and occasionally starring in movies produced by others, Anderson decided to create his own production company. Forming a partnership with old friend George K. Spoor, in 1907 Anderson created the Essanay Company, which would later be credited as one of the best of the early movie studios.
At first, Anderson made comedies, but remembering the brilliant success of The Great Train Robbery, he eventually turned to Westerns. Anderson was one of the first movie producers to realize that the public needed a central character in the movies, a "star" on which they could focus their attention. In 1909, though, there were no movie stars and stage actors were reluctant to risk films. Anderson decided to make himself the star, creating the character "Broncho Billy" out of ideas about the West culled from popular dime novels.
In 1909, Anderson released his first western, Broncho Billy and the Baby. It was an enormous success and convinced Anderson that he should stick with Westerns starring the Broncho Billy character. Over the next five years, Anderson made over 300 short one- or two-reel movies featuring Broncho Billy. Physically, Anderson was not especially handsome or dashing, but audiences liked Broncho Billy for his courageous virtue and bravery.
In 1915, Anderson released his last film in the series, Broncho Billy's Sentence, and thereafter turned to writing. A few years later he attempted a comeback, but by then the western field was dominated by more dashing actors like Tom Mix and William S. Hart. He made comedies for several years before retiring. Later recognized and honored for his pivotal role in the development of the Western, in 1965 he made a cameo appearance in a modern Hollywood Western called The Bounty Killer, his first talking picture.
Anderson died in his sleep on January 20, 1971, at the age of 88.
It's always fun to find out the origin of fictional characters, don't you think?
How about some fresh coffee in the kitchen? It's still raining outside, but I have some sweet potato pie I'll share.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
A Teller Of Tall Tales...!
Many of the folks who could spin a good yarn made a great living doing just that!
Back in the early days, most folks didn't seem to care if the stories were true or not...as long as they were exciting! Often the stories didn't have many actual facts or even the slightest grain of truth, but they were popular, to say the least!
Seems like the more outrageous they were, the more the masses liked them! Here is a good example!
Ned Buntline, the "dime millionaire" and discoverer of Buffalo Bill, is born in Stamford, New York.
Perhaps more than any single writer, Ned Buntline was responsible for creating a highly romanticized and somewhat misleading image of the American West as the setting for great adventure and excitement. Born Edward Zane Carroll Judson, in 1845 he founded a sensationalistic magazine, called Ned Buntline's Own, in Nashville, Tennessee-Ned Buntline became the best known of several pseudonyms he used during his career.
Buntline's goal in life was straightforward: he wanted to make as much money as possible writing stories that the public would pay to read. He filled the pages of Ned Buntline's Own with all manner of outrageous stories, having a particular affinity for nautical adventures. An incorrigible womanizer (he married seven times), in 1846 he killed a jealous husband who suspected him of seducing his wife. Although Buntline had acted in self-defense, townspeople sympathetic to the dead man hanged Buntline from an awning post in the public square. Luckily, Buntline's friends cut the rope before he strangled and he was spirited out of town.
Buntline relocated to New York, where he resumed publishing his magazine. Though he had once dreamed of becoming a serious writer, he was desperate to make a living so he began to write more for a mass audience. Buntline's popular adventures were wildly successful, and he churned out dozens of melodramatic "shocking" stories over the course of only a few years. By the time he was in his late 20s, Buntline had earned the title "King of the Dime Novels" and was making an excellent living.
After traveling to San Francisco in 1869, Buntline realized he could easily adapt his stock adventure plots to a setting in the American West. At about the same time he met a handsome young scout and buffalo hunter named William Frederick Cody. Buntline claimed to have given Cody the nickname "Buffalo Bill," though Cody said he earned the name years before as a hunter for the railroads.
Buntline's decision to write a dime novel starring Buffalo Bill Cody made the relatively unknown scout into a national media star. Buntline's book The Scout of the Plains grossly exaggerated Cody's western adventures, but the public loved the thrilling tale. Always the promoter, Buntline turned the novel into a play that he staged in Chicago. In 1872, Buntline convinced Cody to travel to the city and play himself in the production. Cody was a poor actor, but his participation brought in people and money.
Cody broke with Buntline after a year, but the national fame he gained because of Buntline's work eventually allowed "Buffalo Bill" to create his famous Wild West show. Buntline churned out other western dime novels, and he eventually became the nation's top literary money earner, surpassing the income of writers like Walt Whitman and Mark Twain. Buntline prized his wealth, but he remained scornful of his own work. "I found that to make a living I must write 'trash' for the masses, for he who endeavors to write for the critical few, and do his genius justice, will go hungry if he has no other means of support."
Buntline died at his home in Stamford, New York, in 1886. He was 63 years old and had written more than 400 novels and countless other short stories and articles
Ya know, there is a lot of similarity in the old "dime novels" and the modern day newspapers! Seems to me that so many of the things we read in the papers now days are edited and manipulated to the point of almost being total works of fiction!
