Typing through the tears - see this

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 03:49 PM

"...Meanwhile, I still find the song clip I included very moving and as to your comments - "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"...."


Eddie, Eddie, Eddie...

Look, I did *not* mean the you guys weren't getting the music out. What I meant was that we all know the songs are out there, but the *mainstream* Radio and TV stations refuse to play them, because they're now deemed 'too political'...or at least, they are on the BBC.

It's people like you, who I regard as The Last DJs, the ones who *are* doing all they can to get the music out, who have the freedom of choice and have decided to use it to the best of your ability.

Heck, you all give me hope!

So, I'm sorry if I put it down wrongly, it was the mainstream that I was talking about, where protest songs once filled the airwaves, but now no longer do.

Without you guys, there'd be no hope at all. *You Guys* are some of my heroes!

The Last DJ - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

Oh..and 'frankly my dear, I *do* give a damn!"   x

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 03:05 PM

"We don't live in the '60s anymore...."

Exactly.

We are living in 1984.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Alice
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 02:34 PM

There are a lot of National Guard who never expected to be sent out of the country to a Bush war when they entered the guard. I know one. He was starting college and expected to be able to do winter search and rescue and forest fire fighting like our National Guard normally do. Then Bush started his Iraq war. This young man already was sent to Iraq for over a year. Our National Guard were not expecting this to be their service.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 02:23 PM

The end of the draft in the US was the effective end of mass protest against war. Young people in this country no longer feel personally threatened by violence happening half-way across the world. I'm not suggesting we need to re-institute the draft, just explaining the lack of urgency in thhe protests of the war.
And as for the "mercenaries" comments, unless you live in a country that is defended by groups of citizens spontaneously assembling with pitchforks to resist threat, why don't you just shut your pie hole.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: GUEST,JD
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 08:29 AM

Peter,

'Million' march against Iraq war. Is it a reason not to try?

I honestly don't know the answer to that.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 08:15 AM

Absolutely dead on, Lizzie Cornish 1.

GuestJD, if the portests and placards don't make a difference, is that a reason not to try? (If so, I wish those brain-dead zombies who wve their placards to order at US political conventions would get the message.) But of course they can, and do, make a difference. And Lizzie Cornish gave you the most egregious example: the Vietnam War.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: eddie1
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 07:13 AM

Sorry, I hope it was obvious that the last was me sans cookie

Eddie

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 07:11 AM

Lizzie
I don't pontificate, I don't talk down to people (although at 6'7" that's sometimes difficult). I know how I feel and hope others feel the same way.
I know that UK and US troops are fighting and being killed and injured because "The powers that be" think they are the policemen of the world just as happened back then.
Oh and things are happening. Not everyone is silent - give a listen to "Farewell To The Thief", the album by George Mann, Julius Margolin and friends (including the late, great Utah Phillips and indeed dedicated to him. I'm playing regular selections from this on my radio programme each week as well as Pete's "Bring 'Em Home"
Now I'm not some brave voice crying in the wilderness. I get playlists from Folk DJs from all over the world and this kind of song is getting lots of playing time.
Finally, there is a thing coming up in the US called an election and the way things are going here in the UK there's likely to be, at the very least, a change of leadership.

Meanwhile, I still find the song clip I included very moving and as to your comments - "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn!"

Eddie

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: danensis
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 06:50 AM

"They're all volunteers aren't they".

I think "mercenaries" is the word you're looking for,

John

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: GUEST,JD
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 05:35 AM

Lizzie,

Can you give me a single example of when these protests and placards made a jot of difference?

We don't live in the '60s anymore....

JD

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Lizzie Cornish 1
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 04:11 AM

The trouble is Eddie, as I'm sure Pete Seeger would be the first to agree, is that the situation is *not* the same.

During the Vietnam War people took to the streets in their thousands, in the US, and elsewhere. The radio blared out songs of protest. There were rallies in the park, attended by the top names in folk music. The music played a big part in bringing about the end of that war, because it united people. It woke them up and gave them something to aim for.

The Washington Peace March


But, where is the music now?

Where are the protests?

Where are those voices now?

Where are the people?

Where are the songs, on mainstream radio?

Where are the placards?

Where are the TV crews?

Apart from a few *small* protests, most of which are never reported on, there is just The Sound of Silence.

And yet, as so many of us on here know, the songs ARE still out here, still being written, but they are lying dormant, unable to do their job, because mainstream TV and Radio have now become so controlled, so fearful of kicking out against 'The Rules' that those songs and songwriters are barely ever heard.

Pete Seeger, in all his near on 90 years has never given up, or given in, and I'm sure he won't, until his dying breath..and even then he'll no doubt be doing all he can, from above.   

This is not about the Powers That Be, it is about all of *us*. It is about how nations of people have switched off, almost deliberately been switched off, *allowed* themselves to be switched off, by those who want populations who no longer question, or take to the streets.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King Jr.

"What do you tell forever's children, when it's their turn to hurt and heal....." Taken from The Potter's Wheel - Bill Danoff

We have all been silent for too long.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: eddie1
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 03:43 AM

If the song grabs you then OK. I found this did it for me in a much more powerful way.

http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/2478

The saddest thing about it is that Pete Seeger wrote the song during the Vietnam War. All this time and we're back in the same situation. Have the powers that be learnt nothing from history?

