 Cat
Stevens - Where Do The Children Play
A few years back, I wrote and recorded something for Yahoo forum called "Turn Your
Back On Bush" regarding some of the "culture shock" similarities of
the assassination of Pres. John F. Kennedy and the attacks of September 11,
2001. (See Also:  My Talks with John Fitzgerald Kennedy)
It seemed to me, at the time, given the variety of groups I was listening to and
chatting with, that I had the opportunity to bridge something of a generation gap between
some young people with good minds, a little disillusioned with the government, and an
older generation that had dealt with things like the Military Industrial Complex, war
profiteering, the draft, as well as veterans deserving the best care available, the
respect of the public and government, and so many other issues that people became aware of
back then, things the government was up to that truly marked the government's, not the
citizens', most marked slide down the slippery slope to corruption and corporate control
since the founding of this country, the United States.
When I broadcast my report about the assassination of Pres. Kennedy, I did it because
if there's anything I know that makes America great, it's never forgetting the heritage,
the struggles, the visions and goals as well as the aspirations we all share and have
shared as individuals and as a nation for more than 200 hundred years.
To forget that heritage in the face of "responding to the world that's coming at
you" is no different than Congress having a truth commission, and then calling it
"done", only to cover the lies and crimes that really happened because, as they
always say, "America can't take another scandal".
That's part of what I want to talk to you about. The United States, and many nations
and peoples, can not stand another scandal and expect to sustain the ideals of freedom and
liberty, as expressed in the founding of the United States, as well as in the Bible which
fully expresses the intent of God's will in this world, which is to provide a world of
liberty sourced by love, community, creative expression and true administration and
fulfillment of the needs of the people, animals, beings of all kinds, and the planet
itself.
You guys taught me a lot about that kind of stuff in a worldly way. In ways about what
it is to live life inside of a "reality" created by power structures and greedy
people, and in providing ways of thinking that altered our consciousness to that of more
equality. I believe that when I think of the conversations I've had with Viet Nam and Iraq
War vets, musicians and artists, feminists, ethnic groups living under conditions and
circumstances that I couldn't imagine having the fortitude to tolerate...
When I say "you guys", I want you to know who I'm talking to. Yes, I am
talking to women too. I'm talking to the people the Bible says are the ones who are
supposed to pass the heritage and mores of a culture, a society and a world on to younger
people, not to preserve "the old days", but so that young people understand what
was fought for, what is of true value and to understand the ways that leadership can get
off track, and what and how citizens must do to return nations, and cultures, back to its
rightful roots and ways.
In the case of a nation, it's up to the older generation to pass on what young people
need to know to understand what this nation was founded for and stands for, without the
perversions and distortions inflicted upon what is the real American Dream, altered for
the purposes of politicians and financiers, intentionally or not.
Let me put it this way: I was born in 1955. My brother (actually step-brother) is 9
years older than me. We shared a bedroom. He introduced me to groups like Chicago, Blood,
Sweat and Tears, Peter Paul and Mary, Led Zep, Judy Collins, Bread, he gave me my first
copy of Abbey Road and also got me a numbered copy of the White Album. We didn't talk
politics much.
But, even he was trying to teach me something. He claimed he was a pacifist. But he
constantly built intricate model boats, like the U.S.S. Constitution, and then put them in
the horse's water trough and threw firecrackers at them until they sank.
I'd always think, that's weird, going to all that trouble and expense to build
it, and then destroying it. It was only a month ago or so that I realized he was saying
the same thing about the U.S. military... in a way.
Nonetheless, the thing is, I was old enough to observe lots of things going on, but I
didn't understand them. Like Bob Dylan. I liked his music, but I didn't understand why he
was considered revolutionary. Knowing what I know now, I listened to this song last night.
Bob
Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues
When he used to say, don't trust anyone over thirty, I thought the age of thirty, not
the degree of Free Masonry. Maybe he was. Pres. John Kennedy wasn't though.