Just my opinion, but I reckon that the old saying "don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see!" could very easily be applied to news sources as well! Again, that's just my opinion!
Coffee in the kitchen this morning, as the rain is coming back with a vengeance today! At least that what the talking heads that do the weather say!
Back in the early days, most folks didn't seem to care if the stories were true or not...as long as they were exciting! Often the stories didn't have many actual facts or even the slightest grain of truth, but they were popular, to say the least!
Seems like the more outrageous they were, the more the masses liked them! Here is a good example!
Mar 20, 1823:
Ned Buntline born
Ned Buntline, the "dime millionaire" and discoverer of Buffalo Bill, is born in Stamford, New York.
Perhaps more than any single writer, Ned Buntline was responsible for creating a highly romanticized and somewhat misleading image of the American West as the setting for great adventure and excitement. Born Edward Zane Carroll Judson, in 1845 he founded a sensationalistic magazine, called Ned Buntline's Own, in Nashville, Tennessee-Ned Buntline became the best known of several pseudonyms he used during his career.
Buntline's goal in life was straightforward: he wanted to make as much money as possible writing stories that the public would pay to read. He filled the pages of Ned Buntline's Own with all manner of outrageous stories, having a particular affinity for nautical adventures. An incorrigible womanizer (he married seven times), in 1846 he killed a jealous husband who suspected him of seducing his wife. Although Buntline had acted in self-defense, townspeople sympathetic to the dead man hanged Buntline from an awning post in the public square. Luckily, Buntline's friends cut the rope before he strangled and he was spirited out of town.
Buntline relocated to New York, where he resumed publishing his magazine. Though he had once dreamed of becoming a serious writer, he was desperate to make a living so he began to write more for a mass audience. Buntline's popular adventures were wildly successful, and he churned out dozens of melodramatic "shocking" stories over the course of only a few years. By the time he was in his late 20s, Buntline had earned the title "King of the Dime Novels" and was making an excellent living.
After traveling to San Francisco in 1869, Buntline realized he could easily adapt his stock adventure plots to a setting in the American West. At about the same time he met a handsome young scout and buffalo hunter named William Frederick Cody. Buntline claimed to have given Cody the nickname "Buffalo Bill," though Cody said he earned the name years before as a hunter for the railroads.
Buntline's decision to write a dime novel starring Buffalo Bill Cody made the relatively unknown scout into a national media star. Buntline's book The Scout of the Plains grossly exaggerated Cody's western adventures, but the public loved the thrilling tale. Always the promoter, Buntline turned the novel into a play that he staged in Chicago. In 1872, Buntline convinced Cody to travel to the city and play himself in the production. Cody was a poor actor, but his participation brought in people and money.
Cody broke with Buntline after a year, but the national fame he gained because of Buntline's work eventually allowed "Buffalo Bill" to create his famous Wild West show. Buntline churned out other western dime novels, and he eventually became the nation's top literary money earner, surpassing the income of writers like Walt Whitman and Mark Twain. Buntline prized his wealth, but he remained scornful of his own work. "I found that to make a living I must write 'trash' for the masses, for he who endeavors to write for the critical few, and do his genius justice, will go hungry if he has no other means of support."
Buntline died at his home in Stamford, New York, in 1886. He was 63 years old and had written more than 400 novels and countless other short stories and articles
Ya know, there is a lot of similarity in the old "dime novels" and the modern day newspapers! Seems to me that so many of the things we read in the papers now days are edited and manipulated to the point of almost being total works of fiction!
Just my opinion, but I reckon that the old saying "don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see!" could very easily be applied to news sources as well! Again, that's just my opinion!
Coffee in the kitchen this morning, as the rain is coming back with a vengeance today! At least that what the talking heads that do the weather say!
Monday, March 19, 2012
A Few Worthy Quotes...!
Winston Churchill was quite an interesting man.
Never one to spare the words, good or bad, he made a formidable orator. So many good quotes can be attributed to Churchill, there is just no way I could include them all. I have instead put some on today that could apply to all men everywhere!
All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.
Winston Churchill
I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.
Winston Churchill
I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.
Winston Churchill
It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
Winston Churchill
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen.
Winston Churchill
You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else.
Winston Churchill
You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.
Winston Churchill
So many quotes like this could very easily be applied to the way things are right now. Funny how the truth never really goes out of style, isn't it?
Coffee on the patio this morning, just so we can listen to the morning doves calling! Man, don't they sound pretty?
Never one to spare the words, good or bad, he made a formidable orator. So many good quotes can be attributed to Churchill, there is just no way I could include them all. I have instead put some on today that could apply to all men everywhere!
All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.
Winston Churchill
I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.
Winston Churchill
I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.
Winston Churchill
It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
Winston Churchill
Politics is the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month and next year. And to have the ability afterwards to explain why it didn't happen.
Winston Churchill
You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else.
Winston Churchill
You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.
Winston Churchill
So many quotes like this could very easily be applied to the way things are right now. Funny how the truth never really goes out of style, isn't it?
