9th grade. Entered a new school in San Antonio. All new students were given an IQ test. I didn’t even know what it was. The next week the math teacher announced that the student with the highest IQ was right in the room. Wow! I looked around then heard my own name and the number. Still didn’t really understand but the cutest boy in school had turned to look at me and that was a thrill. As if a high IQ is a ticket to romance! 😂 Then the teacher walked to my desk, returned my failed math test and gave me a prissy, “You could do better.” Hell no, I couldn’t. What did she think I was trying to prove by failing?Seventy years later I discovered my beautiful Hunter brain and it has been such a wonderful year using that powerful machine to unravel some of its mysteries. First time all that mega-brainwork did me any good. 🤗🌴
In response to your pointing at me through my computer screen saying: "Activism begins with you; democracy begins with you. Get out there; get active! Tag, you're it!...Democracy is not a spectator sport." Below is an abridged representation of my story with most of the details excluded. I am willing to try again, but this time I can't do it without help. I tried to turn myself inside-out to be someone I have never been. I made professional flyers, made resumes complete with previous gigs continuously updated, managed our Website using HTML and Dreamweaver uploaded edits and new additions to our searchable Go Daddy site with songs demo's , liner notes, photo album, etc.. I was our tech guru, including recording and editing and composing press releases, making cold calls to book new gigs, advertised for band members, booked auditions complete with send them recordings and lead sheets, arranged rehearsals, worked my day job, managed the files and copyrights etc., etc., etc.. I pushed beyond my endurance for the sole purpose of turning the management and all of the recording and sound tech duties to people who would actually know what they were doing so they would get an idea of what we hoped to accomplish. Our big debut was at the "Gig" on Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood. Ian called agents all that week and got some to promise to come and see us. We had a great turnout with free CD's for everyone at the door. After we had done our sound check. We were told that someone else was getting our slot and we would have play after them, which required removing all of our stuff. The agents, if they had ever come, had already left by the time we played. Who could blame them; they had already worked all day. Our CD's were never passed out to any of our guests. Ian's guitar monitor was not connected the whole time causing issues when we were supposed to take our cues from him; fortunately we were able to manage so that the audience thought it was all part of the show. After the show so many people waited at the stage entrance to express encouragement and enthusiasm about our music. But without competent management, I couldn't do it and we didn't even risk singing our more controversial songs. (If you are curious the songs we have published are available on iTunes, Spotify ,etc.. under the Band name: Sheldan Rivers; Artist names: Donalie Sheldan, and Ian Rivers; CD names: The Storm, "...often seen carrying a guitar.", "I Will be Free".
I don't know where to start, and trying to communicate just makes me exhausted. This article resonated so personally with my own experience, it made me feel like I must make the effort. Whenever I try to define the reality of my life, it seems impossible. For those who understand the references, my first exposure to religion was the reverend Wesley A. Swift (Google him!), my "farmer" Grandparents (where I was warehoused away from the rest of my "farmer" family) were members of the John Burch Society. My Grandmother made it her life's work to eliminate every recognizable characteristic that was me. My mother was a religious fanatic who rabidly studied her Bible with the guidance of the periodicals: "The Cross and the Flag" and "Kingdom Digest" and used her copy of "Strong's Concordance" to insure the infallibility of her dogma. My siblings are each caught in their own version of the "alt-right", Christian Nationalist, Cult of Personality, identity politics that began so many decades ago. Public school was the only access I had to reality which I craved, but that posed additional problems that I felt I had to deal with alone from my very first school experience. At home, besides self-righteous, sanctimonious Christianity, there were racial jokes and heavy-handed racial denigration, dehumanization, and outright demonization of other ethnic groups and religions; and as you might expect a little Holocaust denial, misogyny, and slavery apologizing thrown in. Music and education were considered ways to make us drug addicts and Communists. Their perpetual cognitive dissonance kept me overwhelmed by an onslaught of questions I dared not ask. Physical abuse, though rare, was shocking and an ever present threat. Mental cruelty was common place. The age difference between myself and my siblings was an effective excuse to keep me separated from my "farmer" family members and my "hunter" attention used as a way to say it was my fault. With a rigid hierarchy already in place I was effectively "otherized", victimized and suppressed with impunity. Before you get the wrong idea, I am still in denial about the words and tone of voice that comes out of the mouths of my siblings, and look for the magic awakening when they might find understanding of the humanity and plight of others. Meanwhile, I am horrified by the many ways people the world over have suffered, because people like me don't want to believe those they love could truly feel righteous about imposing their dominion over the lives of others based on artifacts written and interpreted by autocrats with their anthropomorphic gods.
