WALSTIB

Growing up, I heard Truckin' and Casey Jones on the radio along with all the other rock songs, and while the Grateful Dead stood out as something different, I didn't really get into them until college.  Our dorm's music room had lots of their records, and a guy in the dorm was a Deadhead and let me copy his tapes (which I put on blanks I got from my job thanks to an awesome boss...) Finally went to a show with one of my best friends from high school, and things took off from there.

Their songs span many American musical styles- rock, country, blues, bluegrass, jazz.  They cover many songs from all those styles, and have too many originals to count (well, I know some obsessed Deadhead has counted them...)  Their lyrics are often great examples of the storyteller's art.  They let fans record their shows from the start.  They did things their own way, in music, the music business, and life.  Their music was the soundtrack to long sections of my life, and I still listen sometimes (not almost continuously as I used to, but I'm glad there's a Dead channel on satellite radio.)  Here are a few of my favorites.  There are too many to pick from, but these always make me smile and dance.

China Cat Sunflower--->I Know You Rider
An archetype: a Dead original, with psychedelic lyrics, that segues into a folk song.



Scarlet Begonias
Perhaps my favorite Dead song, though Liberty is in a dead heat with it.  Love the lyrics:
Once in a while
you can get shown the light
in the strangest of places
if you look at it right



Tennessee Jed
I would love it just for this one verse:
I ran into Charley Phogg
He blacked my eye and he kicked my dog
My dog he turned to me and he said
Let's head back to Tennessee, Jed



Liberty
One of their last songs; I love the lyrics and attitude.
If I was the sun, I'd look for shade
If I was a bed, I would stay unmade
If I was a river I'd run uphill
If you call me you know I will

What do you respect?

As you, and many people I know, have probably noticed, I don't tolerate stupidity very well, or very long.  In general I'm a quiet person.  But the older I get, the less I put up with shit that is just wrong.  I enjoy discussions with people who have different views, and often learn a lot from them.  But start talking crap, or sharing opinions based on fairytales, and I will quickly correct you.

I read this essay the other day.  On the whole, it's a good essay.  I should probably be pointing out all the things I like about it.  But it ran in my local paper under the headline "Gay Marriage: Both Sides Deserve Respect."  And when I got about 2/3 of the way through it, I ran into something that stopped me in my tracks: "...the large majority of Americans believe that their view [for or against gay marriage] is or would be good for individuals and good for society."

Okay.  I'm sure that's true.  And my response is one I've said before, and pissed people off: So what?  So what if opponents of gay marriage think their views are good for individuals, society, the country?  Barone is saying we should respect opposing viewpoints.  And I do- when they're respectable, when they're reasonable.  A belief based on fear, misinformation, and a desire to impose your views on others is wrong, strongly held or not. 

Don't like gay marriage?  Don't marry in your own gender.  This is America.  We cherish our freedom.  Live your life as you want to live it... And let others live their lives, as they want to live them.  As long as no one gets hurt, stay out of the way.  You think your view is good for the country?  Fine.  Think that.  You're wrong, and you shouldn't try to impose your will on others, but go ahead and think it.  I'm sure the KKK thinks its views are best for America.  And again, so what?  Does that mean they get to have their way?

There are two sides (at least) to every story.  And there are plenty of shades of grey in every situation.  But there is, in the end, a right way to deal with gay marriage, and a wrong way.  The sooner we can get to a place where everyone is allowed to love who they want, the better.  It boggles my mind how the "family values" crowd is so opposed to accepting loving families.  They're the ones who should be supporting families, of all types.  And yet they're doing their level best to destroy families, and keep new ones from forming.  Not so long ago, some of them were driving out gay members of their own family (thankfully, that seems a lot less common nowadays.)

If you're a real American, you'll support other peoples' rights and freedoms.  Or, you can insist on imposing your narrow-assed views on others.  Guess which one I'll respect?


Further reading:


Some Republicans have guts

Some thoughts about Portman's "coming out"

This one ties marriage and abortion; the last couple of paragraphs are what grabbed me

A long but great article.  Man, Republicans are obsessed with sex!

F-ed in the head

I think about sex all the time.  But I spend no time thinking about other peoples' sex lives.   Gay or straight, I don't want to know, and don't care.   But apparently Republican politicians have an obsession with what other people are doing in their bedrooms.  Gay sex, heterosexual intercourse, whatever. Oh, I know that's not all they think about.  But it is obvious that they think what other people do in private is important to the future of the country.  I'm not even talking about gay rights, etc.- these folks care about the intimate details of what we're doing!  Really.  It's kinda kinky.

I'm not a Democrat, but I'm definitely not a Republican.  And when I step back and look at the two parties, though I see Democrats doing goofy stuff sometimes, I don't see them obsessing about- and legislating about!- what other people do in bed.



Suggested reading

So What?

In high school, I wrote a paper that didn't really say much relevant or worthwhile about the poem or story (hey, I can't remember the topic, it's been awhile...)  My beloved English teacher said "Don't write a so-what paper."  In other words, say something important.