Coffee on the patio this morning, just so we can listen to the morning doves calling! Man, don't they sound pretty?
Sunday, March 18, 2012
I Need Me A Little Bugs Bunny...!
Ol' Bugs has been around for a very long time!
Probably one of the most imitated cartoon characters there ever was! At least his way of talking! One thing about Bugs...he just never seems to age! You notice that?
Come to think about it, I can't think of a single cartoon character appearing older! Must be something in the water!
Seems like all the 'toons had their favorite food! Too bad it was often each other!
Sometimes the silliest things are funny! Considering when these things were made, they really aren't bad! Better, in fact, than some of the crap made today!
Coffee on the patio this morning. I have some peanut putter cream cookies!
Probably one of the most imitated cartoon characters there ever was! At least his way of talking! One thing about Bugs...he just never seems to age! You notice that?
Come to think about it, I can't think of a single cartoon character appearing older! Must be something in the water!
Seems like all the 'toons had their favorite food! Too bad it was often each other!
Sometimes the silliest things are funny! Considering when these things were made, they really aren't bad! Better, in fact, than some of the crap made today!
Coffee on the patio this morning. I have some peanut putter cream cookies!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Happy Saint Patrick's Day...!
I know that nearly everyone remembered, but today is St. Patrick's Day!
I picked up a short little history of St. Patrick from the Old Farmer's Almanac that I wanted to share with you. I'm sure there are many more detailed histories of him out there, but as I said, I'm keeping this one pretty short!
Was there really a St. Patrick? Definitely. Did he really drive the snakes out of Ireland? Probably not. At age 16 (around A.D. 400), Patrick was kidnapped from his home on the west coast of England and carried off to Ireland. After 6 years, he escaped; upon returning home, he received his call (in a dream) to preach the Gospel. He spent the next 15 or so years in a monastery, preparing for his missionary work. Although some Christians lived in Ireland at the time, it was Patrick who spread Christianity throughout the land and brought an organized church into existence.
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the United States was held in New York City on this day in 1762. We wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day because Patrick used its three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity. But, as far as we know, he never drank green beer!
Time for some fresh coffee on the patio. Sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to make it green!
I picked up a short little history of St. Patrick from the Old Farmer's Almanac that I wanted to share with you. I'm sure there are many more detailed histories of him out there, but as I said, I'm keeping this one pretty short!
Who Was Patrick?
Was there really a St. Patrick? Definitely. Did he really drive the snakes out of Ireland? Probably not. At age 16 (around A.D. 400), Patrick was kidnapped from his home on the west coast of England and carried off to Ireland. After 6 years, he escaped; upon returning home, he received his call (in a dream) to preach the Gospel. He spent the next 15 or so years in a monastery, preparing for his missionary work. Although some Christians lived in Ireland at the time, it was Patrick who spread Christianity throughout the land and brought an organized church into existence.
The first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the United States was held in New York City on this day in 1762. We wear a shamrock on St. Patrick’s Day because Patrick used its three leaves to explain the Holy Trinity. But, as far as we know, he never drank green beer!
Time for some fresh coffee on the patio. Sorry, but I couldn't figure out how to make it green!
Friday, March 16, 2012
Friday Funnies...!
I thought that we would start a new tradition here at the Hermit's.
All week long we hear almost nothing but bad news, so I figured that throwing in just one day of frivolity couldn't hurt! Nothing caps off the week like a grin. Heck, nothing starts off the week like a little humor, either! Here's hoping this helps a little.
As a Piper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a Pauper's' cemetery in the back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in Place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played Out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends.I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.
And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes And started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say;
"I NEVER SEEN NOTHIN' LIKE THAT BEFORE AND I'VE BEEN PUTTING IN SEPTIC TANKS FOR TWENTY YEARS."
Apparently I'm still lost....it's a man thing!
We all know someone like this guy, right? Someone that won't ask directions when a little turned around! Heck, I've done that very thing. Anyway, I thought you might find a little humor in this!
How about fresh coffee on the patio this morning? Homemade bread with honey and butter on the side...or jelly, if you prefer!
All week long we hear almost nothing but bad news, so I figured that throwing in just one day of frivolity couldn't hurt! Nothing caps off the week like a grin. Heck, nothing starts off the week like a little humor, either! Here's hoping this helps a little.
As a Piper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a Pauper's' cemetery in the back country. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions.
I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in Place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.
The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played Out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends.I played like I've never played before for this homeless man.
And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes And started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.
As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say;
"I NEVER SEEN NOTHIN' LIKE THAT BEFORE AND I'VE BEEN PUTTING IN SEPTIC TANKS FOR TWENTY YEARS."
Apparently I'm still lost....it's a man thing!
We all know someone like this guy, right? Someone that won't ask directions when a little turned around! Heck, I've done that very thing. Anyway, I thought you might find a little humor in this!
How about fresh coffee on the patio this morning? Homemade bread with honey and butter on the side...or jelly, if you prefer!
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