Can anyone shed any light on this? I always assumed we were all fairly liberal but I suppose it varies..... So what do you vote? Left/right? Labour/tory/lib dem? Democrat/Republican? Hmm..... bet I won't actually get any responses on this but it just interests me.
Cheers,
Joe.
I don't know about ITM, but in mountain dulcimer and old time circles in the US there seems to be an interesting and eclectic mix of ex-hippie liberals and conservative evangelical christians, plus a few evangelical liberals and atheist conservatives just to make sure that you don't automatically put people in boxes. Needless to say, the old dictum about never discussing religion and politics with strangers applies in these circumstances -- or at least they need to be approached very gently, with much respect and restraint.
I'm such a stereotype, even I can hardly stand it. I'm a member of the California Green Party, published an animal-rights newsletter in the '90s, have and will work against the death penalty until it ends or I do. My favorite shoes are, naturally, Birkenstocks, worn with socks in the wintertime. I drive a Prius, am vegetarian and -- oh yes, have an organic garden and am a practicing Pagan.
All true, I swear it. I haven't watched Saturday Night Live for decades, but I bet you dollars to doughnuts they do comedy routines about people like me.
You don't want to know!! LOL!! Give me a few drinks and I might tell! None of the above though. But I don't really care about peoples' politics esp. while playing some great music.
Most of the musicians I've gotten to know are quite progressive. I would bet that the Europeans on this board are quite aghast at this thread, and to them I would truly like to apologize for the state of affairs American has created globally. Its bad enough for us Yanks to mess our own nest, but to foist the sh*te on the rest of the world is truly embarrassing.
I compliment Iris's view on this futile subject and wholeheartedly affirm it, especially the part about the drinks, which I will except in the form of, but not exclusively limited to, shots of Redbreast, plain, from all regardless of their skewed social and political expressions, or eccentric footwear.
Here in SF we tend to lean heavily to the left. Our sessions do include political chat between tunes now and then. If I go into this any further the thread will self-destruct... so I won't.
I started as a Trotskyite, and drift ever leftward, but as my opinions become more radical, my tolerance of other viewpoints has become greater, and I'll happily co-exist with anyone who's not an out-and-out fascist ....
Quick answer; Garry Trudeau for President, Billy Bragg for PM !
There was always a strong left-wing bias in early folkies - MacColl, Seeger, etc, and every so often you come across the complete opposite - some "red-neck", "mountain" types are often surprisingly off the scale, to my way of thinking they don't see how the system screws them, but then that's my opinion from my point of view
The late Peter Bellamy was quite a rabid right-winger, which made Martin Carthy's eulogy to him all the more moving.
Pleasantly surprised by Neil Young, but then he always was a chameleon.
Laitch....just curiosity, I have a friend who does boiler repairs for me and wanted to get him Redbreast which he drinks out, but I can't find it anywhere out here in the sticks. What is the closest approximation to it in a more commonly sold drink I can get in our local redneck liquour stores, LOL!
Oh politics.... I just think with so many differing opinions on everything no one is ever going to fix anything. Unfortunately we have human nature, which has a bad side, a greedy, agressive, self righteous side.....there will always be wars most likely, as there always have been, likely since cave days. My only views really are when people start respecting each other and stop hurting each other, and take responsibility for themselves, stop expecting entitlements, especially stop expecting politicians and the government to fix things and make life fair, will we all have a chance. Respect is the key, period. Respect for one's self, respect for others, a good work ethic, and personally helping those who are down if possible....not channelling it through wasteful buerocracies. Support things like Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Charities (they never utter one religious word, for those who think they are more a religious organization and don't get involved....I have delivered their Meals on Wheels for many years now and they are a great organization). Things you can do hands on to help your lesser fortunate neighbors..... OK so maybe some have guessed my views, an extremely compassionate Libertarian (who would keep the schools, BTW....not all are radical who vote Libertarian).
