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Title: Baez is Back! Takes Camp Casey by Storm
Source: Texas Iconoclast
URL Source: http://198.65.14.85/News/2005/31-40/34news01.htm
Published: Aug 22, 2005
Author: Gene Ellis
Post Date: 2005-08-23 15:34:56 by Lod
Keywords: Back!, Takes, Casey
Views: 329
Comments: 77

CRAWFORD — Shortly after Joan Baez arrived Sunday afternoon at Camp Casey II, she gave a press conference with the Gold Star Families, all of whom have lost loved ones in the war. She talked with them, and she cried with them.

Ms. Baez returned to the trailer to prepare for her performance, speaking only in whispers when it was necessary to speak at all, saving her voice.

She gave a moving performance, peppered with energy, emotion, humor, and humanity. She even showed compassion for President Bush, although she disagrees with him. She said she doesn’t make Bush jokes any more because they often offend more conservative folks, and that isn’t helping anything.

At one point, she laughingly forgot the line “keeping things vague” in the song “Diamonds and Rust,” and the audience helped her out. When she consulted a paper during the performance, holding it at arm’s length, she joked, “I get these brilliant ideas and then they fade from my mind, plus I can’t read any more.” Despite her good humor about aging, time has been very kind to Joan Baez. She is a lovely, compelling woman.

Ms. Baez told the crowd that she had only picked up the guitar again a week and a half ago and will go on tour in September. She claimed her fingers were like spaghetti, and that she didn’t remember words. “My mother says, ‘Did I take my ginko balboa today?’ and I say, ‘I don’t remember!’”

She sang “Joe Hill” in response to a request. Saying that the phrase “in harm’s way” was a euphemism for “sitting ducks,” she put down her guitar and sang “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” without accompaniment. Her voice rang sweet and true.

Ms. Baez suggested that if the mothers really wanted catharsis, they could sing along with her “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” Emotions ran high as many in the crowd of perhaps five or six hundred wept openly. At the end of the song, she said, “You know, I have to manage to get through it, too.”

Ms. Baez sang “Gracias a la Vida” and several favorites from her long career. She thanked the group for having her here, then admitted she purchased her ticket to Texas before the invitation arrived.

After her performance, she graciously talked with several individuals in a dark area near her trailer. Three of these were veterans. Two were mothers who had lost their sons in Iraq. She hugged them and cried with them.

Camp bugler and Iraq war veteran Jeff Key, in an unplanned and completely spontaneous moment, took Ms. Baez’s hand. He led her to a spot before the many crosses that have been placed at the front of the camp. She was beside him, a diminutive woman beside a tall, strong young man, as he blew taps in the moonlight to a large, respectful crowd.

He saluted. They hugged. And there was complete and total silence.

When Ms. Baez returned to her private area behind the trailer, she sat down at a table, dropped her head into her folded arms, and wept.

+++++ Be sure and visit the source for pictures.

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#1. To: lodwick (#0)

It seems we're going to have to beat the snot out of them...

Bush Supporters, Activists Clash in Calif. Aug 23 2:34 PM US/Eastern

By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO, Calif.

Supporters of President Bush clashed with anti-war activists as they wound their way through California after rallying in the hometown of Cindy Sheehan, the mother who started a protest camp outside Bush's Texas ranch.

Conservative activists and military families embarked on the tour Monday, calling it "You don't speak for me, Cindy!" A verbal confrontation erupted when the caravan arrived in Sacramento and was met by anti-war protesters chanting for Bush to bring home the troops.

Sheehan supporter Dan Elliott, 71, confronted caravan members by waving a sign reading "Death is not support" and heckling one of the tour's organizers as she addressed the crowd.

"You are ruining the morale over there," responded Greg Parkinson, a Bush supporter.

Sheehan began her protest vigil Aug. 6 on the road leading to Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, an act that has encouraged anti-war activists to join her and prompted peace vigils nationwide. Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, was killed last year in Iraq.

The pro-Bush caravan planned rallies in several California cities before heading to Crawford, where Sheehan opponents have formed their own camp.

"It's time to lay down the anger. We need to continue to uphold those people over there, to uphold those men and women with their boots on the ground," said Deborah Johns of the Northern California Marine Moms, who helped organize the caravan and addressed supporters outside the Vacaville Reporter newspaper in Sheehan's hometown.

Some caravan members called the anti-war protesters communists and said they were "aiding and abetting the enemy." Those comments enraged Sheehan supporter Dee Ann Heath, who said she has two sons serving in Iraq and another preparing to leave.