I was much struck by the quote "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross", from the first moment I heard it, I felt the chill of truth and felt I must do something. I tried to warn people about what I thought was a slide into fascism through religion and hubris back in the 90's, but what I could articulate was limited by my lack of exposure and connections. I would attempt to write down my thoughts as poetry and later lyrics with melodies; it helped to cool my brain in a more meditative state, trim down my words and hopefully make people ponder my meaning long enough to consider other points of view. Many of the words I write in my song lyrics are a way to focus my own thoughts. As I rehearse them, I listen to how my words may be misunderstood or twisted, and discipline myself to examine my own possible failure to understand others. My songs were my hope to find other like-minded people and avoid the trap of being pigeon-holed and dismissed before even saying a word. As a student and ultimately a teacher of Adult Education, I encountered some great people who told me that if I liked PBS, I would probably like Keith Olberman and John Stewart, and then Ian was the one who told me about hearing you, Thom on the radio ; through you and them, I found more sources of information that were very helpful in broadening my understanding of the world. Our magical LAUSD Adult schools became infiltrated and decimated by Superintendent Desi and his illegal collusion with Pearson Publishing. Many teachers were laid-off and lost our seniority; and although I was fortunate that someone in the main offices cleared the way for my being rehired as a substitute teacher. I never regained my footing and the stress so diminished my health, I was forced to retire early suffering a reduction to my Social Security.
Ian (my song-writing, band and life partner) and I protested the Supreme Court selection of George W. Bush in 2000 and along with other protestors tried to get people to sign our petition on the 3rd Street Promenade across from the Santa Monica Place and found ourselves being targeted by an "Acorn"-type-set-up to discredit our efforts. We fortunately stopped it, but who knows what they would have tried to manufacture out of it if they had felt the need. The obstacle posed by my health meant that half of our songs have not yet been published. While I tried to regain my health and income, I wrote and illustrated a children's book, "Cilla's Dilemma", to warn children about what they might lose by succumbing to peer pressure. Ian taught ESL at the Adult School so I added a glossary and index for English language learners and children, like me, who love dictionaries. I failed to get it reviewed because reviewers and publishers require a series of 3 books, or fame to even read it. I had hard copies made, recorded an e-book, and published an in-color illustrated Kindle book to try to shop it to local book stores, but the expense of return policy requirements, publication inventory, storage and shipping logistics were prohibitive. My music CD's were put under the wrong designation on someone else's Amazon page and Amazon blew off my efforts to correct it (intentionally? -- who knows). I have experienced what has felt like surveillance and sabotage to my computers, my Internet connection, our website and even my files. I had a page that made lead-sheets, lyrics and sound files available for use to elect Progressive politicians and to fund Progressive campaigns and lawyers fighting voter suppression, but too many people said they couldn't find it. The e-mail that came with it was discontinued and two different things I paid extra for were not enough. I took the website down because we are financially underwater every month as it is, and I can't pay for something that isn't working. I absolutely suck at marketing; and I get exhausted just thinking about it. Paying for extras piecemeal for Go Daddy just make me lose confidence their product and scare tactics made me drop the company I have be similarly disappointed by many software products. I like the way you presented your subscription options - right up front. Thank you.
The Lyrics and chords below are exactly appropriate for Minneapolis and all the blue sanctuary cities “under siege” right now. Link to a clip of the melody in the previous comment.
Are You Listening?
Words and Music by: Donalie Sheldan
Arrangement by: Sheldan-Rivers
Capo 3rd Fret makes it the key Cm
[This first paragraph is verbatim from Webster’s New World Dictionary and is spoken]
||:Am:||
Fascism:
A system of government characterized by:
Rigid one party dictatorship, forcible suppression of opposition,
private economic enterprise under centralized governmental control
Belligerent nationalism, racism, and militarism.
Am
The old fat cats have their games to play
Am
Consequences are for others to pay
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Behind closed doors the deals are made
Am
Backs are scratched and plans are laid
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Spinning perceptions with twisted lies
Dm
The country is endangered by a cancer inside
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
You try so hard you know there’s a way
Am
But now one cares ‘cause it doesn’t pay
Am C Am
Are you listening now?
