Tuesday
(0)I was listening to Frou Frou's cover of 'Holding out for a hero', I could not but help think of British politics. Here's part of the song, and the sentiment is what I think many Samizdata readers will feel, especially following of the Tory leadership's shameful and unprincipled support of identity cards:
Where have all the good men gone
And where are all the gods?
Where's the street-wise Hercules
To fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and turn and dream
of what I need[Chorus]
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong
And he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light
He's gotta be sure
And it's gotta be soon
And he's gotta be larger than life
While inspiring writing and singing may be helpful (and I'm afraid this is not so much inspiring as it is depressing), effective counteraction will not start until people decide that they themselves have to do something.
If you are waiting for a hero, you may have a long wait.
And then, when you get one, who is going to protect you from him?
Posted by Doug Collins at December 22, 2004 12:34 AM
I prefer Bonnie Tyler's version, the theme tune to 'Cover Up!'.
Howard and the Tories are less than scum of course and hero's need to be sought elsewhere.
Posted by Paul Coulam at December 22, 2004 02:52 AM
They might just get him yet...after a few *more* years!
Posted by Edward at December 22, 2004 03:59 AM
Try and be a bit more careful with your analogies - by trying to combine Jim Steinman with Ayn Rand you almost accidently created a critical mass of preposterousness.
Posted by Paul Owens at December 22, 2004 11:03 AM
I think Bonnie Tyler's version first appeard in the sound track for this silly film "Foot Loose..." and it had this really bad video with cowboys and glowing neon lassos..
*cringe*
Did there really need to be a remake?
And Paul Owen... that's almost too @#$%ing hilarious for this early in the moring (if you're from the states of course)
Posted by Duncan at December 22, 2004 01:28 PM
The Tories had a hero and they lynched her. I agree with Paul Coulam: by definition the next hero wouldn't want to be associated with that contemptible scum.
Posted by Tim Sturm at December 22, 2004 01:51 PM
A strong man on a white horse?
Be careful what you wish for.
Posted by noone at December 22, 2004 02:49 PM
Duncan:
There was also a remake of Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" several years back. Does anybody else remember the ghastly Nicki French version?
Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" had an equally preposterous video. :-)
Posted by Ted Schuerzinger at December 22, 2004 02:59 PM
Long before this post was put up, back when I was reading & posting on the Sikh thread, it occurred to me how much the Western world was starting to look like the one described in Atlas Shrugged. The looters are in control, and they're angry as hell. The more they loot, the uglier their world gets, and they respond by more looting, which in turn makes the world uglier still.
Posted by Susan at December 22, 2004 06:55 PM
There was also a remake of Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart" several years back. Does anybody else remember the ghastly Nicki French version?
Indeed, I own the Nikki French album with this version of Total Eclipse on it. Though the Tyler version is excellent I actually prefer the pumped up HiNRG French version in this instance.
Posted by Paul Coulam at December 23, 2004 12:08 AM
The Buddha and John Galt once met in Times Square. The Buddha said "Chop wood, carry water", to which John Galt replied "I will because I always have. Whereas, you will because you think nothing else matters" This, naturally, resulted in the death of the Buddha.
Posted by Lachlan at January 26, 2005 12:18 AM