I fear that day if it ever comes is far off into the future, where people take care of themselves, take care of their own, their neighbors, and stop depending on the government to fix things. I do feel we need a defense system and do not need to police the world, but if we are attacked we do need to take some action to prevent it from happening again and at least be vigilant.
Well...enough.... pass that redbreast and let's have a few tunes. Not afraid of some friendly political arguments either. I have nothing against anyone who has a different view, I just don't think we're going to fix anything so easily. I think in all the differing views though..... well we have them because in our own way we want things better, to find peace and freedom ans saftey and respect, we're just coming at them from differing points, but we really all want the same things because we care about people. So it really doesn't matter whether you are Dem. Rep. as long as you are a good person, period.
whew.... not what I want to be thinking about this morning!!
Hi Iris,
You don't have to cross the Styx (Hudson? Delaware?) to find Redbreast; it is available in NJ. Total Wine & More lists it at $45 on their website http://www.totalwine.com and they have stores in River Edge, Union, and West Orange.
Hey Iris, No need to get me a bottle of Red Breast, DM bought one back from London for me . Seriously if you wish, I can get a bottle for you here in town. Let me know. I also like Tyrconnell and I think your friend, if I am guessing correctly as to who it is, may as well although I don’t believe it is pot stilled.
As to the discussion at hand I say live and let live. I have some strong deeply held social and political beliefs and will happily voice them when asked but I always say that they are only assured to work in the distance between the outside edge of my right shoulder and the outside edge of my left shoulder. As to the details well that’s a discussion to be had over a bottle of great whiskey with perhaps a few tunes thrown in for good measure. I do wear Birkenstocks year round, sans socks between Easter and Christmas, and have a ponytail however I also eat meat. As the years pass I am more and more inclined to be a part of the "Anyone but the incumbent" political party. I also despise "Social Engineers".
Myself, I grew up in a household where politics were not discussed, since my mother was a staunch Democrat and my dad was a staunch Republican. For the sake of the marriage, they declared the home a politics-free zone, which is not a bad idea for musican gatherings where it becomes a problem--focus on what brought you together, not what pulls you apart.
I always thought I was fairly liberal, until I went to a Dick Gaughan concert a few years ago and between his lectures to the audience, and the enthusiastic response of the sandal-clad, long haired aging hippie audience, I realize that I am probably closer to the middle of the political scale. The sad thing is, those of us in the middle of the political scale in the US these days sometimes feel out of place--things are pretty polarized.
And in the pub, I would say most of the patrons are Democrats, not surprising in our little 'blue' state. The only folks we generally see with Republican sympathies are the kind that want to free Northern Ireland--not the same kind of Republicans that are running the USA.
Where I live is the definition of the sticks, but after you cross the Winooski, Redbreast is just $37/bottle, and you can make that easy in a week of picking up bottles and cans off the roadside for the deposits, especially if you go toward the ski resorts where the tourists from around the world go.
This thread's starting to read like the dating column in "Seven Days".
Progressive. I'd vote Green but in my part of North Carolina it makes more sense to buy lottery tickets than to expect anything but Republicans to win. So I vote democrat and learn to live with frustration.
I'm not rising to the bait Geoff....
But I should add that my political activism has declined as my views have become more polarised - a severe case of all mouth and no trousers, as my former comrades might rightly say!!!
Well at least you have a choice in theory. Here in little 'ol Ireland the principal choice is that between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael - none of your left/right wing stuff because they are practically the same to all intents and purposes. Both centre/ right wing parties - only difference being they were on opposing sides in the civil war - that was 80+ years ago! Of course there is Labour, Greens even perhaps Sinn Fein or the P.D.'s but they just make up the numbers.
OK, USA... I used to be way left, but just because I was anti-war and anti-imperialist. Now I'm just dog tired of being held hostage by two corrupt street gangs. Two-party politics in the US has nothing at all to do with governance any more. *sigh*
I'm just tired of war and mendacity.
