It Don't Come Easy

[H2O Man]

“Got to pay your dues if you want to sing the blues
And you know it don't come easy
You don't have to shout or leap about
You can even play them easy
Forget about the past and all your sorrow
The future won't last
It will soon be your tomorrow,”
Ringo Starr; It Don't Come Easy


My (ex) sister-in-law and her husband took my sons and I to watch Ringo Starr's concert in Binghamton Tuesday evening. Every song the All Starr Band played was fantastic. There is something about watching the 78-year old former Beatle that brings back good memories. And I know that most of the audience – and the majority was of my generation – were reliving the same memories. Thousands of people were singing along, and hundreds were dancing throughout the arena.

In these strange and often terrible times, it is important to take time to recognize and experience the good that is around us. That's not to say we should ignore or somehow forget all the bad things around us – that is not possible. We are in one of the most intense conflicts in our nation's history. We see it played out in the media daily, with Trump, Kavanaugh, and the spineless republicans in the House and Senate. They are the spores of a poisonous plant that have taken root in too many communities across America.

Yet, at the same time, we are witnessing a powerful force on the rise. At great risk to herself and her family, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has come forward to expose Kavanaugh as the scum he is. I had watched part of his testimony to the Senate committee with my youngest daughter, a psychology major studying women's issues. My daughter said, “There's something creepy about this guy.” I said that there is generally something creepy about conservative christian republicans who obsess over, and seek to dictate, other adults' sex lives. Kavanaugh is a prime example. I am so thankful that Dr. Ford is stepping up despite the very real risks entailed.

Georgetown law professor Heidi Feldman started a GoFundMe account to pay for the security costs that Dr. Ford has due to the numerous death threats she has received. There is a powerful force rising, to counter the poison that is violence ….and making death threats is indeed an act of violence.

I'm impressed by Dr. Ford's attorney. Likewise, with the member of the House of Representatives and the Senator that have assisted Dr. Ford in bringing this issue to light. By no coincidence, all three of these people are women. They are channeling the power that is rising in our lands.

Likewise, it is no coincidence that those publicly supporting Kavanaugh are ethically-dehydrated old white men, those very conservative christian republican toxic spores. They seek to spread and empower the most negative base qualities of our species. They fear the power of Dr. Ford, as it threatens to bring their ilk's behaviors to a dead end.

I'm old now, older than any of the songs Ringo sang. I was disgusted by the way that Anita Hill was treated not that many years ago. Certainly, those dried republican snake skins in the Senate will attempt to disrespect and insult Dr. Ford in the very same manner they did to Anita Hill. That won't change. But everything around them is changing, and they are incapable of stopping this cycle of power from rising. In terms of the November elections, I am reminded of the old Irish saying: “They're fucked.”

[PearliePoo2]

1. Well thought out and beautifully written piece!

I found it encouraging that a poll I saw this morning has Kavanaugh losing support! I forget the exact number, but he was in the 20's.

K&R

[H2O Man]

24. Oh, thank you!

It has been interesting. I think the Democrats in the Senate are doing a very good job, under tough circumstances. And I think that the grass roots is energized.

[malaise]

2. I'm stealing this

ethically-dehydrated old white men

Great Read WaterMan.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

8. dried republican snake skins

I liked this one, too:

"dried republican snake skins in the Senate"

Worse -- it's the *same* dried republican snake skins in the Senate that attacked Anita Hill!

[calimary]

9. That IS a good one. That's what they look like, at least to me.

As an aside - the snake in the Garden of Eden was likely male. Especially if it’s a metaphor for the Devil. Satan is always depicted and referred to as male.

“Ethically-dehydrated old white men” is another good one!

[H2O Man]

25. Please do!

That's what they are. Bags of hypopigmented shit dust.

I think the Democrats will crush them in November. What do you think?

[malaise]

35. I think so but I am still worried about the role of the police

and ReTHUG operatives on Election Day.
You see I lived through stolen elections orchestrated by Washington...Jamaica, October 1980.

[peacebuzzard]

3. Just love that song

I will be humming it all day now. Thanks for that!
Great post.

[H2O Man]

26. Thanks!

It's a great song. And I think Ringo was having a great time on stage.

[saidsimplesimon]

4. A POX on their house and save the wild horses

they tried to capture, corral and starve to death. (wild horses=democratic rebellion)

[H2O Man]

27. I like rebellion.

I remember when people thought Ringo's hair was long. I've favored long hair since I first saw the Beatles, but never thought of it as a form of rebellion. When crusty old men snarled, "I can't tell if you're a boy or a girl," I responded, "Hate to see your wife." But I try not to comment unkindly about other people's hair. Like, Trump's hair. It reminds me of a John Lennon drawing, where instead of hair, the fellow had a dead fish on his head. Maybe Trump would look less-bad if he had a dead gold fish instead of that nonsense on his head.

