Long Time Passing

It's not surprising that people are thinking of '60s protest music. Juan Cole draws attention to what happened at a Colorado high school talent show when a group tried to perform Dylan's "Masters of War". Pepe Escobar is also thinking Dylan. Meanwhile, I've been listening to a Phil Ochs' CD, a couple of the lines from which are so timely they send a shiver up the spine. From "The Marines Have Landed on the Shores of Santo Domingo" : In the red plaza square, The crowds come to stare, the heat is leaning And the eyes of the dead are turning every head to the widows screaming The soldiers make a bid, giving candy to the kids, their teeth are gleaming The marines have landed on the shores of Santo Domingo And from Cops of the World: Clean the johns with a rag, boys Clean the johns with a rag If you like you can use your flag, boys If you like you can use your flag We've got too much money we're looking for toys And guns will be guns and boys will be boys But we'll gladly pay for all we destroy 'Cause we're the Cops of the World, boys We're the Cops of the World Indeed, the rebuilding contractors are chomping at the bits. But where have all the liberals gone? Young girls picked them, every one? Nope, Madison mayor Dave Cieslewicz has the correct answer. Ochs' most endearing song will have to be reworked under the title "Praise Me, Praise Me, Praise Me, I'm A Progressive .