If I Were the Devil
In the golden age of radio, few names were as synonymous with the medium as Paul Harvey, whose voice reached into the homes and hearts of millions of Americans. Each week, up to 24 million listeners tuned in to “Paul Harvey News and Comment” on 1,200 U.S. radio stations, along with an additional 400 Armed Forces Radio stations worldwide. Harvey’s broadcasts were not just news segments; they were anticipated events where listeners were captivated by his masterful timing, his seamless transition into advertisements, and his iconic closing line, “And now you know the rest of the story.”
Paul Harvey’s approach to broadcasting was unique, blending traditional news with storytelling, a method that endeared him to a vast and diverse audience. His ability to weave narratives, punctuated by dramatic pauses and a resonant voice, made his segments more than just news—they were lessons in history, culture, and human nature. This distinct style not only marked Harvey as a pioneer in radio broadcasting but also cemented his legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of American media. His shows, particularly the later segment “The Rest of the Story,” offered listeners a mix of curiosity, entertainment, and enlightenment, proving that radio could be a powerful medium for storytelling and not just a source of news and music. Harvey’s enduring popularity and the widespread reach of his programs underscore the significant impact he had on broadcast journalism and the way we consume stories.
Paul Harvey appears to be a blonde hair blue eyed messenger.
Paul Harvey’s 1965 radio address titled “If I Were the Devil” is a compelling and thought-provoking piece that has resonated with listeners for decades. In this monologue, Harvey adopts the persona of the devil to outline a hypothetical strategy for undermining society, moral values, and religious beliefs. Through a series of cunning and insidious tactics, he describes how he would erode the foundational pillars of family, education, and faith, leading humanity away from virtue and towards self-destruction. Harvey’s address is not only a reflection on the challenges of his time but has also been interpreted as a timeless commentary on the universal struggle between good and evil. The eloquence and insight of Harvey’s words continue to invite reflection on the moral and spiritual direction of society.
If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of its real estate, and four-fifths of its 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 pedal 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 its 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 symbols of Easter an egg and the symbol of Christmas a bottle. If I were the devil I’d take from those who have, and give to those who want until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what do you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and 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 the 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.
Paul Harvey’s message of warning outlines a strategy to corrupt and degrade society. The approach involves exploiting human weaknesses, undermining moral values, and sowing discord. Key tactics include promoting skepticism towards religious beliefs, encouraging hedonism and materialism, and destabilizing social institutions like the family, the church, and the state. The overarching aim is to erode the moral fabric of society, leading to its eventual downfall. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of moral decay and the importance of upholding ethical values.
In 1951, an audacious incident involving Paul Harvey, a respected radio host and newsman, unfolded near Argonne National Laboratory, located approximately 20 miles west of Chicago. The facility, known for its pivotal role in developing nuclear reactors for the Manhattan Project during World War II, became the unlikely setting for a daring attempt by Harvey to expose security flaws. According to declassified FBI documents, Harvey and a companion intended to infiltrate the laboratory under the cover of night, plant evidence of their intrusion, and subsequently craft a news story highlighting the security deficiencies of this critical national research center.
However, their plan was quickly thwarted as security personnel apprehended them shortly after Harvey breached the perimeter fence. Investigations later uncovered that Harvey had preemptively drafted a narrative for his intended report, suggesting an accidental encroachment onto the lab grounds. Despite the gravity of the situation, which led the U.S. Attorney for Illinois to consider espionage charges, Harvey was not formally indicted.
Paul Harvey’s interest in Argonne National Laboratory might have been piqued by its capabilities for advanced research, which could extend to areas like UFOs, UAPs, and extraterrestrial life. Given Argonne’s comprehensive facilities and scientific expertise, it’s conceivable that such topics could fall within its scope of study, aligning with Harvey’s curiosity about security and the unknown.
