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  • #261
    Anna rRxia
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    Carlos D*A*N*G*E*R!
    I think everybody got it Parkas. What struck me as side-splittingly funny is the picture he sent of his weiner over the internet and the tall, skinny, middle finger he blew off the press with at the fifth place primary finish. All digits grow the same? Shoe size =? Too much! You won't have Nixon's Dick to kick around anymore!
  • #262
    Parkas4Kids
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    RE: Drone Proliferation
    See, I have the exact opposite viewpoint when it comes to drone strikes being effective in the war on terror. What could possibly be better for our international image than that of a faceless nation that has so little value for human life that we send out robots to do our bidding? Has anyone not seen the movie 'The Kingdom'? Where invading the Middle East and killing an entire family suspected of terrorist activities is creating more terrorists by building resentment for the U.S.? How are giant flying robots that kill indiscriminately supposed to make that better? At least when we send in real troops, it puts the value of all their lives on an even playing field. It also gets me thinking about 'Ender's Game', which hits theaters soon. If you aren't already familiar with the story, it takes genius-level children, puts them in "training exercises" designed to simulate actualy battle situations, and later reveals that all their training was actually--for lack of a better term--live drone combat. The idea of turning actual warfare into little more than an interactive video game is truly sickening, and I hope some level of international regulations come to fruition before we have to start worrying about drone strikes here on U.S. soil.
  • #263
    Parkas4Kids
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    RE: Speaking of Weiner
    I'm sorry, but am I the only one who finds it side-splittingly hilarious that a guy named Anthony WEINER is obsessed with his weiner? C'mon, this is comedy of the utmost quality! Still, Carlos Danger is a pretty bad-ass alias. ...Sorry, just needed to get that off my chest.
  • #264
    Anna rRxia
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    Drone Proliferation
    The Obama Administration has accelerated the drone program in it's six years in office. It has had good success in taking out terrorists in countries such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen as well as Libya and Mali. While a high percentage of kills are on terrorists there is an alarmingly high number of civilian casualties that are drawing attention to this new form of warfare. The White House Spokesperson Jim Carney, I believe, spent a large amount of time yesterday defending the drone program as one of the most effective types of warfare in combating terrorism. The problem is that human rights groups are underlining the US non-cooperation with international protocols on the rules of war concerning drones as they are being developed. More and more countries are acquiring drone warfare capacity and it has been pointed out that it is in the US interest to make sure some type of internationally agreed rules of drone war are agreed to. One of the main things is that the relatively high percentage of non-combatants (24%; 33% - 50%?) who are being killed. Nobody really knows as it is classified information. What is known is that the US has a very spotty record in compensating obviously innocent victims. One grandmother standing in a field who was killed by an errant drone strike had her family compensated $100. This in contrast to high publicity massacres like Sgt. Bales slaughter of 13 women and children which drew compensation of $25-50,000 each. I don't think I'd want to be the government official in charge of assigning a value to a human life in a foreign country. Then there is the question of the cost of human empathy on drone operators. They are not eligible for PTSD benefits as they are not considered to be in a war zone. Yet they do get to graphically see their mistakes. There is now a large body of evidence that the toll from human empathy related to errant strikes is taking a huge psychological toll, such as binge drinking for days on end ending in blackouts. These people are commuting to work on highways in our country. The contrast between their job and life in the US must take a terrible cost, especially if they have ever actually traveled abroad to the countries where their drones strike. It would behoove the US to participate in international protocols before this type of warfare starts proliferating to our own foreign-based military installations and homeland. And if the percentage of human casualties who are innocent is as low as claimed by the military then more compassionate payments should be calibrated based on the real value of human life.
  • #265
    Anna rRxia
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    Good point, Mike
    Who'd have thought Anthony could have stood there and had a satori about his own junk? Wow, I do remember being truly impressed when I heard that on a TV news program. So self-effacing (Or is that self-Effexoring?) Anthony Wiener has a revelation about his own genitalia? So honest, so unpretentious -- it almost makers you want to cry You know what? On 2nd thought, I think this was just a relatively unsophisticated attempt to drum up sympathy by using a canned line. My heart still goes out to him as a fellow suffering human being... Politicians! Will they stop at nothing? No, they will stop at nothing. This particular one is lucky he has a wife who will stand by him. ;
