Question of The Day:Memorial Day Edition

let us build (10.70 / 10)

our own memorial...

"Fascism is attracting the dregs of humanity- people with a slovenly biography - sadists, mental freaks, traitors." - ILYA EHRENBURG

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by: durrati @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 07:09:08 AM CDT

My own memorial for Memorial Day: (7.00 / 4)

Hmmmm--interesting question, albeit a fascinating one. 

There are so many things that evoke memories, both fond and not so fond, with which I could create my own memorial with, but, I'll start out by saying that I was deeply moved by that video--and watche it twice. Thanks for this, durrati.

Secondly, many, if not most of the songs, movies of the 1960's and early 1970's speak of much memory--substance and simplicity combined, but with just enough sophistication to keep things spicy and interesting.

My  three summers spent at Camp Indian Brook, up in Plymouth Union, VT, each summer being more fun than the last.

Summer of 1968, before entering my senior year of high school:
attending Camp Indian Hill in Stockbridge, MA, out in the Berkshires, where I majored in voice and guitar.  Despite my differences, I made some good friends, had lots of fun.  Almost like it was my last fling before reality set in.  Exuberant times were still to be had.


Ahhhh....Life goes on.

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by: independentminded @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 10:32:20 AM CDT

Pete Seeger (10.50 / 10)

"Waist Deep in the Big Muddy"

It was back in 1941.
I was a member of a good platoon.
We were on maneuvers in Lou'siana one night
By the light of the moon.
The Captain told us to ford a river.
That's how it all begun.
We were knee deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool said to push on.

The Sergeant said, "Sir, are you sure
This is the best way back to the base?"
"Sergeant, go on, I've forded this river
About a mile above this place.
It'll be a little soggy, but just keep sloggin'.
We'll soon be on dry ground."
We were waist deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool said to push on.

The Sergeant said, "Sir, with all this equipment,
No man will be able to swim."
"Sergeant, don't be a Nervous Nelly,"
The Captain said to him.
"All we need is a little determination.
Men, follow me. I'll lead on."
We were neck deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool said to push on.

All at once the moon clouded over.
We heard a gurglin' cry.
A few seconds later the Captain's helmet
Was all that floated by.
The Sergeant said, "Turn around, men.
I'm in charge from now on."
And we just made it out of the Big Muddy
With the Captain dead and gone.

We stripped and dived and found his body
Stuck in the old quicksand.
I guess he didn't know that the water was deeper
Then the place he'd once before been.
Another stream had joined the Big Muddy
About a half mile from where we'd gone.
We were lucky to escape from the Big Muddy
When the big fool said to push on.

Now I'm not going to point any moral —
I'll leave that for yourself.
Maybe you're still walking, you're still talking,
You'd like to keep your health.
But every time I read the papers, that old feeling comes on,
We're waist deep in the Big Muddy
And the big fool says to push on.

Waist deep in the Big Muddy,
The big fool says to push on.
Waist deep in the Big Muddy,
The big fool says to push on.
Waist deep, neck deep,
Soon even a tall man will be over his head.
We're waist deep in the Big Muddy,
And the big fool says to push on.

I remember him singing it on the Smothers Brothers show in 1968 - that year of years.

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by: Miss Mannered @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 10:50:42 AM CDT

turn it up! (11.00 / 1)

"Fascism is attracting the dregs of humanity- people with a slovenly biography - sadists, mental freaks, traitors." - ILYA EHRENBURG

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by: durrati @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 11:18:53 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Damn! (3.25 / 4)

Sometimes I wish my computer had speakers!

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by: Miss Mannered @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 13:06:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I got an extra set (5.00 / 1)

can I post them???

e-mail on profile...

"Fascism is attracting the dregs of humanity- people with a slovenly biography - sadists, mental freaks, traitors." - ILYA EHRENBURG

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by: durrati @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 13:19:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh, I have a bunch of them around the house (6.50 / 2)

I just don't like computers making noise - usually - so I don't install them.

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by: Miss Mannered @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 13:29:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What a powerful song and video, durranti. (5.00 / 1)

Love it!!

Ahhhh....Life goes on.

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by: independentminded @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 22:24:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

....the horror, the horror.... (10.67 / 6)

with "The End" playing in the background.

On a slightly less brutal note, there is the song "Daylight Again" by CSN:

Daylight again
Following me to bed
I think about a hundred years ago
How my Fathers bled

I think I see a valley
Covered with bones in blue
All the brave soldiers that cannot get older
Been asking after you

I hear the past a' calling
From Armageddon's side
When everyone's talking and
No one is listening
How can we decide?

