As many know I was absent from the United States for a period of 5 years while I was stationed overseas in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1974. Upon my return in March 1974, I was amazed at how the country had changed and the attitude shown against then President, Richard M. Nixon.
Assigned to Ft. Bragg in North Carolina, country music was gaining in popularity at the time and political discourse was making it way into that music venue, as it had earlier in rock music.
One popular song that was still on the radio was Tom T. Hall’s, “The Monkey That Became President,” released in 1972 originally. Tom T. Hall is a songwriter, storyteller and to some, a philosopher. His tunes are catchy and enjoyable.
At the time this song was popular, I took it as a slap against politicians in general, given the vitriol coming out of Washington D.C. between the major party’s and continuing to today. I assume Hall was a Democrat as I attended a live concert of his in Fayetteville, N.C. that turned out to be a fundraiser for then candidate, Jimmy Carter. But, the song seemed to me to point at politicians in general.
Over the years I totally forgot this cute little song.
As we have now elected our first Affirmative Action President, Barack Obama and he has been inaugurated and began instituting his agenda upon us and given the recent flap about the NY Post cartoon, depicting a chimpanzee being shot by Police and how some opportunists are trying desperately to link that to racism against Obama, the song flooded back into my memory.
Who could have known that a simple song from 1972 would be so prophetic about 2009?
Friday, February 20, 2009
"The Monkey That Became President"
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For any who might not be able to play the song, here are the lyrics:
The Monkey That Became President
By Tom T. Hall 1972
I was there on the day the monkey came into this world
His face was round and reddish and his hair was slightly curled
He didn’t look too different from the others I had seen
Who’d-a-thought he was the answer to the nation’s dream?
At first he didn’t seem intelligent at all
Each time he’d start to walk about he’d stumble and he’d fall
My first impression was to be a most mistaken thought
Lord a’ mighty, what’s this little hairy monkey wrought?
Because I witnessed his departure from his mother’s womb
I felt inclined to check his progress every afternoon
One day the keeper of the zoo called in the TV
Frankly said, “I think that you will be amazed at what you see”
The monkey walked and talked and waved his arms above his head
In the corner was a stack of books that he had read
“An Educated Monkey!”, said the papers ‘cross the land
It was more than weary sociologists could stand
Oh, his fame was universal, he was on the Carson show
People talked about him kindly everywhere he’d go
His insight was amazing, his philosophy was fair
He became a politician welcome everywhere
His wit was not to be compared to with any mind intact
He’d lace a phrase with irony and blend it all with fact
Conservatives applauded and the liberals were entranced
The bigots and the integrationists were in his camp
Nobody dared to meet him in an open press debate
He was nominated by the folks from every state
Yes, a monkey was the President, though it maybe not the first
And there was peace and harmony throughout the universe
The dream I had last night has been related as it came
As for interpretation, well it’s really very plain
Would you rather have a monkey up in Washington, D.C.?
Or have those people making monkeys out of you and me?
Perfect analogy,and the irony is understood for those not conditioned with the Marxist Pc agenda and mulitculturalism,which only goals have ever been is to demonize the Majority and crush the West.That time is now upon us.I t was diabolically clever to use racial conflict to impose Global Fascism on the world.Certainly not the only ploy,but a major one,simply because to speak out against the hypocrisy labels one a racist white devil.But no outcry over the racist rant at the inauguration oe Eric Holder's hate whitey and all America stands for nonsense.Bright people knew that Affirmative Action and hatred against whites would not go away installing the Usurper or any nimber of non-whites to power positions in America.
I feel bad for you, having to live among those who don't agree with your political ideals. I myself am a liberal and a Democrat, and I live in the dead center of a conservative, racist, intolerant Republicans. I get how you feel.:)
Of course, I disagree with your analysis of today's society. One should never call a person of a different race by a word used by racists, even if you aren't a racist (which I will assume you are by your language); it is simply rude! Also, you shouldn't generalize a group by a few dozen extremely biased people (every group has some close-minded members, after all), or feel cheated or wronged by your political opposition (competition is healthy for an efficient democracy). You must admit that the conservatives and Republicans have done some pretty bad shit in their time, so it should all be seen in perspective.