Much later, I had a long, drawn-out argument about Prohibition with someone whose Puritan, narrow-minded views informed him that no one should ever drink.  It was actually a good discussion, continuing over weeks or months, covering history, sociology, etc.  After we had worn out our intellectual arguments, he said something like "well, I guess it's just that everyone I've known who drank was a slimeball, beat their kids, whatever."  I said "so what?"  I didn't mean it personally, that his opinion didn't count, though he took it that way.  I meant why does his opinion of what he does or doesn't like have to apply to everyone; why should his views affect law, public policy?  This is America.  That's his view.  He's free to not drink, free to assume anyone who does is a lush, whatever.  But it's not relevant to the law.

The basic argument against gay marriage seems to be "But I don't like it."  So.  What?  They seem to be making arguments that it's tradition, that gays can't have kids "naturally."  So what?  Not to dismiss their opinion.  But why should the restrictive rules they live by apply to everybody else?  It's America.  Remember America?  Freedom?  Pursuit of happiness?  There's plenty I don't like.  As long as it doesn't hurt me, or you, so what?

Moral Support

I'm getting nostalgic.  A few years ago, there were bumper stickers everywhere saying "Support the troops- support the president."  Why aren't there now?  Why, when we're at war, is it okay to not support the president?  It was essential to before, right?  It was treasonous not to, apparently. Why is it not treasonous now?  Why is undermining the president okay?  Is it okay to hurt America that way?  Does anybody out there even know what America is anymore?

Which leads me to: The person who waves the flag the most is probably the least patriotic.  A person who is loud about his patriotism is probably not really a patriot.  It's kinda like "Honest Ed's Used Cars."  If you have to point out how honest you are, mayyybeeee you're kinda shady.  Or "cheese food."  If you have to work that hard to convince me it's edible...

There is a group of people in this country that is un-American.  They don't understand our history, they only care about themselves, they aren't very smart.

They're called conservatives.  Oh, all right, they are a subset of conservatives; a loud minority, growing all the time.  Hey, I'm conservative about plenty of things, and have intelligent conservative friends.  But more and more, conservatism seems to stand for "I don't like any of that!" and "Everyone should be like me!" and "It wasn't like that when I was a kid."  "This is Murricuh."

They think of themselves as true Americans, when they don't even have a clue what America is about.  Oh, they'll say they love the Constitution, but they only focus on the parts that support them.  They like the Founders, without knowing anything about them.  They proudly fly their flag, and wave it in your face, without respecting the principles it stands for.  They're not patriots, even if they call themselves that. They are fools; and what's more, they are proud to be fools.  Don't want to hear anything that doesn't fit with their beliefs; don't want to think about things too much.  It makes their brains hurt!

There are plenty of conservatives who actually think about things.  I might disagree with those thinkers (I might even agree with them.)  But at least they have some idea what they are talking about.  The Loud Minority, Silly Party, Teabaggers, whatever you call them, seem to have a basic lack of knowledge, and be proud of it.  They are unaware of the history of our country (though they cite little bits of it that support their agenda, without understanding it.)  Unaware of science, economics, and in the end human decency.

If you start from ignorance, willful or otherwise, you ultimately end up with bad decisions.  It's willful ignorance, willful misinterpretation, not even trying to think about what someone says.  You get it on both sides, but Republicans are better at 'righteous anger,' whether they're correct or not.

And what are they 'righteous' about?  Nasty things.  They want to do what they themselves want, but not let others do what they want.  And that contradicts a core American principle: to be free to do what you want, as long as it doesn't intrude on others' freedoms.  It's also a Christian principle: Treat others as you would have them treat you.  But despite these folks' avowed religiosity and morality, they don't seem to follow their own credo.  They really don't seem to know what America is about.  Don't wanna date someone different than yourself?  Fine, don't.  Don't like gay marriage?  Fine, don't marry someone of your own gender.  But it's not your  business if someone else does.  And if you're a real American, you will support others' rights and freedoms, not impose your narrow views on everyone.

People say "I should be able to do whatever I want on my land."  Dump whatever.  That's fine- until it runs into the creek other people use.  Then it becomes a public issue.  Back to the core principle.  Let me do what I want, and you can do whatever you want- until it hurts me.

There's more to it, of course.  We should have as much freedom as possible, without stepping on the freedom of others.  And we should try to make America even better.  I keep hearing people say "why should I pay for your health care?"  Hmm.  Why should I pay school taxes when I don't have kids?  Why should I pay for your mortgage deduction?  Why should I pay for Medicaid, or Medicare, for your parents?  Why should I pay for a war if I don't support it?  Heck, why should I pay for the fire department or the police if I haven't had a fire or break-in?

The point, of course, is that we pay for these things because they're good for society, for the country.  And we can talk about whether a certain bill is a good thing, should talk about it.  But to say "I shouldn't have to pay for what I don't like" is ridiculous.  And incredibly selfish. And probably un-American.

You know what?  Do what's best for your country.  Not just what's best for you.  Be an American, be a good American.  Support the country, not just your own political party.  Be a real patriot.  Not a Tea Party one.  Not a flagwaving one.  Not a superficial, these colors don't run, blah blah blah patriot.  But a real one.  One who loves America, and what it stands for.  One who believes in its principles.  One who wants what's best for it.  Theocracy, hate, and stupidity were not what the founders wanted.

