I've only seen a few instances of this so far, but this needs to be nipped in the bud: Bruce Springsteen is not a part of the "Hollywood elite."
Freehold, N.J., is "western Monmouth's family town" — not the center of media, political or cultural power.
You got that, Rev. Falwell? Let him who is without a media empire cast the first stone at the "media elite." You own your own TV and radio stations. You own your own freakin' university.
Last I checked, Bruce Springsteen didn't own or control any of these things. He writes songs and sings them. I wonder, Rev. Falwell, if you've ever heard any of those songs, and if so what, exactly, you find "elitist" about them. (Or even about Bruce's speeches, for that matter.)
I understand that Hollywood is perceived as a locus of "elite" opinions. The idea that Freehold is such an "elitist" outpost is just as absurd as the attempt to put Flint, Mich., into this category.
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"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
— H.L. Mencken, July 26, 1920, in The Evening Sun
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Just what the world needed: a luxury tricycle. It's a great way to introduce brand-conscious snobbery to toddlers before they're even able to read.
People who think John Edwards invented the idea of "Two Americas" haven't been paying attention. Madison Avenue has been promoting this idea for decades — except they think it's a good thing.
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"To have faith in a time of religious fervor is a worry. And, you know, I do have faith, and I'm worried about even the subject because of the sort of fanaticism that is the next-door neighbor of faith. The trick in the next few years will be not to decry the religious instinct, but to accept that this is a hugely important part of people's lives. And at the same time to be very wary of people who believe that theirs is the only way. Unilateralism before God is dangerous. …
… We're made for religion! And yet you see this country, Ireland, ripped over religion, and you see the Middle East. Right now, unless tolerance comes with fervor, you'll see it in the United States."
Bono, as quoted by The New York Times' Jon Pareles in "U2: The Catharsis in the Cathedral"
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The suspect said he was an Eagle Scout, the report said.
The suspect said the victim had told him there was nothing he could say that would convince the 62-year-old to believe in God.
Following this discussion, the suspect said, he went into another room and removed his shirt. Then he shaved his face.
He tried once more to convince the victim to believe in God, but this time, he had the shotgun.
"How long would it take you to believe in God?" the suspect said he asked the victim.
"Not until I hear Gabriel blow his horn," the victim allegedly replied, while tipping his hat.
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