Essays Contents
Paul Harvey
January 7, 2024
In the days when radio was king...
Paul Harvey came on for morning coffee.
I'd listen with my grandmother... as the rest of the house woke up.
Harvey had a good style of story-telling... and a great radio voice.
Now, he's becoming popular again... and his stories sound prophetic.
I went looking for Paul Harvey recordings and I found Brad Dison...
a history buff... musician/singer... and story teller.
Christmas Lights - Brad Dison (Original)
(filmed in Natchitoches, Louisiana)
Brad Dison YT Channel
Who is Brad Dison?
Brad Dison YT Channel
I'm Brad Dison. Welcome to my channel.
At a very early age, I started travelling North
America with my mother's travel company.
Her clientele generally consisted of senior citizens
who had a deep appreciation for history and,
before long, I, too, learned why history matters
so much in our lives. Through the tours, I learned
that there's more to history than reading a book,
although there's nothing wrong with reading a book.
History is tangible, if you know where to look.
My love for history and the preservation of history led me to
earn a masters degree in history from Louisiana Tech University
in Ruston, Louisiana. My passion is sharing history with others
who are interested in learning the real stories behind the
people, places, and events that have shaped our history.
Not only am I a history buff, I'm a musician, a fisherman, I love trivia,
and this channel is pretty eclectic at times. Here, on my channel,
you will find videos that include live action as well as podcast-style
formats. I produce videos on the people, places, and events that
have shaped our history as well as other things not necessarily
related to history that I enjoy and think maybe you'll enjoy as well.
While some of the messages may be familiar to you, some may
be heard here for the first time. If you like history, music, trivia,
fishing, travelling, be sure to subscribe to my channel and
you'll be notified when I add a new video.
I'm Brad Dison. Thanks for watching. :)
Brad has posted many of Paul Harvey's stories.
On this video, Brad adds his own Rest Of The Story
taking a cue from Harvey's gig... about historical details.
Roosevelt & Churchill Prepare for World War 2 -
Paul Harvey - The Rest of the Story
Brad Dison YT Channel
From the video description
U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill met in Newfoundland to prepare for the battle of the Atlantic in the second world war. Roosevelt ripped a map of the North Atlantic out of a National Geographic magazine. Roosevelt drew a line on the map and suggested that the United States would be responsible for everything west of the line, and the British would be responsible for everything east of the line. Churchill was thrilled. From that map, came the Atlantic Charter.
Find out more on this episode of Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story."
"If I were the Prince of Darkness, I'd want to engulf the whole world
in darkness, and I’d have a third of it's real estate, and four-fifths of it's
population, but I wouldn't be happy until I had seized the ripest apple
on the tree – thee.
So I'd set about however necessary to take over the United States.
I’d subvert the churches first.
I'd begin with a campaign of whispers with the wisdom of a serpent.
I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve, "Do as you please."
To the young I would whisper that the Bible is a myth.
I would convince them that man created God
instead of the other way around.
I would confide that what's bad is good and what's good is square.
And the old, I would teach to pray after me,
"Our Father – which art in Washington."
And then I'd get organized. I'd educate authors in how to make
Lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull
and uninteresting. I'd threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice versa.
I'd peddle narcotics to whom I could.
I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction.
I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.
If I were the Devil I'd soon have families at war with themselves,
churches at war with themselves, and nations at war with themselves,
until each in it’s turn was consumed. And with promises of higher
ratings, I'd have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.
If I were the Devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects,
but neglect to discipline emotions, just let those run wild until before
you knew it you'd have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors
at every schoolhouse door.
Within a decade I'd have prisons overflowing.
I’d have judges promoting pornography.
Soon I could evict God from the courthouse,
then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of congress.
And in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion
and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing
boys and girls and church money.
If I were the Devil I'd make the symbol of Easter an egg,
and the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
If I were the Devil I would take from those who have and give to
those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.
What will you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as
the way to get rich.
I would caution against extremes, in hard work, in patriotism,
in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is
old fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on
TV is the way to be. And thus, I could undress you in public and
I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure.
In other words, if I were the Devil...
I'd just keep right on doing what he's doing."
"My Dear Children (and believe me, that’s all of you),
I consider myself a pretty patient guy. I mean, look at the Grand Canyon. It took millions of years to get it right. And about evolution? Boy, nothing is slower than designing that whole Darwinian thing to take place, cell by cell, gene by gene. And I have been patient through your fashions, civilizations, wars and schemes, and the countless ways you take me for granted until you get yourselves into big trouble again and again. I want to let you know about some of the things that are starting to tick me off.
First of all, your religious rivalries are driving me up a wall. Enough already! Let’s get one thing straight. These are YOUR religions, not mine. I’m the whole enchilada; I’m beyond them all. Every one of your religions claims there’s only one of me (which by the way, is absolutely true). But in the very next breath, each religion claims it’s my favorite one. And each claims its bible was written personally by me, and that all the other bible’s are man-made. Oh, Me.
How do I even begin to put a stop to such complicated nonsense? Okay, listen up now. I’m your Father AND Mother, and I don’t play favorites among my children. Also, I hate to break it to you, but I don’t write. My longhand is awful, and I’ve always been more of a “doer” anyway. So ALL of your books, including those bibles, were written by men and women. There were inspired men and women. They were remarkable people, but they also made mistakes here and there. I made sure of that, so that you would never trust a written word more than your own living heart.
You see, one human being to me — even a bum on the street — is worth more than all the Holy Books in the world. That’s just the kind of guy I am. My spirit is not an historical thing, it’s alive right here, right now, as fresh as your next breath.