I certainly wouldn't refuse to play music with anyone. That might be the only chance for peace, and I'd hate to blow it. But that wouldn't keep me from being worried about what would happen when the music stopped... <G> Maybe the music is the best political/anti-political thing we have.
It's a real stretch to imagine how in the world I'd get to play music with Bin Laden (for example... or ... Pol Pot or Hitler or ... -choke- Bush...), since my little backwoods culchie life doesn't really go very far from home... <GGG>
But there have been times when I played with folks who hate me (probably more often than I know) and with folks for whom I have little respect, and it's turned out civil and even pleasant more often than not...
Ha, ha, very funny, Macthewife! If you'd like to have a bunch of shaven-headed racist thugs in power then please do post your house address on this list so we can send them round with a copy of the BNP's manifesto. Be warned as it usually comes wrapped in a brick.
Our local branch of the Green Party could easily form a folk group - we've got 3 fiddles, one singer, one whistle player. The trouble is - apart from me people don't take the time and are to busy with politics.
What is it about Birkenstocks? I was at a gathering of my husband's side of the family a year or so ago. They all tend to be fairly conservative and devout, so generally I love and respect them and keep my mouth shut. Was introduced to another woman who had also married into the clan. We took one look at each other's feet and bonded instantly! Ugly shoes rule!
Guernsey Pete: You surprise me. When I had dealings with Peter Bellamy in his student years, he didn't reveal any right leanings; quite the opposite. But 'that was then, this is now'.
The leader of a London band, who influenced and helped me musically long ago (a staunch Communist Party member) was frequently bemused that the bearers of traditional music were so conservative/reactionary.
I tend to live by the live and let live political rule. I've never noticed arguements to change either side's view point. That said, I'm fairly conservative on most view-points but that doesn't mean that I support the current American administration. Some of my best friends are wonderfully 'liberal' and I am a happy 'fundie' and we all get along quite well and tend to agree on more than most people would want us to realize.
“Hey Ed.... I never look at feet much, but do you wear them in the snow?”
Well Iris it’s a good thing you don’t look at my feet much, besides them being ugly cusses DM may get upset. Yes, I wear them in the snow as well provided it is not more than a few inches deep, the snow that is. If so I have a pair of clogs from Lands End that have a thicker soul and faux fur around the uppers. If the accumulation is more than five or so inches deep I’ll wear boots to shovel the walkway but get back into the Birkies as quickly as is practical. No, Birkenstocks are not heavy and they are the only kind of shoes I have found that allow me to be on my feet all day and not have them hurt. They are a bit inconvenient when I am walking backwards carrying a piece of antique furniture out of a house though.
“next time the thing gets serviced I will have a bottle ready!!”
I’m not sure I should dare to ask! See you soon I hope.
Hey Steve,
Spot on! I say out with both the Republicans and the Democrats and let’s take our country back. The last time in our history we referred to States by color the colors were Blue and Grey. We lost nearly a half a million Countrymen as a result. The sixty percent of us in the middle really have to start speaking up or I fear we risk a repeat of this great tragedy.
We played at Ireland’s 32 monthly meeting this Thursday past and our city is in the throws of a rather heated Mayoral campaign. Well the incumbent Mayor and a couple of the incumbent City Council members came by to “rally the troops” as it were. Man, were these guys on the defensive. That was the first time I remember hearing the Mayor drop his arrogance and try so desperately to defend his failed policies. My tongue is still sore from my teeth being clenched so tightly feverishly trying not to point out the lies being spewed as they spoke. We hadn’t gotten paid yet and in fairness to my band mates I didn’t want to offend the organization, as they invited these politicos to address the gathering, and risk getting tossed out with out the dough.
I really cannot envision myself not playing music with someone because of their politics provided the contentious subjects are not brought into the conversations.
“since my little backwoods culchie life doesn't really go very far from home...”
I hope this doesn’t include a little trip eastward the end of July!
I'll have to take note of your footwear, Ed, and I was referring to my furnace, LOL!!
