3/3/09: Remember These Things (1952)

First off, this book isn’t trash—except in the notion of Paul Harvey as a kitschy icon. It’s not really offensive if you thought of him that way. Even as a harmless radio pioneer, though, Harvey could get the Left to be pretty much deranged. In the wake of his death last week, Harvey’s gotten a few good Leftists to rant about his terrible policy of doing on-air ads in the format of his news show. He didn’t, but the truth doesn’t matter. Formerly talented stand-up comic Rich Hall even used that as a device for a Harvey parody he did during his short stint on Saturday Night Live. Sadly, that was the beginning of what became Hall’s downward spiral into dire political humor—and he still couldn’t get steady work with Air America.

Anyway, Paul Harvey’s dead. Now he’s celebrated as an important conservative voice by all of the right-wing hacks who never bothered to list the guy’s site amongst the 300 names on their blogroll, or could think of a reason to mention Harvey by name during the past decade. (Except, of course, when reminding us that Fred Thompson frequently filled in for Harvey on the Great Man’s radio show.) Maybe we’re petty to complain about that. Still, we’re sadly baffled to have yet seen any Harvey tributes that mention Remember These Things.

This 1952 collection of Harvey musings—many from his radio show—is pretty much the right-wing Leaves of Grass. The big difference is that Bill Clinton wouldn’t have used Remember These Things as a gift to Monica Lewinsky. It would’ve filled her with too much shame. The book covers everything from the Soap Box Derby to Jewish Revolutionary War Heroes to Harvey’s 12th wedding anniversary. You also get short paragraphs with lots of ellipses to capture that famous Harvey speaking style.

The final words of the book aren’t “Good…day.” They are as follows, from a piece where Harvey is at the family ranch. He's worrying about encroaching middle-age and the future awaiting Paul, Jr. You’ll appreciate how timeless Remember These Things remains in a time where so much is forgotten:

When the government comes into your orchard and tells you to pick your fruit…then the government takes it and sells it…or gives it away for the purpose of winning political friends…then the policeman has turned thief.

And Uncle Sam, himself, becomes a fence…dealing in stolen goods.

We have strayed a considerable way from this fundamental right of ownership in the quarter century I vividly recall.

I guess that is all I had to say.

Nothing earth-shaking is happening out at the ranch. Small Paul is pacing the floor outside the hen-house door. Baby ducks are due any time now.

The apples are ripening round and red.

The birds are awake while the morning is still asleep so the sun can come up to music.

As I said…nothing earth-shaking. Just a little loafing and a lot of living and a miracle every seven minutes.

Maybe I could see more clearly now because there was less hair in my eyes.

Or maybe it’s because my library was mostly back in Chicago and I went right to the hill folks for my answers.

They are not asking anything for nothing. They’ll grow their own meat and potatoes and make their own gravy. But they have one bad habit…they just will not lock their doors.

To us, for whom life is half done, it will not matter much.

But one day may others belong to these green acres…because we deserved them…because we fought all enemies to preserve them…all enemies…foreign and DOMESTIC.

Lock the door. Oil the shotgun over the mantel. And stay aware!

For the new enemies of American freedom pose as friends bearing gifts.

Now, my learned contemporaries of high degree…I am aware that my recommendations for hanging onto your Republic with both hands circumvent most of your geo-political considerations.

You speak for the architects…I’ll speak for the builders…the men who can straighten rusty nails and build this all over again.

Here in the hills and plains are the builders…wherever their towers rise.

And to know them is to understand why God so often chose the simple ones…to confound the wise.

Make it your own: Remember These Things isn’t a collector’s item—and it sure isn’t getting any renewed attention. Used copies remain affordable. We should also note that the book’s introduction is written by Eddie Rickenbacker. He probably won a coin toss against Jimmy Doolittle.

 

What did you think of this article?

Liked
Disliked
No Opinion