It's like this: when the moratorium came along, I was going to it because I thought it
was about calling an end to the protests for a while. Thank goodness someone took me aside
and explained it. I only came to understand the Gulf of Tonkin incident a couple of years
ago.
Do you understand what I'm saying? The same tactics the government used to get us into
Viet Nam and other wars have been used to get us into war with Iraq and Afghanistan and
more. It's not the soldiers' fault for being brave enough to put it on the line for their
country.
Since the same sort of thing was done to take us to war in Iraq an Afghanistan, I
thought it would be good to jog your memories so you'd realize it's happening all over
again, except at a much greater and more deadly level. It's your job to realize it and
explain it to others so they can put an end to it - again.
It's not about being hippies or activists or extremists. It's about people knowing the
truth. Remembering what it felt like back then when someone told you something that made
you realize what was really going on, despite what was being portrayed in the press.
Arlo
Guthrie - Pause of Mr Claus
Back in those days - in the 60's - I was living in Santa Cruz, where the hippie
movement actually began, before it became about drugs and sex. I understood a little about
why the people at Berkeley were upset, but I couldn't figure out why the "Peace
Guys" were causing so much violence. Why were they bombing the Bank of America, of
all things? And, why was the government being so harsh on draft resisters, especially
conscientious objectors, who were required to serve anyway in supporting positions?
I remember back in 1973, I became eligible for the draft. My number was 150. That meant
I would have been drafted, if the lottery had not been cancelled that year.
I figured I was 4-F, even though the Navy was trying to recruit me for the Armed Forces
Radio Network in Germany. I wanted to register as a conscientious objector, but the guy at
the draft board told me, for some reason, that it wouldn't be a good idea, and basically
wouldn't allow me to sign the paper work until I agreed with him. I figured since I was
4-F, it wouldn't matter anyway. And I had no idea what the government did to people who
opposed the war system.
It turns out, it was the right decision anyway because, as much as I dislike war, I do
believe there are times and causes worth fighting for. I simply pray there aren't good
reasons for it. But, in truth, it means that I am not qualified to be a real conscientious
objector as it is defined. And my only real objection was a fraudulent, illegal war in
South East Asia.
Still, to this day, I'd fight for my country and more... for good, honest reasons.
Grand
Funk Railroad - Good Singin Good Playin - 1976
I don't want to bring up bad memories, start a new hippie movement, stir up racial or
gender issues and I certainly don't want to encourage violence in the streets or
give certain governmental agencies an excuse to infiltrate and incriminate more people
than they did back then... and like they're doing now.
It might seem like bringing all this up would cause civil unrest and divisiveness
amongst all of us citizens. I want to assure you that what I want to do is remind all of
you, my older brothers and sisters, of how important it is for us to "never
forget" - never forget lots of things, the methods governments use to suppress
people, strip us of our liberties covertly as was done with the Patriot Act, and use
the media and pretty speeches full of promises they know they'll never keep in order to
later affirm their fixed elections and covert agendas.
I wish all this wasn't true History does repeat itself. It's not always just because of
the course of human events or errors made and lessons we can learn. Most often, people
benefit from other people's hardship and domination somehow.
The more things change, the more they remain the same. And that's why I'm challenging
you to be teachers, historians with young people. They need to know.
Just like we used to say, what kind of world will we leave them? Is
that what we really want to do to our children, after asking the question of our leaders
and elders? Was it - is it - really naive to think that we have a responsibility to leave
the world in better shape than when we came into it? Especially when it's possible, you
know it, even if you don't know what to do.
More importantly, we all need to wake up again and realize that the same people and
regimes that benefited long ago by MIC - Military Industrial Complex - concerns after the
Korean War are the same as those who seek to dominate the world through the military
auspices of NATO, primarily the forces of the United States at a cost borne by U.S.
Citizens, and the United Nations, which has for all intents and purposes been hijacked.
Most importantly, we all need to wake up again, look beyond the convenient headlines,
and start listening to people who know the truth and are willing to tell it, for the good
of those who will speak of you as a fool and a radical at first, and then as a citizen
standing in solidarity for the visions and liberty we were told were inalienable rights.