What is it about politicians that they need more and more money from us for failed programs or inneficiently run ones.
I live in a very conservative pocket of NJ and we have actually seen our property taxes mostly stay the same, and in some cases go DOWN. We even have a libertarian on board locally. The crazy thing nowadays is that we work until I believe July to pay taxes. I remember the days..... so old...ha ha.... when you could have a husband and wife working at fairly low playing blue collar jobs, have a nice if not extravagant, place to live in a good solid safe area, have a car, and SAVE one salary! When the kids came along, maybe things were tighter, but mom could stay at home in many cases at least until they were going to school, then a part time job might help.
I know this might sound backwards and maybe sexist to some, but having lived it, and had my friends live it, and now seeing my daughter and her husband struggle along on two fairly decent salaries, I do see a difference. I see them stressed to the max with a baby, unable to save for a downpayment on a house, while I remember us managing pretty stress free. We had little money when my daughter was young, but had what we needed. Thankfully we worked hard and were lucky, in that our businesses did well, about 10 years down the line, but the beginning... we still had everything we needed and could even save. Even had two cars.
Luckily my daughter works from home, as I did.... but I just can't imagine having a baby for six weeks and putting him or her into day care, commuting to work, stressing out. at work, running home and dealing with the baby, then doing that again day after day, it would break my heart to have to do that... and I think one of the main reasons is that taxes that are burdensome for programs that don't work or have too high operation costs. It's a mess, and I think families with kids suffer the most, and maybe older folks trying to stay in the homes they love. There should be at least some breaks for them.
Of course we need taxes to run the police, defence, inrastructures, courts, schools, but many people seem to think the more money that's been poured into the schools the worse they get. I don't know enough to have an opinion, just have heard that over and over. I do know that my daughter thinks the schools are so bad that she intends to join with a few other mothers and home school. Schools often are not even safe anymore, but that may be another issue. We do need some system to take care of the disabled, help out those in need...the medical system.....argghhhh....don't even want to go there. I pay $410 a month for a LOUSY plan!! I can scarcely handle it but have to have it.
Well, I won't say more and get in trouble here, but....just something to think about, I am with Ed. no Dems. no Reps. it's all out of hand. Let the people take the country back. The question is HOW do we do it? I have doubts we'll see much change in our lifetimes.
Politically - I would be a very scary radical if I ever got involved again, which is unlikely.
I think politics has no place in the world of jigs and reels (other than perhaps the odd amusing tune title, which will serve to date the tune for posterity if nothing else.)
Now folk songs (as opposed to traditional songs). The odd satirical lyric is great, in my book. But if I have to hear one more earnest ditty about how great and noble and hard and unfair were the lives of fisherman/miners/factory workers/herring gutters/ploughboys sung by some by an urban professional who has absolutely no experience of these things .... I will boke!
Now see if we had someone other than a Republican or Democrat in office Iris wouldn’t have the trouble she is having trying to find her favorite libation!!! Service the furnace indeed.
Here in sunny Australia we have a Bush Administration Sanitation Team running the country, flying desperately over to the US to offer their tongues as dunny paper as often as possible. I have no time for this government and there is nobody, to my knowledge, in my tune scene who has. Is this saying something? To severely misquote a friend, it's been said that "tunes don't make me want to dance - they make me want to start a revolution". True, it was said by a die-hard Socialist, but I think that it goes further than the far-left notion of a "Revolution". Tunes are a great form of collective action - I'm fairly convinced that most tune-players in Australia have no time for nasty politics.
I always thought that the folk scene in Australia was the realm of the leftie, but some of the recent festivals I've played at have been chockers with conservative punters. It doesn't seem right to get a mediochre reaction to a song about the unfairness of the current changes to Australian IR legislation from an audience at a festival sponsored mainly by the CFMEU. What's going on? Is it all too easy for everyone? Is folk music becoming the new "world music" - a handy smorgasbord of interesting and cute musical styles to entertain the rich?
The US needs more parties, of the political AND the social kind!