Holy books and religious rites are sacred and powerful, but not more so than the least of you. They were only meant to steer you in the right direction, not to keep you arguing with each other, and certainly not to keep you from trusting your own personal connection with me.
Which brings me to my next point about your nonsense. You act like I need you and your religions to stick up for me or “win souls” for my sake. Please, don’t do me any favors. I can stand quite well on my own, thank you. I don’t need you to defend me, and I don’t need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.
I don’t need you to defend me, and I don’t need constant credit. I just want you to be good to each other.
And another thing: I don’t get all worked up over money or politics, so stop dragging my name into your dramas. For example, I swear to Me that I never threatened Oral Roberts. I never rode in any of Rajneesh’s Rolls Royces. I never told Pat Robertson to run for president, and I’ve never ever had a conversation with Jim Bakker, Jerry Falwell, or Jimmy Swaggart! Of course, come Judgement Day, I certainly intend to…
Now the thing is, I want you to stop thinking of religion as some sort of loyalty pledge to me. The true purpose of your religions is so that YOU can become more aware of ME, not the other way around. Believe me, I know you already. I know what’s in each of your hearts, and I love you anyway with no strings attached. Lighten up and enjoy me. That’s what religion is best for.
What you seem to forget is how mysterious I am. You look at the petty differences in your Scriptures and say, “Well, if this is the truth, then that can’t be!” But instead of trying to figure out my paradoxes and unfathomable nature — which by the way, you never will — why not open your hearts to the simple common threads in every religion?
You know what I’m talking about: Love and respect everyone. Be kind. Even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I am always with you. Learn how to be quiet, so you can hear my still, small voice (I don’t like to shout). Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are my own child. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that can’t, won’t. So don’t worry, be happy (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but who do you think gave it to him in the first place?)
You can call me and my special ones any name you choose, if only you would go about my business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple?
Simple stuff. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It’s like you’re always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I’m very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think I care whether you call me Yahweh, Jehovah, Allah, Wakantonka, Brahma, Father, Mother or even the Void of Nirvana? Do you think I care which of my special children you feel closest to — Jesus, Mary, Buddha, Krishna, Mohammed or any of the others?
You can call me and my special ones any name you choose if only you will go about my business of loving one another as I love you. How can you keep neglecting something so simple? No I am not telling you to abandon your
religions enjoy your religions honor them learn from them just as you should enjoy honor and learn from your parents. But do you walk around telling everyone that your parents are better than theirs? Your religion like your parents may always have the most special place in your heart I don't mind that at all
and I don't want you to combine all of the great Traditions into one big mess.
Each religion is unique for a reason. Each has a unique style so that people can
find the best path for themselves.
But my special children the ones that your religions revolve around all live in the same place in my heart and they get along perfectly I assure you. The clergy must stop creating a myth of sibling rivalry where there is none. My blessed children of Earth, the world has grown too small for your pervasive religious bigotries and
confusion. The whole planet is now connected by air travel, satellite dishes,
telephones fax machines, rock concerts, diseases, and mutual needs and concerns.
Get with a program if you really want to help me celebrate the birthday of my son Jesus. Then commit yourselves to figuring out how to feed your hungry and clothe your naked and protect your abused and shelter your poor and just as important... make your own everyday life a shining example of kindness and good humor.
I've given you all of the resources you need if only you abandon your fear of
each other and begin living and loving and laughing together.
Finally, my children everywhere... remember whose birthday you honor on
what you call Christmas day December 25... and the fearlessness with which he chose to live and die. As I love him so do I love each of you.
Now, I am not really ticked off. Not really. I just wanted to grab your attention
because I hate to see you suffer. But I gave you free will so what can I do now other than try to influence you through reason persuasion and a little old-fashioned guilt and manipulation. After all you know I am the original Jewish mother. I just want you to be happy and I'll sit in the dark.
I really am indeed I swear with you always.
Trust in me... your one and only. God.
end quote
Paul Harvey
good day"
Paul Harvey came on for morning coffee.
I'd listen with my grandmother... as the rest of the house woke up.
Harvey had a good style of story-telling... and a great radio voice.
Now, he's becoming popular again... and his stories sound prophetic.
I went looking for Paul Harvey recordings and I found Brad Dison...
a history buff... musician/singer... and story teller.
Christmas Lights - Brad Dison (Original)
(filmed in Natchitoches, Louisiana)
Brad Dison YT Channel
Who is Brad Dison?
Brad Dison YT Channel
I'm Brad Dison. Welcome to my channel.
At a very early age, I started travelling North
America with my mother's travel company.
Her clientele generally consisted of senior citizens
who had a deep appreciation for history and,
before long, I, too, learned why history matters
so much in our lives. Through the tours, I learned
that there's more to history than reading a book,
although there's nothing wrong with reading a book.
History is tangible, if you know where to look.
My love for history and the preservation of history led me to
earn a masters degree in history from Louisiana Tech University
in Ruston, Louisiana. My passion is sharing history with others
who are interested in learning the real stories behind the
people, places, and events that have shaped our history.
Not only am I a history buff, I'm a musician, a fisherman, I love trivia,
and this channel is pretty eclectic at times. Here, on my channel,
you will find videos that include live action as well as podcast-style
formats. I produce videos on the people, places, and events that
have shaped our history as well as other things not necessarily
related to history that I enjoy and think maybe you'll enjoy as well.
While some of the messages may be familiar to you, some may
be heard here for the first time. If you like history, music, trivia,
fishing, travelling, be sure to subscribe to my channel and
you'll be notified when I add a new video.
I'm Brad Dison. Thanks for watching. :)
Paul Harvey - The Rest of the Story
Brad Dison YT Channel