But if I really say it, the radio won't play it
Sorry to hear about Edwards, also.
I wonder how much the endorsement of Obama as another Jack Kennedy is going to help. In 1964, the memory of JFK may have been as a saint, but over the years we learned of his recklessness and deceptions over Cuba, his attempts to assassinate foreign leaders, his womanizing. Maybe among people who don't read, this endorsement will help.
I live in New York, so there would be little point in going to the polls to vote for anyone other than Hillary Clinton, even if a viable alternative existed.
What you say about Obama is very true and more of the Kool-Aid drinking dreamers need to pay attention. It takes more than Audacity to Hope that Obama will bring real change to Washington - it requires a naive denial of the facts.
We are going to get the same "choice" we always get: a reactionary wacko vs. a DLC enabler of the reactionary wackos; a neo-fascist criminal who is honest about his policy positions vs. a spineless corporate conservative who is dishonest about his/her policy positions. The American people are going to lose again.
We may not be in the post-racism era that some pundits claim to see in the Obama candidacy, but we most certainly are in a post-democracy era.
Despite wishing he would go away, I am saddened by this.
As I mentioned to you elsewhere, Avedon, I had high hopes for Edwards in 2004. There was something about this campaign that turned me off.
The tide in this country is turning, as I pointed out in my blog piece today. We're heading into a progressive era, and I hope Edwards can be a big part of it.
I wish him, and especially Elizabeth, well.
The tide in this country is turning, as I pointed out in my blog piece today. We're heading into a progressive era, and I hope Edwards can be a big part of it.
The problem, Actor212, is that I'm not sure Obama can be a part of it.
But then, it's up to you, not him, to really lead.
I remember that day in 1963 also. I was teaching 7th grade in deep SE Texas. The principal came on the PA to announce the death of the President and most of the kids in my third period math class stood up and cheered. This school district was made up of children of white- and blue-collar workers in the local chemical plants. It was also totally Caucasian; there were no black or latino students in the whole school district.
Texas voted mostly Democratic at that time but it was very conservative. The advent of the Great Society with its racial and voting equality pushed these people into the welcoming arms of the Nixon Republican party.
Really good post, Avedon. Now with Edwards out, I don't know what I'll do. This takes a lot of consideration. I was hoping Edwards would stay in as a counterforce to Clinton and Obama.
Agreed... can we still vote for Gore.
The linkage that Edwards failed to make wasn't just with the Other/minority public I fear, but with the element GoPervs got to - grass roots. I watch the winger churches out here in N.TX calling everyone they know, then go out and drive people to polls in their buses, and I'm afraid we need progressives to get that deep into the real work of GOTV. There's so much negative we can count on being thrown at Dem candidates, we have to be the counterpunch.
Edward's retiring from the campaign is like a kick to the balls. I shant be smiling any more today.
A unique generation, we who came politically aware that day - I on an Army base in (on?) Iceland, having shaken his hand but a year or so earlier. Long memories, we have.
Neither Clinton, nor Obama, are JFK. I stand by my contention, if that's the best to be offered we are well and truly screwed.
Great headline, by the way.
I _so_ miss the Mamas and the Papas.
And optimism.
Suzie Madrak linked to this a couple days ago, and reminded me once again of how dark and fearful and angry our days have become.
But the darkest hour ...
It's all pretty inane. I've developed an increasingly strong preference for Obama in this race, but there's no gaping substantive void between them policywise.
Exactly!
I wonder if I can still vote for Gore....
My current dearest wish ... but only if he's the Dem nom; I'm damn-sure not going to vote for him as a third party and give the presidency to the Repugnicans once again.
Democrats will line up behind yet another corporatist stooge. Why is this year any different?
Thanks for expressing this so well. The more I learn about Obama, the more disappointed I am.
I fear the trigger for this is Elizabeth Edwards' failing health. Edwards had announced a big ad buy just a day or two ago.
A crushing day.
Hey! That's Peter, Paul, & Mary!
But then, it's up to you, not him, to really lead.
That's it - this is the holy grail of change.
Peter Paul and Mary
Originally, I'm sure you're right.
But being just a shade too young to have been a real folkie (remember "hootenanies"?) I first heard it as a Mamas and Papas radio top-40 hit in 1967.
Urgh. I am so wrong.
Peter Paul and Mary it is.
The Mamas and the Papas are commended in the lyrics.