And more stills, too!
And, Ed, I don't think I'm going to make it out east this time.
It looks like we're going to play the Louisville Irish Fest on the weekend of the CBOM tasting in Philly, and that was my best shot at the E coast this summer ... It's tearing me up, two things I love at the same time... foo....
But if my Lowden guitar, my Jeep, my 16-track tape machine and the fiddle all sell, I might be able to amend those plans...
Well, I now generally try to avoid mixing politics with traditional music but, it has to be said that whenever the "P" word has arisen in discussion with other musicians, generally (but not always), their political leanings have turned out to be remarkably similar to my own...
Steve.... are you really going to make it out here sometime? Please get in touch if you do, I think you have my #? if not, drop me an email. Between me and Ed you'll have a great time session hopping. You have to meet the local luthiers too, keep the checkbook and credit cards HOME! Esp. at Ed Foley's.
I vote tactically in Scottish parliamentary elections:
Communist in constituency vote,
and Scottish Socialist Party in the regional list
One thing Tony Blair's government has cured me of, is being blackmailed into voting labour just to try and keep the Tories out. After the Iraq war I cannot see me ever voting Labour under any circumstances.
In fact the Iraq war has left me feeling completely cynical about democracy in the uk.
Thanks for the link Laitch, though I don't know if I'll start brewing anytime real soon. Some of the recipes looked good. But I think I'll pass on the one with raspberry extract and Splenda. I'm pretty open-minded about what I eat and drink, but I draw the line at artificial sweetener, no matter how "natural".
Thanks Kate and Laitch... I ditched my winemaking kit for something revolutionary called E-Z Caps. You can make sparkling wine and cider in one litre soda bottles with them and the taste is great. The wine...well I leave the white as is, sparkling..... tastes like champagne, and the home made hard cider it the best.
I may make raspberry cider as an experiment. The apple tastes a lot like beer really, so maybe the raspberry will work out.
Sad thing is I can't really drink much of any beer or wine, I get headaches from it. I'll stick to my Jack Daniels! Fun to do the cider though.
Just checked the Lambic recipe.... way too complicated, I don't have time to deal with real beer. Esp. if I can't drink more than a tsp. I'll make it with E-Z Caps sometime and report back. I was surprised Irish Moss is an ingredient. If people here in the states can't get a little bit, I can send some.... I am a paper marbler and use it in my work, I have about 40 pounds currently. So if you need that little bit, let me know. It is the food grade stuff, that goes in your candy bars and ice cream.
I believe you should keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out. Of course I am a conservative. I believe one of the things work conserving is Irish Music. I am not liberal enough to accept Celtic/Rock as an advance; it is for people who can play neither well. I don't believe introducing blues or jazz into Irish Music is a plus. I don't believe musicians should be subsidized by the government.. I don't accept the Marxist view that the value of a tune is to be measured by revolutionary content. Remember music exists only to serve the revolution. After that there will be no need for music.
The Politics of Folkies
The Politics of Folkies
Can anyone shed any light on this? I always assumed we were all fairly liberal but I suppose it varies..... So what do you vote? Left/right? Labour/tory/lib dem? Democrat/Republican? Hmm..... bet I won't actually get any responses on this but it just interests me.
Cheers,
Joe.
# Posted on April 28th 2006 by JoeOConnor10
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Socialist Environmental Alliance.
# Posted on April 28th 2006 by bodhran bliss
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I don't know about ITM, but in mountain dulcimer and old time circles in the US there seems to be an interesting and eclectic mix of ex-hippie liberals and conservative evangelical christians, plus a few evangelical liberals and atheist conservatives just to make sure that you don't automatically put people in boxes. Needless to say, the old dictum about never discussing religion and politics with strangers applies in these circumstances -- or at least they need to be approached very gently, with much respect and restraint.