C Em Am
Buy a front row seat
C Em Am
The world is at your feet
C G Am
As the despot leads
C Em Am
The constitution bleeds
Am
Plutocratic oligarchy
Am
Posing as a democracy
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Treaties are broken and greed wins the day
Am
Imperialism is the game they play
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
They pick up their flags and cheer on the fight
Am
They don’t care that it isn’t right
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Soldiers and civilians die by the score can be changed to:
I have tried to send our politically progressive and protest songs to Michael Moore, to public radio stations, to what was MSNBC, and to Late Night political talk shows; everything came back unopened after the election cycle was over. We have received inaccurate polling place data. We have had political calls from groups claiming to be who they are not for the purpose of hijacking our vote. The one time I was able to verify that it was happening I had strep throat and had to turn down the plea to join the phone bank. When my singing/songwriting and life partner, Ian and I have gone to Democratic events the only activists we ever managed to communicate with thought we were there to steal their thunder and to promote ourselves; at temporary Democratic headquarters in Westwood we were shocked by the condescension and disrespect received and we were never even asked what we might hope to contribute, they didn’t want to listen to the songs, read the lyrics or even know what the subject matter was. We have experienced many set-backs; some of which felt intentional. I love many of the up and coming Democrats in the United State Congress and the Senate, etc., and want to make sure they get their chance to make the world a better place. We have never found whom to approach about using our music to advance progressive policies and elect progressive politicians. We have felt that things that have happened to us are odd, and down right criminal, definitely obstructive and even threatening to our health. When we took our computer, the one that has all the creative programs and files in it, to Geek Squad to be fixed at Best Buy, because it would just inexplicably stop working, we were told there was “nothing wrong with it”. We have experienced interference with our phone lines, mailing efforts, internet access, websites etc., etc., etc.. This is all too much to talk about now and much might be explained away; but it always gets worse the moment we try once again to contribute our efforts to the cause of justice and democracy.
We wrote some of our songs for the express purpose of uniting strangers’ voices of protest at marches and rallies into a more inclusive feeling of shared understanding (E Pluribus Unum - From Many One) and inspiring more participation through a feeling of community and interaction with one another. It has never been about our egos, we don’t have to be the ones singing or taking credit, but we don’t want our songs to get into the wrong hands to be used against progressives. That is why we need advice from more experienced heads.
For monetary survival, I am trying with Ian’s help, to complete some animated educational-videos that we hope to monetize to supplement our inadequate monthly income; making this effort more than an inconvenient distraction. But we both feel such an urgency to get our songs to those who need them most in the targeted cities. Feeling that if I can just get these lyrics, with any appropriate changes to lyrics or music to make them more current, protesters around the country my part might be to empower and encourage them to become better acquainted with one another.
Something is missing when I have not been able to penetrate our isolation. There are probably many of us who feel powerless while we churn away at tools we hope will help those more suited to social interaction with their efforts never knowing how to surmount the obstacles.
When people at protests chant assertive phrases, well within their first amendment rights, their tone is often used as an excuse to accuse them of being threatening and to escalate suppression tactics. When, however, confronted by people in animal costumes dancing in Portland and singing songs, “birthday-suit” yoga and “birthday-suit” bike rides, ICE’s aggressive behavior is brought into clear focus as the abuse of power it is, and it makes it harder to mischaracterize the protesters behavior as they “observe” ICE. The melodies of our protest songs are simple with choruses that are easy to remember. Whether the verses are sung solo or by a group of individuals; the effect of the choruses swelling with the voices of many is compelling. Different progressive interest-groups can easily memorize and sing rhyming couplet verses that focus on their specific cause or like Randy, who wrote the poem he read on the Thom Hartman Report today, might want to fit his thoughts into a verse and then the crowd comes in with the refrain. I had the lyrics, lead sheets and sound files on our website for public access but had reason to believe we were being sabotaged on many fronts. We had drawn attention to ourselves with our protest visibility, signing petitions and adding comments. We had reasons to believe we were being interfered with every time we tried again but never knew where to turn for help. The country’s trajectory toward fascism that I wrote about then, is now so visible anyone can see it if they just bother to honestly look. I thought it was obvious then, and when I tried to send what we had written to what looked like, like-minded people, it came back unopened after the election cycle was passed. If there is any way to open the copyright on our songs for use at progressive rallies, marches and for progressive causes while prohibiting their use by malign forces we will do it. We just want to know our songs and melodies are being used for the purposes we intended: to preserve and promote Pluralism, stop encroaching Imperial Colonialism, Fascism, Christian Nationalism, Plutocratic Oligarchy, Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism… you get the idea. It feels like we are trying to contact extraterrestrials - “you can’t get there from here”. The debilitating exhaustion of ADHD coupled with an inability to effectively communicate my sincere intentions is taking its toll. Help! Below are the words and chords to the song “Are You Listening Now” and here is a link to hear a clip of our recording of the melody line: https://music.apple.com/us/album/are-you-listening/159925643?i=159925979
Please forgive the multiple posts. I hope you will understand this when you take into consideration the "hunter" in a farmers world" this is a result of 26 years of trying to find how to get through. The song I am trying to post for rallies is one of many we have written for protestors to use only some of which can me found on line. I will try to explain and perhaps you can forgive me as I try to help in my imperfect way. I need to find where we can post the lead-sheets to be available to those who need them. To those of you who are doing all you can; and for those demonstrating your courage and patriotism by holding the line against this unholy outrage: Ian and I thank you from the depths of our souls.
