Sunday, February 07, 2010

The Beatles can still inspire: 46 years after conquering America

Posted by Mickey Z on 02/07 at 08:12 AM

  1. Tom Paine’s internationalist example is an inspiration to all.  Always worth reading.

    Upon seeing the statue of liberty of the first time in the 20’s GBS said: “I see you also build monuments to your dead”. Great quote even though he was talkin’ ‘bout prohibition.

    Posted by Bob T. from Archer, FL  on  02/07  at  08:53 AM

  2. I read somewhere that the face of the Statue of Liberty was based on the sculptor’s mum, who used to beat him.

    Posted by Rick (the Cartoonist) from England  on  02/07  at  09:00 AM

  3. As Lou Reed sang, “The Statue of Bigotry.”

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/07  at  10:21 AM

  4. Off topic but too good not to tell everyone…

    “Apart from that Mrs Lincoln, how did you enjoy the play?” - Tom Lehrer

    Posted by michael from not scotland  on  02/07  at  11:57 AM

  5. I followed right through to the article on why Seattle was a success for activism. Good stuff.

    I also hate that redundant argument that it caused the police to be more violent or ‘effective’ at protests. Because ... errr ... usually they are so nice and peaceful about it ... err ... right. As the article pointed out, the police violence was at a relative low simply because they had protests contained and impotent.

    Any real protest or incident was put down with extreme prejudice as usual.

    We have this talk here in China a lot. It’ll start with someone saying how it’s so bad here because you have no right to protest and the police can shut you down. Then it’ll get on to how it’s not so much better else where. In every country, you can protest as long as the powers that be think it’s not going to incite real change. But as soon as you approach the line of change the gloves will come off one way or another.

    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  02/07  at  01:45 PM

  6. Good point, Andy. One day, the cops will realize that the protesters are fighting for them, too.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/07  at  01:51 PM

  7. Yeah, which is why it’s also so important to continuously challenge nationalism and racism and other manufactured ideologies for separating people with common interests.

    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  02/07  at  02:19 PM

  8. That’s made me think of the Haiti scenario. At the time of the Haitian Revolution ("Revolt" I think it’s termed..which makes it sound like “revolting") there were circa 30,000 French running the country, and 400,000 slaves. When it reached boiling point it was the numbers that mattered, not which side had more experience of oppressing.


    I was told by a policeman in Parliament square (a public space) that I couldn’t eat my crisps there, and would have to move. He said I was part of the protest taking place down the road. [I did have a 5ft Cuban flag on display]. The policeman’s voice did suggest to me that he thought what he was saying was ridiculous.

    In Parliament Square you’re not allowed to participate or start a “political demonstration” without prior police permission. Surely everyone IN THE PARLIAMENT BUILDING is demonstrating politically!
    Talking of parliament, captcha says “tax”

    Posted by Rick (the Cartoonist) from England  on  02/07  at  04:54 PM

  9. I could not agree more, Mickey!  I still find The Beatles inspiring.

    Hello, Bob T., Michael, Rick and Andy from a very warm Daylesford:  90F today. Best to keep cool ..

    Posted by Helga Fremlin from Daylesford, Australia  on  02/07  at  06:05 PM

  10. Hey Rick and Helga.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/08  at  05:10 AM

  11. My wife hooked me up with something fast enough to pop by Facebook today.

    So, I’ve added Mickey’s fan page and person.

    I re-posted the PETA story as well. Within one minute, one of my ‘friends’ there had revealed himself as a reactionary naysayer. But I kind of knew that about him already while he was in Shanghai.

    Posted by Andy from Shanghai  on  02/08  at  06:32 AM

  12. Thanks, Andy.

    I just put up a new post I think you’ll like. See you all there.

    Posted by Mickey Z. from Astoria  on  02/08  at  08:45 AM

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