Irving Kristol 1920-2009
We must mark the lamentable passing of Irving Kristol, one of the original standard bearers of the neo-conservative movement in America. But amidst the sadness we are heartened to learn that we in this room and people of like mind were in his thoughts in a message that flowed to us from his pen.
In a handkerchief drawer, folded amidst Mr. Kristol’s linen his housekeeper found the following document I am about to share with you. Untitled, the audience for which it was intended is clear. It is without a doubt a call to purpose and celebration of our mission. From a humble pile of hankies treasure was uncovered which I now have the honor of sharing with you:
Town Hall Tea-Bagger Manifesto***
Call me
But not by Truth’s Window
But through a Hatch from the Right
Stir by day
But to Have is to Walk by Night
Keep in mind
However caught---
Well won is well shot
Good Fortune waits for You
For You assemble in honest rank
In the name of those who begot you
So it is. To those who begot the ability of our Movement to mass into demonstrations, they in media, finance, the corporate world, the academic halls, and they the anonymous individuals whose contributions we could not do without, we publically thank you.
So many in number are these patriotic hearts their names have been bound in a portable pamphlet, which is available at the door when you leave.
We thank also that creative member of our group who suggested the cover be a photo of Ayn Rand.
To those not familiar with the inspirational teachings of Ms. Rand, a brief biographical sketch has been included at the front of the booklet. When you read this, I hope you come away considering this great thinker as “The Fairy Godmother” of all we Americans value and cherish…the upholding of the individual resolve to achieve the American Dream of Affluence, unfettered. Or, as we like to joke around, "Hey, Big Government, every man is a law unto himself. Check out The Bill of Rights!"
I need also mention that included is quoted a grateful reminiscence of Ms. Rand by former Federal Reserve Board Chairman, Alan Greenspan. He was an early fan of Ms. Rand’s and has acknowledged her as a mentor who helped steer him onto the correct path in life.
To Mr. Kristol’s son Bill we say--- our hope is that your recently passed father is now resting where he may relive for all eternity his legacy to America.
___________________________________________________
***I humbly thank William Shakespeare whose beautiful words (from “King Richard III) I tinkered with in order to craft the Manifesto. I have diverted the context of your prose, but I hope not dishonored the timeless poetry.
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Brie aka Barbara K
Lonnie Lazar
sparkysb
Kerry Lauerman
Joan Walsh
Salon.com
Comments
It seems to me many Open Salonians are not accustomed to the style and quality of the satirical poetry you offer in your posts. Some may not even see the satire at all and fear you are truly paying tribute to The Kristol Dudes (good name for a band) that cranky, anti-pinko Ayn Rand (who looked nothing like Patricia Neal in "The Fountainhead") or senile sweet-talker Alan Greenspan, who just recently realized there was a flaw in the economic theory he held for the last several decades. The subsequent demise of the entire global financial system, collapsing into a steaming mountain of dog doo without warning, was not his fault, however. ( Ooopsy! Alan, you were supposed to CARRY the 1 and SUBTRACT the sum of the equations, NOT add them to the sub-prime, subtotal based on the collective bonuses of your wife, Andrea Mitchell and an unnamed powerbroker from another network, trying to woo her while lunching at Michael's just before that other thing happened. What were you thinking?)
Anyway, Ms. Planet, I hail your graceful grouping of words that say just the right thing in just the right way. Let those less savvy or just plain brain-lazy, wonder about your intentions. Those elderly teabaggers clutching their cute homemade signs reading "No Death Panels" aren't even sure which side of the fence their placards are posted, bless their hearts.
"A bus just picked me up, "stammered one old lass demanding anonymity, after being told her taxes would be raised if she spoke openly. "The men in the suits brought me to Washington DC. They told me I would die if I didn't get on the bus and go to the White House. So naturally, I got on the bus...They did give us a sack lunch for the trip like they promised."
R.I.P. Irving Kristol. Look what you done started. And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it, Billy Boy. I think that line might have come from "The Grapes of Wrath".
**Liberties may have been taken with Mr. Steinbeck's prose.