[saidsimplesimon]

31. In his dreams, an Egyptian burial with a golden sarcophagus?

Paid for by JQ Public, of course, he is bankrupt.

[H2O Man]

36. Right.

When he's conscious, his diet indicates he likely has never considered the reality of death. Perhaps he could be buried under the golden arches?

[TygrBright]

5. Thanks for the reminder!

I had a terrible earworm today and this is a VAST improvement.

appreciatively,
Bright

[H2O Man]

28. Many thanks for this!

Great song!

[Uncle Joe]

6. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread H2O Man.

[H2O Man]

30. Thanks Uncle Joe!

[eleny]

7. Very "stand up" that the GoFundMe account is no longer accepting contributions

They received a lot more than the goal and stopped accepting. They can keep standing tall. A fitting decision that meshes well with the point of your OP.

Rec'd.

[catrose]

12. I'd be happy to donate to her legal expenses too

She has so much to lose by coming forward.

[eleny]

16. Me, too

I guess that her attorney's wouldn't do that on their own. I'm thinking it can't be them to ask for money for themselves. But I'd donate in a minute. Ford doing this for all of us.

[H2O Man]

32. Right.

I'll see what I can find out in the next 48 hours.

[shadowmayor]

10. I hope

I hope that Ringo passed the audition!

[H2O Man]

42. A splendid time

was guaranteed for all!

[panfluteman]

11. Dr. Anita Hill Didn't Have All the Death Threats

From the crazy wing nut Trumpies on the right. Or did she have any death threats?

[Hekate]

19. I don't know. But that was pre-internet, & the internet makes anonymous vile trolling so easy. nt

[H2O Man]

43. Good question.

As noted in the first response, it was a different time. Technology was different, as was the mood of the country. I'd speculate that while Sr. Hill likely endured some threats, that Dr. Ford has had many, many more.

[BobTheSubgenius]

13. The Irish have such a way with words.

I truly believe in the change...the movement....that is in the air. It may be that the enthusiasm of some will wane once a certain, unknown point is reached, but that doesn't matter near as much as reaching that point.

[H2O Man]

44. There is a shift

taking place. One of the most encouraging signs I see is a unity of purpose between young women like my daughters, and the older generation of women, like those at Ringo's concert. The all-too-common experiences of Dr. Ford -- what she endured decades ago and today -- helps bring into sharp focus the need for a united front. And it defines who the enemy is. More, there are a heck of a lot of men of all ages -- sons, brothers, cousins, fathers, and friends -- who are 100% with them.

[gademocrat7]

14. Bravo, H20 Man.

[H2O Man]

45. Thank you.

[llmart]

15. "...they are incapable of stopping this cycle of power from rising."

Truth. I think on some level they think they can because of their positions in government and that's why they continue to try. It will never work. I remember years ago a person older than I was said, "The world always moves forward and to think you can change that is the quintessential definition of denial."

These dried republican snake skins will be gone sooner rather than later and younger generations will keep moving forward.

I'm an older woman now and when I look back on my seven decades what is clear to me is that the old white men a generation before me tried to keep us out of the workplace and colleges and law schools and medical schools and where'd that get them? As they say, "Still she persisted". I believe there are more women in med school and law school and higher education than men.

I don't wallow in the latest Trump shit show every day because I have a life to live, but I do stay informed. He and his GOP cohorts aren't worth my emotional energy. However, I am heartened by the fact that not all old white men are like this, though a vast majority of them are. You, H2O Man are the perfect example of what we need more of in this country.

[cp]

17. Really good post--thank you!

I will love the Beatles and every note and word of all their songs as long as I live. Thanks for the reminder of the joy they still bring.

Every one of my friends said about Kavanaugh at the hearings: He's creepy.

Every one of them said about Blasey Ford's story of the assault: Thank goodness she was wearing a one-piece bathing suit.

[Hekate]

18. The world has changed around these desiccated old men & they seek to hold on to their power...

...with violence.

Thanks for another good essay.

[MuseRider]

20. I too remember watching what happened to Anita Hill.

It was disgraceful but as a woman it did not surprise me. At this later date it does surprise me although I am not certain why. Maybe it is because I value myself and my women friends more as we have all grown much over the years.

I saw Ringo 2 years ago, I took my 30+ year old sons. We LOVED it. It was such fun. I love that you also got to go and experience those memories. There are some very good things about living. I hope, as a woman, not to end up losing much of it because of my gender but I feel a real force on the opposite side pushing to drive us back into the house and total dependency. I know I will not be going there, so there it is. We are also a force that is growing and I am hoping that this time we are strong enough to not be thrown back.

