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January, 2017

New Year's Day

by Webmaster

It's New Years Day. 2016 is over.

2016 was a difficult year. We lost a lot of beloved entertainers, songwriters, singers, performers, and actors. We lost more than that. We lost the hope that the society that cared about the weak, the sick, the elderly, the downtrodden, refugees, immigrats seeking a better life, indeed all the people of our country, even the very safetly of our physical world, would remain the same. We lost our innocence and for many of us, our sense of safety.

"Those wo surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one." — Benjamin Franklin

It's New Years Day. 2017 is starting.

2017 is a new year. We can wipe out the mistakes of the past and start anew. We can make resolutions and plans and create a new and better year.

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil os for good men to do nothing." — Edmund Burke

For those of us who feel that the fabric of society is altering irreparably, perhaps this year should include donations to the groups who have pledged to fight for people whose rights and lives have been threatened, to fight for the environment, to fight for eduction and healthcare and welfare of all the citizens of this country, not just a wealthy few.

For the brave, perhaps plans could include actively resisting the changes that are coming. Volunteer. Think of something you can do, and then do it. Take caravans of winter clothes and camping gear to the Native Americans at Standing Rock. Boycott companies that have purchased our Senators and Congressmen. Sign petitions and get signatures. Stand at the courthouse or the grocery store and talk to people, ask them to sign petitions. Demand term limits and an end to lobbying. March. Donate food to a local food bank. Commit a random act of kindness. Buy a stranger's lunch.

"First they came for the Communists but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. They they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists but I was not one of them, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not Jewish so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me." — Martin Niemoller

This is a web site for acoustic music and performers. Is this really the place to put a political post?

"Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed. Everything else is public relations." — George Orwell

Acoustic music includes folk music, a genre with a history of using songs to fight injustice. Pete Seegar, Woody Guthrie, and so many more taught us how important songs are, how the right song at the right time can change the future for the good of all people.

I can't think of a good reason to not write about political oppression here.

"Amendment 1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establisment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise therof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." — Constitution of the United State, the first 10 Amendments of which are known as the Bill of Rights

And if you need a less political New Year's message, check out Dan Navarro's New Years Day.

Thanks for visiting AcousticByLines.com.

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