He fired an arrow at the heart of our most cherished norms and institutions. But it took the rest of us to ensure that he hit his target. By what firm political principle would they condemn Trump if he closed down The New York Times … or arrested a few whistleblowers?
None of this seems possible. But too many possibilities have recently become realities. These are not out-of-character examples; they represent a widespread view of the current national political condition. But do they even know the basis of their opposition? One point: the list above involved regimes that executed opponents at will, by the millions. President Trump is many things, but a mass murderer?
Still, in all, the society is on edge, and shows no signs of recovery. If it either transforms into something unrecognizable or holds fast to tradition, it will, in any case, be scarred permanently from the ordeal. What do we have to laugh at today? The pending impeachment hearings, threatened since November 9, , will not be funny.
There is no song today, no relief in sight. Waiting all day in line for a job opening, the words and melody of the song gave at least some inspiration to men who felt ignored and let down by the country itself: Happy days are here again The skies above are clear again Let us sing a song of cheer again Darkness: A negative outlook today Songs do not prosperity bring, but they do give hope that troubles are not permanent and that there will be a future.
It was about keeping hope alive. Not giving up. The outgoing leadership helped spread the fires of division — between the political parties, the classes, the races, the nationalities, even the genders. During which our already fractured society was burdened by the pandemic of virus, but also the ongoing war on truth, endless misinformation, propaganda, race hatred, ignorance, intolerance, police brutality, riots, fires in our cities and in our forests, hurricanes, earthquakes and national house arrest.
And at a time when Americans were in dire need of clarity, the leadership intentionally disseminated daily barrages of lies, even about the lethal virus destroying countless America lives everyday. Disinformation about the election itself in tandem with perpetual attacks on the press and truth itself, although formidably persuasive to millions of Americans, failed to derail the election.
If anything, it empowered the populace to take action, and vote. So this song, some 91 years past the season of its creation, still works, and better than most. Milton Ager and Jack Yellen not only wrote the song, they recorded its first incarnation. It was an immediate hit.
Because of its universal theme and jubilant spirit, it fits perfectly in endless occasions, when it steps up to be the the perfect theme song. Besides the Depression and its end, it was the theme first for the end of Prohibition, when drinking alcohol was legalized again in America.
Such as now. Annette Hanshaw, who was one of the most famous and most beloved singers of the 30s, had a hit with it that she recorded with Ben Selvin and his Orchestra. On several occasions the two of them performed it live together. But a good one. So long sad times, go long bad times, We are rid of you at last Howdy gay times, cloudy gray times, You are now a thing of the past Happy days are here again, The skies above are clear again So, let us sing a song of cheer again, Happy days are here again.
Happy days are here again, The skies above are clear again So, let us sing a song of cheer again, Happy times, happy nights, happy days are here again. Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log In.
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