Sometimes I feel like I am trying to contact extraterrestrials - “you can’t get there from here”. The debilitating exhaustion of ADHD coupled with an inability to effectively communicate my sincere intentions is taking its toll. Help!
I am new to this platform, Sub Stack, and I don’t know what has happened. I spent $80.00 thinking that money would benefit you both in your wonderful efforts, and also give me and my partner, Ian, the right to listen and comment on your reports. We can’t really afford it, but it is money Ian and I are willing to risk to finally find “our community” where our efforts can get some traction and do the most good. I need to interact and pull together with fellow “hunter” minds. I think I misunderstood the Sub Stack form. I don’t use zoom so this particular “stack” about “hunter” and “farmer” types may not be the right one. When asked if I would like to send a free subscription to anyone, I don’t know anyone personally, among my immediate friends and family, who would appreciate it. The Thom Hartman Report, however, I would send to everyone I know, regardless of their political leanings. I am already subscribed to your youTube page, and check out your latest posts when I can, and hope to be able to comment here. So my misunderstanding was that for the membership fee we would be able to comment on all of your substacks, but had a choice about which would be sent to our e-mail. I’m not a social media person so I don’t know all the “in’s and out’s”. Should I switch to The Thom Hartman Report? Because our main reason for being here is to find our community, to get our music where it can be useful; to engage and create with people who know better than we, what they are doing technically with sound files, sheet music, choral arrangements and the dissemination of the songs to every protester for democracy that wants to use them . It isn’t enough to have people respond well at a local gig or open mic. We need to learn how to share the responsibility with people who know how to make better quality recordings and production values, how to contact people with integrity and progressive sensibilities interested in putting our lyrics over current events and know that, unlike ours, their computers are secure and will be uploaded without dirty tricks.
By being politically active in 2000 protesting the Supreme Court selection of a President we feel we became one of the prototypes for how to block activism before they sprout into leaders or artistic contributors. We made ourselves visible by signing petitions and making our views clear. I have been trying to fill out my home page bio but when I couldn't control it in substack, I tried to create it in WordPad, then Google Docs, and in a desperate attempt to save my thoughts I used screen capture which required serious efforts in paint to manage to print a readable copy so I could keep typing it in without having to recreate the composition and notice when words were deleted changing the content. You mentioned this happening to your charts in your Thom Hartman Report today so maybe you can give me an idea how to proceed.
My posts and comments are "disappeared" in part and entirely or altered as you mentioned happened to you today with your charts, on your Hartman Report show today, Thursday, 1/29 how do I get past the fascist obstruction. I thought perhaps I could quickly post it and not have the message altered. Nope. It is so much worse than I mentioned in my previous post.
