We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Misdirection

from Warning: Extremely Liberal by Tom Smith

supported by
celticoracle
celticoracle thumbnail
diabolist
diabolist thumbnail
Generic Fighter
Generic Fighter thumbnail
/

about

It's entirely possible that this is too soon.

After all, it always is.

The horrific killings at the Emanual AME Church in Charleston, SC have actually galvanized the nation into some action regarding racism. Unfortunately, thanks to some well-timed derailing by the Chattering Class -- Fox News and the punditry -- the action taken is fairly inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. And it's happened like that over and over and over again, and is likely to keep happening every time we get close to actually DOING something....

lyrics

Nine people were shot up in a church, uh-huh
They caught the guy who did it after... a search
He made a confession of his racist obsession,
But the talking heads threw out some misdirection.

It was in a church! He was anti-Christian!
He shot old ladies! He was anti-rapist!
It was in Carolina! He was anti-barbecue!

Misdirection! Is deliberate distraction!
It’s generally set apart from reality by a spurious talking point,
So we talk about something else instead.

The president gave an interview, uh-huh
About a topic long over... due-ue.
He made a digression ‘bout a verbal transgression
And the talking heads shouted out misdirection.

Oh! I’m offended he used that word!
Racist! How dare he discuss his own people!
Hooray! Now WE can say it!

Misdirection! Is deliberate distraction!
It’s generally set apart from reality by a spurious talking point,
So we talk about something else instead.

So if you’re racist -- “She was no saint”
Or classist -- “Entitlements”
Or anti-gay -- “family values”
Or ammosexual -- “If only they’d had guns”
Or anti-women -- “Legitimate rape”
Or power-mad -- “Voter fraud”
A misdirection gets you what you want.

That flag’s a symbol of slavery, uh-huh,
And flying it today is un-savory,
So folks took exception to this old insurrection,
And it really was some beautiful misdirection.

Finally! We can put the Late Unpleasantness behind us!
At last! 150 years of post-struggle struggle has paid off!
Cool! Now we don’t have to do anything substantive about racism or guns!

Misdirection! Is deliberate distraction!
It’s generally set apart from reality by a spurious talking point,
So we talk about something else instead.

So if you’re racist -- “Reverse discrimination”
Or classist -- “Lazy moochers”
Or anti-gay -- “They might get it on me”
Or ammosexual -- “Jade Helm 15”
Or anti-women -- “Look how she’s dressed”
Or power-mad -- “HITLER”
A misdirection gets you what you want.

Misdirection! Is deliberate distraction!
It’s generally set apart from reality by a spurious talking point,
So we talk about something else instead.

Misdirection! Is deliberate distraction!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hal-le-lu-jah!
Look! A Kardashian!

credits

from Warning: Extremely Liberal, track released June 25, 2015
Words: Tom Smith
Music: "Interjections" by Lynn Ahrens

license

tags

about

Tom Smith image

Tom Smith Ann Arbor

Weird Al with more books, JoCo with more jokes, Carlin with more Cthulhu. Since 1985, Tom Smith has been breaking hearts, minds, and laws of propriety and physics with his insane blend of sf/fantasy, Life With Computers, pop culture, politics, and puns. More than twenty albums later, he maintains the best is yet to come. ... more

contact / help

Contact Tom Smith

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Tom Smith, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now