Do we find the cost of freedom
Buried in the ground?
Mother Earth will swallow you
Lay your body down.

This has become an unofficial lullaby for my boys, because years ago when the elder was a baby, I couldn't think of any other song to sing -- its appropriate for the younger one, as we have been in Iraq his entire life....

Never miss a good chance to shut up.
~~T e x a s B i x B e n d e r, from "Don't Squat with Yer Spurs On"

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by: 5hearts @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 10:52:26 AM CDT

"Apocalypse Now" (9.00 / 3)

too bad we can't fit the whole movie in here....

thanks for the hand up, 5hearts........

"Fascism is attracting the dregs of humanity- people with a slovenly biography - sadists, mental freaks, traitors." - ILYA EHRENBURG

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by: durrati @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 11:15:38 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

durrati great post & powerful video (9.25 / 4)

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by: pronihilist @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 11:12:38 AM CDT

I remember reading Catch-22 on the subway (9.67 / 6)

and laughing out loud.  I was about 15 and that book really brought out the absurdity of war and the military and capitalism. 

There was also all the anti-war protest music. I also remember Pete Seeger on the Smothers Brothers and Phil Ochs and Buffy St. Marie and Joan Baez and Country Joe Mc Donald. 


My will is easy to decide, for I have nothing to divide. My kin won't need to fuss and moan Moss don't cling to a rolling stone. -- Joe Hill,

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by: slick riddles @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 11:38:20 AM CDT

Hellers "Devine Comedy" (8.00 / 5)

Yossarian: "He was very old.

Luciana: "But he was a boy."

Yossarian: "Well, he died. You don't get any older than that...."

"Fascism is attracting the dregs of humanity- people with a slovenly biography - sadists, mental freaks, traitors." - ILYA EHRENBURG

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by: durrati @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 11:50:03 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

There sure are lot's of old people on this blog. (8.33 / 6)

"the love you get is equal to the love you give".  Beatles

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by: imhotep @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 12:52:00 PM CDT

We're everywhere! (8.67 / 3)

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by: Miss Mannered @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 13:10:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

old enough... (8.71 / 7)

to remember when these guys were young

"and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

peace!

"Fascism is attracting the dregs of humanity- people with a slovenly biography - sadists, mental freaks, traitors." - ILYA EHRENBURG

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by: durrati @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 13:15:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Ah ha ha ha yes!!! (9.50 / 2)

I remember the Fab Four when they were young men, and when that song and other songs of theirs first came into vogue.  I was a 7th grader back then, and I remember seeing the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show!  I loved them and their music from the start.

Everybody was going around singing the Beatles' songs, and my friends and I would sing them on the bus on our way to and from school. 

Nostalgia burns  bright!!

Ahhhh....Life goes on.

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by: independentminded @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 14:08:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Peace ;) (9.00 / 1)

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by: utchat @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 14:05:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

do you remember . . . (11.00 / 5)

. . . in the 60's or 70's there was a black and white television PSA showing two old white men climbing a hill? At the crest, with the wind blowing there whispy white hair, they both removed their suit jackets, rolled up their white shirt sleeves and started hitting at each other in a fumbling, bumbling old-man way. They fell to the ground and rolled around like beached whales.

The message was that world leaders should simply fight each other, rather than sending others to die for them.

I searched and searched for a clip to embed. I would love it if someone more adept at the 'toobs' could find this. It still speaks to me.

Durrati, this is a beautiful question for today. Sadly, I don't think enough of lost soldiers on Memorial Day. My daughter Angel died 18 years ago on this holiday - it has become my memorial to her instead. But I think of grieving parents more than anything.

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by: katecontinued @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 13:39:50 PM CDT

kate -- I'll try to find it for you (10.00 / 1)

do you remember who put the PSA out? A particular group? Was there a tag line of any kind?

Never miss a good chance to shut up.
~~T e x a s B i x B e n d e r, from "Don't Squat with Yer Spurs On"

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by: 5hearts @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 14:15:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I am so sorry (0.00 / 0)

I just can't remember any more than I wrote. I really tried today to bring back more words, tag lines, logos, etc. Nada

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by: katecontinued @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 16:39:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

no worries, then (3.50 / 2)

I'll keep an eye out.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.
~~T e x a s B i x B e n d e r, from "Don't Squat with Yer Spurs On"

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by: 5hearts @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 20:19:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I remeber Kate (9.00 / 2)

but couldn't find it either...