9th grade. Entered a new school in San Antonio. All new students were given an IQ test. I didn’t even know what it was. The next week the math teacher announced that the student with the highest IQ was right in the room. Wow! I looked around then heard my own name and the number. Still didn’t really understand but the cutest boy in school had turned to look at me and that was a thrill. As if a high IQ is a ticket to romance! 😂 Then the teacher walked to my desk, returned my failed math test and gave me a prissy, “You could do better.” Hell no, I couldn’t. What did she think I was trying to prove by failing?Seventy years later I discovered my beautiful Hunter brain and it has been such a wonderful year using that powerful machine to unravel some of its mysteries. First time all that mega-brainwork did me any good. 🤗🌴
In response to your pointing at me through my computer screen saying: "Activism begins with you; democracy begins with you. Get out there; get active! Tag, you're it!...Democracy is not a spectator sport." Below is an abridged representation of my story with most of the details excluded. I am willing to try again, but this time I can't do it without help. I tried to turn myself inside-out to be someone I have never been. I made professional flyers, made resumes complete with previous gigs continuously updated, managed our Website using HTML and Dreamweaver uploaded edits and new additions to our searchable Go Daddy site with songs demo's , liner notes, photo album, etc.. I was our tech guru, including recording and editing and composing press releases, making cold calls to book new gigs, advertised for band members, booked auditions complete with send them recordings and lead sheets, arranged rehearsals, worked my day job, managed the files and copyrights etc., etc., etc.. I pushed beyond my endurance for the sole purpose of turning the management and all of the recording and sound tech duties to people who would actually know what they were doing so they would get an idea of what we hoped to accomplish. Our big debut was at the "Gig" on Melrose Ave. in West Hollywood. Ian called agents all that week and got some to promise to come and see us. We had a great turnout with free CD's for everyone at the door. After we had done our sound check. We were told that someone else was getting our slot and we would have play after them, which required removing all of our stuff. The agents, if they had ever come, had already left by the time we played. Who could blame them; they had already worked all day. Our CD's were never passed out to any of our guests. Ian's guitar monitor was not connected the whole time causing issues when we were supposed to take our cues from him; fortunately we were able to manage so that the audience thought it was all part of the show. After the show so many people waited at the stage entrance to express encouragement and enthusiasm about our music. But without competent management, I couldn't do it and we didn't even risk singing our more controversial songs. (If you are curious the songs we have published are available on iTunes, Spotify ,etc.. under the Band name: Sheldan Rivers; Artist names: Donalie Sheldan, and Ian Rivers; CD names: The Storm, "...often seen carrying a guitar.", "I Will be Free".
I don't know where to start, and trying to communicate just makes me exhausted. This article resonated so personally with my own experience, it made me feel like I must make the effort. Whenever I try to define the reality of my life, it seems impossible. For those who understand the references, my first exposure to religion was the reverend Wesley A. Swift (Google him!), my "farmer" Grandparents (where I was warehoused away from the rest of my "farmer" family) were members of the John Burch Society. My Grandmother made it her life's work to eliminate every recognizable characteristic that was me. My mother was a religious fanatic who rabidly studied her Bible with the guidance of the periodicals: "The Cross and the Flag" and "Kingdom Digest" and used her copy of "Strong's Concordance" to insure the infallibility of her dogma. My siblings are each caught in their own version of the "alt-right", Christian Nationalist, Cult of Personality, identity politics that began so many decades ago. Public school was the only access I had to reality which I craved, but that posed additional problems that I felt I had to deal with alone from my very first school experience. At home, besides self-righteous, sanctimonious Christianity, there were racial jokes and heavy-handed racial denigration, dehumanization, and outright demonization of other ethnic groups and religions; and as you might expect a little Holocaust denial, misogyny, and slavery apologizing thrown in. Music and education were considered ways to make us drug addicts and Communists. Their perpetual cognitive dissonance kept me overwhelmed by an onslaught of questions I dared not ask. Physical abuse, though rare, was shocking and an ever present threat. Mental cruelty was common place. The age difference between myself and my siblings was an effective excuse to keep me separated from my "farmer" family members and my "hunter" attention used as a way to say it was my fault. With a rigid hierarchy already in place I was effectively "otherized", victimized and suppressed with impunity. Before you get the wrong idea, I am still in denial about the words and tone of voice that comes out of the mouths of my siblings, and look for the magic awakening when they might find understanding of the humanity and plight of others. Meanwhile, I am horrified by the many ways people the world over have suffered, because people like me don't want to believe those they love could truly feel righteous about imposing their dominion over the lives of others based on artifacts written and interpreted by autocrats with their anthropomorphic gods.
