Four Dead in Ohio

[erpowers]

I have a dual purpose for this post. First, to ask those who have heard the song what they think about it. Second, the point out the similarilties between the reaction to the song then and what clear channel did in 2001. So, for those who heard the song what did you think about the song. What do you think has kept it a part of American culture for so long.

Second, today I did a search for the song. I have never heard the song, but I have for years heard about the song. I had never realized that when the song came out in 1970 it was banned from the play list of some stations due to "anti-war and anti-Nixon lyrics". This is the same thing Clear Channel did in 2001. As you know shortly after 9/11 Clear Channel stations began to ban songs from their station's play lists that were thought to be anti-war/anti-American/anti-Bush.

One other thing is that it seems that Neil Young does not get bashed for being anti-war during the Vietnam war as much as some other people like Jane Fonda and John Kerry get bashed. Does anyone have any idea why this happens. Is it that he did not go to Vietnam to protest, that he did not speak against the war before congress, or is it that he was bashed during the Vietnam years and then after the war the bashing just subsided with time?

[EFerrari]

1. Neil Young didn't get directly up in the faces of Congress and

the Executive the way Fonda and Kerry did. He mostly talked to us. His role was different if just as powerful.

[bunkerbuster1]

2. by 1970, antiwar songs were pretty commonplace.

Support for the war had headed south after Tet in 1968. That's why Neil wasn't cruicified.

It's hard for you kids to comprehend this, and do try not to laugh when I say it, but back in the day, if you had long hair and made loud, abrasive music, it was presumed that you were part of this thing called the "counterculture." Heck, just having long hair indicated that you were probably pro-integration, pro-drug-legalization, and anti-Vietnam war. By 1970 most Americans under 30 had long hair.

Which is why Nixon went so nuts so fast, I guess. But his toadies did get even, didn't they?

[Sequoia]

3. I can't believe you've never heard it!!

Don't you get any oldies stations where you live? I was a kid when it came out and it was powerful then, as it is now. It's good point you bring up that he's not bashed for it but I don't know, maybe he was half hearted about it and then went on to sing about other subjects.

[hlthe2b]

7. Introduce others to this music, will you?

And, kudos for being inquisitive enough to find out about the time. Those who fail to appreciate the events and intensity that this period has had on what is happening now are vulnerable to the manipulations. While the RW may hate and detest the New Deal, their motivation comes from their distorted view of the 60's and Vietnam.

[erpowers]

8. I Do

I do get the oldies stations and do listen to them some times, but for some reason I have never heard the song. I plan to listen to it later today on my computer.

[catnhatnh]

4. Also...

...Young is a Canadian...so nothing he said (or sang) could be construed as "treason" here.Also you should check out CSN&Y's "Chicago" during your study of political songs...it covers the events of the '68 Democratic convention (Chicago 7).

"Though your brother's bound and gagged,
and they've chained him to a chair,
won't you please come to Chicago just to sing?
In a Land that's known as Freedom how can such a thing be fair?
Wont you please come to Chicago,
or else join the other side...."

[hlthe2b]

5. That song remains wrenching for me... It is rare I don't tear up a bit...

Neil Young was one of many folk singers singing out against the war..it was the theme of many pieces written during that time. Young is also Canadian, did not "offend the sensitivities" of some few who fought in Vietnam, since he did not (as Kerry) fight and then renounce the war. And, then of course you mix misogyny with a general disdain by RWers for the "counter culture of the 60s," Hollywood, and assertive, intelligent, liberal females, you have the hate for Fonda. Add to that the "in your face" disdain she showed for those who blindly continued to back the war, exemplified by her photo ops from her visit to North Korea, and i think it becomes more clear...


Personally, I've found it to be a prominent aspect of RW conservatives makeup to lash out in a life-long grudge against those who ultimately "prove them wrong." If one stakes their entire belief system on a black/white model of "right and wrong," there really isn't any room for flexibility, now is there? So rather than lose their "security blanket of beliefs," they divert their confusion to focusd hatred on those who dare to make them question those beliefs.

BTW, I was very young during this time and many of my memories come from a sense of dread, reinforced by the music of the time. Once I became a bit older and sought to understand what I'd been too young to really "experience," it was a turning point for me in my views of the world. It is sad that so many refuse to critically examine the past and their viewpoints relative to these events as they mature. To do so, is both the beautiful "strength" and weakness of lib/progressives.... Time and time again, inflexibility of belief and unquestioning loyalty to those beliefs has been a powerful tool exploited by fascists and evil despots alike. That it is similarly effective for today's RW, can't help but concern those of us who have tried to "learn from history."

[Sparkman]

6. what song ended Fahrenheit 911 ? Hint: We got a 1000 points of light, for

the homeless man.
We got a kinder gentler machine gun hand.

This is classic Niel, gotta luv it.

[hlthe2b]

9. Strongly recommend that those who have not seen it, view Moore's video

production he made for Neil Youngs' "Rockin the Free World" which you can see at
www.mp3.com/neil-young/artists/5078/summary.html

POWERFUL!

It is also on the special addition (DVD included) of his Greatest Hits release from last Fall.

[maveric]

10. Rockin in the Free World.