  • #266
    Mike Edwards
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    Speaking of Weiner
    The former congressman had this to say about himself last week: "I’m just an empty, soulless vessel." This came as a real surprise to me because I had written him off as a completely self-absorbed narcissist who possesses no awareness of how others perceive him.
  • #267
    Randall Lard
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    bundles of virtual cake
    good luck Ruby Tandoh! we're supporting you tonight!
  • #268
    Anna rRxia
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    Illary! Illary! Illary!
    The campaign cry of Hispanics for Hillary Clinton in 2008. Hillary Clinton will almost certainly be the next president of the United States. She is already lining up the entire party behind her. Biden might make a token challenge, but it will be just that. I think, Parkas, the Republicans are in a battle for their own party with the Tea Party dufuses and, amazingly, it is a real question if they can herd enough of them into the mainstream to put up a real fight. There is real conjecture right now if the Repubs. can hold on to the House in the mid-terms. A few more of them have to croak or resign but it's close. The more important question is who can they put up for president? The Dems. are praying that it is Ted Cruz but it won't be. Paul Ryan could step up to the plate and do some real horse-swapping on the budget. If the Dems. aren't careful in obstructing him and not giving away most of the entitlements they could have Ryan in their face front and center for the next election. John Huntsman is very well-connected and also comes to mind. Who else is there out there with enough charisma and organizational support? Nobody, unless you count Anthony Weiner, who is on the cover of GQ this month. Maybe the American people will vote for his junk! As Jerry used to sing: "...it doesn't really matter anyway!" Hillary will be no different than Bill Clinton who was described as the best Republican president we ever had. Rich people and corporations have both parties cradled in their hands and no vetted candidate will stray far from interests of the rich.
  • #269
    Parkas4Kids
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    RE: Ship Of Fools
    The only question now is how badly the supporters and financiers of the Republican Party are willing to shoot themselves in the foot between now and the next election. Intelligent people like us won't soon forget what so recently transpired, but how much of the general American public will? True, there are some individuals who blame the shutdown on Obama for whatever reason they heard on Fox News, but I get the feeling we'll be seeing at least another 4 years with a Democrat in the White House come 2016. And yes, the glass is half full. Why do you ask?
  • #270
    Anna rRxia
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    Ship Of Fools
    Can we really blame this whole fiasco on freshman tea-party members, gerrymandered redistricting, and stupid Senate rules that require a super-majority? I don't think so. Everybody knows the tea-party is a creation of the super-rich. Deficits have dropped by half under Obama. There is no reason to believe that deficits are going to sink our country. They haven't in the past and most probably won't in the future, if the right measures are taken. And good luck with that in the next 90 days! Politicians are being called out for their stupidity and greed and self-contentedness. The Congressional Gym stayed open during the shutdown? One can imagine them in the steam room discussing how to cut health care for their staffers. With their new districts and a 90% re-election rate, they only thing they fear is a challenge in the primaries. If Obama had been able to get 2/3rds of his agenda passed we'd have some needed new taxes and more human needs programs funded and infrastructure being worked on by Americans bringing home middle-class paychecks. It's not the Congress stopping this (except for the Tea Partyers), they're not cruel and heartless enough. It's their super-rich handlers and bank-rollers like the Koch Brothers. I believe the real reason we have this mess is that the WASPS who sit on interlocking Corporate Boards of Directors (with very few women) are still choking that they couldn't buy the last election. They are choking that a black man is president. They want no residue of him left after 8 years. No clue that he existed. They want the White House fumigated after the Obama's move out. But most of all? They want the Fed. to continue with Quantitative Easing (printing 85 Billion Dollars a month). That money is in corporate hands and the stock market keeps hitting new highs, awash with inflated money spent only on sure things. Look for your benefits like health care, social security and medicare to get cut while the dollars you saved for retirement to shrink due to inflation (unless you have a massive 401k). Most of all, don't look for anything meaningful to happen for the rest of the Obama presidency, never mind the next 90 days. Ship Of Fools.
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Submitted by marye on
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News and Talk
What's happening out in the world? Did it matter, does it now?
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Sun, 02/01/2015 - 15:24

