The shock factor of any great shock rock band by nature has a shelf life, as the theatrics that spooked parents in the ’70s now feel kinda quaint — a relic from a time when scary dudes with guitars could play boogieman, beckoning impressionable youth to the glories of rock ‘n’ roll sin.

It's interesting that so many conservatives decry the boogieman of governmental overreach — until it comes to policing the diets of poor Americans.

It's interesting that so many conservatives decry the boogieman of governmental overreach — until it comes to policing the diets of poor Americans.

The Trumpians at the 2021 Southern Baptist Convention were pushing for things like an official position against critical race theory, which has become a boogieman in right-wing media.

For those on the right – including those who might otherwise look away at a large corporation doing business with a totalitarian government – Communist China is a uniquely un-American entity, a convenient boogieman representing the dangers of leftism.