Screw 'em all. I'll vote for Edwards anyway, just to send a clear message; then caucus with the Obama folks, who in Milwaukee are more progressive than the Clinton camp.
Good Kennedy or bad Kennedy, which will Obama be.
Kennedy disliked philosophy and ideology. Instead he prided himself on being a pragmatist. Unfortunately without underling ideology pragmatism becomes its own ideology.
I think that's what led Kennedy to make so many disastrous policy decisions.
Obama's tendency to use rightwing talking points, his failure to specifically address big L Liberal issues, and his praise of Reagan and Reaganism.
All that leads me to believe that Obama doesn't have a strong ideological underpinning.
It's politics before policy and policy before ideology.
It is important to have a working relationship with the opposition. But if our starting ground is accommodation, then the half a loaf we end up with is closer to a heel.
Clinton sadly seems to be almost as bad. But almost isn't same as.
She seems to be more policy centric, rather than politically centered. That brings her a step closer to philosophical Liberalism.
Liberalism works because we stand on solid ground. The further we get from that ground the less successful we will be.
Geez reading that back I sound like an awful wind bag.
What we can do is to carry on his mission. Reach out to the poor, the marginalized, the ill and the lonely.
That can go viral and change the world, despite all the naysayers and assholes and sellouts.
It's the only way forward for me, no matter who we get as president. John and Elizabeth would have been wonderful and secondbest will not be enough, so it's back to being the change I seek, as its been throughout my adult life.
Street aricle - quite the commentary. I guess that it may be a "Hold Your Nose Time Again"
Sad!
No - that wasn't Peter Paul and Mary - that was the Youngbloods (1967) (Also covered by Kingston Trio, Jefferson Airplane, Wee Five - no PPM cover that I'm aware)
g-g-g-g-Google!
http://www.peterpaulandmary.com/...music/08-
07.htm
I dig Rock and Roll music
I could really get it on in that scene.
I think I could say somethin' if you know what I mean
But if I really say it, the radio won't play it
Unless I lay it between the lines!
You know, I can understand the confusion with the Mamas and the Papas, because that verse is the one that pastiches them - and sounds like a perfect reproduction of their sound (better than the Donovan verse), but it was definitely PP&M who had the hit. Paul Stookey is, after all, one of the composers.
Well, either of them is better than McCain, let alone the other Republicans. Still, unless Edwards name is still on the primary ballot, I may not vote in the Presidential primary. Long-term I think we'd better be prepared for lots more of the same, though perhaps a bit saner. (I hope. Obama can't be...perhaps Obama is another Reagan.)
This does of course mean those with no preference between Clinton and Obama could cross the aisle and vote in the Republican primary for a spoiler.
I personally would love to see Huckabee with enough delegates to totally fuck up the convention. I'd be delirious if he got the nomination.
Whoops - my bad - I thought we were talking about the "Get Together" link.
I'm a huge Album 1700 fan.
I'm crushed about it, but knew it was coming--the media is most to blame, i feel.
I'm voting for him proudly on Tues anyway, and then for whoever is the nominee in Nov--i don't love either Hill or Obama but if you put a gun to my head i'd go Hillary--she's a fighter at least.
I agree with amberglow. For all of you who point out every wart & mole on both of the remaining Democratic contenders: which of the Rethuglicans are you going to vote for? It is up to us to push whichever Dem wins in the direction of a progressive democracy that will purge our nation of the stench brought on by the BFEE and mark a return to the ideals of the architects of the experiment that is America. We get the leaders that we deserve and it is time for us to demand the best of those we choose.
Jimp, it isn't warts and moles. Hilary Clinton is a conservative; Obama has made some conservative votes. I think we have to prepare for a Democratic president who will act like the current Democratic Congress.
Jimp: It is still the primaries, we're allowed to pick on our own guys.
Doesn't mean we'll abandon the side during the general.
I do see people claiming they'll sit out if Hillary or Obama get the nomination but I think they're in a tiny minority.
we'll all come out in Nov for whoever it is no matter what--the stakes are way way too high. a
It's just that now we know that the possibilities for good change have been greatly constrained--at a time when the majority of the country needs it desperately.
re: Paul Street's "Obama thing is an illusion":
sigh... nothing new there AFAIC. I fear Obama's deluded by his own self-image, w/not much else of substance that I've seen.
Bill's speaking @ UNM here today, gon'a go take a look-see just for old time's sake.
At this stage, my overriding sentiment is... what a mess.
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