The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same.
Here we are some 53 years after the Vietnam Conflict, (war was never formally declared by congress) and nothing has changed. The United States continually engages in armed conflicts without the approval of congress. Think back to when there were National Guard units sent to places like Chicago, Kent State University, and others, killing and wounding innocent American citizens for no reason other than they were exercising their right to freedom of speech and expression afforded under the 1st Amendment of our Constitution. There are songs from that era long ago that still ring true today. While some may not agree with this, the peaceful protests and opposition to that conflict and many since, had an impact on the political leaders. As a nation and world, I can only hope people will find ways to gather peacefully and let the political pundits know this is not acceptable.
One thought, perhaps we need to dust off the meaningful songs from the past and begin finding the way to move them into the streaming airways of today. One song that can easily have a couple words changed and it fits right into the headlines today is the song by Country Joe and the Fish at Woodstock in 1969. These are the lyrics with a few edits, and this is no attempt to take away or replace any copyrights from the artist:
“Well come on all of you big strong men, Uncle Sam needs your help again,
he got himself in a terrible jam, way over yonder in Iran,
put down your books and pick up a gun, we're gunna have a whole lotta fun.
CHORUS
and its 1,2,3 what are we fightin for?
don't ask me i don't give a damn, the next stop is in Iran,
and its 5,6,7 open up the pearly gates. Well there aint no time to wonder why...WHOPEE we're all gunna die.
now come on wall street don't be slow, why man this's war a-go-go,
there's plenty good money to be made, supplyin' the army with the tools of the trade,
just hope and pray that when they drop the bomb, they drop it in Iran and not the USA.
now come on mothers throughout the land, pack your boys off to Iran,
come on fathers don't hesitate, send your sons off before its too late,
be the first one on your block, to have your boy come home in a box
Songs such as:
“Vietnam Song” by Country Joe McDonald and the Fish: Country Joe & the Fish - VietNam Song - Live Woodstock 1969 - Full HD Video
“Eve of Destruction” by Barry McGuire: Eve Of Destruction
“Ohio” by Crosby Stills Nash and Young: Ohio (2017 Remaster)
“For What It’s Worth” by Buffalo Springfield: Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth (Official Audio)
*Please take a listen, the links are from the artists YouTube pages, so please like and subscribe to their page and support them when you listen to these.
I’m R. Simon Kent and that is My View from the Cheap Seats.
#Global Ideas Informed Voices
#Your Voice Our Conversation
#Ideas Beyond Borders
#Think Freely Speak Boldly
#No War
#Power to the People
Olympic Athletes: Why is a Gold Medal the only thing that seems to matter?
It is interesting to watch the very mixed emotions and reactions to the results at any Olympic event. The focus is always dedicated to the gold medal winners almost exclusively. This is contrary to the founding spirit of the Olympic Games. The amount of dedication, sacrifice, training, involved for every athlete just to meet the qualifying standard for any Olympic event is unimaginable to most people. That in and of itself, is an accomplishment that less than 1% of the athletes in the world will ever achieve. In countries like the US, Australia, Norway, Canada, Japan, etc where the budgets to identify and develop athletes are plentiful, I can’t help but have unbounded respect and admiration for athletes from smaller nations with little to zero public or national funds available to assist them in reaching their potential and dreams. In my mind, the accomplishments of those athletes is far greater than those who compete in world competitions and achieve the ultimate prize of victory. If you want to see examples of the true Olympic spirit, watch how fellow competitors who benefit from countries with resources that help them become elite of the elite when perhaps long after they have crossed the finish line, wait to support, sheer, encourage athletes from smaller nations achieve the biggest win of their lives, finishing an Olympic event. Watch how excited a gold medal winner in one event got for a fellow competitor who won a medal and celebrated that moment joyfully with that competitor. Let’s focus on more acts of sportsmanship like the coach of a competitor from another country giving a piece of equipment to his athlete’s competitor whose equipment broke in the middle of an event to help that athlete remain competitive. Isn’t this what human spirit, decency, and the true competitive nature of sport should stive to achieve? It’s the handshake with a competitor at the end of an event, it’s the words of encouragement from victor to a competitor to keep going, it’s the recognition of the shared sacrifices and friendships that are forged through competition that make the difference in people's lives. Let’s show that, let’s celebrate those, let’s be just as happy for every competitor, regardless of their result. At the end of the day, we are all members of the human race, and isn’t it better to help someone who may be a competitor or have an opposing viewpoint continue on or understand a different perspective to make the whole a better place to be?
I'm R. Simon Kent, and that is My View from the Cheap Seats.
#Global Ideas Informed Voices
#Your Voice Our Conversation
#Ideas Beyond Borders
#Think Freely Speak Boldly