Long Time Passing

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Pete Seeger

Born this day, May 3, 1919

Celebrates 90

(& Happy Birthday to Karen, who's a few years younger than Pete)

La La Means It All

In memory of Randy Cain of The Delfonics, who died last week.

"La La Means I Love You."

This was the music that introduced me to life.

Let's Just Abolish It

Via Quaker Dave, I learned that today is Abolition Day (no we're post-racial now, remember, so I'm not talking about that). It's International Death Penalty Abolition Day, as observed by the Citizens United for Alternatives to the Death Penalty:

March 1, International Death Penalty Abolition Day, marks the anniversary of the date in 1847 in which the State of Michigan officially became the first English-speaking territory in the world to abolish capital punishment. It is a day to remember the victims of violent crime and their survivors; it is a day to remember those killed by state sanctioned violence - guilty or not- and their survivors; and it is a day for intensified education and action for alternatives to the death penalty.

A recent example of the need to eliminate the death penalty is the Troy Davis case, which I've written about before. In Hold On, I wrote about the Georgia man who has been on death row for 17 years for the murder of a police officer. With compelling questions raised about his guilt or innocence, after the US Supreme Court declined to issue a stay, the Court of Appeals stayed the case shortly before he was scheduled to be executed. The case was argued before a three judge panel of the Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in December of 2008 and a decision whether to allow a new rounds of appeals on the question of Davis' innocence is still pending. Troy Davis Makes Case for New Round of Appeals.

Amnesty International has created a video in conjunction with Indie rock group State Radio about the case:



Unlike the Bishop of the Scranton Diocese, who is more interested in stifling dissent than promoting the Church's teachings (other than his pet projects), the Archbishop of Atlanta has been an outspoken advocate against the death penalty. Speaking before an audience at Emory University, Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory remarked:

“The Catholic moral tradition shows an unambiguous preference to preserve life even when the order of justice is threatened and the safety of innocent life is at stake. While acknowledging the moral and legal prerogative of the state to execute criminals in strictly limited circumstances, the church pleads for restraint in the exercise of that prerogative. The moral requirement to protect the innocent stands alongside the imperative to stem the cycle of violence that keeps individuals and communities enslaved to vengeance,” he told the rapt audience.

The archbishop noted that since the 1970s, when the death penalty was reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. bishops have issued statements against the death penalty at least four times.

* * * *

The late pontiff [John Paul II] claimed that the death penalty is “morally permissible only in those rare instances where it would not be possible otherwise to incarcerate someone safely and keep them from harming society.”

And today “such cases are very rare, if not practically non-existent,” Archbishop Gregory said.

Sounds pro-life to me.

Have a Heart

"Fidelity" from Courage Campaign.

Valentine's Day. The celebration of love. Couples.

Truth is, no matter how much we may "have," there's one thing that we all want more than anything -- love. Anyone who possesses a heart knows that.

That applies to us all.

And for a few more words on this issue, I think Mary Shaw expresses the sentiment at Love is love. Period. Deal with it..

For more information, see Courage Campaign.

The Inner City Blues

If Wall Street and the Banks could do it, why stop there? The big three are now asking for a handout too. Not the Big 3 automakers -- the Big 3 cities, that is. Yes, as The Huffington Post reports -- Phoenix, Philadelphia, Atlanta Mayors Want Share Of The Bailout:

Mayors of three cities hit hardest by the economic crisis -- Philadelphia, Atlanta and Phoenix -- asked the federal government Friday for a piece of the $700 billion bailout package, saying they need help just like financial institutions.

Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia said he wants "to make sure that cities and metro areas are at the table, that their voices are being heard, that our challenges and problems are well understood, so that we can get relief."

See also, Nutter visits D.C., seeking emergency federal aid for city. Of course, now the copycat states want in too. See States want their own federal financial bailout. Things are tough all over.

Or, as Jonathan Valania of Phawker explains it in words & music, MAYOR NUTTER: Buddy, Can You Spare A Billion?:

It's A New Day

From Yes We Can to We Are the Ones, Wil.i.am chronicled the Obama campaign through music.

