Lately I've been revisiting some of the Reagan-era political hardcore that I liked back in the day -- bands like Final Conflict, The Crucifucks, etc. The music is still listenable, but I had forgotten what shallow thinking was betrayed by the lyrics. A sampling of titles: "John Hinkley Had A Vison", "Cops for Fertilizes". Or, not forgotten exactly -- I think I just ignored it back then. I certainly would not have qualified for any Young College Republican organization, even had there been one at Reed College, but even so I wasn't wasting my time with nihilistic pointlessness. I was into punk for the rhythm, man.

The band I was in at that time played similar music, but since the lyrics were up to the singer to write I doubt I ever paid attention to them. There was once facile anti-religion song I recall, called "Pastor Bob" (set to music of my writing) but otherwise I think John was beyond the callow political screeching of his peers.

It's not like anything has changed; I have to engage the same filters against stupid political diatribes when I listen to Rage Against the Machine or System of a Down today. Anyway, fuck the system.