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For the majority of us, the recent let-up in prices at the pump have certainly helped ease the monthly budget. It cost me $20 to fill up yesterday. I remember talking to someone last year, and he told me that he hasn't filled his tank in years. Of course, his workhorse is a diesel and diesel hasn't been impacted as much as gasoline with the recent lowering in oil prices. For those of us that like to delve deeper into the economics, it's interesting to observe the way the Saudis are increasing output, and keeping it high, in order to put the squeeze on newer technologies like shale drilling and the Canadian tar sands which require higher prices per bbl to be cost effective. The economics here are intriguing, and so far the consumer is coming out the winner. How long will this last?
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Sat, 04/11/2015 - 12:21

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What the Ottawa Senators/Andrew Hammond have been able to do in the last two months of the NHL season is nothing short of incredible. Five Canadian teams in this year. Let the real season begin.
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Submitted by C c on Sat, 04/18/2015 - 03:57

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Probably talking out of turn. And not in any loop at all so other than what the website shows not sure where the project is. But, if these really are the last shows. Hope they never stop. Shouldn't something be done for the furtherdowntheroad project to save and preserve the bus. If not only for Neal and Kesey but to preserve our history. A future with no bus to get on would stink. NFA
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Submitted by Gr8fulTed on Sun, 08/02/2015 - 12:40

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Rough day up in Toronto. Blue Jays are being a bit too hot-headed as KC comes back!
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Sun, 08/02/2015 - 14:02

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Sure I guess...but rightly so. Personally i blame the incompetent boob calling the plays at the plate. To give a warning in the first and than NOT back it up throughout the game was disgraceful. Then to throw out Sanchez on a 2/0 pitch for grazing the batters knee? Anyways...the good guys won. Hopefully they meet again in October.
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Submitted by Gr8fulTed on Wed, 08/05/2015 - 12:52

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I'm still befuddled that the Yankees are in first : Toronto with Price will be a real contender.
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Submitted by Gr8fulTed on Fri, 08/14/2015 - 07:17

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How was the event at the Giants game last night? I saw a video clip of Annabelle throwing a pitch and also singing with Bill Walton. Was the 8/13/75 40th celebration after the game at GAMH? List of musicians sure looked impressive. Sounds like a busy and hectic evening!
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Sat, 09/05/2015 - 08:26

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Gonna be a fun race to the finish between the Yanks and Jays. Both teams seem to be firing on all cylinders. Lets go Jays!!
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Fri, 09/18/2015 - 05:17

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Going to my first CRB show tonight in Buffalo. Its been a very long time since I've travelled a long distance to hear great music. Can't wait for this.
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Submitted by hockey_john on Sat, 09/19/2015 - 06:04

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I am a born and raised New England guy love my teams Red Sox don't do it for me this year though nor last for that matter. I am routing for the Mets which is rather unusual for me seeing as we are almost against teams from New York. There is something about the Mets magic this year though. Just my 2 cents worth
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Submitted by PonchoBill on Sun, 09/20/2015 - 10:00

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What a chill night that was. Great band, great crowd, great venue and no hassles at the border. Neal Casal took a photo of the crowd after the encore and posted it on their facebook page. Im the bald dude in front. I'll never forget it.
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Fri, 10/02/2015 - 17:05

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Can we have a sports section for this paper?
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Submitted by marye on Sat, 10/03/2015 - 08:39

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one moment...
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Sun, 02/14/2016 - 04:34

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Justice Scalia (RIP) anyone? It's a great time to be a political junkie. There is plenty of intrigue and subterfuge on the horizon to be sure...
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Submitted by mkav on Tue, 02/16/2016 - 16:33

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I can't imagine what Jason Callahan's family have been through in the last 20 years. I'm sure they "knew" but now they know precisely. That has to be a smidgen of comfort.
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Submitted by liketohike on Thu, 02/18/2016 - 09:14

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I'll bite... you wanna discuss politics let me know. The Universe said times up for Antonin...karma is comin' round for those in the political sphere...and the rest of us for sure. Sure to be a fight to the end on both sides... But please, for the love of all that's holy...NO President Trump!
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Thu, 02/18/2016 - 09:43

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I don't see why we cannot discuss, it's free to live. Please, discuss away...I'll be happy to chime in! :-)
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Submitted by liketohike on Thu, 02/18/2016 - 10:00

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Well alrighty then...for now...Im just gonna say, GO BERNIE!!!
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Submitted by marye on Fri, 02/19/2016 - 08:27

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respect, civility, and recognition that a person of good will and intellect can look at the same thing you're looking at and come to a different conclusion--essential. Discuss on!
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Submitted by Stickers on Tue, 02/23/2016 - 11:42

