Love and Peace or Else

    If you're like me, you might be feeling helpless and frustrated these days. Perhaps you're at a loss as to understand why we're at war, why the Middle East is exploding again, why all the atrocities and the terror? I feel like there's not much I can do about it.
    And how complicit am I in what's going on? I'm not sure it's enough to say, "Oh, I didn't vote for them, the government doesn't represent my opinions." I lead a certain lifestyle, I consume certain goods, I am ignorant and apathetic even as I try not to be. These questions aren't easily answered.
   I don't simply sit on the sidelines, btw. I vote, and I make calls, write letters and protest, I even volunteer at my local Democratic headquarters, but what good is it doing? My viewpoint is still not reflected in our esteemed administration's current policies or actions. Hasn't been for a long time.
    So until real change occurs, I'm left to contemplate my role in things and to express myself here, if only for the cathartic release.
U2--"Love and Peace or Else" mp3 off How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (buy) (lyrics link)
The Foundry Field Recordings--"Warning Raids Over Kiev" mp3 off Prompts/Miscues (buy)
Josh Ritter--"Girl In the War" mp3 off The Animal Years (buy) (lyrics link)
Neil Young--"War of Man" mp3 off Harvest Moon (buy) (lyrics link)
The Lovely Sparrows--"The War Has Seen the Best of Me" mp3 off Pulling Up Floors, Pouring on (New) Paint (buy)
Jonatha Brooke--"WAR" mp3 off her website (lyrics link)
Elvis Costello and the Attractions--"(What's So Funny "Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding" mp3 off The Very Best of Elvis Costello and the Attractions (buy) (lyrics link)
Benny Benassi and the Biz--"Love Is Gonna Save Us" mp3 off Hypnotica (buy)
Cloud Cult--"Moving to Canada" mp3 off Advice From the Happy Hippopotamus (buy)
    I don't want to get all preachy, but each one of these songs' lyrics are worth a close listen. They convey the full spectrum of pain, prescience, sarcasm, humor, wisdom and hope. I would love to quote from them all, but I'm just going to include links to lyrics where I can.
A little aside: When I can, I like to acknowledge where I pick up songs. Mostly I do this is because I greatly appreciate the kindness of my fellow bloggers. Thinking about this made me all verklempt this morning, coz it struck me how generous everyone is and how grateful I am to be a part of this adventure in sharing. Call me sappy if you want, but it really does warm my heart. So thanks in particular to: you ain't no picasso, i guess i'm floating, and what would jesus blog. And thanks in general to everyone else out there who enjoys doing this as much as I do.

tags: u2  the foundry field recordings  josh ritter  neil young  the lovely sparrows  jonatha brooke  elvis costello  benny benassi  cloud cult  

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