I was much struck by the quote "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross", from the first moment I heard it, I felt the chill of truth and felt I must do something. I tried to warn people about what I thought was a slide into fascism through religion and hubris back in the 90's, but what I could articulate was limited by my lack of exposure and connections. I would attempt to write down my thoughts as poetry and later lyrics with melodies; it helped to cool my brain in a more meditative state, trim down my words and hopefully make people ponder my meaning long enough to consider other points of view. Many of the words I write in my song lyrics are a way to focus my own thoughts. As I rehearse them, I listen to how my words may be misunderstood or twisted, and discipline myself to examine my own possible failure to understand others. My songs were my hope to find other like-minded people and avoid the trap of being pigeon-holed and dismissed before even saying a word. As a student and ultimately a teacher of Adult Education, I encountered some great people who told me that if I liked PBS, I would probably like Keith Olberman and John Stewart, and then Ian was the one who told me about hearing you, Thom on the radio ; through you and them, I found more sources of information that were very helpful in broadening my understanding of the world. Our magical LAUSD Adult schools became infiltrated and decimated by Superintendent Desi and his illegal collusion with Pearson Publishing. Many teachers were laid-off and lost our seniority; and although I was fortunate that someone in the main offices cleared the way for my being rehired as a substitute teacher. I never regained my footing and the stress so diminished my health, I was forced to retire early suffering a reduction to my Social Security.
Ian (my song-writing, band and life partner) and I protested the Supreme Court selection of George W. Bush in 2000 and along with other protestors tried to get people to sign our petition on the 3rd Street Promenade across from the Santa Monica Place and found ourselves being targeted by an "Acorn"-type-set-up to discredit our efforts. We fortunately stopped it, but who knows what they would have tried to manufacture out of it if they had felt the need. The obstacle posed by my health meant that half of our songs have not yet been published. While I tried to regain my health and income, I wrote and illustrated a children's book, "Cilla's Dilemma", to warn children about what they might lose by succumbing to peer pressure. Ian taught ESL at the Adult School so I added a glossary and index for English language learners and children, like me, who love dictionaries. I failed to get it reviewed because reviewers and publishers require a series of 3 books, or fame to even read it. I had hard copies made, recorded an e-book, and published an in-color illustrated Kindle book to try to shop it to local book stores, but the expense of return policy requirements, publication inventory, storage and shipping logistics were prohibitive. My music CD's were put under the wrong designation on someone else's Amazon page and Amazon blew off my efforts to correct it (intentionally? -- who knows). I have experienced what has felt like surveillance and sabotage to my computers, my Internet connection, our website and even my files. I had a page that made lead-sheets, lyrics and sound files available for use to elect Progressive politicians and to fund Progressive campaigns and lawyers fighting voter suppression, but too many people said they couldn't find it. The e-mail that came with it was discontinued and two different things I paid extra for were not enough. I took the website down because we are financially underwater every month as it is, and I can't pay for something that isn't working. I absolutely suck at marketing; and I get exhausted just thinking about it. Paying for extras piecemeal for Go Daddy just make me lose confidence their product and scare tactics made me drop the company I have be similarly disappointed by many software products. I like the way you presented your subscription options - right up front. Thank you.
The Lyrics and chords below are exactly appropriate for Minneapolis and all the blue sanctuary cities “under siege” right now. Link to a clip of the melody in the previous comment.
Are You Listening?
Words and Music by: Donalie Sheldan
Arrangement by: Sheldan-Rivers
Capo 3rd Fret makes it the key Cm
[This first paragraph is verbatim from Webster’s New World Dictionary and is spoken]
||:Am:||
Fascism:
A system of government characterized by:
Rigid one party dictatorship, forcible suppression of opposition,
private economic enterprise under centralized governmental control
Belligerent nationalism, racism, and militarism.
Am
The old fat cats have their games to play
Am
Consequences are for others to pay
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Behind closed doors the deals are made
Am
Backs are scratched and plans are laid
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Spinning perceptions with twisted lies
Dm
The country is endangered by a cancer inside
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
You try so hard you know there’s a way
Am
But now one cares ‘cause it doesn’t pay
Am C Am
Are you listening now?