I want an America that at least tries to be fair and equal, and to help those who need it.  I hear people saying, essentially, that they are proud that they do not want to even try to make things fair, and do not want to help those in need.  Thanks for letting me know...  It's shows what kind of person you are, what you think charity is.

A relevant quote from Miss Mox who wants a country:
"...that includes ALL Americans, no matter what they believe, who they have relationships with, or what god they pray to. One that incorporates our differences as strengths instead of weaknesses. One that incorporates all that its citizens have to offer."

Our country has always been a polyglot nation, a mix of all sorts of people.  It's not the bucolic 1950s anymore- it never was.  We're a different country now, but the same too.  Let's move forward together.  Remembering the past, but leaving the worst of it behind.

Leaning Left

I'm a moderate.  A little left of center, but having some conservative positions.  (Anyone to the left of- hell, including- Ronald Reagan is now considered a socialist, of course, but I would say we're moderates.  And by the way- Obama is a moderate.  If you can't wrap your head around that, well, that's because your head is bloated with Rush's spewings...) I have a conflict.  On the one hand, I want to mediate between different groups, get some kind of agreement and compromise to keep the country moving forward.  On the other hand, I find it hard not to call out stupidity when I see it.  And yes, there are stupid liberals.  But the stupid conservatives are a lot louder lately, and a lot more stupid.  Really.  I'm all for "agree to disagree," but if you disagree about the mounting idiocy coming from the right, you're part of the problem.  And if you don't disavow them, I might assume you support them.  The Democrats disavowed the Weather Underground and other loonies.  So seriously, Republicans, conservatives: stand up to the loonies.

I don't want to tar all conservatives with the same brush.  There are plenty of decent conservatives (I'm taking names for a list; send some if you have any suggestions.)  But I need a way to refer to the idiots of the right.  I thought of Loud Minority (descendants, perhaps, of the 'Moral Majority'); very descriptive, but I want something better.

Anyway.  I do want, in some sense, to get people to understand each other.  But I am not going to put up with bullshit.  So, sometimes this blog is going to have a bit of a split personality.  Sometimes I'll be fairly reasonable, other times I will vent, reacting to topics that are on my mind.  You might have to read the whole blog, not just react to one post.  (So, you know, in other words: think!)

In other posts I'll rant and rave about the latest dumb shit.  But for now, I want to contribute constructively.  So here's my calm proposal for the week. I think the Republican party needs to split into its constituent parts.  One, let's call it the Sensible Party after a Monty Python skit, would encompass most fiscal conservatives, but the ones who actually have brains and human decency.  I wouldn't always agree with them, but I might on some issues, and at least we could discuss things rationally.

The rest of the Republicans (Tea Partiers, Rush and Glenn fans, et al) would become the Silly Party.  Batshit crazy fundamentalists like Bachmann.  People who can't think for themselves.  Racists, Neo-Nazis, and other royal assholes.

Decent Republicans need to step up.  Be calm and rational.  Call these idiots out.  And kick them out; or let them have the party and start a new one.  Do what it takes, for America.

What they deserve

I've been watching the Steubenville rape case from afar.  Well, not too far, since I'm in Ohio.

And I'm wondering: when did we start feeling sorry for stupid assholes?  These kids raped someone, bragged about it, posted it online, and then are supposedly victims?  I mean, there's plenty of blame to go around.  Who gets the most- their parents?  The coach who didn't report it?  Football fanatics who care more about the game than a rape?  TV news, for outing the victim? (Such responsible corporate citizens, standing up for what's right in America...) But these two jerks are the ones who are responsible.

No excuses: the girl couldn't say no, or yes.  If you think she's guilty, answer me this: If I was asleep, or passed out, would you think it's okay to rob me, or kill me?  It's open season?  No, these two have no one to blame but themselves for whatever happens to their "careers."  And their supporters should be ashamed of themselves.

Out of Time

Things have been pretty busy lately.  I have some ideas floating around in my head, but am having trouble finding the time and energy to get them on here.  So in the meantime, here are a few songs that have also been floating around in my head...  Most of them are very "of the moment;" they capture a sense of the time when they were made.

So, this one came up today, in a great Facebook comment.
Moon Unit Zappa- Valley Girl


This one, I don't know why I was thinking about it.
The Moody Blues- Legend of a Mind (Timothy Leary's Dead)


Very of its moment, but has some lines that resonate today-
Buffalo Springfield- For What It's Worth (Stop, Children, What's That Sound)

there's battle lines being drawn
nobody's right if everybody's wrong

singin' songs and carryin' signs
mostly say hurray for our side

paranoia strikes deep
into your life it will creep
it starts when you're always afraid




And one still of its time, but with a lot to say today.  It was originally about a relationship, I guess, but the lines that stick with me apply more to today's political climate.  Or maybe I just keep running into people who don't get the title...

Beatles- Think For Yourself 

Although your mind's opaque
Try thinking more if just for your own sake