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Attention all Dead Heads! We’re working on Vol 2 of an art history book focusing on the culture & history of STICKERS. Please let us know if you have, or know of any fan created Dead stickers! We would like to feature them alongside official stickers from the band throughout the years. If have anything at all, please contact us at whoMadeThatSticker@gmail.com Thank you!  Lauren 
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Submitted by wilfredtjones on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 03:59

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Or, is that an effin' toy truck in your hand!?! Quick, on your belly and do a crab walk! I said last week! wtf?
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Submitted by liketohike on Fri, 07/22/2016 - 07:10

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the best/worst part of the story is that when the victim asked the officer why he shot him, the officer replied "I dont know"...Houston we have a problem.
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Submitted by Parkas4Kids on Thu, 09/08/2016 - 09:45

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Any Deadheads in either North or South Dakota have any news about what's going on with the oil pipeline constructions going on in your neck of the woods? The only "news" coverage I've seen has been spread via Social Media, and it's being done by no one I know of that lives out that way. I live in Maryland and haven't heard a thing about it.
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Submitted by DeadAnt on Fri, 11/11/2016 - 07:34

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A contemplative Veterans day message: Speak with those who have survived to take down walls. Remember those who were lost during WW1, or in any battle, with admiration and thanks. Respect the freedoms that sacrifice brought us. And now some opinions about the election. I know I know, this is very touchy shit, but I feel the message is important. So, why not, on a website so deadicated to the crimson-white-indigo, express my opinions. I dont go many other places on the internet is my other excuse. Maybe ill post something similar on NPR... The media seem to be trolling for hate, like the fact Trump wins means we go back to a segregated America, back to hate. That we forget about science, and environmental facts. All of my neighbors feel the opposite of this perceived hate. The eldest, most conservative of them, notice the change in the environment. In-fact, no matter who voted for who, we mostly see eye-to-eye. And some neighbors I have not talked with in so long, which is the point, communication, which is why we are where we are, or where we could be going. Maybe this hate is mostly media influence? I can not say, but just in-case: I am a patriotic person, and I believe this incoming government change needs a chance to prove themselves, but hardly any plans they say they want to do are on my lists, except of course supporting our troops, especially if that means bringing them home, and making a strong economy. Although nothing we really need, including money, is shipped here from mars, food grows on trees, love grows in the heart. I do like the idea of infrastructure fixes, who does not like nice roads for trips, but not at the expense of quality of life for all, not at the expense of the Earth herself. Im pro-life, but even i cant find a fair way to force people...ok, ok, going to far, sorry. Very polarizing world. Debates everyone should have a voice in, people way smarter than myself. But then the weight falls on us all to seek the best path. I believe we cannot sit by and complain about what Trump does in office AFTER he does it. We have to be ready to stop actions we all know will not benefit a future and freedom. We cant live in a world that reacts more like a tv show, like we are in a zombie apocalypse, more then a world that reacts of kindness and logic. Even the idea of race-color-creed, is just fabricated to keep us distracted. There is only one race, the human race. Social-cultural-religious differences are a challenge to break through and communicate or commune with, no doubt, but not an excuse to look the other way or grow hate. Until you drag yourself out from the depths of oppression, and poverty, you never know how hard that is. Compassion. Empathy. We can never afford to be naive, but we can always start with the good. We can start with trust. I find it easy to define hate acts of any kind, neo-nazi=isis, and beyond extremes of that ilk, i think we should be able to find a way to coexist, and write those ways down for all to attempt. "Fighting for peace is like fucking for virginity."- Some Hippie “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” – Thomas Jefferson Remember who the government work for, the people, and a million more of us voted against new walls. This is a minority-minded government with what seems like all the power. An unfortunate reminder that we cannot sit by and watch choices be made for us. We must be ready to peacefully enforce our true ideals as a country. True equality. To protect each and everyone of us who believes in peaceful existence. I believe we needed the election to go this way to shake us out of our comfort zone, from behind screens, from behind doors. Im not truly freaking out, I dont put all my hopes-wishes-fears on the shoulders of one person/president. My neighbors, my local government, thats where to really start. But the grand stage will need many players to pull off this show, to make sure the ending is good enough for us and our children's children. That means putting all of our best-feet forward and being proactive. Petitions, peaceful protests, fighting internal and external fear. We have enough to worry about with corporations, oligarchies around the world, Monsanto, natural resources. Now the things we have all been opposed to have all the friends, in all the highest positions? If ever we needed the spirit of the 60s, we need that spirit now. Get out and show your face somewhere, maybe somewhere that takes you out of your own comfort zone, but shows you are with peace. This new "Not My President," movement isnt exactly my cup-of-tea. I support whoever is our president, hard as it is, even Trump-the-pizza-commercial-reality tv star, but with watchful eyes, my voice at the ready, my boots tied tight. I am going to a gathering to show my face. I may have to watch someone burn a flag, not a fan, but i can express my distaste for the act and still be there in support of freedom, be there to show my face, to say, hey, we are all in this together. I can be there for Black Lives Matter, because if those lives matter all lives do. I can be there for the LGBT, even if i can not completely understand those lives. I can stand for women's rights. I can stand with any group who demand equal rights if their views include themselves and all others. I can walk to say no to pipelines for oil when we have the brains to invent new, better, ways. Walk against money ruling all. Walk for universal healthcare. And many many other reasons that promote individuality without destroying any one unique group. I dont have many answers, just know how I feel inside, I know how wonderful life can be, I am privileged to be an American, and don't see why everyone who wants too, cant have that feeling. I now, gladly, hop down from the soap-box. Cheers, heres to love winning. "If a reckoning comes maybe we'll know what to do then." -Words by John Barlow, sung by Brent Mydland
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Submitted by _ on Fri, 11/11/2016 - 08:22

