Comments on: Look Back in Horror: The Rumpus Interview with David Sirota

By: Jay Marvin

Jay Marvin — Tue, 31 May 2011 17:38:15 +0000

David Sirota replaced me at AM760 in Denver, Colorado. Sirotas’ book has the 80′s right down. This country still suffers from a Ronald Reagen hang over of Blow, dollars, lack of community commitment, andnif can buy it snort it or drive “I’m in” kind of mentality. Sirota grab’s it and lays it out.

But the funniest moments in “The Gipper’s political life happened in the 60′s. Huey P Newton, Bobby Seal, and the REAL Black Panthers, showed up at the California State Capitol clad in all black with shotguns. The “Gipper” was angry and fumbling all over himself. It was a moment Keaton’s parents’ would have loved. So would Sirota. Keaton, in GOP’s typical move, would either act as if it didn’t happen or would go on to attack the Panthers and smear all black people.

By: savedbythebay

savedbythebay — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:49:07 +0000

Brilliant interview, makes me want to run, not walk, to the nearest bookstore or library to get David Sirota’s book. Very adept questioning by Steve Almond, too.

As a child of the 80s, who grew up watching Family Ties and The A-Team, who had an Intellivision game system, but also parents who took me to film festivals and who were decidedly against many of the values espoused in the 80s, I find the arguments Sirota makes to be most fascinating and deserving of much reflection.

By: 80smetalman

80smetalman — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 20:37:08 +0000

So many points are made in the interview which I agree with, I don’t know where to begin. It’s best to just tell my view of the 80s here. I joined the marines in 79 when America looked upon servicemen and women as derelicts and druggies and I was looked upon by many of my peers as some sort of scumbag. When I left the marines in 83, I had become fed up with four years of living under military rule, ie. sporting a crew cut and having my individualism taken away. Therefore, I went totally the opposite direction and grew my hair and dressed differently. Furthermore, I felt especially justifed when I saw my friends get blown up in Beirut. As a result I was persecuted for being “weird” with no one wanting to know my background or ask why.
I was an anti-Contra aid protester and on one pareticular protest, I was asked by a reporter why I was protesting when the 60s were over. I wish I had given him a better answer. However, one thing that seems to be forgotten about the Regan era was his fanatical desire to overthrow the Sandinistas in Nicaragua. His justification was the Soviets using it as a jump off point to invade the US and I couldn’t believe how many Americans accepted that.
So, speaking from first hand experience, your book hits the nail on the head.