Amos said: "Folk music and the left, historically, come out of similar demographics. People who migrate to the right are those who usually have something to conserve."

But, says I, the folk music revival, and you see it all the time here at the Mudcat, is very much about conservation and not letting musical traditions die.

Much of the "leftist" politics associated with folk music has to do with conservation. Think of the enviornmental movement, for example. It's all about conservation and restoration. Or the peace movement, it's about conserving life. Or various movements for social justice. They're about conserving (or achieving) human dignity.

It seems to me that people on the left also have something to conserve.

Mike Regenstreif