Pete Seeger, a gem
July 3, 2006 11:22 AM Subscribe
This machine kills fascists.
posted by loquacious at 11:52 AM on July 3, 2006
posted by loquacious at 11:52 AM on July 3, 2006
C'mon people now, smile on your brother, ev'rybody get together, try to love one another right now.
posted by keswick at 12:30 PM on July 3, 2006
posted by keswick at 12:30 PM on July 3, 2006
While you're lovin' Pete Seeger the artist (and I am second to nobody in that regard), don't forget that the man isn't exactly a paragon of common sense on the political front, having been a Stalinist for much of his life, writing a column for the Daily Worker, etc. Yeah, he was against the Vietnam War, and the Iraq wars, but that does not take a high degree of political acuity. The man's a political knucklehead, and if he'd had his way in the 1950s, we'd all be taking a bullet in the back of the head in the basement of Lyubianka prison. On the other hand, he wrote "Turn, Turn Turn," and "If I had a Hammer," etc. So bless the man.
posted by Faze at 12:47 PM on July 3, 2006
posted by Faze at 12:47 PM on July 3, 2006
Yeah, he was against the Vietnam War, and the Iraq wars, but that does not take a high degree of political acuity.
Yet, more acuity than many members of congress, the executive branch, military and voters.
posted by rough ashlar at 12:53 PM on July 3, 2006
Yet, more acuity than many members of congress, the executive branch, military and voters.
posted by rough ashlar at 12:53 PM on July 3, 2006
Pete seeger to the House Un-American Activities Committee:
“I am not going to answer any questions as to my associations, my philosophical or my religious beliefs, or how I voted in any election or any of these private affairs. I think these are very improper questions for any American to be asked.”
posted by R. Mutt at 12:59 PM on July 3, 2006
“I am not going to answer any questions as to my associations, my philosophical or my religious beliefs, or how I voted in any election or any of these private affairs. I think these are very improper questions for any American to be asked.”
posted by R. Mutt at 12:59 PM on July 3, 2006
I think the only one of his songs I like is "Turn the Page."
posted by Eideteker at 1:01 PM on July 3, 2006
posted by Eideteker at 1:01 PM on July 3, 2006
faze, you say 'he's a stalinist' as if it is a bad thing
posted by growabrain at 1:26 PM on July 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
posted by growabrain at 1:26 PM on July 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
This machine kills fascists.
posted by loquacious at 11:52 AM PST on July 3 [+fave] [!]
Bears repeating.
posted by basicchannel at 1:27 PM on July 3, 2006
posted by loquacious at 11:52 AM PST on July 3 [+fave] [!]
Bears repeating.
posted by basicchannel at 1:27 PM on July 3, 2006
My fondest memory of Seeger is when I attended a concert he was giving at a A merican Legion hall in Cape Cod. All over the country. legionaires were badmouthing and blackballing him. But at the Cape, the old vets set up the chairs for his concert.
Many of us have made mistakes in our political views...Pete over and over was a populist and stood tall and straight for the working stiff, the down and out, the worker. Bu then that was before corporations dumped workers and globalized and farm owners hired illegals to work at lousy pay...check out the Guthrie lyrics to his song Deportee, which Seeger had sung. Those guys worried about everyone who was in trouble.
I doubt there is any evidence whatsover that Pete was a card-carrying member of the Party. Had he been, he would not have been allowed to bring us the great childrens songs and the protest music and helped raise consciousness ab out the environment (Hudson River sloop).
posted by Postroad at 1:56 PM on July 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
Many of us have made mistakes in our political views...Pete over and over was a populist and stood tall and straight for the working stiff, the down and out, the worker. Bu then that was before corporations dumped workers and globalized and farm owners hired illegals to work at lousy pay...check out the Guthrie lyrics to his song Deportee, which Seeger had sung. Those guys worried about everyone who was in trouble.