It's a New Day celebrates the victory.

Yes We Can

By jove, I think we did it!

This is change we could believe in. Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States.

It's history. His story and our story.

And not only was this election historic because we elected the first president who is black, he was able to inspire so many people to make it happen. As the Politico notes, 2008 turnout shatters all records:

More than 130 million people turned out to vote Tuesday, the most ever to vote in a presidential election.

With ballots still being counted in some precincts into Wednesday morning, an estimated 64 percent of the electorate turned out, making 2008 the highest percentage turnout in generations.

In 2004, 122.3 million voted in what was then the highest recorded turnout in the contest between President George W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry.

For a long time now, we forgot we could. But it seems like, after all, Yes, We Can.

Take It Back

For the swing voters:



So we're takin' it back with Barack, Jack!

Can't Be Topped

I was definitely a child of the 60's. (Of course, some would say that I still am. My brother calls me a "dead hippie" because he says I've never given up my liberal views.)

I talked the talk, walked the walk -- and dressed appropriately. I was for love, peace and understanding. I marched against the war. And I wore flowers in my hair.

And the music was part of my life. I was not so much into hard or acid rock. My favorites were James Taylor, Simon & Garfunkel, Carly Simon, Joni Mitchell and Carole King. And then there was Motown and TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia). Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes. The Temptations, the Supremes, the Spinners, the Delfonics and, of course, the Four Tops. Songs that still fill my iPod today.

One of the great Motown crooners, Levi Stubbs, died yesterday. Four Tops Frontman Levi Stubbs Dies:

Four Tops frontman Levi Stubbs, whose dynamic and emotive voice drove such Motown classics as "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" and "Baby I Need Your Loving," died Friday at 72.

He had been ill recently and died in his sleep at the Detroit house he shared with his wife of 48 years, said Dana Meah, the wife of a grandson. The Wayne County medical examiner's office also confirmed the death.

With Stubbs in the lead, the Four Tops sold millions of records and performed for more than four decades without a change in personnel.

* * * *

Their biggest hits were recorded between 1964 and 1967 with the in-house songwriting and production team of Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland. Both 1965's "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" and 1966's "Reach Out" went to No. 1 on the Billboard pop chart.

Other hits included "Shake Me, Wake Me" (1966), "Bernadette" and "Standing in the Shadows of Love" (both 1967).

It's hard to know for sure, memories being what they are, but I wouldn't be surprised if Motown was my first interaction (such as it was) with blacks. At the time I grew up, my hometown of Scranton had a population of about 125,000 (vs. 75,000 today). However, there were probably only about 1,000 blacks (and most likely little or no other minorities).

The neighborhoods were divided by ethnic background and the reality was, there was not much mingling even among the Irish, Italian, German and other ethnic groups. In fact, it is often said that Sunday morning is the most segregated time in America. That was certainly true in Scranton, but not just with respect to race. My neighborhood, for example, was mostly Catholic, but each ethnic group had its own Church. I can recall the Irish Church, the Italian Church and even the Lithuanian Church (where I went to grade school) within a few blocks of my home. There were also the Protestant Churches, such as the Clinton family Church that was up the street from my house. In fact, during the primary, Jason Jones of the Daily Show satirized the pastor at the Clinton's Church as racist because there were no blacks who attended the Church.

The black population in Scranton was largely found on the outskirts of the downtown area. And even though I attended one of the two public high schools in town, there were probably no more than 1/2 dozen blacks in my entire high school (that may have had as many as 1,500 students at the time). My high school, Central, was considered the "college prep" school, and (not so) subtle segregation encouraged the black students to attend Scranton Tech.

So, I not only owe singers like Levi Stubbs for the best music of my generation, but for introducing my to another culture in the best positive way possible. After all, anyone who could sing with such soul was alright with me.

She's Back!