# Posted on April 28th 2006 by KateG
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I'm such a stereotype, even I can hardly stand it. I'm a member of the California Green Party, published an animal-rights newsletter in the '90s, have and will work against the death penalty until it ends or I do. My favorite shoes are, naturally, Birkenstocks, worn with socks in the wintertime. I drive a Prius, am vegetarian and -- oh yes, have an organic garden and am a practicing Pagan.
All true, I swear it. I haven't watched Saturday Night Live for decades, but I bet you dollars to doughnuts they do comedy routines about people like me.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by cathrynb
Re: The Politics of Folkies
You don't want to know!! LOL!! Give me a few drinks and I might tell! None of the above though. But I don't really care about peoples' politics esp. while playing some great music.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Politics of this Folkie...
Life-long pinko environmentalist pagan here. "Let's Impeach the President!" Thank you Neil Young!
There you have it. Now back to practicing the good ol' deedly deedly dee... ;^)
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by gw
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Most of the musicians I've gotten to know are quite progressive. I would bet that the Europeans on this board are quite aghast at this thread, and to them I would truly like to apologize for the state of affairs American has created globally. Its bad enough for us Yanks to mess our own nest, but to foist the sh*te on the rest of the world is truly embarrassing.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by jtrout
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I compliment Iris's view on this futile subject and wholeheartedly affirm it, especially the part about the drinks, which I will except in the form of, but not exclusively limited to, shots of Redbreast, plain, from all regardless of their skewed social and political expressions, or eccentric footwear.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by joesmith
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I'll accept those drinks, too, in fact, I think I'll have another.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by joesmith
Re: The Politics of Folkies
But here's the real issue: who would you refuse to play tunes with? Republicans? Neo-nazis? Pro-choice? Radical Muslim fundamentalists?
(Me, I don't ask, don't tell.)
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by grego
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Here in SF we tend to lean heavily to the left. Our sessions do include political chat between tunes now and then. If I go into this any further the thread will self-destruct... so I won't.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by Phantom Button
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I started as a Trotskyite, and drift ever leftward, but as my opinions become more radical, my tolerance of other viewpoints has become greater, and I'll happily co-exist with anyone who's not an out-and-out fascist ....
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by Ottery
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Nick Griffin for PM
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Quick answer; Garry Trudeau for President, Billy Bragg for PM !
There was always a strong left-wing bias in early folkies - MacColl, Seeger, etc, and every so often you come across the complete opposite - some "red-neck", "mountain" types are often surprisingly off the scale, to my way of thinking they don't see how the system screws them, but then that's my opinion from my point of view
The late Peter Bellamy was quite a rabid right-winger, which made Martin Carthy's eulogy to him all the more moving.
Pleasantly surprised by Neil Young, but then he always was a chameleon.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by Guernsey Pete
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Laitch....just curiosity, I have a friend who does boiler repairs for me and wanted to get him Redbreast which he drinks out, but I can't find it anywhere out here in the sticks. What is the closest approximation to it in a more commonly sold drink I can get in our local redneck liquour stores, LOL!
Oh politics.... I just think with so many differing opinions on everything no one is ever going to fix anything. Unfortunately we have human nature, which has a bad side, a greedy, agressive, self righteous side.....there will always be wars most likely, as there always have been, likely since cave days. My only views really are when people start respecting each other and stop hurting each other, and take responsibility for themselves, stop expecting entitlements, especially stop expecting politicians and the government to fix things and make life fair, will we all have a chance. Respect is the key, period. Respect for one's self, respect for others, a good work ethic, and personally helping those who are down if possible....not channelling it through wasteful buerocracies. Support things like Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Charities (they never utter one religious word, for those who think they are more a religious organization and don't get involved....I have delivered their Meals on Wheels for many years now and they are a great organization). Things you can do hands on to help your lesser fortunate neighbors..... OK so maybe some have guessed my views, an extremely compassionate Libertarian (who would keep the schools, BTW....not all are radical who vote Libertarian).
