a significant cultural meme: The Ballad of Paledin

[delrem]

The meme that a savior can come in with a gun, fix a social problem then exit a hero, seems to have been embraced at all levels by the political class (1%) and the MSM that they own. This is coming across very clearly in the recent Syria war talk. Here's the intro song. Enjoy

[leftyladyfrommo]

1. I used to watch that show every week.

Never missed it.

Know all the words to the song.

I also know all the words to Frankie Lane's Hell Bent for Leather.

[delrem]

2. Same here. My age of innocence.

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. I had such a crush on him.

He was just such a hunk.

[Skidmore]

4. Me too

[delrem]

6. hehe. I had capguns and a holster, the whole outfit.

I don't agree that the meme, a mercenary for hire "but only to do good" (ergo a 'hero') is universal. eta: I know you aren't arguing this! But it's an argument that's come up in the thread.

I don't think that mythos, that archetype, is unique to the US, but I do think the US created it.

Consider the Pied Piper, a mercenary brought in to solve a problem. The upshot of that isn't nearly the same as that of the myth of "Paladin". Robin Hood wasn't a mercenary, so doesn't count.

I pointed out the "Palidin" meme because to my mind I see an analogy between that and the US admin seeking to "punish" Syria for "moral turpitude". I say that this is an argument that hasn't the same force, outside the US.

[Skidmore]

5. A meme as old as mankind from gods and heroes to

champions qnd knights.

[pinboy3niner]

7. Have Gun Will Travel (Paladin's business card)

[leftyladyfrommo]

8. Ah, sigh!

That music is right up there with "Rawhide."

[Buns_of_Fire]

9. I spent a good part of my youth thinking his first name was "Wire".

And his last name was "Paladin". It wasn't until later years that I learned it was Elmer Murgatroyd.