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Rappin' Jesus, Ronald Reagan and Atlas Shrugged

By: Mark Tapscott
Editorial Page Editor
06/02/09 5:27 AM EDT

Remember the names David Rufful and Josh Riddle. Both are Dartmouth students and both are "Young Cons," or young conservatives. They do rap. They do politics. Boy, do they. Their YouTube video "The Young Con Anthem" has been up a few days and has already garnered more than 120,000 views and multiple praise.

Rufful and Riddle have done something rather remarkable in many ways. For one thing, they've shown the continued relevance of a fusionist conservatism that unites otherwise disparate communities of admirers of individual freedom, republican liberty and American pride. When was the last time you saw college kids rapping in admiration of Jesus, Ronald Reagan and Atlas Shrugged.

And for another , theyve shown in a dramatic and appealing manner not seen since the Sharon Statement that freedom is not merely a universal yearning among men and women of all nations, but also of all ages. If there is another age group other than young people that ought to have more of a passion for individual liberty, I don't know who it would be.

We will be hearing more from these two remarkable young men.

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Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 250 words.

Exalted

Jun 2, 2009

These "remarkable young men" are a bit confused. How can they put "Atlas Shrugged" together with Jesus? They should re-read "Atlas". John Galt said, "They claim that they perceive a mode of being superior to your existence on this earth. The mystics of spirit call it 'another dimension,' which consists of denying dimensions. The mystics of muscle call it “the future,” which consists of denying the present. To exist is to possess identity. What identity are they able to give to their superior realm? They keep telling you what it is not, but never tell you what it is. All their identifications consist of negating: God is that which no human mind can know, they say—and proceed to demand that you consider it knowledge—God is non-man, heaven is non-earth, soul is non-body, virtue is non-profit, A is non-A, perception is non-sensory, knowledge is non-reason. Their definitions are not acts of defining, but of wiping out."

Jun 2, 2009

Oh Exalted, I believe you misunderstand. Their rap song seems to me an unabashed assertion of their Christian faith and conservative politics (both of which are and have been under assault from the 'mainstream media' and Hollywood), and not an implication that we must be both or neither. A fine piece of work, especially for a couple of twenty-something college students.

LoneWolf777

Jun 2, 2009

Nothing screams "Join the GOP!" more than a couple of trust fund babies with 1000th the street cred of Vanilla Ice...

Bronco-Fan

Jun 2, 2009

THESE GUYS ROCK!

Dartmouth 01

Jun 3, 2009

Oh God, their video makes me ashamed of having gone to Dartmouth. At first I thought it was just great satire, and then I realized that they were serious and I only laughed harder.

Casey

Jun 3, 2009

I can't wait until they do their rock remake: "Blinded by the White."

kmoney

Jun 3, 2009

For the record they say that they rep jesus christ but they also say that they do not care which religion you are from. Some of their views are personal, but the ones that they focus on are national issues. Their goal was to bring attention to conservative thoughts and look for people to begin looking at the facts again rather than following the popular media. They don't look to be entirely politically correct but rather draw attention to what they see as issues in modern america. In this it is perfect something that the youth of america can relate to and might spark future interest into the subject. Very well done!

Libby

Jun 5, 2009

Go Young Con's. Great job. You will be remembered after the liberals throw away everything of value in this country, and we are running to the polls to get them out.

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Rappin' Jesus, Ronald Reagan and Atlas Shrugged

By: Mark Tapscott
Editorial Page Editor
06/02/09 5:27 AM EDT