Jordan Birnbaum

A Founding Father Of Modern Political Activism

Oct 17, 2013

PK
Stage· 105 messages
Oct 17, 2013

When we think about activism at its most impactful and effective, we usually think about the 1960s, and groups like The Yippies and The Merry Pranksters. We might think about publications like The Realist, and icons like Lenny Bruce and Ken Kesey. What do all these things have in common? The great Paul Krassner, who I regard as an American treasure. It is my greatest honor to have an opportunity to host him here on Tawkers and explore the current state of activism in the U.S.

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:30 AM

Mr. Krassner I presume?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:31 AM

Here he comes
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:31 AM

Here I am...
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:32 AM

Let me begin by stating unabashedly that I have the utmost admiration and respect for you, sir.
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:32 AM

That's so true -- I agree...
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:32 AM

lol -well said
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:33 AM

I am so excited for this opportunity because I feel that the state of our nation is at a level of absurdity only fitting for a master satirist
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:34 AM

my previous comment is what people used to write in the margins of their textbooks.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:34 AM

it's hard to type when I'm laughing
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:35 AM

OK -so here's where I want to start. It seems to me like the most obvious question in the world is about The Yippies and Occupy Wall Street
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:35 AM

reality has been nipping at the heels of satire for decades and has finally caught up with it, even surpassing...
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:36 AM

I know it's too broad a question, but how did you feel during Occupy Wall Street?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:36 AM

was it inspiring? depressing? invigorating? did it stir up memories?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:36 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

How would you compare the activism today vs back in the 60's Paul?

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:37 AM

the similarities between the two movements are substantial, including no hierarchy
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:38 AM

(at least, from what I've read...)
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:38 AM

(Wikipedia rules)
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:39 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

if anyone is here and wants to pass the time,listen this great interview between Paul and Lee Camp - http://leecamp.net/?p=1222

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:40 AM

I sent Paul a copy of my Tawk with Lee when I asked him to do this.
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:40 AM

Ter's a sense of continuity. The Yippies had to perform stunts to get media coverage of our causes, so a group of went to the NY Stock Exchange, upstairs to the balcony, and threw $200 worth of singles onto the floor below, watching the gang of manic
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:41 AM

that's a very famous scene, and one that makes me smile whenever I read or hear about it.
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:42 AM

brokers suddenly morph from yelling "Pork Bellies" into "Diving for Dollars." Then we had a press conference outside, explaining the connection between the capitalist system and the war. Now, a particular placard, "Wall Street is War Street" -- that
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:43 AM

is a fine example of continuity with the Occupy movement.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:43 AM

indeed -that fills me with optimism
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:44 AM

I find it a little suprising that The Yippies weren't mentioned more substantially during Occupy. Do you think it's because they don't want to stir up the old memories?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:46 AM

★ Spotlighted from Lucy Dyer

"Paul Krassner - Occupy Wall St. & the Yippies" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEnIM67suBM

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:46 AM

I guess I'm really referring to mainstream media in that assessment.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:50 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mano Dogs

The mainstream media intentionally blacked-out the OWS "movement."

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:50 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mano Dogs

They've also blacked-out the upheaval in Iceland.

PK

Paul Krassner · 1:50 AM

This is like playing catch-up...The Occupiers may have heard of the Yippies but they have their own style and action...both movements had no hierarchy except that Abbie Hoffman, Jerry Rubin and I sere as liaisons with the media because we had contact
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:50 AM

with the media and learned how to speak in sound bites...,
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:51 AM

did anyone from OWS reach out to you for advice?
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:53 AM

No, and there was no reason to do so.-- if anything I would reach out to them for advice.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:53 AM

well, given your experiences, what were some of the more important things you learned?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:54 AM

(I think it would be a good idea to ask your advice...)
PK

Paul Krassner · 1:54 AM

One differenec: The Yippies were a myth that became a reality; the Occupiers were a reality that has become a myth.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:56 AM

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

I have a question... If we have to live through such absurd times again right now, why don't we have all the amazing music the 60s did?! No Fair!

PK

Paul Krassner · 1:56 AM

The only advice I would have to protesters would be not to take themselves as seriously as their causes.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:56 AM

it does seem (from the outside) as though you and your compadres had a lot more fun...
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:57 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

@Blake - that's one advantage of being old.

PK

Paul Krassner · 1:57 AM

sorry I haven't had a chance to respond to comments yet.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:57 AM

ahh don't worry about them
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:57 AM

just kidding forum
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 1:59 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

A lot of fascist mayors around the country used trumped-up, bogus disturbing the peace rules to eliminate Occupy meetings around the country

PK

Paul Krassner · 1:59 AM

Blake--that's why there are radio stations around the country that play that good ol' music...people can get it on there devices...when I was a kid was afraid the world would run out of melodies...hmmmmmm
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:00 AM

Paul - what about clashes with the authorities? How taxing was that on you all?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:00 AM

or did it add fuel to the fire?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Mano Dogs

Jordan should promote my comments more. I'm a Big Deal over here, Goddammit.

PK

Paul Krassner · 2:02 AM

Clashes with authorities went with the territory, namely they considered us a threat to the status quo.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rebecca Westbrook Toker

So, what do you think about that assessment: "Occupy was a reality that has become a myth"?

