Another Song of Freedom

Latest from Playing for Change...all I'm posting these days! Why not?!

One Love!

Remembering Kent State

Today, 4 May, is the anniversary of the shootings by Ohio National Guardsmen at Kent State University 40 years ago. I was in high school and remember when it happened, and Neil Young's song "Ohio" memorializing the event.

From Wikipedia:

The Kent State shootings – also known as the May 4 massacre or Kent State massacre – occurred at Kent State University in the city of Kent, Ohio, and involved the shooting of unarmed college students by members of the Ohio National Guard on Monday, May 4, 1970. The guardsmen fired 67 rounds over a period of 13 seconds, killing four students and wounding nine others, one of whom suffered permanent paralysis.

Some of the students who were shot had been protesting against the American invasion of Cambodia, which President Richard Nixon announced in a television address on April 30. Other students who were shot had been walking nearby or observing the protest from a distance.

I suggest looking at the accounts of what happened that day, before, and after. What was the response—by the media, other schools, the people.

Consider this: "On May 14, ten days after the Kent State shootings, two students were killed by police at the historically black Jackson State University under similar circumstances, but that event did not arouse the same nationwide attention as the Kent State shootings." (Wikipedia)

Is that just how it goes . . . how we are? With short attention spans. History has a singular purpose of informing the future. I would like to be informed. Not necessarily to carry an emotional situation forward, but to enhance my observation skills. Increase my "what to be on the look out for" abilities.

Kent State was tragic and the whole thing 40-years later has a dampening effect on an already rain-sky darkened day. I don't always have to feel good about the day I'm in.

Read also:
An analysis of Neil Young's song "Ohio"

On a treadmill at the gym is a good place to think

This morning, this was my thinking....

I am TIRED of hearing about health care reform, the bill, Democrats and Republicans, reconciliation, now deem and pass, but at the top of the list and beyond all other issues, about abortion relative to health care reform, Bart Stupak and his team, and I'm angry....that feeling of overheat in the solar plexus....that the potential and reality is that someone is assiduously working on legislation that would deny me and all of my gender the option of making my own decision on a personal issue. It rankles.

I have also been thinking about taxes, April 15th being now less than a month away. I have paid taxes in good faith in the past but I've lost faith and I no longer believe the government deserves my good faith offerings.

I found this:


(View the full page)

This is the government's view of the budget:


















I don't support the military...wait a minute! I do!

What am I going to do? I don't know, honestly. How do I be true to myself in these times? It is likely that those in government are either blinded by money or do really believe what they are doing is right for all of us (I'm not so sure they would feel it's right for them if they really were on the receiving or compliance end of their legislations), and the people decrying abortion I am sure feel they are being true to themselves in their efforts against it.

How do we all be true to ourselves, make our statements, stand our stands, and still live together peacefully?

Ghandi said: "I have so much to do today, I will have to meditate two hours instead of one."

I have too much to think about today. . .I'm going to meditate.

Peace All Over the World ~ Episode 23

A new year, a new decade....

Playing for Change ~ Band on Tour

They may be coming to a city near you. Support 'em. Make your own music!
~ anais

Playing For Change ~ Episode 17

Playing For Change ~ Episode 16

Support the music. Buy their CD—I did—it's great! Click here.

Tired of Being Serious :-((((

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Do you every get tired of being serious? OK...now I'm getting into this. I did a search . . . I found the book subtitle of which you see here. I don't know what it's about, and it was written in 1899, but it might be a remedy . . . for seriousness.

Yikes! And then I see that there are groups. This subtitle: Read true personal stories, chat, & get advice from a group of 12 people who all say 'I Am Tired of Being Deeply Serious All the Time'. Twelve people. Wow! I think I'm coming out of it.

Then I remembered that I sit in front of a Mac computer. I called up Photo Booth for a little introspection...or extrospection. It never fails me . . . Photo Booth and the banishment of seriousness. It just works. I record short videos. If I knew how to upload them here I might. Maybe you're thinking . . . spare me! Ah, but ye know not what ye (is that right) say.

How long did that take? We're on to something. Well . . . the whole internet is on to something!

Playing For Change ~ Tour Highlights

Laughing Yoga

This is wild!

Playing For Change ~ Rockin' Music Around the World

The website: http://www.playingforchange.com/news
Episodes: http://www.playingforchange.com/episodes

From the site:

A 57 minute version of our feature length documentary film, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music," is going to air nationally on PBS throughout August-- click here for the schedule! Over the course of this film, you will not only have the chance to see and hear new amazing performances from around the world, but you will also get to meet the musicians who make them so special.

Additional screenings are being scheduled by PBS daily, so for the most up to date listing check with your local station. We will also be updating the screening schedule linked above often-- this schedule is current as of July 30th right now.