That we demand once again.
And it's time to let those who have corrupted our way of life that we will not tolerate
one more scandal.
And we're not talking about exposition of scandals. I mean, it's time to draw the line
in the sand and say, we will not allow you to get away with one more scandalous act.
It's time say, we, the citizens, own this nation, and we will no longer tolerate
vampires in our government, vampires controlling our economy and vampires sending people
to war and causing famine and nuclear contamination and massive death and destruction so
that the people who consider themselves kings, gods and idols can get richer and control
more people, as they play with our lives like we were nothing more than the pawns in a
game of monopoly.
Doobie
Brothers - Listen To The Music
So, I'm asking you to remember, I'm asking you to explain to young people what's being
lost, what's being given, how the government used us and lied to us back then, and how
it's the same as what's going on today.
The media and politicians often comment, and use to their advantage, the idea that
Americans have a short memory, and that even the most sociopathic and traitorous acts of
people in authority can be overcome by waiting a while, then "spinning" the
story or glossing it over, or simply ignore it altogether when the issues are brought up.
Let's prove to these history revisionists that our memories aren't so short after all.
And that despite the chemical weapons used against us, even the best paraquat won't harm
our memories that much.
Back in about 1972, I became a DJ at the High School I graduated from from, Arcata High
School, in Humboldt County California, the city that was the first to adopt an ordinance
against the Patriot Act (I'm proud to say), and I learned to communicate through music..
remember, that was back in the old days when DJ's got to pick and mix their own music.
When the music was the voice of a generation speaking in song, with many themes based
on God's will and expressing the values of Christianity.
So, I'm going to use the music, and some of my memories, to try to jog your memory into
remembering how important the truth is, and how important it is for young people, who will
inherit this mess, to know the truth, to see corruption when they see it, and how
important it is to tell those who have crossed the line
Tell the government:
We're not going to tolerate another scandal.
Phil
Collins - Testify - 04 - Don't Get Me Started
Furthermore, I want you to discover, as I have, that the best advice I
ever got was from the Doobie Brothers, to listen to the music, because there's a whole lot
of God's angels, servants, playing music with lyrics that, if you actually listen to them
in the perspective of world events and the ways of God, you'll hear and remember all the
things that are part of you, things that actually do make America great, and important
lessons that will renew your memory, vision and desire for the real American Dream, which
just happens to be the foundation for the Kingdom of God, which I'm certain you'll come to
understand more fully as time goes on.
But listen to the music, remember, and then share. Share what you know
about the Aesopian of songs like Subterranean Homesick Blues, the code talk or underlying
messages only people who are informed would understand. It's actually nothing secretive or
subversive, but it is like the Bible: once you understand the words and the context, it
tells a much different and bigger story than you thought existed.
Animals
- Sky Pilot I used to listen to this on the radio back in around 1968. I'd always
liked the Animals, and I liked this song, though I didn't really understand it. I thought
it was just about a chaplain blessing people before they went off to fight. And I never
heard this extended version back then. It startled me. I had no idea that these so called
"hippie" musicians - made out to look like a bunch of drug addicts and immoral
people - were actually singing songs about serving God and discussing ethical and moral
principles. I never thought of it like that.
Loggins
& Messina - House At Pooh Corner The first time I heard this, it was a video of
Woodstock. I always liked Loggins & Messina.. but there they are at Woodstock. An
interesting mix. If this is supposed to be a raucous hippie, peace protest kind of thing,
it's interesting that they're playing children's music. :}
Simon
& Garfunkel - Silent Night 7 o'clock News - I remember hearing this the first
time, at Christmas after it first came out, and all I could do is look down and feel sad.
These days, we call protestors in the streets of Tehran reformers and the government of
Iran oppressive, while the media of the United States calls legal protestors exercising
freedom of assembly an freedom of speech rights here potential homegrown terrorists,
anarchists, extremists and the government uses military weapons and batons to silence
them. Does anyone see the hypocrisy? Does it remind you of the 60's at all?