I doubt there is any evidence whatsover that Pete was a card-carrying member of the Party. Had he been, he would not have been allowed to bring us the great childrens songs and the protest music and helped raise consciousness ab out the environment (Hudson River sloop).
posted by Postroad at 1:56 PM on July 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
I think the only one of his songs I like is "Turn the Page."
posted by Eideteker at 4:01 PM EST on July 3
ha!
posted by shmegegge at 2:31 PM on July 3, 2006
posted by Eideteker at 4:01 PM EST on July 3
ha!
posted by shmegegge at 2:31 PM on July 3, 2006
While you're lovin' Pete Seeger the artist (and I am second to nobody in that regard), don't forget that the man isn't exactly a paragon of common sense on the political front, having been a Stalinist for much of his life, writing a column for the Daily Worker, etc.
via wikipedia:
"I realized I could sing the same songs I sang whether I belonged to the Communist Party or not, and I never liked the idea anyway of belonging to a secret organization." He became an anti-Stalinist but retained his belief in Socialism.
Smart enough to change his mind once more information was available regarding Stalin's activities. Stalinist is such a crap label for smearing people on the left.
posted by srboisvert at 3:28 PM on July 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
via wikipedia:
"I realized I could sing the same songs I sang whether I belonged to the Communist Party or not, and I never liked the idea anyway of belonging to a secret organization." He became an anti-Stalinist but retained his belief in Socialism.
Smart enough to change his mind once more information was available regarding Stalin's activities. Stalinist is such a crap label for smearing people on the left.
posted by srboisvert at 3:28 PM on July 3, 2006 [1 favorite]
Pete rocks.
Pete led the charge against Bob Dylan going electric and abandoning facile 'protest songs.' The last thing he does is rock.
posted by jonmc at 5:16 PM on July 3, 2006
Pete led the charge against Bob Dylan going electric and abandoning facile 'protest songs.' The last thing he does is rock.
posted by jonmc at 5:16 PM on July 3, 2006
faze, you say 'he's a stalinist' as if it is a bad thing
Yeah, what did Uncle Joe ever do to you?
posted by pardonyou? at 5:55 PM on July 3, 2006
Yeah, what did Uncle Joe ever do to you?
posted by pardonyou? at 5:55 PM on July 3, 2006
My understanding is that what bothered Seeger was the inability to hear the words (words = the song)... not that the music was rocking, electric or even loud. And as Dylan himself has said.... "Its the words that matter." (Footnote added here.... Goddamn it where the hell is that damn index card with all the Dylan cross referenced Seeger quotes? Also see "No Direction Home Film" ...
posted by R. Mutt at 6:13 PM on July 3, 2006
posted by R. Mutt at 6:13 PM on July 3, 2006
My understanding is that what bothered Seeger was the inability to hear the words (words = the song)... not that the music was rocking, electric or even loud.
Yeah, right. And the application of an axe to the poker lines would have really improved the mix no end.
And wasn't it Woody who had a sticker on his guitar that read 'This Machine Kills Fascists'? Pete Seeger's should have said 'This Machine Belongs to a Folk Fascist'.
Pete Seeger sucked.
For genuinely great American folk music, try this thread.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:33 PM on July 3, 2006
Yeah, right. And the application of an axe to the poker lines would have really improved the mix no end.
And wasn't it Woody who had a sticker on his guitar that read 'This Machine Kills Fascists'? Pete Seeger's should have said 'This Machine Belongs to a Folk Fascist'.
Pete Seeger sucked.
For genuinely great American folk music, try this thread.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:33 PM on July 3, 2006
axe to the poker lines
Oops. Should have been 'power lines'.
Unless Bob was multi-tabling at Party Poker while waiting to go on stage at Newport.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:34 PM on July 3, 2006
Oops. Should have been 'power lines'.
Unless Bob was multi-tabling at Party Poker while waiting to go on stage at Newport.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:34 PM on July 3, 2006
My understanding is that what bothered Seeger was the inability to hear the words (words = the song)... not that the music was rocking, electric or even loud...."Its the words that matter."