-Snip

Jethro Tull  posted on  2005-08-23   15:48:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#2. To: lodwick (#0)

"Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't." - Mark Twain -

Victory and Energy cartoon animations.

robin  posted on  2005-08-23   15:51:00 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#3. To: robin, JT, Joan (#2)

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   16:11:01 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#4. To: lodwick (#3)

I still LOVE that song...

Jethro Tull  posted on  2005-08-23   16:16:45 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#5. To: JC (#3)

Time in a Bottle

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   16:16:51 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#6. To: Jethro Tull (#4)

I have to believe that we lived when the best music ever, was being made.

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   16:18:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#7. To: lodwick, All (#0)

To think I used to resent her. She knew; and I didn't.


SKYDRIFTER  posted on  2005-08-23   17:08:16 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#8. To: SKYDRIFTER (#7)


She had a unique childhood, maybe that helped. Joan Baez was born in Staten Island, New York, into a Quaker family. Her father Albert Baez, a physicist, refused lucrative war industry jobs, probably influencing Joan's political activism in the American and international civil rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s to the present. The family, frequently having to move by reason of his work, lived in different towns across the US, in France, Switzerland, Italy, and the Middle East, where they stayed in 1951. Baez, at the time only ten years old, was deeply impressed by the poverty and the inhuman treatment the local population in Bagdad suffered from. In the late 1950s, Dr. Baez accepted a faculty position at MIT, and moved his family to the Boston area, at the time the epicenter of the up-and-coming folk music scene, and Joan began performing locally in Boston/Cambridge area clubs, and attended Boston University.

"Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't." - Mark Twain -

Victory and Energy cartoon animations.

robin  posted on  2005-08-23   17:12:30 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#9. To: robin, Sky, JT, all (#8)

Great information - thank you.

And now a joke from a friend:

Subject: A Talking Clock

A drunk was proudly showing off his new apartment to a couple of friends late one night, and led the way to his bedroom where there was a big brass gong and a mallet.

"What's that big brass gong?" one of the guests asked. "It's not a gong. It's a talking clock," the drunk replied. "A talking clock? Seriously?" asked his astonished friend. "Yup," replied the drunk. "How's it work?" the friend asked, squinting at it. "Watch," the drunk replied. He picked up the mallet, gave the gong an ear-shattering pound, and stepped back. The three stood looking at one another for a moment.

Suddenly, someone on the other side of the wall screamed, "You asshole...it's three-fifteen in the morning!"

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   17:40:54 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#10. To: lodwick (#0)

look here...the group appears to be mostly middle aged average Americans..

If you fall on the side that is pro-George and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home.

Here Without You

christine  posted on  2005-08-23   17:43:50 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#11. To: All (#10)

I love this song.

Diamonds and Rust

If you fall on the side that is pro-George and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home.

Here Without You

christine  posted on  2005-08-23   17:45:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#12. To: robin (#8)

Joan is so pretty in that picture.

If you fall on the side that is pro-George and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home.

Here Without You

christine  posted on  2005-08-23   17:47:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#13. To: lodwick (#9)

LOL! That's right, it's 3:15 in the morning!

"Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't." - Mark Twain -

Victory and Energy cartoon animations.

robin  posted on  2005-08-23   17:49:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#14. To: christine (#10)

They look way to normal for a successful GOP spin.

"Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't." - Mark Twain -

Victory and Energy cartoon animations.

robin  posted on  2005-08-23   17:51:26 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#15. To: christine (#11)

Beautiful - thanks for the memories...I wonder who he was?

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   17:57:43 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#16. To: Jethro Tull (#4)

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Live)

If you fall on the side that is pro-George and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home.

Here Without You

christine  posted on  2005-08-23   17:58:40 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#17. To: lodwick (#15)

yeah, i wonder. you can hear the passion in her voice, can't you?

If you fall on the side that is pro-George and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home.

Here Without You

christine  posted on  2005-08-23   17:59:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#18. To: christine (#16)

Diamonds and Rust

Love it!

I had no idea she was born on Staten Island....

Jethro Tull  posted on  2005-08-23   18:04:52 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#19. To: lodwick (#6)

I have to believe that we lived when the best music ever, was being made.

Yep, I still love it.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2005-08-23   18:06:39 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#20. To: lodwick, Jethro Tull (#0)

When Ms. Baez returned to her private area behind the trailer, she sat down at a table, dropped her head into her folded arms, and wept.

... and so did I. This war doesn't have to cost 52,000 of "us" and 2,000,000 of "them" , and it won't if we have anything to do with it. The good news is this latest bunch is can't be laughed off, and has thrown the neo-cons a curve that they can't hit.

New York version:

It's like deja vu all over again.

