Did This Cat Stevens Tune Give Birth to America's Gun Culture?
Just when I am parading Cat Stevens / Yusuf Islam around as a man of peace, I run across this song from his early years.
"I'm gonna get me a gun.
"And all the people who put me down
Had better get ready to run."
Catchy, it is.
A post beneath one version of the song on YouTube suggested time must have been different back then, that a person could write a song about getting a gun and shooting anyone who "puts you down," and nobody would bat an eyelid.
Considering how catchy the song was, perhaps -- just possibly -- people back then didn't accept the song because of its lyrics. Probably not. It likely just simply failed to catch on.
If it had been popular, would this song have been a bad influence on America's psychic? I'm not sure. Maybe the fact it is sung in a jest full fashion makes it not such a bad influence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dc81la0A2w
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Make Peace with the Peace Train
'Tis time to make peace with the man who sang "Peace Train."
"Cause out on the edge of darkness,
"There rides a peace train.
"Oh, peace train take this country --
"Come take me home again."
America was never his home, never home to Cat Stevens. And Cat, now known as Yusuf, or Yusuf Islam, has gone through much since he first sang that song. He became a Muslim, said something that was taken as calling for the death of Salman Rushdie (author of "The Satanic Verses"), and when he was flying to America, was turned around when authorities took him for a terrorist.
Forgive him. Let bygones be bygones, with it clear he is not a terrorist and does not live for violence. This is the man who sang "Peace Train." A few years ago, in one of his concerts, he sang, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." I think he meant it, as a statement, as a plea.
'Twill be a tragedy if he goes to his deathbed without peace being made with America. He is not a dangerous war criminal, and should be welcome on American soil.
'Tis time to make peace with the man who sang "Peace Train."
"Cause out on the edge of darkness,
"There rides a peace train.
"Oh, peace train take this country --
"Come take me home again."
America was never his home, never home to Cat Stevens. And Cat, now known as Yusuf, or Yusuf Islam, has gone through much since he first sang that song. He became a Muslim, said something that was taken as calling for the death of Salman Rushdie (author of "The Satanic Verses"), and when he was flying to America, was turned around when authorities took him for a terrorist.
Forgive him. Let bygones be bygones, with it clear he is not a terrorist and does not live for violence. This is the man who sang "Peace Train." A few years ago, in one of his concerts, he sang, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood." I think he meant it, as a statement, as a plea.
'Twill be a tragedy if he goes to his deathbed without peace being made with America. He is not a dangerous war criminal, and should be welcome on American soil.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Love Can Turn Back Violence
Love can turn back violence. True of false? I think of Tamerlan Tsarnaev's saying he had no American friends. Was that just him posturing himself in advance of his violence? Or could have large dosages of love have made a difference? Could we, as a society, have changed the course of history with just a little love?
What things shaped the Tamerlan who bombed Boston, we may not know. But, we can wonder. Did he simply shift into a group that dispised America, and listened to their call? Or, did we nudge him there, hissing about immigrants or Muslims, or both? Which voices did he hear, and which shaped the Tamerlan of the bomb.
Love can turn back violence. True of false? I think of Tamerlan Tsarnaev's saying he had no American friends. Was that just him posturing himself in advance of his violence? Or could have large dosages of love have made a difference? Could we, as a society, have changed the course of history with just a little love?
What things shaped the Tamerlan who bombed Boston, we may not know. But, we can wonder. Did he simply shift into a group that dispised America, and listened to their call? Or, did we nudge him there, hissing about immigrants or Muslims, or both? Which voices did he hear, and which shaped the Tamerlan of the bomb.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Love is Solution to Political Problems
Sometimes, political solutions are not the best answers for political problems.
Sometimes, moral answers are.
Take guns and bombs and ricin. Take people who feel ostracized, or rejected, or not listened to. Take them, and give them some love, and maybe that will make a difference.
Love.
"Love, love, love. Love is all you need." (Beatles)
"Love covers a multitude of sins." (I think, actually, the scripture uses the word, "charity," not "love," but the sentiment is the same.) Love also covers a multitude of social needs, and, thus, political problems.
Sometimes, political solutions are not the best answers for political problems.