That's what Seeger says now. And if it's the words that matter, why did Dylan's adventure's in prose suck ass?
For genuinely great American folk music
There is no such thing as folk music. There's no such thing as folks actually.
posted by jonmc at 7:53 PM on July 3, 2006
My favorite music sucks.
posted by pointilist at 8:15 PM on July 3, 2006
posted by pointilist at 8:15 PM on July 3, 2006
Waist Deep in the Big Muddy
The Boss and the Seeger Sessions Band sing Bring 'Em Home
posted by dhartung at 10:37 PM on July 3, 2006
The Boss and the Seeger Sessions Band sing Bring 'Em Home
posted by dhartung at 10:37 PM on July 3, 2006
faze, you say 'he's a stalinist' as if it is a bad thing
Being a Stalinist is a bad thing. If you aren't kidding, start reading here. If you are kidding: carry on, but be funny.
posted by kosem at 1:12 AM on July 4, 2006
Being a Stalinist is a bad thing. If you aren't kidding, start reading here. If you are kidding: carry on, but be funny.
posted by kosem at 1:12 AM on July 4, 2006
“I am not going to answer any questions as to my associations, my philosophical or my religious beliefs, or how I voted in any election or any of these private affairs. I think these are very improper questions for any American to be asked.”
Nice feint.
Especially since the coming to light of the vast communist infiltration actually going on at the time.
Oops, nevermind. Hollywood only wants you to know one side.
Baaaaaahhhh! Good sheep.
posted by HTuttle at 1:19 AM on July 4, 2006
Nice feint.
Especially since the coming to light of the vast communist infiltration actually going on at the time.
Oops, nevermind. Hollywood only wants you to know one side.
Baaaaaahhhh! Good sheep.
posted by HTuttle at 1:19 AM on July 4, 2006
(Actually met him a few times.
Nicest commie I ever met.)
posted by HTuttle at 1:21 AM on July 4, 2006
Nicest commie I ever met.)
posted by HTuttle at 1:21 AM on July 4, 2006
Especially since the coming to light of the vast communist infiltration actually going on at the time.
You only know one third of the story. They were actually reptilians posing as Freemasons posing as communists. But I can see how easy it would be to get persuaded by the irrefutable bottle of scotch in McCarthy's briefcase.
posted by Mayor Curley at 4:17 AM on July 4, 2006
You only know one third of the story. They were actually reptilians posing as Freemasons posing as communists. But I can see how easy it would be to get persuaded by the irrefutable bottle of scotch in McCarthy's briefcase.
posted by Mayor Curley at 4:17 AM on July 4, 2006
You only know one third of the story. They were actually reptilians posing as Freemasons posing as communists. But I can see how easy it would be to get persuaded by the irrefutable bottle of scotch in McCarthy's briefcase.
So DON'T read.
More bliss that way for you!
posted by HTuttle at 12:56 PM on July 4, 2006
So DON'T read.
More bliss that way for you!
posted by HTuttle at 12:56 PM on July 4, 2006
As Pete says, the future is about Women and Children, folks ... women and children.
... and in the same vein ... Lakoff echos that view -- progressives need to pay attention to the forces behind the rhetoric -- to the 'Dobson effect' of patriarical parenting leading the patriarichal ('family values') political agenda: Don't Think of an Elephant
http://www.chelseagreen.com/images/DTE_Sampler.pdf
posted by Surfurrus at 2:53 PM on July 4, 2006
... and in the same vein ... Lakoff echos that view -- progressives need to pay attention to the forces behind the rhetoric -- to the 'Dobson effect' of patriarical parenting leading the patriarichal ('family values') political agenda: Don't Think of an Elephant
http://www.chelseagreen.com/images/DTE_Sampler.pdf
posted by Surfurrus at 2:53 PM on July 4, 2006
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posted by longsleeves at 11:47 AM on July 3, 2006