Phil's politics are complicated (he declared the Viet Nam war over before Mr. Lennon's "War is over if you want it" campaign). The north star of his thought, as Don and GFS hint at, is an abiding and serious regard for promoting justice while appreciating beauty. He stressed his American patriotism (note the gravemarker he designed for himself on the cover of REHEARSALS FOR RETIREMENT). His tragedy is that his innocence and voice (literally) were choked by an America more pragmatic than revolutionary. One thing is certain, even if he would disapprove of anarchist rioting and the like on the one hand and corporate greed and its fatal consequences on the other, the greater sin of apathy and self-satisfaction would still be seen as the greatest impediment to achieving justice ("Love me I'm a Liberal," "Outside of a Small Circle of Friends," etc.).

Doug Saum