I try to avoid contributing to the rare political threads on C&F, having seen how they can poison the atmosphere in a music web forum (Mudcat, which has quite a few vets and former COs). So I’ll just say that it is because I have read so much about the US war in Vietnam and what it did to people like you - not to mention the long-suffering Vietnamese people - that I am so appalled at the bellicosity of the chickenhawks in the present US administration, and will leave it at that.
\
An PluiméirCeolmhar
[ This Message was edited by: Roger O’Keeffe on 2002-12-06 04:34 ]
On 2002-12-05 15:44, Wizzer wrote:
As those who attacked the country on 9/11 are finding out that they have woken the sleeping giant they will also find out that the they have awoken those who feel human rights and dignity far outweigh politics and greed. It just the cost in human lives between the two that scares me.
Phil
[ This Message was edited by: Wizzer on 2002-12-05 15:46 ]
I don’t want to detract from Blackbeer’s wonderfully moving and heartfelt post, but I think this is just the point Wizzer about the current time - the US (and this time the UK too) will once again see bodybags coming home because it would seem the current US Administration has forgotten the lessons of 'Nam. “Waking the sleeping giant” rhetoric isn’t going to help prevent the bodybag scenario (unless I misunderstood you).
And to Blackbeer, I recently read a saying on forgiveness: “you can’t change the past but you can change how you think about it”, and I think it just bloody wonderful that music has given you a path to forgiveness of some kind, even if some wounds are too tough to heal. All strength to you (and your whistles).
I hope you continue to find healing through your music, and sharing your experiences with us on this board. The folk here are so open and helpful, it’s the best therapy I’ve ever found.
I thought I had taken some knocks in life, but I have never had to deal with the horror of war, so I am truly lucky.
I never worked out if musicians have stronger feelings than other people, or if they are just better at expressing them. Music touches our hearts uniquely, and music we make ourselves, singing or playing, is the most powerful.
I hope you can share with us the joy you find in sailing, spending time with Hank and Molly; the joy of a sunrise or hearing unexpected birdsong. The simpler things in life ask so little from us and give so much.
On 2002-12-05 23:50, Blackbeer wrote:
[snip]I need to find simpler stuff, less ornamentation, slower. I am downloading tons of stuff from this web site and reading all the posts I can. I am finding it hard sometimes to get through the ornamentation on songs I havent herd before just to pick up the melody. Now dont get me wrong Im not down on ornamentation I just can`t do it yet.(except by mistake) I have always learned tunes through my ears not my eyes so the written word is not much help to me. [snip]
T
I think if you wander over to the Clips & Snips forum and associated web site, you’ll be able to hear tunes and learn lots of other fun stuff.
rickt
I don’t want to detract from Blackbeer’s wonderfully moving and heartfelt post, but “I think this is just the point Wizzer about the current time - the US (and this time the UK too) will once again see bodybags coming home because it would seem the current US Administration has forgotten the lessons of 'Nam. “Waking the sleeping giant” rhetoric isn’t going to help prevent the bodybag scenario (unless I misunderstood you).”
I’m sorry if I was a little obscure. My reference to the sleeping Giant is correct but the Giant has a two edged sword. One of military might and the other the heart of the people. My point was that the sword will be raised first in defense and anger but as that dies down the goodness of the people comes thru. My fear is for the poor souls that are caught in between and the innocent who will suffer because of the greed or political ambition. My fear is also for those who blindly follow what they are told is for the good of the country only to find out as we Vietnam vet did that it was not about freedom, liberty but to enrich those who wielded political and economic power at the time. If you remember President Eisenhower during his second administration. In a speech to the country he warned the people of the “Military Industrial Complex”. Well today we are seeing them lead the country down the same path for the same end. No matter what wrapper they put around it is all about the money to be made.
No picture without a caption, so here goes :
(standing) “here I am in this force 10 gale in the Horn…
(moi) : here’s a scoop, click-whirr, click-whirr…
(the others) : Wow…”
You don’t buy it ? Darn right you are ! True story :
(Helmsman) : “‘What time is it ?
(Small figure with bottle and corskscrew) : - Close to apéritif o’clock ; jus’ let me open this Muscadet”
(skipper, standing and holding to his hat to avoid himself falling offboard) : - And 'bout time ! Hand me this glass, will ya ?"
[ This Message was edited by: Zubivka on 2002-12-06 09:14 ]
Blackbeer, what a great post…inspiring. You must be quite an interesting individual. I hope to read more of your thoughts as you re-discover your music.
And Charlie, thanks for posting that about Joni Mitchell playing mostly in E and B. Joni has been a favorite of mine for years – it never occurred to me to try playing along with her music. (Oh, and FYI, I do believe the title of the song is ‘Clouds’.) Looks like I’m going to have to think about acquiring a couple of new whistles, in E and B. Oh darn…new whistles. ::whistles nonchalantly:: ;>
Oh boy Zubivka great picture. To hell with the glass just hand be the bottle. I can remember many a blow where I would be standing up on the bowsprit trying to hand in the jib because my jiffy reefing was fouled and screaming at the top of my lungs to the weather gods with an insane smile on my lips knowing I was in for a physical day and woundering where my Wild Turkey was and why my cat couldn`t tend the helm properly and if I had time to get the kettle boiling and what was flying and banging down in the cabin and knowing none of that mattered and I had better get to work. When your sailing your house it gets very basic out there. The quality of your reaction determins how long you get to play. Thats why the books written by singlehanded sailors were so important. There experiences always added to the mental data-base you could draw on to survive. The honesty of a boat the wind and the sea is beyound compare. Keep sailing and remember the cardinal rule; Keep the water out and the mast pointed up.
To nickt; You are right as rain my friend. When we bomb them we call it “colateral damage” when they bomb us we call it “tererisum” No more polatics from me in this community because I am not reasanable on that subject and therefore would not be able to follow the guidlines for posting.
To Chas; I forgot to mention that Clannad has a great version of that song on there album “Themes”
Well now, Boy this is fun. You people are amasing. Yesterday has now become a blur of smiles and tears and rekindled memories. Today I must get something done. Have fun
T
On 2002-12-06 14:08, Blackbeer wrote:
remember the cardinal rule; Keep the water out and the mast pointed up.
(my pleasure)
My favorite sea sayings :
'There are no good skippers, just old ones.
–He, who falls of a boat had nothing to do on it in the first place (E. Tabarly…)
–“Je continue” (I go on – B. Moitessier)
–Keep one hand for your boat, the other to keep on it
– Yeah? And how do I hold the camera ? (P. S. Zubivka)