C Em Am
Buy a front row seat
C Em Am
The world is at your feet
C G Am
As the despot leads
C Em Am
The constitution bleeds
Am
Plutocratic oligarchy
Am
Posing as a democracy
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Treaties are broken and greed wins the day
Am
Imperialism is the game they play
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
They pick up their flags and cheer on the fight
Am
They don’t care that it isn’t right
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Soldiers and civilians die by the score can be changed to:
Innocent Civilians die by the score
Am
Morality is now a Plutocrat’s whore
Am G Am
Are you listening now
C Em Am
Buy a front row seat
C Em Am
The world is at your feet
C G Am
As the despot leads
C Em Am
The constitution bleeds
Am
Preemption bears a repugnant taint
Am
But there he struts just like a saint
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Smoke and mirrors all eyes on the war
Am
Domestic policy is out the door
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
All eyes on a bloody straw man
Am
While the greedy grasp what they can
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Up is down and wrong is right
Am
Are they winning without a fight?
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
C Em Am
Buy a front row seat
Am
Suppressing and Suborning votes
Am
Engaging fears instead of hopes
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Am
Media merging one source for news
Am
Reality now is what they choose
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
C Em Am
Buy a front row seat
C Em Am
Buy a front row seat
Am G Am
Are you listening now?
Continued:
I have tried to send our politically progressive and protest songs to Michael Moore, to public radio stations, to what was MSNBC, and to Late Night political talk shows; everything came back unopened after the election cycle was over. We have received inaccurate polling place data. We have had political calls from groups claiming to be who they are not for the purpose of hijacking our vote. The one time I was able to verify that it was happening I had strep throat and had to turn down the plea to join the phone bank. When my singing/songwriting and life partner, Ian and I have gone to Democratic events the only activists we ever managed to communicate with thought we were there to steal their thunder and to promote ourselves; at temporary Democratic headquarters in Westwood we were shocked by the condescension and disrespect received and we were never even asked what we might hope to contribute, they didn’t want to listen to the songs, read the lyrics or even know what the subject matter was. We have experienced many set-backs; some of which felt intentional. I love many of the up and coming Democrats in the United State Congress and the Senate, etc., and want to make sure they get their chance to make the world a better place. We have never found whom to approach about using our music to advance progressive policies and elect progressive politicians. We have felt that things that have happened to us are odd, and down right criminal, definitely obstructive and even threatening to our health. When we took our computer, the one that has all the creative programs and files in it, to Geek Squad to be fixed at Best Buy, because it would just inexplicably stop working, we were told there was “nothing wrong with it”. We have experienced interference with our phone lines, mailing efforts, internet access, websites etc., etc., etc.. This is all too much to talk about now and much might be explained away; but it always gets worse the moment we try once again to contribute our efforts to the cause of justice and democracy.
We wrote some of our songs for the express purpose of uniting strangers’ voices of protest at marches and rallies into a more inclusive feeling of shared understanding (E Pluribus Unum - From Many One) and inspiring more participation through a feeling of community and interaction with one another. It has never been about our egos, we don’t have to be the ones singing or taking credit, but we don’t want our songs to get into the wrong hands to be used against progressives. That is why we need advice from more experienced heads.
For monetary survival, I am trying with Ian’s help, to complete some animated educational-videos that we hope to monetize to supplement our inadequate monthly income; making this effort more than an inconvenient distraction. But we both feel such an urgency to get our songs to those who need them most in the targeted cities. Feeling that if I can just get these lyrics, with any appropriate changes to lyrics or music to make them more current, protesters around the country my part might be to empower and encourage them to become better acquainted with one another.
Something is missing when I have not been able to penetrate our isolation. There are probably many of us who feel powerless while we churn away at tools we hope will help those more suited to social interaction with their efforts never knowing how to surmount the obstacles.