I found this, though, and thought how great it would be if some one re-dubbed it and changed it to "Der Dubya's Face..."

( I know slick will like it if he sees it)

"Fascism is attracting the dregs of humanity- people with a slovenly biography - sadists, mental freaks, traitors." - ILYA EHRENBURG

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by: durrati @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 14:36:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Gremlins! (9.00 / 1)

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by: Miss Mannered @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 15:36:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

unfortunately (8.86 / 7)

this quote has never lost its relevance.

pogo, by walt kelly:

notice the spiro agnew hyena in the right corner.

jon stewart sez: "when i want news, i turn to cnn...and they turn...to skippy...the bush...kangaroo!"

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by: skippy @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 17:53:53 PM CDT

I'm sure the one to Pogo's immediate left (0.00 / 0)

(the one with a pipe) is John Mitchell...Satan's Spawn....

but the beside him....is that Gordon Liddy? Perhaps Jedgar?

"Fascism is attracting the dregs of humanity- people with a slovenly biography - sadists, mental freaks, traitors." - ILYA EHRENBURG

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by: durrati @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 20:50:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Jedgar iirc (6.00 / 1)

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by: Miss Mannered @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 21:24:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Kurt Vonnegut had much to say (10.00 / 3)

about war and soldiers in Slaughterhouse-Five, but I was particularly struck by the following exchange in Happy Birthday, Wanda June between the long-presumed-dead Harold Ryan and his sidekick Colonel Looseleaf Harper (who is described in the play as the man who dropped the atom bomb on Nagasaki):

LOOSELEAF: Anybody who'd drop an atom bomb on a city has to be pretty dumb.

HAROLD: The one direct, decisive, intelligent act of your life!

LOOSELEAF: [Shaking his head] I don't think so.

[Pause}

It could have been.

HAROLD: If what?

LOOSELEAF: If I hadn't done it. If I'd said to myself, "Screw it. I'm going to lat all those people down there live."

We ask our soldiers to make life and death decisions every day, and we ask them to sacrifice themselves to safeguard our "freedom" and "democracy." How can we expect them to know when and how to do what's right? How can we ask them to trust their commanders in the field when we can't trust our leaders at home? And how can we expect them to live with the consequences of their actions? How can we live with ourselves?

This one's dedicated to my father and my father-in-law, both veterans of World War II who chose not to talk about their experiences during their lifetimes. I regret that I didn't challenge their decisions.  I have a lot of questions.

True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your high school class is running the country. ~Kurt Vonnegut

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by: Sanity Clause @ Mon May 28, 2007 at 21:52:20 PM CDT

A day late, but I think I still have a dollar.. (10.50 / 2)

great question, Durrati.

From the original movie, M*A*S*H*, circa 1970,

Hotlips(Sally Kellerman):"I wonder how such a degenerated person ever reached a position of authority in the Army Medical Corps?"

Father Mulcahy(René Auberjonois): "He was drafted!"

Coming from an Army family (Dad was a colonel), who at the time had one brother whose number was high already enlisted in the Green Machine, and another brother (his number was also, oddly high, I think they were targeting us) already in the Air Force, still 3 years from having another brother (again, high number) enlist in the U.S. Navy, (the draft had ended 6 months before I was required to register, and all three of my brothers threatened bodily harm if I enlisted..these are big dudes...I wasn't about to cross them...I knew they could give me a beating from past experience), I thought this was hysterical.

Of course, from the same film, there is always:

Army Sergeant (Bobby Troupe):  "Goddamned Army!"

DA is The Most Interesting Man in the World. - Karmafish

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by: devilishadvocate @ Tue May 29, 2007 at 11:36:56 AM CDT

Late, and maybe not quite on topic, (10.00 / 1)

but this comes to mind,

"Needle And The Damage Done"

I caught you knockin'
at my cellar door
I love you, baby,
can I have some more
Ooh, ooh, the damage done.

I hit the city and
I lost my band
I watched the needle
take another man
Gone, gone, the damage done.

I sing the song
because I love the man
I know that some
of you don't understand
Milk-blood
to keep from running out.

I've seen the needle
and the damage done
A little part of it in everyone
But every junkie's
like a settin' sun.

Peace!

"Truth has no time of its own. Its hour is now -- always, and indeed then most truly when it seems most unsuitable to actual circumstances."

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by: roysol @ Tue May 29, 2007 at 17:06:38 PM CDT