My husband loves this guy. He is really good.
Tom Lehrer is the one exception to the rule that Liberals have no humor. His sense of humor is greatly underappreciated.
“New math”, “Alma”, “Whatever happened to Hubert?” and the “Vatican Rag” are sill priceless.
If he’s still around, he has to be late-80 year old. Anybody know what happpened to Tom?
I am a public high school teacher of Advanced Placement History. On May 9 just passed all high school kids took the same test for college credit.
Just before my kids went into the test room (I could not be present) I reminded them, “always remember, minorities and women most affected”.
It’s the easiest way to get a good score on the big essay.
Liberals have made sure that no one is able to learn from their (or others’) mistakes -
they make the rest of us pay for the consequences of those choices, thereby obliterating the effect of the lesson.
He was a very witty guy who could rhyme anything. Lehrer even made a credible song out of the Periodic Table! I always assumed he was a political liberal (and may well be, for all I know) but this article by Art Marmorstein makes a good case for Lehrer's songs from the '60's being a perfect portrait as well as a send-up of the narcissistic youth that dominated pop culture back then. Tom Lehrer was apparently even witter and certainly more trenchant that I ever realized.
Good catch. Thanks.
“There are people in this world who do not love their fellow man, and I hate people like that.”
Just love that line. No tolerance for the “intolerant”
This piece is easy to understand and delves into human nature. This of course, is key to understanding why our government is broken and our citizens quality of life is going down the toilet. Government itself is a reflection of cultural values and the author nails why people in our government behave a certain way and that in general is entitled.
But no matter what false perceptions were created during the 60’s, boomers wishing goodwill on all mankind without real accountability and true sacrifice, actual realities on the ground have recently in the past and will very soon come rushing up again to hit them over the head.
What’s going on is a dramatic shift in our quality of life and is beginning to change my generation’s viewpoints (gen x) and forming new viewpoints in gen y. The liberal ideas are very much alive now as in the 60’s but not well. Neither is the ideas of honoring constituent promises to the death as our recent Administration has painfully demonstrated. That world of honor is gone and has been inherited by the most cunning (survival of the fittest).
It’s global competition time and we will once again be called ‘a great generation’ by the time it’s done. But like the 60’s and the massive waste of time the liberal movement caused the resulting economic and social pain of the 1970’s, we’re redoing that but the ‘if it feels good do it’ generation is now in charge at the top of power in Washington. We’ll put the socialist ideas further to the test, accept the pain and adjustment period which I am not particularly looking forward to :) I wager 2010-2020 will be called the lost decade for America.
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WEDNESDAY, JUNE 09 1999 00:14:03 UTC XXXXX Anti-war activist Judy Collins is set this evening to sing at a gala White House state dinner -- all the while, the US led NATO war against Yugoslavia continues unrestrained. Collins, who made her name over the last 35 years as a social conscience, is known for her renditions of anti-war songs such as 'Masters of War', 'Song For Sarajevo', 'Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream' and 'Fortune of Soldiers'. Calls to Collins' label ELEKTRA asking for clarification on whether her fans can still apply her passionate, idealistic songs to the current war in the Balkans were unreturned. Incidentally, tonight's dinner -- honoring the President of the Republic of Hungary, Arpad Goncz and his wife, Mrs. Zsuzsanna Goncz -- features a menu of Copper River Salmon with Portobello Mushroom, Roasted Onions and Sweet Peppers, Fennel and Herb Salad, Toasted Caraway and Tomato Sauce, Pecan Crusted Lamb, Wilted Summer Greens, Sweet Potato Flan, Barbequed Peach Ragout, Salad of Bibb Lettuce, Asparagus and Avocado, Stilton Crisp, Tarragon Grapefruit Dressing. And for dessert: Bing Cherry Strudel Surprise and Creme Fraeche.... #####################################################
“National Brotherhood Week” is a brilliant song. Some of the references are a bit dated now, but it’s still a brilliant dissection of pompous liberal goo-gooism.
(Introduction)One week of every year is designated National Brotherhood Week. This is just one of many such weeks honoring various worthy causes. One of my favorites is National Make-fun-of-the-handicapped Week which Frank Fontaine and Jerry Lewis are in charge of as you know. During National Brotherhood Week various special events are arranged to drive home the message of brotherhood. This year, for example, on the first day of the week Malcolm X was killed which gives you an idea of how effective the whole thing is. I’m sure we all agree that we ought to love one another and I know there are people in the world that do not love their fellow human beings and I hate people like that. Here’s a song about National Brotherhood Week.
(Begin song)
Oh, the white folks hate the black folks,
And the black folks hate the white folks.
To hate all but the right folks
Is an old established rule.
But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
Lena Horne and Sheriff Clarke are dancing cheek to cheek.
It’s fun to eulogize
The people you despise,
As long as you don’t let ‘em in your school.
Oh, the poor folks hate the rich folks,
And the rich folks hate the poor folks.
All of my folks hate all of your folks,
It’s American as apple pie.
But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
New Yorkers love the Puerto Ricans ‘cause it’s very chic.
Step up and shake the hand
Of someone you can’t stand.
You can tolerate him if you try.
Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Moslems,
And everybody hates the Jews.
But during National Brotherhood Week, National Brotherhood Week,
It’s National Everyone-smile-at-one-another-hood Week.
Be nice to people who
Are inferior to you.
It’s only for a week, so have no fear.
Be grateful that it doesn’t last all year!
One of my counselors at summer camp wrote a protest song — against protest songs.
good one.