One of the LLWL Gang* had a mishap over the Labor Day holiday -- and ended up with a fractured ankle. Surgery with a metal plate and pins ensued, followed by an extended vacation. Some people can't talk and chew gum; others can't talk and walk the dog.

Well, all good things must end, and so our long, missing colleague is back today. I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with the fact that our masseuse is coming today (one of the perks of an all female office is our bi-weekly massage).

She claims that she has missed work greatly and won't be complaining about work for a while. We'll see. We're all betting that it lasts about 10 minutes.

This is in her honor:



* LLWL = Lady Lawyers Who Lunch a/k/a my officemates

I also picked this picture in honor of Quaker Dave's Friday Peace Blogging.

Coming Home

My husband is a major league Dodgers fan from way back, while my Philly born daughter is a diehard Phillies fan. So it's perfect timing that she's coming home from college this afternoon -- just in time for the first game of the National League Championship between the Phillies and the Dodgers, Everyone Seems To Be Getting Phillies Fever.

I know that the two of them will be doing a lot of trash talking before (during & after) the game tonight. This LATimes piece is a preview, Phillies fans: 10,000 reasons to be bitter:

You spend any time in this dingy city and around these folks, and pit bulls running wild come to mind.

Fine when leashed, but set them free, put a beer in their grubby paws and it's only a matter of time before they're going to go on the attack -- both the home team and its opponent feeling the bite.

It's an angry place, all right, everything old here in Philadelphia, crumbling and in ruin. Even the city's main attraction has a crack in it.

* * * *

But if a Philly crowd is so intimidating, as Bowa suggests, why do the Phillies lose here so often? A year ago, the Phillies became the first pro sports franchise in North American history to lose 10,000 games.

I may have to invest in ear plugs!

This is our daughter's Fall Holiday at school, so she's home for a long week-end, to visit old friends (and hopefully spend a few minutes with her parents too). It will be interesting to see the new her, after her first foray into the world.

Last night we had a preview of that as well. She called her father and me, wanting to express what each of us meant to her. She had attended, and was moved by, a Rachel's Challenge Program last night. The Program is named for Rachel Scott, who was killed in the shooting at Columbine. After her death, her father founded Rachel's Challenge, a program that promotes kindness and compassion.




John Legend, Live in Philadelphia, singing Coming Home

Today's the Day

Jonathan Valania of Phawker on the Concert for Change on the Parkway on Saturday, in words and music why we need change in order for this land to be our land once again.



Jonathan interviews the crowd on Change, with the music of Springsteen singing This Land is Your Land.

As Jonathan says, let's take it back.

Register to vote TODAY. For Pennsylvanians, today's the last day to register for the November election. Just do it.

Start here.

Give It Back

I'm sure I'll hear more at the gathering of the LLWL Gang (i.e., lunch) on Monday from those who attended the Springsteen concert yesterday on the Parkway, Rocking on the Parkway, but it sounds like it was a successful get out the vote rally/concert. The Inky reports, in As Springsteen sings, Obama's camp signs:

Bruce Springsteen had pounded through his second song as though his acoustic guitar were a pickax, then handed it off to an assistant. The rocker in rolled-up plaid sleeves slung another guitar over his shoulder and tossed out a raspy line that made clear to the thousands on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway how he feels about Barack Obama.

"We tried this four years ago," said Springsteen, who held concerts for then-Democratic nominee John Kerry and headlined yesterday's get-out-the-vote rally for Obama in Center City. "This time, we're winning."

Though organized by the Obama campaign in just a few days, the concert, at 20th and the Parkway, drew an estimated 50,000 people. According to Obama staff, it also added 21,000 new ground troops to the Illinois senator's campaign effort in must-win Pennsylvania.

As Dan Deluca's review notes, Set is short, but Springsteen still long on emotion:

'I'm not Barack Obama, but I'll do my best,' Springsteen said, stoking his own base while telling the crowd, which included Obama volunteers and non-rowdy Bruce fans, that 'it's good to be back in my home away from home.'