Hmmmmm  posted on  2005-08-23   18:09:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#21. To: Bob, Sheena (#20)

We've Got Tonight

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   18:16:27 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#22. To: Kingston Trio (#21)

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   18:20:01 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#23. To: Hmmmmm (#20)

I agree. Dubya is beginning to take on that beleaguered look LBJ had in '67. His rah-rah speech to some American Legion group yesterday was positively sad. This crap can't be justified.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2005-08-23   18:21:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#24. To: Jethro Tull, Hmmmmm (#23)

This crap can't be justified.

I'm arguing with a dipsh!t now who's trying to!

If you fall on the side that is pro-George and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home.

Here Without You

christine  posted on  2005-08-23   18:27:53 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#25. To: Jethro Tull, Roy Clark (#23)

Yesterday, When I was Young

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   18:29:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#26. To: christine (#24)

I'm arguing with a dipsh!t now who's trying to!

You've got way too much time on your hands. #;o)

Hmmmmm  posted on  2005-08-23   18:31:19 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#27. To: christine (#24)

I'm arguing with a dipsh!t now who's trying to!

Never argue with dips - sticks or shits - it is so upsetting and unprofitable.

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   18:31:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#28. To: lodwick (#25)

Yesterday, When I was Young

Hee Haw..

Jethro Tull  posted on  2005-08-23   18:34:24 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#29. To: Hmmmmm, lodwick (#26)

i'm friggin' nuts. i don't need the grief either. this guy's another sharkfin or willie green. you know, a nuke 'em all bigot?

If you fall on the side that is pro-George and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home.

Here Without You

christine  posted on  2005-08-23   18:36:49 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#30. To: Jethro Tull (#23)

I agree. Dubya is beginning to take on that beleaguered look LBJ had in '67.

I read LBJ and family were haunted by the chants of "Hey! Hey! LBJ! How many kids did you kill today?" through the night.

It's no wonder we don't do body counts anymore. (If you really believe we don't I have this really nice bridge..........)

Hmmmmm  posted on  2005-08-23   18:39:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#31. To: Hmmmmm (#30)

It's no wonder we don't do body counts anymore.

With the weapons we're dropping on the innocent, I'm not sure a body count is possible.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2005-08-23   18:42:05 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#32. To: Jethro Tull, christine, Hmmmmm, all (#28)

I had my grief earlier in the day formulating a pro se response to a totally false lawsuit to which I, and my partners, had been joined by a dipstick rehab company.

The goal now, is to find and share some tunes from my past, ingest several large g&t's, and try to calm myself.

Cheers, guys.

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   18:44:47 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#33. To: lodwick (#32)

Pro se, eh? Been there (to a point) then I handed it off to some skilled help. It makes you think some. Crush them Jim...

Jethro Tull  posted on  2005-08-23   18:47:58 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#34. To: Jethro Tull (#31)

I'm not sure a body count is possible.

With all the DU we've used over there, I would say 100% would be fairly accurate over the coming years.

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   18:49:10 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#35. To: Jethro Tull (#33)

Crush them Jim...

Thanks. If I do have to call in our self-described "bitch from hell" attorney, rehab guys will wish they were over in Iraq eating DU when she's through with them.

Lod  posted on  2005-08-23   18:54:20 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#36. To: lodwick (#0)

Conservative activists and military families embarked on the tour Monday, calling it "You don't speak for me, Cindy!"

The "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man" tour.


I've already said too much.

MUDDOG  posted on  2005-08-23   18:54:58 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#37. To: lodwick (#25)

I don't know who Joan Naez is.... but Roy Clark was once engaged to my aunt many many many years ago.

http://www.terrificmusic.com/files/music/horizon/danny_boy_john_gary.ram

CAPPSMADNESS  posted on  2005-08-23   19:31:48 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#38. To: christine (#11)

Diamonds and Rust

Trivia time - do you know who she is talking to in that song? No fair googling.

We should thank the Nazis for giving us all those stark, frightening images. How else we gonna learn not to act like that? On the other hand, monkey see...

Dakmar  posted on  2005-08-23   20:18:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#39. To: Dakmar, Lodwick (#38)

no, tell us. lodwick and i were wondering.

If you fall on the side that is pro-George and pro-war, you get your ass over to Iraq, and take the place of somebody who wants to come home.

Here Without You

christine  posted on  2005-08-23   20:19:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#40. To: MUDDOG (#36)

"Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man"

I was singing that at the top of my lungs in my car coming home from work about three weeks ago. It wasn't on tape or radio or anything, I was just singing it, don't remember what led to my doing so, I had to have been sober...

We should thank the Nazis for giving us all those stark, frightening images. How else we gonna learn not to act like that? On the other hand, monkey see...

Dakmar  posted on  2005-08-23   20:21:49 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  



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