What's The New Mary Jane?
Thoughts on the Anniversary of 24 Hours of Democracy
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We did it for a big tribe, because the communication is worldwide now.-- John Lennon
And whether you like it or not
-- , "Yangyang" |
by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Copyright © 1968 Apple Records. |
We got to stand side by side
We got to stand together and organize
They say power to the people
that's the way they're screamin'
Freedom of the soul
Pass it on, Pass it on to the young and old.
-- , "Straight Ahead"
What would America be like if we had somehow gone from the gray flannel Eisenhower-McCarthyite 50s to the three piece suit Reagan 80s without the intercedence of the Beat, Hippie, civil rights and anti-war movements? The result of such a time warp probably would have been a direct line without much resistance to fascism or even holocaust.
-- Allen Cohen, "Haight-Ashbury Additional Notes"
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free execrcise therof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
-- First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Bless the freeman, bless the slave,
Bless the hero in his grave,
Bless the soldier, bless the saint
Bless all those whose hearts grow faint.
-- Strawbs, "Benedictus" (Cousins)
Some kind of innocence is measured out in years.
You don't know what it's like to listen to your fears.
You can talk to me... If you're lonely you can talk to me.
-- Beatles, "Hey Bulldog" (Lennon/McCartney)[John Paul's favorite song.]
As we live a life of ease,
Everyone of us has all we need,
Sky of blue and sea of green,
In our yellow submarine.
-- Beatles, "Yellow Submarine" (Lennon/McCartney)[John Paul's other favorite song.]
I see people fighting for...
Freedom!
What you gonna do with your life?
-- Little Steven, "Freedom"
I have a lot to say
The most pornographic thing I've ever seen is a clearcut where there was once a forest habitat.The most indecent thing I know of is the hypocrisy of rich people who thrive on rampant growth and then donate to useless "conservation groups".
The most insane thing I know of is the War on the Poor and Destitute, which has criminalized the unemployed and put mental patients on our streets.
The most hallucinogenic scene I've ever experienced is the War on Drugs, especially marijuana.
The most undemocratic political race I've ever seen was the last race for U.S. President, in which the media ran the show and there were no real choices.
The most immoral practice I know of is the profit-taking from the prison industry and the jailing of drug addicts, while schools face budget cuts.
The most insensible work of government I know of is the effort to legislate what can or cannot be expressed on the Internet.
Fortunately it can't be enforced.
-- Tony Bove, 1997
Is the U.S. a democracy or a republic?
The United States of America is not necessarily a democracy. The U.S. is a republic, a constitutional form of government. It is up to the people either directly or through elected representatives to ensure democracy (a social condition of equality and respect for the individual within the community).As long as individuals or social groups are devalued, feel disempowered or disenfranchised to where they do not exercise their right to vote, those Political Action Committees that do lobby our elected representatives will continue to erode the rights of individuals while increasing the powers of the enemies of democracy.
-- Cheryl Rhodes, 1997
For our sons John Paul and Jimi Eric, and to all those who inherit the media we leave behind.
Don't forget to vote.
-- Frank Zappa