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Amen brother.... give peace a chance....
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Submitted by DeadAnt on Fri, 11/18/2016 - 05:07

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So, my wife, a friend, and I, took to the streets in Philadelphia. Third night of protests. Some of the chants we skipped. Some we joined in on. The youth running things were fairly competent. They did a good job of getting rid of trouble makers. A lot of people spoke, some of them harder to listen to then others, but some really excellent young speakers mixed in. Completely peaceful interaction between the many many police officers and the crowd of about 300-400 people. A few police officers dressed all in black with red-arm bands did there best to intimidate, they didnt. Bicycles are a much better choice to follow the march then horses and hoses. Bicycles say, hey, we are here for the protestors and non-protestors. Traffic was briefly stopped, news crews blinded us with camera lights. People looked from the sidewalks, people stared motionless from windows. All in all this was a positive experience. I felt better just getting out there, showing the masses that we are watching, that we expect the best from the incoming administration, that we will be back if need be to petition those expectations. My protest offended a few friends and family members, I dont see it that way, but i try to be understanding. History tells me that we have to be ready, and getting out there is indeed the very thing democracy demands. America has been different for me after 9/11. People seem quieter, reserved. At shows, out on the streets. I think finding our voice is a good thing. That voice is almost a caricature of the sixties at-this-point. The shy sibling of the sixties trying to grow-up, and we will. We will get our protest-legs under us, peacefully, eventually, defiantly. Removing the media influence, being with a true mix of people on the train, through the protests, and back is a much better litmus for how America really is, who America really is, and that alone was helpful. We will get by, we will survive. Chin-up America.
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Submitted by dwlemen on Fri, 11/18/2016 - 08:03

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Hey, I am glad to hear that you are out there, and joined by at least a few hundred supporters. Numbers in Indiana were rather low, but that's not unexpected. You mentioned not having the voice of the 60's. I have been giving the 60's a lot of thought since this. Maybe I am being overly dramatic, but to me, this feels like the establishment's final push to undo the progresses that the 60's brought us. If I was to categorize the things the 60's brought forth, I would say: civil rights, women's rights, anti-war, and environmentalism. Since the 60's movement faded out, the right has been pushing towards reversing all of those things. With the new administration, further armed with congress and the Supreme Court, I fear a 4 years assault on all of that. I feel let down by the Democratic Party who chose to not listen to so many (on both sides) crying for a change in the normal political structure. I think HRC would have done a good job as President, but this was not the election for career politicians. We (progressives, lefties, hippies) need to rebuild the movement. Things are very much stacked against us. As much now as back in the day. We should have the numbers, but we need to organize, fight them as best we can these 2-4 years, and be prepared to do true political battle. Well, OK, I was going to just write a "good for you!" message but apparently I had more to get off my chest. Sorry for the soap box. Peace, -Dave
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Submitted by dwlemen on Sat, 11/26/2016 - 15:00

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Hello fellow hippies! I have a question... Where online are the best sites/blogs/reddits/etc. to read or subscribe to? I obviously am on here each day, but where else? I am looking for communities of like minded folks to hopefully join in with. Peace, -Dave