Conrad, you keep repeating (speaking of mantras) the canard that Seeger and other "liberal" folk singers dominated the media and continue to do so. That you said it in the first place shows a really abysmal knowledge of history, and to keep saying it when those who were there (which you were not) describe how it was anything but the way you keep saying it was displays—    Well, I won't say what it displays, least Little Hawk come on this thread and go "Tsk! Tsk!" at me, as he is wont to do whenever I call things by their right names.

I first saw Pete Seeger in concert in Seattle in 1954 (the year, according to what you have said, when you were born). He was on the Blacklist at the time, but he was sponsored by the newly formed Pacific Northwest Folklore Society. We sponsored the concert, not because Pete was a political figure, but because he was an excellent and knowledgeable singer of folk songs, and we wanted to hear him. The concert was held off-campus and he had a relatively small audience of 90 people. He sang for over two hours, and during that time, he sang maybe three songs that might be construed as having political overtones, but he put all three of them into their historical context.

It was NOT a political rally.

We had a party after the concert, during which we got a chance to meet and talk with him. Pete didn't talk about politics at all. And during the party, he was friendly, outgoing, and generous. In fact, toward the end of the party we sat around cross-legged on the living room floor (Pete too!) while he showed me and a couple other people some tricky guitar licks!

I saw him several more times, and the same thing pertains. None of his concerts were what anyone could call "political rallies." This, despite the fact that there were a lot of men in grey suits and red neckties sitting around listening grimly, and neither smiling nor laughing even when Pete sang about the "Foolish Frog" and "The Cumberland Mountain Bear Chase."

As far as this forum being dominated by "liberals," if you seriously believe that, you haven't been reading many threads. Certainly not very carefully. Besides, due to the nature of the forum and the fact that it is essentially an unmoderated "free-for-all," the idea that it is "dominated" by any particular viewpoint is just plain foolish. In fact, there have been quite a number of contributors from the UK who are pretty obviously associated with the BNP, although they won't admit it.

And I'm just a bit suspicious about you, considering that your main thrust has been to insist on tolerance for fascists.

Assuming that you are not a member of such an organization or movement, but are just ignorant and naïve, to get an idea of the kind of people in whose behalf you are speaking out, I suggest you see where that ideology can lead—and where it has led in fairly recent history; within the memories of many people still living.

Get yourself a copy of THIS book and read it cover to cover. Then you may not be so ignorant about what you are in favor of promoting. If you don't want to buy the book, your local library undoubtedly has a copy. It's pretty much the definitive work on the subject.

Also, contrive to get a copy of THIS. Warning: this book is not for the squeamish! It will show you World War II up close and personal! Get it. Read it. Look at the pictures.

If you have the guts!

Don Firth