- Jul 20, 2016
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It was 1971, and I was a college freshman when this song came out. It was different from the grittier rock-n-roll songs of the era - maybe a poignant remembering or a fond farewell to hopes and dreams of a generation. I did not get those meanings at the time, but I do now.
We grew up riding bikes, climbing trees, going to football games, and performing in the drill-team squad. The music was great and not so fettered as now. We also lived with school drills in case of nuclear attack, Cuban Missile Crises, assassinations, riots (in other cities), and protests against the Viet Nam war. When the war ended, nothing changed, and we went on to jobs and raising families. Even in my mainstream life, I still retained my rebel status. I managed Ok because I was smart and people needed me, plus I could always make people laugh.
Last night I watched a program about how this song was made, and even 50 years later, it continues to be a world-wide favorite. As clips of the song played, I found myself enveloped in a melancholy over events of the past few years. It was as if we are saying goodbye again - this time to decent education, healing medicine versus pills and surgery, honest leaders, free and fair elections - well, the list goes on. Tulsi Gabbard summed it up well in this comment in an interview with Jessie Watters last night. Gabbard on Fox News
While I've seen this coming for awhile, I think the melancholy was more than just my own feelings, but perhaps that of a larger group of people. So much info clearly identifying the insanity of our federal government and hidden supporters has been floating around, but yesterday's raid on Trump's home was in everyone's face. The events of the past two years feel as though they are coming to a bottleneck, and it is too much to ignore. In a way, it is like the day the music died - something we counted on now is gone.
What now? For the people who continue discovering info and sharing it, I give you my greatest thanks and admiration - truly a job being well done. For others, I share that irrepressible sense of hope and knowing true north. Listen to the song and think that while we may be saying goodbye to old beliefs and ideas, we also are able to say hello to new ones.
For myself, I'm still smart and can make you laugh. Right now my trusty companion says it is time for some of the important things in life like a treat and big stretches.
We grew up riding bikes, climbing trees, going to football games, and performing in the drill-team squad. The music was great and not so fettered as now. We also lived with school drills in case of nuclear attack, Cuban Missile Crises, assassinations, riots (in other cities), and protests against the Viet Nam war. When the war ended, nothing changed, and we went on to jobs and raising families. Even in my mainstream life, I still retained my rebel status. I managed Ok because I was smart and people needed me, plus I could always make people laugh.
Last night I watched a program about how this song was made, and even 50 years later, it continues to be a world-wide favorite. As clips of the song played, I found myself enveloped in a melancholy over events of the past few years. It was as if we are saying goodbye again - this time to decent education, healing medicine versus pills and surgery, honest leaders, free and fair elections - well, the list goes on. Tulsi Gabbard summed it up well in this comment in an interview with Jessie Watters last night. Gabbard on Fox News
I think we are seeing some of the outrage coming from people across the country, regardless of their political persuasion and I hope that those who aren't paying attention do take notice because if you think this is just about Trump, you're wrong. This is about every single one of us as Americans, and this precedent that's being set of an abuse of power that's not even being hidden anymore. I think it maybe was happening behind the curtains or maybe denying it was happening. It is out in the open in broad daylight, blatant abuse of power, targeting political opponents, targeting those who dare to dissent, and attacking our most fundamental constitutional rights and freedom.
So, don't think this is about somebody else. Don't think this is about just people of one, you know, political persuasion. This is about every one of us as Americans and protecting our rights and freedoms.
While I've seen this coming for awhile, I think the melancholy was more than just my own feelings, but perhaps that of a larger group of people. So much info clearly identifying the insanity of our federal government and hidden supporters has been floating around, but yesterday's raid on Trump's home was in everyone's face. The events of the past two years feel as though they are coming to a bottleneck, and it is too much to ignore. In a way, it is like the day the music died - something we counted on now is gone.
What now? For the people who continue discovering info and sharing it, I give you my greatest thanks and admiration - truly a job being well done. For others, I share that irrepressible sense of hope and knowing true north. Listen to the song and think that while we may be saying goodbye to old beliefs and ideas, we also are able to say hello to new ones.
For myself, I'm still smart and can make you laugh. Right now my trusty companion says it is time for some of the important things in life like a treat and big stretches.
