From Oregon to Texas to Utah; my Gratitude List
I was happy to see that my post about Willie Campbell struck a chord with folks. At last count there were 60 comments. It is times like there when I miss the 80s. While I was living it the 80s were characterized by despair and apathy. In retrospect, they were a time of both regression (Reagan, AIDS, the S&L scandal, Hair Metal?) but also tremendous action (ACT UP, the anti-Apartheid movement, Punk). Right now we are at war in 2 countries, the economy is tanking, the planet is sick (if not dying)- and by and large we aren?t in the streets. Why?
Long time radical activist, folk singer and all around cool dude U Utah Phillips recently died. Phillips was one of those great life long gadflies- the folks that never stop sticking it to the man. He spent decades organizing unions and singing folk songs. He never went quietly in to that good night. He is a kind of secular saint to me- an example of a life spent in struggle for a better, more humane and just world.
So today I am grateful for Thunderstorms, AIDS activist, and secular saints.
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