Eddie

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 13 Sep 08 - 02:22 AM

The photo of the black soldier with the tear stained face is a rather well known one, and was taken at a military funeral for members of his squadron killed in an IED attack. To use his image in this maudlin little heartstring-jerker is an offence to him and to the men who were the subjects of his mourning. Just my opinion.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Paul Burke
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 03:38 AM

I almost posted yesterday that it's not only Americans who don't get irony. But I was wrong. Song challenge- rework the song from the point of view of the daughter of an Al Qaeda suicide bomber.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Sep 08 - 02:55 AM

That's a very subversive video. Daddy is supposed to be off doing what he's paid to do, fighting for the American Way of Life.
Right?
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 07:29 PM

Sadness is where you find it. Would that it not find you.

Art

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Lox
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 07:19 PM

Hey - you know I'm as cynical as they come normally - and I'm Irish to boot ...

... so who knows, maybe I've turned full circle, but the footage of the kids and their dads was real and having a similar kid I was moved - and I'm not talking about my bowels!

Those pictures are what lifes all about - and those moments are far more important than any friggin war.

It must be terrifying beyond comprehension and heartbreaking beyond hope when you are in danger of dying any minute and all ou want is to see your kids.

I'm glad I'm sat here by my PC with my little one in the other room.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: skipy
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 07:18 PM

Some of you are more sick than I realised! I WANT them ALL home too, this video really did touch me! I joined up 40 years ago last Saturday, mostly to get an apprenticeship & a job & served for 26 years, I was one of the lucky one I never had to go anywhere nasty!
Shipy

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: michaelr
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 07:02 PM

Yecch.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 03:37 PM

Hilarious, Skipy! I've not laughed as much in ages!

Thanks

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: BB
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 03:23 PM

Too true about the lack of jobs (and apprenticeships) persuading kids to go into the Forces. So many kids from our village have done so because there are so few jobs around here, and at least when they come home, they come **home**, rather than having to move away permanently. One kid I know wanted to come out after his five years was up, but when he thought about what there work there was here if he did get out, he changed his mind - now he's off to the south of Afghanistan, and all his family are worried sick.

Barbara

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: theleveller
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 10:49 AM

By way of contrast, I was listening on the radio this morning to an interview with the father of a fireman killed in the Twin Towers and his quiet, dignified sadness moved me to to tears.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 09:50 AM

I think Shakespeare called it "mewling and puking," and the ex-Mrs K was near the mark with "emotional rape." But from the nation that brought us Shirley Temple and "Drop-kick me Jesus Through the Goalposts of Life" it's about par for the course.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Joe G
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 08:34 AM

Glad its not just me who wanted to retch!

Whilst I feel sorry for anyone caught up in a war (particularly the poor innocent civilians in the middle of it all) this type of mawkish propaganda is about as far away from a genuine emotional reaction as one could be.

Try 'The Bombing Never Stops' by Robb Johnson for something more in touch with the reality of war.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 08:00 AM

"They're volunteers aren't they?"
True I suppose, but many do not understand what they volunteer for. Too often a feeling of senseless national pride or simply a need for a job may cause one to "take the kings shilling". Often volunteers are only kids seekin adventure.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Dazbo
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 07:53 AM

He was much better as Jilted John

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 07:45 AM

John Shuttleworth is as funny as a cup of cold sick.

JM

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Stu
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 07:36 AM

"How many parents are forced to leave their family to fight in senseless wars?"

They're volunteers aren't they?

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 07:29 AM

Sadly it is all too true! How many parents are forced to leave their family to fight in senseless wars? How many children cry for a parent who is in a foreign land? How many children in a foreign land cry for a parent who is no more?
The answer my friend, is blow'n in the wind! Yes, bring him home!

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: kendall
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 07:08 AM

This is the sort of crap that my ex wife used to call "Emotional rape"

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 06:17 AM

Pass the sick bag, Alice . . .

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 06:13 AM

Hey - I'm American, and it had me reaching for the sick bucket...

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 05:27 AM

Thread drift alert - WHY do I follow these links? Wasted another 15 minutes-worth of 'quick look'and following where it takes me. But John Shuttleworth's 'Incident on Snake Pass' is definitely worth twice that long: do visit.

OK, I managed about six random seconds of the American thing. Yes, I'm English. Worse than that, I'm Yorkshire.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 04:15 AM

Sorry Skipy, I know the sentiment behind it but I'm afraid, I'm with Joe G.... ducking and running for cover... clean up on aisle four!

LTS

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Ruth Archer
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 04:14 AM

Oh. My. God.

I love Vic and Bob, and am quite an obsessive John Shuttleworth fan - how have I never seen that before?!

And I've never heard the song before, either - a typical Shuttleworth tearjerker. Cheers, IB!!!

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 11 Sep 08 - 03:53 AM

We Brits do this sort of thing wonderfully too - like skipy I'm typing through the tears:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IbCaa2Dm420

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: Jack Campin
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 08:53 PM

If those thieving mercenary vermin want to be back with their families they can do the morally honourable thing and desert.

If not they deserve whatever they get.

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 07:29 PM

I appreciate the sentiment, skipy, but it's too much for m'heart.:-) (My nephew-in-law is away for a year from his family.)

Subject: RE: Typing through the tears - see this
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 07:23 PM

Would I be right in assuming you live in the USA ,skipy (assuming you don't mean tears of laughter)? Sorry but I think some of us Brits here are more likely to be typing through the vomit as our appetite is for less sugary expressions of loss and parting.

(Ducks and runs for cover!)

Subject: Typing through the tears - see this
From: skipy
Date: 10 Sep 08 - 07:11 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5leMiif4pM&feature=rec-fresh