Crosby,
Stills, Nash & Young - Ohio - The quintessential example of using military
troops to patrol civilian populations, even if there is no intent to fire or attack, but
just as a show of force, against citizens legally exercising their constitutional rights
when the authority of the government is challenged. Let us never forget. After all, people
in the Obama administration were part of the government and intel agencies back then, too.
Janis
Joplin - Me and Bobby Mcgee With the way things are going, requiring payments in order
to be allowed to live, actual freedom will not exist.
Buffalo
Springfield - For What It's Worth I think everyone can identify with the idea of
looking around, seeing what's going on, being confused. It just doesn't make sense.
Edwin
Starr - War Edwin Starr died just before the Iraq War. I don't think any song ever
said it better, in a more direct and understandable way.
Melanie
- Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) - Capturing the essence of the community and values
who gathered together to speak and be heard with one voice
Leon
Russell - Leon Russell - 12 - Masters Of War (Old Masters) I'd never heard this until
2002 or so. I finally figured out what those hippies and Pres. Eisenhower were talking
about. Like John Denver said, "though I'd be a poorer man if I'd never seen an eagle
fly"... was it a bird, or a jet fighter?
Tom
Clay - What the World Needs Now - Remember this? This song was as much about healing
and grieving as it was about honoring great people. Why do the good die young?
Temptations
- Ball Of Confusion - The Tower of Babble continues to confuse us into acquiescence.
Someday, I'll tell you why this song is incredibly relevant now... after I see the
dentist.. again.. somewhere.. if the Department of Homeland Security will allow it.
Marvin
Gaye - What's Going On The first time I heard this album, I thought it was great. One
of my sisters, 6 years older than me, got up crying, left and went home when "Who
Will Save The Children" came on. I didn't understand what was going on at all.
Paul
Hardcastle - 19 How the government "spends" our young people and nations.
Rico
Youngblood - Alternative Anthems - 10 - Mr Eisenhower A guy from back in my hometown
of Santa Cruz has an album out.. vheck him out. He gave me this CD in 2008 (7)? at the
Alternative Media Conference in Santa Cruz, which I was proud to attend.
Prince
- Musicology - 11 - Dear Mr Man I've written so many letters to Congress and more. All
that seems to happen is that my psyops and surveillance get worse. Tell me THAT doesn't
sound like the 60's.
Cat
Stevens - Father & Son Someday, I hope to find out what this song means to Cat
Stevens. I first heard it back in 1972, sitting on the stage of Arcata High School with
Cara Lee Barnes, wondering what this song meant. Now, for me it's more like a song
explaining what I need to know now to understand why there are things I need to do,
situations I must face, and the scope of their importance, even though I didn't understand
why long ago. Now, it's like having gotten a letter from my father, some 40 years after
his death, that arrived exactly when He wanted it delivered and proving once again that
His mysterious ways somehow work. And it was important for me to know these things. My
apologies to him: He was banned form the U.S. after I featured Peace Train as a theme song
for the site. I'll explain that to him later.
These 3 songs changed my perspective a great deal.
John
Lennon - Working Class Hero
Jackson
Browne - Naked Ride Home - 03 - Casino Nation
Pink
Floyd - Delicate Sound of Thunder (Dis - 07 - On the Turning Away
Forget the names, forget the faces, consider the messages.
Michael
Jackson - Earth Song
Joni
Mitchell - Woodstock
Beatles
- Revolution 9
Thunderclap
Newman - Something In The Air
Santana
Featuring Eric Clapton - The Calling
Ambrosia
- Make Us All Aware
George
Harrison - Brainwashed - 12 - Brainwashed
Crosby,
Stills, Nash & Young - Teach Your Children
Tower
Of Power - Bump City - 09 - Of The Earth
James
Taylor - Flag - 01 - Company Man
Ambrosia
- Somewhere I've Never Traveled - Harvey
James
Taylor - October Road - 03 - On The 4th Of July
A Changed Subject
Billy
Preston - That's the Way God Planned It - Every once in a while you meet someone
with an aura or a charisma, and you can't quite put your finger on it. I'm convinced Billy
Preston was an angel. He asked me if I'd ever heard of any of his Gospel music. I wasn't
aware he had any gospel albums. His hit single at the time, with Syreeta Wright, was Billy
Preston - Late At Night - 204 - With You I'm Born Again . This was before Ambrosia's
managers told me about how Christian rock artists had some songs with lyrics that could be
about worldy life, or about Christianity, depending on how you listened to the words.
