What possible arguments can you make for rhythm not being music? In its earliest and most simplistic form, music came from the human voice and some percussive sound combination. Find me a musicologist who says otherwise. But as to Rap...Frank makes his own point, "Its not folk now, but it could be."

But I think of this thread as Chet's more than anyones. In his last post I think he makes the best point of all. Its the old "yelling fire in a crowded hall" argument and it always bears the burden of first amendment infringement. But the culture that says its us against them will always triumph, at least for awhile. Worked for Hitler and it works for the gangs. But I can equally choose not to buy it, not to let it be played in my home, to discuss it and see what the proponents like so much....blah, blah, blah........We all know both sides of this debate and it still comes down to one on one with kids...your own and others you might influence.

This could get really drawn out here, but let me say that I don't go in for divisive music.......music that tells of the social condition, yes....music that works for a betterment of that condition, yes......Same reason I don't sing songs of the antagonism of the VietNam era...of the condition and times, yes.....of the devisiveness, no.

Ah to hell with it....I'm a screw up anyway. I need a few days at the Young Center.

Spaw