I don't quite get Greg F's allegation of "presentism." Wonder what he's talking about.

To my mind, it was mean-spirited even in 1965 to write a song attacking the President's teenage daughter even before she finished high school. I certainly don't recall anything Luci Baines Johnson did to warrant such an attack.

Here's the historical context for "Ecumenical March": The Vatican statement, issued in 1965, was an attempt to give public repudiation of a common rationalization for anti-Semitism [Jewish deicide]. No, it didn't "absolve" Jews of the death of Jesus - it said the Jewish people as a whole never were to blame. The song was a misinterpretation of the Vatican statement.

Another Mitchell Trio song that I found mean-spirited was the I Was Not a Nazi Polka, which was steeped in stereotypes.

I think the Liz Taylor song hit the mark well, as did "John Birch Society," "Barry's Boys, and "Friendly, Liberal, Neighborhood Ku Klux Klan".

I suppose that's what happens when you write political satire. Sometimes it doesn't work, sometimes it misses the mark, and sometimes it crosses the line and comes out looking mean-spirited.

All in all, though, I think Tom Lehrer did a far better job than did the songwriters of the political satire recorded by the Mitchell Trio.

-Joe-

P.S. Gerry, I finally get the point you were trying to make. Oh, DUH. Of course I knew it was Hubert who ran against Nixon, but it seemed at the time that Hubert was acting as LBJ's alter ego....even during the 1968 election, Hubert was forgotten. I'm sorry, Hubert, but I supported Gene McCarthy that year. I plumb forgot you.