You might be confused or outraged by the style or content of my remark, and if you are then I feel sorry for how biased and far gone you are. Always remember to be open-minded!
Actually, anonymous #2, it is you that I feel sorry for, as you remain deluded in your neo-com culture.
This particular song is not racist towards Obama or anyone. How could it be, it was released in 1972 when by his own words, he was 11 or 12?
Remember his distancing himself from Bill Ayers?
As stated, the "monkey" in the song is politicians in general, not a specific one and in 1972. But, given the popularity given today's "messiah," it would fit in with that uncalled for and unearned popularity, not in regards race.
Neo-coms had no problem lambasting George W. Bush as a "chimp" for 8 years and denigrating him in ways unimaginable not too long ago. Similar treatment by the neo-com left was thrown at Sarah Palin, also uncalled for.
And now, they feign offense at any opposition to Obama?
Perhaps it is you neo-coms who need to "open their minds" to your delusion to a fraud and a puppet who is clueless.
Another slow day at the firehouse?
.
Great stuff. Imagine if this was played on the radio now, the Al Sharptons would freak.
absurd thought -
God of the Universe says
Bush was worse than Hitler
and Stalin and Mao
and Castro combined
.
Too bad it isn't receiving airtime on an oldies station somewhere. Ignoring the monkey in the title, the prophetic tone shown in how Obama is receiving so much unearned and unneeded praise, glory and yes, worship, borders on the unnerving.
It occurred to me today as I was reading a comment about how the people are still giving high marks to B-HO while blaming Pelosi/Reid for the porkulous bill.
The liberals say the cartoon in the Post is racist because it references the stimulus bill. Well, if Pelosi and Reid wrote the bill, how can that cartoon be about B-HO?
It is Saul Alinsky at his best. Never mind the facts, demonize the person presenting the facts, make him or her the issue. Soon enough, the person and all like him or her will be the issue, and the FACT that the stimulus bill is a piece of crap that a monkey could have done a better job writing will fade into insignificance.
My contempt goes out to the editor who apologized for the cartoon. Nothing like a tacit admission that fear of being labeled a racist makes you cower and quake like a little girl in the face of a snarling dog.
Anonymous 2, if you are not a bomb throwing adherent to The Rules For Radicals, you ought to shoot your tv.
What really strikes me, LC, about this post, besides the expected feigned outrage expressed on several leftist blogs (who obviously never got past the title)is how so called conservatives allow the left to control our speech out of fear of being labeled "racist."
One of the few comments from FreeRepublic was, Guy we have plenty of quality ammo already ..don’t frag yourself and us with you with cheap stupid crap."
This song was not about Obama at all, but I see the lyrics as prophetic about his meteoric rise to messiahship based upon what, his community agitation?
I am reminded of the old adage, "you cannot judge a book by its cover."
Pitiful that such garbage can be made out of a 37 year-old song because of one word in the title that has nothing to do with a specific person.
But, as you say, their ignorance would make Saul Alinsky proud.
As for me, I refuse to cower in their presence and will stand up for free speech, especially when it is not what they wish to turn it into.
That dead monkey in the cartoon is actually Michael Steele.
Thanks, snarkie. I knew I could count on you.
Liberty Card: Amen
Can't remember any politician from any era so efficient at blowing excessive amounts of hot air out the back side. None has ever talked so much and said so incredibly little to impress the dumb masses. A well trained monkey,indeed...problem is, the power has gone to his head and is arrogance is costing us and our children dearly every time he opens his mouth. I pray he'll spend even more time on the golf course where he'll eventually score a hole-in-one and America will be the winner!
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