Lovely post H2O Man, as always.

[Habibi]

21. Thanks, H2O Man

Your posts are always a gift of both truth and hope.

[panader0]

22. Recommended.

[smirkymonkey]

23. Thank you for your thoughtful post.

K&R!

[Kali]

29. "ethically-dehydrated old white men"

[coeur_de_lion]

33. Thank God for Dr. Christine Blasey Ford

It looks to me like she will derail Kavanaugh.

The ethically dehydrated old white men won't have much power over her.

If by chance Kavanaugh is confirmed I think it will just further empower all the well hydrated women running for office and those voting for them.

I do believe you're right, there is a movement rising that no amount of ethically dehydrated old men can stop. I'm proud to be part of it.

At my new job a woman was talking about Dr. Ford in a suspicious way. Like why didn't she come out with this until now? Why does she want an FBI investigation? She's suspicious of her. I listened politely while inside I was thinking "Why are you so suspicious of this woman? Do you really think trump would nominate someone who is actually ethical?" I work for a religious organization and you would think employees of this place wouldn't be ethically dehydrated or support those who are. I liked her before that conversation.

[Scurrilous]

34. K&R

[Deb]

37. We were there too. Ringo and his All Star Band is a must see! Give peace a chance

Generations of us. Overheard some obvious Conservatives complain about the "heavy metal" music on the way out and we giggled all the home.

[Heartstrings]

38. Saw him and his all starr band in Milwaukee

2 weeks ago! He was having fun the entire concert! Great show!

Great post!

[DinahMoeHum]

39. Well, I'll have a chance to experience what you said tonight.

I'm seeing Paul Simon at Madison Square Garden, on his "Homeward Bound" tour.

Friday night is the next-to-last stop (and allegedly his final time on tour at MSG), with the final show Saturday at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens.

https://www.amny.com/entertainment/paul-simon-queens-1.21135442

[proglib217]

41. Central Park would have been more fitting

With guest Art Garfunkel

[spanone]

40. K&R...

[OneGrassRoot]

46. Huge K&R w/tremendous gratitude

[malthaussen]

47. Resistance is rising, agreed.

And the opposition is getting really fed up with the Establishment's crap -- and showing it more frequently.

That said, there are still a lot of folks who have an interest in perpetuating the Natural Order that has shaped their entire worldview, and that of their ancestors and communities. Patriarchy is not just about putting women in their place, it is about a hierarchical, ordered social structure where everybody is in his place. Old and privileged white empty suits are entitled to their perks and position at the top by virtue of money and tradition. This Natural Order is re-affirmed by religion, and local school boards and institutions (all government is local, right?). The trash below the top can be justified by being higher than the trash below them, defined loosely as everyone with a different skin color or plumbing.

This might be starting to show cracks, as heretofore the gentry at the top were expected to throw an occasional (material) bone at their inferiors, in the form of jobs, patronage, a new football field, etc. But the privileged classes are becoming too greedy, and have forgotten that the lower orders need to live on more than promises and hot air. It might be workable for awhile, which is the stage we're in now, IMO, but I don't think it can last.

And it may be moot anyway, as those outside the Natural Order are multiplying their numbers far faster than those who benefit from it and nurture it.

-- Mal

[VOX]

48. Relatable, beautiful, thoughtful post.

Every word. You have a knack for remaining positive in an honest, realistic manner. That’s a deeply appreciated gift to people who are flagging a bit in the Hopeful Dept. (*raises hand* mea culpa).
Thank you for your words, and the thoughtfulness behind them.

P.S. In the past year, my wife and I have seen Ringo, Van Morrison, Steve Winwood and Tom Jones. They are NOT coming across as dinosaurs staggering through a set; on the contrary, they are very much with it, and they give it their all. Each one has been great, but the biggest surprise was Tom Jones. Gone is the gyrating, the Vegas-type silliness. He now fronts a five-piece Welsh band, and they rock hard. Lots of blues and gospel standards, loud and infectious. Everyone was on their feet for most of the show.

I’m getting a huge kick out of seeing these performers with whom I grew up (listening to them on the radio, that is). To a person, they sound better now than back in the day. (It’s also a potent escape-tonic from the current national insanity.)

[recovering_democrat]

49. Life lessons, thanks

Those of us from this generation always knew the truth of "it dont come easy". From 1776 to today. Our younger generation started out having it much easier, but are now learning this message. And they have and are still learning.

Thanks for the thoughts and the reminders. It will never be easy. It will be right IF we make it so.