Good post, John. I too don't want to have anything to do with folks what try to turn one group of people against another for personal profit. There are a LOT of folks I don't want to be around. I don't want my presence to give the impression that I accept what they are doing. I marched in anti-Vietnam War parades and wrote protest songs against the war, and would do it again if I felt strongly moved to protest the country's actions. I see folk music as much more small "d" democratic. Music can be a powerful force for change, or just enjoyed because it is entertaining. I can understand the resentment if a political party usurps a song to give a message that was never intended.

It was his old blue chip
The stock he used to love

Jerry