Sometimes, moral answers are.
Take guns and bombs and ricin. Take people who feel ostracized, or rejected, or not listened to. Take them, and give them some love, and maybe that will make a difference.
Love.
"Love, love, love. Love is all you need." (Beatles)
"Love covers a multitude of sins." (I think, actually, the scripture uses the word, "charity," not "love," but the sentiment is the same.) Love also covers a multitude of social needs, and, thus, political problems.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Go to Any Other Country
Should immigration be made to be easier? Go to any other country, comes the answer, and see how they restrict their immigrants,
To which I reply, Whenever did America start lowering itself to the standards of other countries? We measure ourselves against the principles of freedom, not the principles of other nations. Other nations can be oppressive, and other nations can treat it as a national offense if paperwork is not in order, but do we want to do this in America?
I say, If it is just, let's do it. If it is right, and if it is fair, and if it is treating other people correctly, let's do it.
But, it is not just, right, or fair. It is not treating people properly. Let's not do it. America sets the example for other nations. It doesn't bow to them, or practice their customs, or cross off freedoms simply because some other nation crosses off freedoms.
Should immigration be made to be easier? Go to any other country, comes the answer, and see how they restrict their immigrants,
To which I reply, Whenever did America start lowering itself to the standards of other countries? We measure ourselves against the principles of freedom, not the principles of other nations. Other nations can be oppressive, and other nations can treat it as a national offense if paperwork is not in order, but do we want to do this in America?
I say, If it is just, let's do it. If it is right, and if it is fair, and if it is treating other people correctly, let's do it.
But, it is not just, right, or fair. It is not treating people properly. Let's not do it. America sets the example for other nations. It doesn't bow to them, or practice their customs, or cross off freedoms simply because some other nation crosses off freedoms.
Abortion is Whose Choice? Certainly Not that of the Unborn
Here's a post with the thought that while those who favor abortion claim to be pro-choice, what of the unborn? Surely if the unborn were given the choice, they would choose to live.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151646354055087&set=a.10150258300855087.371306.558545086&type=3&theater
Here's a post with the thought that while those who favor abortion claim to be pro-choice, what of the unborn? Surely if the unborn were given the choice, they would choose to live.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151646354055087&set=a.10150258300855087.371306.558545086&type=3&theater
Friday, April 19, 2013
Consider the Undercard of Today's News
On the undercard (far on the undercard) of the news today, was that of Paul Kevin Curtis having mental challenges, and not being on his medication when he sent ricin letters to President Obama, to Senator Roger Wicker, and to a judge.
Ahh, how often it is that we find mental challenges in those who commit violence. And, there is no shortage of calls for dealing with the mentally ill.
I ask not what we can do, but what we should, because I hesitate at some of the suggestions I am hearing. I do not like the idea of taking guns from anyone who is on medication for mental illness, as many of them never have and never will commit violence, and ought to have their Second Amendment rights the same as you and I.
More treatment for the mentally ill, then? Off top, that seems the right approach. Treat the person, so he doesn't become violent. How much will this cost us, though? I'm not saying don't spend it, but we should consider whether more treatment translates into more government spending. And, perhaps it is warranted, but perhaps not.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765627416/Family-says-accused-ricin-mailer-is-mentally-ill.html
On the undercard (far on the undercard) of the news today, was that of Paul Kevin Curtis having mental challenges, and not being on his medication when he sent ricin letters to President Obama, to Senator Roger Wicker, and to a judge.
Ahh, how often it is that we find mental challenges in those who commit violence. And, there is no shortage of calls for dealing with the mentally ill.
I ask not what we can do, but what we should, because I hesitate at some of the suggestions I am hearing. I do not like the idea of taking guns from anyone who is on medication for mental illness, as many of them never have and never will commit violence, and ought to have their Second Amendment rights the same as you and I.
More treatment for the mentally ill, then? Off top, that seems the right approach. Treat the person, so he doesn't become violent. How much will this cost us, though? I'm not saying don't spend it, but we should consider whether more treatment translates into more government spending. And, perhaps it is warranted, but perhaps not.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765627416/Family-says-accused-ricin-mailer-is-mentally-ill.html
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