Satirist Paul Krassner made history with his raucous magazine, The Realist, the great-grandfather of “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report.” Like Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, he has had no sacred cows. I’ve known Krassner since 1970, when we were both Yippies and members of the Youth International Party. Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Krassner celebrated his 85th birthday earlier this year in Dessert Hot Spring where he lives year-round. When I emailed him ten questions and asked for short answers he emailed back with ten pithy responses.
Q: How did it feel to turn 85 this year?
A: 85 is the new 84.
Q: What’s the funniest thing you can say about Donald Trump?
A: Hillary would have him locked up.
Q: Why do you live on the edge of a desert?
A: Found a fine inexpensive home.
Q: Would you like to return to Brooklyn, New York your hometown?
A: Nope, I like California way better, from Santa Cruz to San Francisco to Venice Beach to Desert Hot Springs and to the Anderson Valley.
Q: We’ve seen everything this year, including a biography of our former whipping boy, Jerry Rubin. What’s the world coming to?
A: Insanity, cruelty, lack of compassion, stupidity, climate change, greed, dishonesty and yet optimism.
Q: Of all your buddies over the years who do you miss the most?
A: Ken Kesey, Abbie Hoffman, Phil Ochs, Lenny Bruce and George Carlin.
Q: Is there good sex at 85?
A: Occasionally.
Q: Is women’s liberation overrated?
A: Misogyny must be stopped.
Q: How do you feel about the alt-right? Is it neo-Nazi?
A: It sucks horribly. Still, I’m a fanatic about freedom of speech.
Q: In hindsight, how does Obama look do you?
A: I would vote for him again both times.
Thank you, Jonah Raskin; and thank you, Paul Krassner.
Mr. Krassner is the best teacher I’ve ever had and THE REALIST was the best textbook.
Thank you, Louis. Paul and The Realist sharpened our wits.
Jonah’s interviews in which he requests brief answers are great! I remember Paul Krassner, met him a few times, did not know him well, and so glad to know he is reasonably content in his California home. His satire was outrageous but he exuded kindness, too. In many ways, he was a leader of what was often called the counter-culture in the 1960s.
Krassner says the Alt-Right “sucks horribly” but he is nevertheless “a fanatic about freedom of speech.”
Honest question:
Is there any further example of Krassner defending the Alt-Right’s freedom of speech?
Peaceful Alt-Right protesters are routinely attacked with everything from bottle of urine to baseball bats as corrupt mayors order their police to “stand down” (not do their sworn duty to protect all citizens).
So what else has Krassner said in defense of Alt-Righters having 1st Amendment protection?
I’d sure like to see it.
I seriously wonder what more you expect him to do at age 85.
Some of us keep going through our 80s and 90s.
How come you guys dont just ask the guy himself? If he is that old i bet he is bored and still has his phonenumber listed
Jen,
I’ll call him if you can find his phone number.
Then I’ll post a report of our conversation.
Admiration for Krassner’s gentle remonstrance and sharp witted jousting with mainstream anything (and comedic acuity so wonderfully voiced in the VV notwithstanding), the comments depicted above as “Still Satirical” do not strike this reader as much more than boringly benign — especially at a time when debunking popular media mythology and cultural misogyny is needed more than ever. Come on, Paul — let ‘er rip!
Right on!!
Jonah,
Your puff piece is admittedly exhilarating.
But it would be more useful to know what Krassner has to say about Israel’s war criminals.
You know, stuff like that.
Pat
Next time, Israel and the good stuff,
Jonah
By all means, surprise us.