It’s the rhetoric, stupid!

As everyone is sitting around bemoaning the current state of our discourse, this little video – Land of Confusion by the group Genesis – came to mind.  I remember hearing the song on the radio coming home from work a few years ago.  The DJ said ‘wow, they had trouble getting that played back then!’  I wondered what he meant.  Who had trouble?  This was played round the clock when I was in college.  It was that time when, sadly, it turned out Ronald Reagan hadn’t plunged the world into nuclear annihilation as many had predicted.  Hence, the emphasis on ‘I can see the fire’s still alive’ referencing the problems still around.  Old prophecies die hard I guess.  Now, in terms of our modern discourse, try to imagine a video like this – exactly like it in tone and contempt – aimed at President Obama.  I won’t hold my breath.  Certainly not by any public personality with any hope of continuing a career.  So, is it the rhetoric, or is it something else?

Fun note: The ‘generation that would put it right’ has been in charge for some time now.  How do you think they’re doing?