Wednesday, May 16, 2007
THE PASSING OF A GREAT AMERICAN
You can heap all the bile you want on Jerry Falwell; perhaps it was his 9/11 comments that bothered you (though they subverted the classic red-state complaint that it's the liberals that always blame America for the world's problems), or perhaps it was his homophobia, or his early pro-segregation stance, or his violation of the law. I have to say that my general contempt for the public leads me to regard Falwell with a touch of affection, the same way I admire anyone who draws the same rubes that he fleeced back to put flowers on his tombstone. Myths and tall tales about Falwell already abound, the biggest one being that his Moral Majority helped get Reagan elected; over at Newsweek, Jonathan Alter neatly deflates that one. The embarassing truth is that Falwell was never the most powerful or influential Christian conservative, and that he did a far better job galvanizing his enemies than supporting his friends. He unwittingly helped re-establish the legality of free speech when he went to the mat with Larry Flynt (who, by the way, wins this year's Take The High Road Award for his kind comments about his former legal opponent).
Yet for all his blundering, Falwell was a sui generis American bad boy, beyond anything any leather-clad, tattooed poser could hope to be. He was endlessly, professionally offensive, and the media showered him with invitations. Presidential contenders strove to win his favor. The Anti-Defamation League praised him despite his anti-semetic (or were they?) remarks. And, oh, the vitriol from the self-righteous, who couldn't stand HIS self-righteousness. NewsBusters, reporting on how liberal blogs were spewing hate at the news of his death, displayed a rare example on their part of accurate journalism.
Some say he belongs in our prayers, and some say he belongs in his own circle in Hell, but where he really belongs is in the same class as Anton LeVay, P. T. Barnum, and a certain Battlefield Earth author. Mark Twain knew that the hucksters and the con artists are this country's golden originals, its masterpieces, and with that in mind, I tip my hat to this monumental figure.
You can heap all the bile you want on Jerry Falwell; perhaps it was his 9/11 comments that bothered you (though they subverted the classic red-state complaint that it's the liberals that always blame America for the world's problems), or perhaps it was his homophobia, or his early pro-segregation stance, or his violation of the law. I have to say that my general contempt for the public leads me to regard Falwell with a touch of affection, the same way I admire anyone who draws the same rubes that he fleeced back to put flowers on his tombstone. Myths and tall tales about Falwell already abound, the biggest one being that his Moral Majority helped get Reagan elected; over at Newsweek, Jonathan Alter neatly deflates that one. The embarassing truth is that Falwell was never the most powerful or influential Christian conservative, and that he did a far better job galvanizing his enemies than supporting his friends. He unwittingly helped re-establish the legality of free speech when he went to the mat with Larry Flynt (who, by the way, wins this year's Take The High Road Award for his kind comments about his former legal opponent).
Yet for all his blundering, Falwell was a sui generis American bad boy, beyond anything any leather-clad, tattooed poser could hope to be. He was endlessly, professionally offensive, and the media showered him with invitations. Presidential contenders strove to win his favor. The Anti-Defamation League praised him despite his anti-semetic (or were they?) remarks. And, oh, the vitriol from the self-righteous, who couldn't stand HIS self-righteousness. NewsBusters, reporting on how liberal blogs were spewing hate at the news of his death, displayed a rare example on their part of accurate journalism.
Some say he belongs in our prayers, and some say he belongs in his own circle in Hell, but where he really belongs is in the same class as Anton LeVay, P. T. Barnum, and a certain Battlefield Earth author. Mark Twain knew that the hucksters and the con artists are this country's golden originals, its masterpieces, and with that in mind, I tip my hat to this monumental figure.
# posted by toner_low @ 11:49 PM 
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Were I reflecting on this, I would not group Falwell and Hubbard with Anton LaVey and PT Barnum. Both LaVey and Barnum were showmen who pretty much admitted they were showmen. Yes, LaVey's resume is 80% bunk, but he said as much. Both Barnum and LaVey charged a certain price and gave you your money's worth.
Hubbard and Falwell did not sell themselves as entertainers when it came to philosophy. They preyed on the deepest weaknesses of their flock, promising golden tomorrows for giving up their sense of self (and money) to them.
Barnum was not selling life-answers, only entertainment -- and he admitted as much. LaVey openly said that you could easily be a Satanist without joining the CoS or sending him a cent. And church dues? Until recently, they were just $100 to become a lifetime member. And he even said there was no God or god! Satan was symbolic to LaVey, and the church's practices were merely to satisfy our psychological need for ritual.
Hubbard and Falwell were cult figures with a need to be worshipped in order to exist and justify themselves. To do this, you had to fork over lots of money.
Barnum and LaVey simply said, "If you want me to entertain you, pay me. If not, then so be it."
Hubbard and Falwell did not sell themselves as entertainers when it came to philosophy. They preyed on the deepest weaknesses of their flock, promising golden tomorrows for giving up their sense of self (and money) to them.
Barnum was not selling life-answers, only entertainment -- and he admitted as much. LaVey openly said that you could easily be a Satanist without joining the CoS or sending him a cent. And church dues? Until recently, they were just $100 to become a lifetime member. And he even said there was no God or god! Satan was symbolic to LaVey, and the church's practices were merely to satisfy our psychological need for ritual.
Hubbard and Falwell were cult figures with a need to be worshipped in order to exist and justify themselves. To do this, you had to fork over lots of money.
Barnum and LaVey simply said, "If you want me to entertain you, pay me. If not, then so be it."
# posted by 
: 8:25 AM
: 8:25 AM
I guess I don't see a big difference between cruelly preying on people's weaknesses in order to wheedle money from them and offering them junk entertainment in the full knowledge that they'll not only lap it up, but come running for more. At a certain point, perhaps at a certain financial milestone, the sincerity of the huckster becomes irrelevant (as well as impossible).
Also, I think I used "sui generis" incorrectly. My apologies--
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Also, I think I used "sui generis" incorrectly. My apologies--
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