Those born into the last two generations of Americans likely never heard of the late radio commentator and nationally syndicated columnist Paul Harvey.
His radio program was popular between the 1950s and into the 2000s before his death in 2009. Some 24 million listeners regularly followed his messages on 1,600 stations, according to Colin Murphy, writing for the Encyclopedia Britannica website.
Born Paul Harvey Aurandt in 1918, his revealing commentaries on life called The Rest of the Story, a phrase he used to close his news and commentary programs reportedly were written by his only son, Paul Harvey Jr. These brief stories with unexpected endings delivered in his familiar style often reflected revelations into lives of well-known personalities across our society.
They were routinely preceded by healthy doses of relevant news and impartial truths, qualities we Americans sadly have allowed to fade in recent decades.
Harvey Jr. wrote a tribute to his father a few years after his 2009 death in Phoenix. In part he said, “You may have felt my dad was part of your family. I can assure you the feeling was mutual.”
Murphy wrote that Harvey, a man who often identified with conservative values he labeled “political fundamentalism,” often opined in his newsy broadcasts and columns on rising taxes, bloated government and the shocking decline of American values.
He was a favorite of mine from the time I became aware of his radio presence because of the news he chose as pertinent and the rapid-fire way he delivered it, always ending with his trademark hesitation, then: “This is Paul Harvey … good day!”
I decided to share with valued readers what I believe was likely Harvey’s greatest timeless essay, reportedly first published as a newspaper column in 1964 and republished during 1996 in a somewhat altered version.
Its message is too profound and relevant to allow it to become forgotten, especially when I have the ability to help keep it alive and circulating, at least in Arkansas where I suspect it remains deeply valued.
With critical thinking and common sense today in extreme peril, I recommend reading for yourself and drawing conclusions as to its prophetic relevance.
If I Were the Devil
“If I were the prince of darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness. I’d have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree—thee. So I would set about however necessary to take over the United States.
“I’d subvert the churches first, and I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: ‘Do as you please.’ To the young, I would whisper that the Bible is a myth. I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I’d confide that what’s bad is good and what’s good is square. And the old, I would teach to pray after me, ‘Our Father, which art in Washington …’
“Then I’d get organized, I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting. I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa. I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.
“If I were the devil, I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves and nations at war with themselves until each, in its turn, was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings, I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
“If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects but neglect to discipline emotions. I’d tell teachers to let those students run wild. And before you knew it, you’d have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.
“Within a decade, I’d have prisons overflowing and judges promoting pornography. Soon, I would evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress. In his own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I’d lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money. If I were the devil, I’d make the symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
“If I were the devil, I’d take from those who have and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. What’ll you bet I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich?
“I would caution against extremes in hard work, in patriotism, in moral conduct. I’d convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun and that what you see on TV is the way to be. And thus I could undress you in public and lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure.
“In other words, if I were the devil, I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing.”
Public school champs
Considering the two Class 5A Little Rock high schools to contend for the 2018 State Championship at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Little Rock Christian and Pulaski Academy (where Little Rock Christian downed Pulaski, which had won the four previous 5A titles), regularly compete with public schools such as Morrilton, Alma and Harrison for the title, I have a fair-minded suggestion.
Since I am one with opinions, I do hereby opine and ordain (in my mind, anyway) that Harrison High School in my hometown community of 13,000 that went undefeated in the regular season before losing to Pulaski Academy 75-54 in the 5A semifinal game, be declared the 2018 Public School (versus private) State 5A champions. Justifiable sour grapes? Yeah, maybe. Yet also based in truth considering obvious advantages in the differences between such designations too wordy to amplify here.
Mike Masterson is a longtime Arkansas journalist. Email him at mmasterson@arkansasonline.com.