When people at protests chant assertive phrases, well within their first amendment rights, their tone is often used as an excuse to accuse them of being threatening and to escalate suppression tactics. When, however, confronted by people in animal costumes dancing in Portland and singing songs, “birthday-suit” yoga and “birthday-suit” bike rides, ICE’s aggressive behavior is brought into clear focus as the abuse of power it is, and it makes it harder to mischaracterize the protesters behavior as they “observe” ICE. The melodies of our protest songs are simple with choruses that are easy to remember. Whether the verses are sung solo or by a group of individuals; the effect of the choruses swelling with the voices of many is compelling. Different progressive interest-groups can easily memorize and sing rhyming couplet verses that focus on their specific cause or like Randy, who wrote the poem he read on the Thom Hartman Report today, might want to fit his thoughts into a verse and then the crowd comes in with the refrain. I had the lyrics, lead sheets and sound files on our website for public access but had reason to believe we were being sabotaged on many fronts. We had drawn attention to ourselves with our protest visibility, signing petitions and adding comments. We had reasons to believe we were being interfered with every time we tried again but never knew where to turn for help. The country’s trajectory toward fascism that I wrote about then, is now so visible anyone can see it if they just bother to honestly look. I thought it was obvious then, and when I tried to send what we had written to what looked like, like-minded people, it came back unopened after the election cycle was passed. If there is any way to open the copyright on our songs for use at progressive rallies, marches and for progressive causes while prohibiting their use by malign forces we will do it. We just want to know our songs and melodies are being used for the purposes we intended: to preserve and promote Pluralism, stop encroaching Imperial Colonialism, Fascism, Christian Nationalism, Plutocratic Oligarchy, Authoritarianism, Totalitarianism… you get the idea. It feels like we are trying to contact extraterrestrials - “you can’t get there from here”. The debilitating exhaustion of ADHD coupled with an inability to effectively communicate my sincere intentions is taking its toll. Help! Below are the words and chords to the song “Are You Listening Now” and here is a link to hear a clip of our recording of the melody line: https://music.apple.com/us/album/are-you-listening/159925643?i=159925979
Hi Thom and Louise,
Please forgive the multiple posts. I hope you will understand this when you take into consideration the "hunter" in a farmers world" this is a result of 26 years of trying to find how to get through. The song I am trying to post for rallies is one of many we have written for protestors to use only some of which can me found on line. I will try to explain and perhaps you can forgive me as I try to help in my imperfect way. I need to find where we can post the lead-sheets to be available to those who need them. To those of you who are doing all you can; and for those demonstrating your courage and patriotism by holding the line against this unholy outrage: Ian and I thank you from the depths of our souls.
Sometimes I feel like I am trying to contact extraterrestrials - “you can’t get there from here”. The debilitating exhaustion of ADHD coupled with an inability to effectively communicate my sincere intentions is taking its toll. Help!
I am new to this platform, Sub Stack, and I don’t know what has happened. I spent $80.00 thinking that money would benefit you both in your wonderful efforts, and also give me and my partner, Ian, the right to listen and comment on your reports. We can’t really afford it, but it is money Ian and I are willing to risk to finally find “our community” where our efforts can get some traction and do the most good. I need to interact and pull together with fellow “hunter” minds. I think I misunderstood the Sub Stack form. I don’t use zoom so this particular “stack” about “hunter” and “farmer” types may not be the right one. When asked if I would like to send a free subscription to anyone, I don’t know anyone personally, among my immediate friends and family, who would appreciate it. The Thom Hartman Report, however, I would send to everyone I know, regardless of their political leanings. I am already subscribed to your youTube page, and check out your latest posts when I can, and hope to be able to comment here. So my misunderstanding was that for the membership fee we would be able to comment on all of your substacks, but had a choice about which would be sent to our e-mail. I’m not a social media person so I don’t know all the “in’s and out’s”. Should I switch to The Thom Hartman Report? Because our main reason for being here is to find our community, to get our music where it can be useful; to engage and create with people who know better than we, what they are doing technically with sound files, sheet music, choral arrangements and the dissemination of the songs to every protester for democracy that wants to use them . It isn’t enough to have people respond well at a local gig or open mic. We need to learn how to share the responsibility with people who know how to make better quality recordings and production values, how to contact people with integrity and progressive sensibilities interested in putting our lyrics over current events and know that, unlike ours, their computers are secure and will be uploaded without dirty tricks.
By being politically active in 2000 protesting the Supreme Court selection of a President we feel we became one of the prototypes for how to block activism before they sprout into leaders or artistic contributors. We made ourselves visible by signing petitions and making our views clear. I have been trying to fill out my home page bio but when I couldn't control it in substack, I tried to create it in WordPad, then Google Docs, and in a desperate attempt to save my thoughts I used screen capture which required serious efforts in paint to manage to print a readable copy so I could keep typing it in without having to recreate the composition and notice when words were deleted changing the content. You mentioned this happening to your charts in your Thom Hartman Report today so maybe you can give me an idea how to proceed.
My posts and comments are "disappeared" in part and entirely or altered as you mentioned happened to you today with your charts, on your Hartman Report show today, Thursday, 1/29 how do I get past the fascist obstruction. I thought perhaps I could quickly post it and not have the message altered. Nope. It is so much worse than I mentioned in my previous post.