About a year ago, I looked at all the albums I have of his, and realized that at least
half of his music is faith oriented. More proof that I just don't get left drift. But I'll
always remember him talking about the Beatles, saying "Yeah, we were real tight back
in '62. I was the fifth Beatle". After reviewing his work with them, from the
incredible synthesizer work on Abbey Road to his keyboard work on the Let It Be album and
"Get Back", it's easy to tell that, one way or another, he was. But all that's
another story.... I Talked To An Angel
Manfred
Mann's Earth Band - Angel Station - B04 - Resurrection (And no, I don't want to sue
the Pope, and we're not doing the socks)
Bob
Dylan - Slow Train Coming - 09 - When He Returns
Bee
Gees - Children of the World
Leon
Russell - Leon Russell - Prince Of Peace
Beatles
- Abbey Road CD - Come Together
Eric
Clapton - Change The World
Grand
Funk Railroad - I'm Your Captain
Sting
- Ten Summoner's Tales - 11 - Epilogue (Nothing 'Bout Me) Back when the Police came
out with their first album, I laughed alot about the fact that it was Sting and the Police
on IRS Records... now I listen to this cut, and consider it a composite profile of myself
and some things some bad people are up to. You have no idea how true this song is for me.
After listening to some of their other songs, now knowing Stewart Copeland's dad was in
the OSS, Gordon Lightfoot's song Sundown
which also relates to that talk I put together for the Turn Your Back on Bush forum... I
can't help but wonder if it might have had something to do with why the A&M AR
department called 15 minutes before their press conference to tell me I was no longer
invited. A&M has always been so nice to me, before and since.
Jewel
- Pieces of You - 14 - Amen Imagine showing up for a party and nobody believes you
were invited - at your own house.
Crosby,
Stills, Nash & Young - Deja Vu But the circumstances seem very familiar...
Todd
Rundgren - Adventures In Utopia - Caravan I was thinking about leading a caravan
across the United States to the reflecting pool but decided to wait until some people
started talking to me before making any big plans :} I like Moses a lot. I understand why
God does too.
What God had in mind
Marvin
Gaye - What's Going On - 10 - God Is Love
Elton
John - Love Song
What To Do, Now That You Know
James
Taylor - October Road - 04 - Whenever You're Ready
Charles Rehn - In the
End
Staple
Singers - Respect Yourself
Rod
Stewart - People Get Ready
Seals
and Crofts - The Longest Road - A05 - One Planet, One People Please
Bruce
Hornsby & the Range - Scenes From the South Side - B03 - Defenders of the Flag
Earth,
Wind & Fire - In The Name Of Love - 06 - Revolution
Various
artists - Hold Your Ground - Vol. 1 - 06 - Bill Bourne - The House
Daniel
Nahmod - One Power - 01 - One Power
Coming Soon: Brand New Day
Anne
Murray - A Love Song I remember back when Obama and the DNC were about to do the
convention in Denver, and Focus on Family prayed for a "Rain of Biblical
proportions". I write to them and offered to attend, since the German way to
pronounce my name is "rain". I'd been trying to figure out how to work an
Anne Murray song into what I was saying, and came across this song. I just couldn't
resist, given that the American pronunciation of my last name is like "wren".
Donovan
- Hurdy Gurdy Man
Kenny
Loggins - It's About Time - 01 - It's About Time
Bonus Tracks:
Barry
McGuire - Eve Of Destruction
Arlo
Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant
Iron
Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Vida_single
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