With that, he went into a 'Promised Land' that was dusty and spry, quick-strummed on acoustic guitar. He sang in a cracked country voice, folksy and intimate without the thunder of the E Street Band, but full of belief and itching for a fight.

That and the six songs that followed - including Guthrie's 'This Land Is Your Land,' complete with oft-omitted Depression-era lyrics about 'some are grumbling, and some are wondering, if this land is still made for you and me' - all adhered to the Springsteen strategy of cataloging dreams on the verge of being crushed, bucked up by a faith that refuses to die.

* * * *

"I've played to some crowds in big stadiums," he said, laughing. "Just like Sen. Obama."

And yesterday he kept the tempo moving, letting the crowd handle the "show a little faith" line in "Thunder Road." The songs were delivered with cheer and combativeness, their confidence unwavering.

* * * *

Springsteen referred to America as "a repository of hope" and "a house of dreams" in an impressively articulate speech that preceded "The Rising."

That dream house, he declared, "can't be pulled down by a thousand George Bushes or a thousand Dick Cheneys." And it provided Springsteen with a reclamation metaphor he artfully meshed with the 9/11-inspired "The Rising" and "This Land Is Your Land," the latter infused with a Bo Diddley-beat-powered "Yes we can" chant.

"I want my house back," Springsteen declared. "I want my America back, and I want my country back."

For those (like me), who missed the concert, here's a clip of part of Bruce's talk with the audience, followed by his playing "The Rising":

For the full text of his comments, see Phawker, THE BOSS: We Hold These Truths To Be Self-Evident. For more pictures and video, see Daily Kos.

UPDATE (10/5): For a video of the entire Springsteen set, see 'The Boss' Plays For Obama On Parkway, at CBS 3.

Obama Everywhere, USA

During the primary, I posted a music video Obama Everywhere (in Pennsylvania), based on the Hank Snow tune "I've Been Everywhere."

The band, "Earl Pickens & the Barack Obama All-Star Players Band Group Gang," have done a new national version of the tune.

So check it out (especially if you're missing Springsteen):




As Earl says:

He'll win it fair and square, man! Day one he is prepared, man! He'll get the economy squared, man! He's gonna fix healthcare, man! McCain ain't got a prayer, man!

An Evening of Jazz

It was a month ago today that my daughter left for college. After a period of adjustment, she told me the other day (via IM, of course) that she's not homesick at all. As for those of us left behind, my husband & I have managed to keep ourselves busy, so when we get home, we're just glad to be able to relax and don't notice the vacant sign on the third floor where the daughter resided.

The week-end after she left was my annual family reunion in Lancaster. The next week-end was the annual retreat of the LLWL Gang* in Atlantic City.

And Friday night a few of the LLWL members and I hosted a Reception at my house for Center in the Park, which is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this month with a series of events. Founded in 1968, Center in the Park is a non-profit community center in Northwest Philadelphia primarily focused on the needs of older people. The Center is a wonderful community resource, providing access to supportive services and activities, and was recently featured in Philly Magazine as a worthy charity.

The reception was my idea of the perfect way to entertain. My house, a big old home in Mount Airy, is a great place to have an event and I love to see it put to good use (as I've done before). The Reception was in support of a good cause -- the Center in the Park.

Even better, I didn't have to cook! The kitchen mavens from the LLWL Gang took over my kitchen (which is a cook's dream) and whipped up an assortment of hor d'oeurves and desserts to die for, including a few tasty treats from CIP's 40th Anniversary Cookbook, “Delicious Gems from Center in the Park.”

They were assisted by a few volunteers from the Culinary Program at Simon Gratz High School, who helped with prep, serving and clean-up. They were not only cute, they did a great job -- with a smile. I told them my daughter would be jealous that she wasn't home at least this night!

