Alien Attack (or, Shoot the President and Win A Prize)
August 5th, 2010
As reported in President Obama target game gets feds’ attention (Allentown Morning Call 8/04/10), a Catholic Our Lady of Mount Carmel Big Time fair in Roseto, PA (not far from my hometown of Allentown) featured a game in which players could win a stuffed animal by shooting an image of an “alien” (with antennae) black man in a suit with a presidential seal belt buckle and holding the “health bill” in his hand. The game (called “Alien Attack”) was created and run by Goodtime Amusements of Hellertown, PA. The Secret Service is investigating.
“I don’t care what you think.” – Goodtime Amusements president and carnival game ownerIrvin Good Jr. in response to someone who complained about the “game”“What’s-a wrong, boy? Boss-a treat you crummy? Trouble with your tummy? This-a bring you some relief. Here, give some hail-a to da chief.” – “Shoot the President” carnival game owner in Stephen Sondheim musical Assassins
He’s been burnt and hung in effigy
(Isolated incidents, according to the GOP).
He’s been maligned as Hitler, Stalin, and Mao,
Images the Tea Party has refused to disavow.
(Not that the Tea Party or GOP would such images condone,
Like Obama as a witch doctor with his nose pierced by a bone.)
But now, there’s a new game people are playing,
Which I personally find quite dismaying:
Shoot the health-bill-bearing Obama between the eyes
And you can win a stuffed toy prize.
Have we sunk to a disgusting new low?
What do they want to reap from these seeds they sow?
That none of this matters is a dangerous delusion.
Stop, please, before this trend reaches a horrible conclusion.
Otherwise it won’t be long before someone feeling blue
Listens to the carnie’s cries
To shoot a president and win a prize.
***
For more on the uncomfortable increase in talk about ideologically motivated assassination, read The Obama Youth?, Dallas, Going Drouge, MLK Day, Arsonists, O Captain My Captain, Rising Tides of Blood, and Death to Dictators, or click here to read our full “assassination” series.
Here’s your theme music for today, Everybody’s Got the Right from the musical Assassins by Stephen Sondheim, about inviting people to play a carnival game about shooting the president (read the full lyrics below). I couldn’t find any video of the Broadway production, so this is from a production at ASU.
Everybody’s Got the Right from Assassins [PROPRIETOR] Hey, pal- feelin’ blue? Don’t know what to do? Hey, pal- I mean you- yeah.C’mere and kill a president. No job? Cupboard bare? one room, no one there? Hey, pal, don’t despair- You wanna shoot a president? c’mon and shoot a president… Some guys Think they can be winners. First prize often goes to rank beginners. [CZOLGOSZ] How much? [PROPRIETOR] Four-fifty. Ivor johnson. .32. Rubber handle. Owls stamped on the sides. [CZOLGOSZ] All right, give me. [PROPRIETOR] Hey, kid, failed your test? Dream girl unimpressed? Show her you’re the best If you can shoot a president- You can get the prize With the big blue eyes, Skinny little thighs And those big blue eyes… Everybody’s Got the right To be happy. Don’t stay mad, Life’s not as bad As it seems. If you keep your Goal in sight, You can climb to Any height. Everybody’s Got the right To their dreams… [HINCKLEY] Deal [CZOLGOSZ] Mister- [HINCLKEY] I said “deal” [CZOLGOSZ] You. Wait your turn. [HINCKLEY] It is my turn. [CZOLGOSZ] I was here first- [PROPRIETOR] Watch it now, no violence! [PROPRIETOR] Hey, fella, Feel like you’re a failure? Bailiff on your tail? Your Wife run off for good? Hey, fella, fell misunderstood? C’mere and kill a president… [GUITEAU] Okay! [ZANGARA] Marron… [PROPRIETOR] What’s-a wrong, boy? Boss-a treat you crummy? Trouble with your tummy? This-a bring you some relief. Here, give some hail-a to da chief- [ZANGARA] You gimme prize- [PROPRIETOR] Anything you want. [ZANGARA] I want prize. You gimme prize! [PROPRIETOR] Only eight bucks. Cheap for “anything you want.” Everybody’s Got the right To be different Even though At times they go To extremes. Aim for what you want a lot- Everybody Gets a shot. Everybody’s Got a right To their dreams- Yo, baby! Looking for a thrill? The Ferris Wheel is that way. No, baby, This requires skill- Okay, you want to give it a try… Jeez, lady-! Give the guy some room! The bumper cars are that way.. Please, lady- Don’t forget that guns can go boom… [PROPRIETOR] Hey, gang, Look who’s here. There’s our Pioneer. Hey, chief. Lound and clear: [BOOTH] Everybody’s Got the right To be happy. Say, “Enough!” It’s not as tough As it seems. Don’t be scared You won’t prevail, Everybody’s Free to fail, No one can be put in jail For their dreams. Free country-! [PROPRIETOR] -Means your dreams can come true: [BOOTH] Be a scholar- [PROPRIETOR] Make a dollar- [BOOTH, PROPRIETOR] Free country-! [BOOTH] -Means they’ll listen to you: [PROPRIETOR] Scream and holler- [BOOTH] Grab ‘em by the collar! [BOOTH, PROPRIETOR] Free country-! [BOOTH] -Means you dont have to sit- [PROPRIETOR] That’s it! [BOOTH] -And put up with the shit. [ASSASSINS] Everybody’s Got the right To some sun shine- [BOOTH] Everybody… [ASSASSINS] Not the sun But maybe one Of its beams. One of its beams. [ALL] Rich man, poor man Black or white, pick your apple, Take a bite, Everybody Just hold tight To your dreams. Everybody’s Got the right To their dreams… Sphere: Related Content
Tags: Assassination, Incitement, Obama, PA, Violence
Posted in
What ails us |
2 Comments »
Get Music, Movies, and More With SuperPass - 14 Day Free Trial
Stream 7 million songs and download MP3s with free Napster trial
August 6th, 2010 at 10:49 am
We have indeed sunk to a dismaying low. Even this revolting game has polarized the public, with many of the responses applauding the “game”, and mocking “oversensitive liberals.”
I personally do not think free speech includes a game about assassinating the President of the United States. Free speech does not included “crying ‘fire’ in a crowded theater,” as Oliver Wendell Holmes said. This is indeed crying “Fire!”, and sending out sparks that can well turn into flames that devour our self governing nation.
Those who look to Iran and ” Radical Islaamists” as the great threats to our freedom could look much closer to home, to incidents like this one at a church festival in a small town of Pennsylvania. The church under whose auspices this game was played should pray every day that its sparks do not gravely wound the nation we all love.
August 6th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Thanks for your comment. I agree completely.