Who Said it?

As governor, I signed--as every governor does--10,000 new laws. If elected [to state attorney general], I will be in a position to interpret and enforce these laws.

Now more than ever, what is needed is balance and life experience in the face of government running amok, making minute and invasive laws about everything.

Hint: He's much better read than I. Also, we learn in that same blog post that he's getting married.

Comments

[Number 6]

Jerry "Moonbeam" Brown, former Gov. of California and subject of a classic Dead Kennedys tune.

What do I win?

[Matt Welch]

Number 6 -- A taco!

Also, I liked the Reagan re-write much better ... Alexander Haig is near!

[Number 6]

Matt-I agree about the Reagan re-write. I was always a bit confused by the original "California Uber Alles." I can't imagine anyone seriously calling Moonbeam a nazi, and the song seemed a bit strident to be totally tongue-in-cheek. Of course, it could just be an artifact of punk/hippie antipathy.

Ah well, I'll just hope that the suede/denim secret police don't arrive before my taco.

[Matt Welch]

Number 6 -- Also, the guitar sound is MUCH more menacing & loud, and I think the whole thing is just a bit faster. 103.1, which I love to death, unfortunately only plays the Moonbeam version.

[Jesse Walker]

I like the Jerry Brown version much better. It's a lampoon on the whole new age sensibility, and the combination of mellow and Nazi imagery is pretty funny: "Zen fascists," "suade denim secret police," "you will jog for the master race," etc.

And I say this as someone who kinda likes Brown, some of the time, as far as politicians go.

[Jesse Walker]

By the way: Was it the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy that did a version attacking Pete Wilson?

[Matt Welch]

I don't know, but I hope someone tackled George Deukemejian....

[Ken Shultz]

I suspect Herr Brown may have been perfectly at ease with the idea of compulsory meditation, but I always thought of the song as being more about the hard core hippie contingent among his supporters. "The Hippies won't come back you say...Mellow out or you will pay!"

...Remember too that in early California punk, "long hairs" were the enemy and the enemy was legion.

I've played this song for ex-hippies from way back, and they seemed to have no idea that anyone ever thought of them as being intolerant.

[Ken B]

Yes, it was the Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy, on "Virus 100", the Alternative Tentacles DK tribute record. Mojo Nixon's version of "Winnebago Warrior" was pretty damn good too.

[Pavel]

Who cares how many books he's read? Was he in Predator? Didn't think so. He's already failed the first litmus test.

Call me when Carl Weathers runs for Attorney General. Life experience? I'd like to see Jerry Brown trying to dispense some interplanetary Jungle Justice when the need arises.

[joe]

OK Welch, YOU come up with a rhymn for "George Deukemejian." If Opus can do Casper Weinberger...

I gotta vote for the Jerry Brown version, too. The Reagan version cranked up the power so high, the song lost something.