And best of all, we were entertained by the Young Lions Jazz Trio, a young trio of tremendously talented artists, who provided the smooth jazz sounds for our listening pleasure, as we sipped our cocktails and dined. Here's a sample from these young musicians, who definitely are at the beginning of a wonderful future in jazz:

"Stolen Moments" live at Chris's -2007


After the Reception, we attended a CIP Jazz Concert at Germantown Friends School, which was the perfect ending to a wonderful day. The concert was arranged by Warren Oree and featured The Barbara Walker Story, UCC Royal Brass Band, The Edgardo Cintron Latin Band, & Oree's own Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble. Each performer was different, yet they were all fabulous!


* LLWL Gang = Lady Lawyers Who Lunch a/k/a my officemates

~~~~
Old age is an excellent time for outrage. My goal is to say or do at least one outrageous thing every week.

Maggie Kuhn, founder of the Grey Panthers

Annie's Song

Happy Birthday Annie

And don't forget Today & Tomorrow.

Live in Philly

In honor of John Legend's appearance in Philly for the 4th of July celebration, here's a clip of John & Stephen Colbert, being patriotic:



It's raining, so I passed on the concert (but, of course, my daughter's there -- what's a little rain when you're young).

Life is a Beach

It was the after graduation trip to the shore (a ritual our daughter repeated just this year).

I was there with my friends from high school, back in the days when you not only used sun tan lotion, but added baby oil for a quicker tan. My then boyfriend Bobby was also there (with his corvette). I was cruising the boardwalk with my girlfriends, when my friend Beth ran into her boyfriend. He was with a bunch of his friends and I struck up a conversation with one of them.

Dave and I ended up walking along the beach & we spent the rest of the night together. I ditched Bobby and the rest is history. Of course, not everything has been fun and roses since then. We had a fight on the bus ride back to Scranton (over Eldridge Cleaver, no less!) and I wouldn't talk to him after that. We ran into each other a few weeks later and made up.

That was 37 years ago today. It's also our 20th wedding anniversary.




The Reasons by Earth, Wind & Fire is a favorite (as is this song).

Long Time Gone

June 5, 1968. 40 years ago today.

My family was pretty politically active, so I was immersed in politics from an early age. I remember meeting John Kennedy during his presidential campaign, during a swing through Scranton, even though I was very young. I also remember meeting Hubert Humphrey during a visit to DC.

In 1968, I was in my early teens and I remember it was a time of hope. A time of dreams of a better future, a better tomorrow. It seemed as though life was full of possibilities.

Yet, it was also a time of great sorrow and despair.

The Vietnam War was waging. Kent State. And then, of course, there was John Kennedy. Martin Luther King. And Bobby Kennedy.

I think the death of Bobby was also the beginning of the end of the hope. The free love (sex), drugs, and protests of '60s era lived on for a number of years, but the dreams were part of the past.

Will Bunch has a remembrance of Bobby, Robert F. Kennedy, 1925-1968, including the text and video of Bobby announcing the assassination of MLK on April 4, 1968 (see above). I also heard Ted Sorensen's recollections of Bobby on NPR this morning, see RFK Assassination: Aide Recalls Tragedy Repeated. My favorite quote from Kennedy's talk that evening:

My favorite poet was Aeschylus. He once wrote: "Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God."

Before things got crazy with the Obama/Clinton primary, there was a sense that Barack was someone who evoked the spirit of Bobby Kennedy, including the hope. See, e.g, Can Do. Who knows if that's gone too.

And then there is the song that has always said it all for me. Abraham, Martin & John (and Bobby). This version is a tribute to Bobby.

Obama Everywhere

This song is a hoot -- it may cover every city in the Commonwealth (of Pennsylvania). According to Greg Mitchell of Pressing Issues, the song reprises the Hank Snow tune "I've Been Everywhere." This version is by Earl Pickens and the Band Named Thunder, singing Obama Everywhere (in Pennsylvania).

As I've mentioned many times before, I'm originally from Scranton. But I've also lived in Harrisburg/York, Pittsburgh, and Philly, and had a vacation home in the Poconos -- so I've been to or traveled through a lot of cities in the State. I hadn't realized just how many until I listened to the litany in the song . . . .

(Via Pressing Issues)