Thursday, March 22, 2012

Maybe We Should Pay Attention...!

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!

17 comments:

Phyllis (N/W Jersey) said...

Gosh, I loved listening to Paul Harvey. Whenever he was on, it always felt like he was just talking to you alone. He was a very wise man.
Did you know he always made his broadcasts wearing a suit and tie even thought no one could see him? That is how much he respected his audience!
Today is a two cupper - I'll bring the honey biscuits.

Phyllis (N/W Jersey) said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Phyllis (N/W Jersey) said...

Oops! Sorry for the double post - was having a heck of a time trying to reply ..... (my bad)

Momlady said...

I think he got it right and it's happening today. Sometimes I have to ask: Where am I going and why am I in this basket?

Anonymous said...

That is spooky, sounds like someone used this speech as a model.

I remember hearing Paul Harvey on the noontime newscast, his was a regular feature. I bet a lot of folks remember them - a lot of good wisdom imparted.

Thanks HermitJim.

linda m said...

Wow! That is just too close to home. Paul harvey must have been talking about what is going on today! Great post.

Caddie said...

Reading this post and writing my own this morning, I so felt a connection between the two, that I borrowed yours with your unasked permission and added it onto mine. I felt yours needed more readers; thus I put it out before their eyes. Forgive me for stealing? Also, Thank you for your recent comment on my blog, Jim. It means much to me.

johnnyb said...

Very, very familiar.

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
I always enjoyed his comments as well! I never heard this piece until yesterday!

It's a shame we don't have someone like him again.

Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Momlady...
I know exactly what you mean! Mom and I were just talking about some of these very things this morning!

Very insightful piece, I think!

Thanks, my friend, for coming over today!


Hey Anon 7:34...
Sure does fit the way things are now, doesn't it?

Considering he made this in the 60s, it is kinda spooky! Like you say, it's like someone used this as a script!

Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Linda...
Sure does sound a lot like today, doesn't it?

Thanks so much for coming over today!


Hey Carolyn...
I don't mind you putting this post up again. You are welcome to use anything I post anytime!

You are quite welcome about the comment.

Thanks for coming by today, my friend!


Hey John...
I totally agree with you on that! Hitting the nail right on the head, it seems!

Thanks so much for dropping by today!

Dizzy-Dick said...

I always loved, respected, and listened to Paul Harvey. He was one of the best things that ever happened to this country. "and here's the rest of the story"

Mayberry said...

So many warnings from the past, and yet, here we are...

HermitJim said...

Hey Dizzy...
He certainly was worth listening to!

Always seemed to be talking about things that mattered, ya know?

Thanks for coming by this morning, D.D.


Hey Craig...
I guess we just never listen. It's a shame, because if we had maybe we wouldn't be quite as bad off as we are today!

Thanks, my friend, for coming over this morning!

TROUBLEnTX said...

Wasn't he still on just a few years ago? This one gave me tears, so sad, so real, of things today.

HermitJim said...

Hey Trouble...
He was on the air until just shortly before his death. He had officially retired from radio, but many of his talks are posted on YouTube!

Thanks for coming over today!

Gorges Smythe said...

Except for a few years when he got rather liberal, he was a pretty smart cookie.

BBC said...

I always enjoyed listening to him but being as there is no god there is also no devil being as both were made up by our ancestors.

Things are as they are simply because they are because of fabrications.

I know where I'm going when I die and I don't give a crap were everyone else goes.

tjbbpgobIII said...

Hermit, you know if you speak of the Devil you invite him into your home. Something I try not to do. There is enough devilish things on the boob tube today than when we grew up.