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:02 AM

What is the Occupy myth now?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rebecca Westbrook Toker

(I was actually asking you audience members what you think about wheter OWS was a reality that became a myth)

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:05 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

I think he meant occupy has become more of an idea like V for Vendetta "you can't kill an idea"

PK

Paul Krassner · 2:06 AM

I should say they are TREATED like a myth by the mainstream media, just like the beginning of the the Occupiers, and now their actviities get hardly any coverage at all.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:06 AM

I do feel as though one of the great differentiators between The Yippies and OWS was your sense of theatricality.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:07 AM

As artists, you had more creative ways of remaining relevant
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:08 AM

Rachel--I know of a few jorunalists who were covering us ended up joining us one way or another, from smoking pot to antiwar activism...
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:08 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

were there any times you got the authorities to join your side? or see your point of view on things? not just from the "authority" point of view?

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:08 AM

that must have been rewarding
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

So I saw earlier there were several mentions of The Realist and fanzines in the forum.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:09 AM

The Realist gets so much love from so many giants of today's political comedy scene.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:10 AM

Did you have any idea to longstanding impact it was going to have while you were doing it? When did you realize it was shifting the landscape?
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:11 AM

Very gratifying that The Realist influenced Lenny Bruce, Mort Sahl, George Carlin, Lewis Black, Richard Lewis, Dick Gregory, Elayne Boosler, among others...
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:12 AM

I feel like Real Time, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report can all trace their lineage back to you and your cohorts
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

that's the current holy trinity of political comedy
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

Groucho Marx said that Krassner is a living Lenny Bruce. I think that's good.

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:13 AM

that's an achievement in understatement, Rick.
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:14 AM

I was too busy doing it to think of its impact...but I had no competiton,,,before Spy, National Lampoon, Doonesbury, Daily Show -- I had no models to follow and had to make it up as I went along -- it was a two-way street: I learned so much from the
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:16 AM

So can you describe how things have changed relative to government and the people? Are things much worse now, or are we simply getting more information, which makes it seem worse?
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:17 AM

Seth--the Koch brothers have funded--and manipulated--the ea party from the beginning.
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:17 AM

as I was saying, I learned so much from the readers of The Realist.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:18 AM

It's kind of amazing that you had an interactive relationship with your readers before there was "interactive."
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:18 AM

Well, Jordan, in those days, it was creeping fascism, now it's galloping fascism.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:19 AM

So it's almost as though the biggest change is in a loss of pretense?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:19 AM

As in, they don't even bother to pretend anymore?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:19 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rebecca Westbrook Toker

Ooooh, galloping fascism. That's a nice turn of phrase. And it's nice (and alarming) that soemone else feels the same way!

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

I'm always amazed that the left doesn't use the term Fascism, but allows itself to falsely be accused of Socialism. Fascism is the biggest threat to our country, and larger now than ever before

PK

Paul Krassner · 2:21 AM

The magazine resonated with the readership and after all I had felt that if I was the only one with a sense of irreverence there was no hope.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:21 AM

How is your hope for the United States right now?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:24 AM

and as a follow-up question -how is your hope for humanity?
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:26 AM

I have been wavering between hope and fear, but I felt a sense of hope because -- as the polls indicated -- the bad guys showed through and the good guys (all of us, of course) were finally heard on the covers of the NY Times an the Wall St. Journal.
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:27 AM

Malala personifies my hope for humanity.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:28 AM

Wow -great call. Me too!
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:28 AM

Does it seem at all to you like we're swinging on a pendulum? You know, we keep having to let things get so bad that we're forced to improve them? Like, Civil War, then The Depression, then Vietnam, then George W. Bush?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:29 AM

or is it all a slow descent into madness?
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:31 AM

As for "Chicago 10," I liked howt the animated scenes were integrated into the script, especially since the documentary was about a tarial and camera were't allowed in the courtroom.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:31 AM

★ Spotlighted from Blake Ian

Paul - How did you feel about Brett Morgen's mixed media documentary Chicago 10? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0905979/?ref_=fn_al_ch_1a

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:32 AM

So Paul - how have your thoughts and feelings about government changed over the years? Or have they remained the same?
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:33 AM

I mean, your expectations and ideas
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:35 AM

I never saw such fear as the Republicans have been of the eat party, or such hatred of a president (although I didn't feel like George Bush was so adorable)
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:36 AM

OK my friend - I've kept you here more than an hour. Are you ready to wrap up?
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:37 AM

Why is our government the only one not to sign the ban on cluster bombs? It seems that all governments suck.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:38 AM

I sometimes fear that might be an inevitability of human of nature.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:38 AM

but I have tremendous hope too
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:38 AM

i guess that's what they call "bi-polar."
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:39 AM

Yes, I guess we can wrap it up...I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the carpal tunnel.
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:39 AM

lol
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:40 AM

Thank you so much for doing this, and thank you so much for your courage and your vision. You have made a great contribution.
PK

Paul Krassner · 2:41 AM

As they say after TV interviews (evolution in action)--my pleasure, thanks for having me, and to you writers out there, try to avoid cliche's like the plague...
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

lol again
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

forum -thank you so much - you were amazing as always
Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rachel McDonnell

Thanks Paul I think you are amazing and your work! Thank you so much for tawking with us! :)

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:41 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rick Rosner

Thanks, Jordan & Paul! Sorry we couldn't add much to the discourse.

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:46 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

Good luck with your future endeavors Paul and goodnight everyone!

Jordan Birnbaum

Jordan Birnbaum · 2:46 AM

★ Spotlighted from Seth Hochman

Time to shutdown...oops bad word