I fear that day if it ever comes is far off into the future, where people take care of themselves, take care of their own, their neighbors, and stop depending on the government to fix things. I do feel we need a defense system and do not need to police the world, but if we are attacked we do need to take some action to prevent it from happening again and at least be vigilant.
Well...enough.... pass that redbreast and let's have a few tunes. Not afraid of some friendly political arguments either. I have nothing against anyone who has a different view, I just don't think we're going to fix anything so easily. I think in all the differing views though..... well we have them because in our own way we want things better, to find peace and freedom ans saftey and respect, we're just coming at them from differing points, but we really all want the same things because we care about people. So it really doesn't matter whether you are Dem. Rep. as long as you are a good person, period.
whew.... not what I want to be thinking about this morning!!
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Follies of Polka Ticks
Hi Iris,
You don't have to cross the Styx (Hudson? Delaware?) to find Redbreast; it is available in NJ. Total Wine & More lists it at $45 on their website http://www.totalwine.com and they have stores in River Edge, Union, and West Orange.
Gary
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by GaryAMartin
Re: The Politics of Folkies
On average Green, caring, compassionate gentle considerate and kind civilised people I believe--but then I'm a starry eyed idealist.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by duffgen
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Hey Iris, No need to get me a bottle of Red Breast, DM bought one back from London for me
. Seriously if you wish, I can get a bottle for you here in town. Let me know. I also like Tyrconnell and I think your friend, if I am guessing correctly as to who it is, may as well although I don’t believe it is pot stilled.
As to the discussion at hand I say live and let live. I have some strong deeply held social and political beliefs and will happily voice them when asked but I always say that they are only assured to work in the distance between the outside edge of my right shoulder and the outside edge of my left shoulder. As to the details well that’s a discussion to be had over a bottle of great whiskey with perhaps a few tunes thrown in for good measure. I do wear Birkenstocks year round, sans socks between Easter and Christmas, and have a ponytail however I also eat meat. As the years pass I am more and more inclined to be a part of the "Anyone but the incumbent" political party. I also despise "Social Engineers".
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by ejsant
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Myself, I grew up in a household where politics were not discussed, since my mother was a staunch Democrat and my dad was a staunch Republican. For the sake of the marriage, they declared the home a politics-free zone, which is not a bad idea for musican gatherings where it becomes a problem--focus on what brought you together, not what pulls you apart.
I always thought I was fairly liberal, until I went to a Dick Gaughan concert a few years ago and between his lectures to the audience, and the enthusiastic response of the sandal-clad, long haired aging hippie audience, I realize that I am probably closer to the middle of the political scale. The sad thing is, those of us in the middle of the political scale in the US these days sometimes feel out of place--things are pretty polarized.
And in the pub, I would say most of the patrons are Democrats, not surprising in our little 'blue' state. The only folks we generally see with Republican sympathies are the kind that want to free Northern Ireland--not the same kind of Republicans that are running the USA.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by AlBrown
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Iris
Where I live is the definition of the sticks, but after you cross the Winooski, Redbreast is just $37/bottle, and you can make that easy in a week of picking up bottles and cans off the roadside for the deposits, especially if you go toward the ski resorts where the tourists from around the world go.
This thread's starting to read like the dating column in "Seven Days".
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by joesmith
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Progressive. I'd vote Green but in my part of North Carolina it makes more sense to buy lottery tickets than to expect anything but Republicans to win. So I vote democrat and learn to live with frustration.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by wormdiet
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Ottery - I thought that the far-right and the far-left were the only two political parties that came close to agreeing with each other?.
It doesn't really matter in the UK as few top politicians have principles.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by geoffwright
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I'm not rising to the bait Geoff....
But I should add that my political activism has declined as my views have become more polarised - a severe case of all mouth and no trousers, as my former comrades might rightly say!!!
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by Ottery
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Well at least you have a choice in theory. Here in little 'ol Ireland the principal choice is that between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael - none of your left/right wing stuff because they are practically the same to all intents and purposes. Both centre/ right wing parties - only difference being they were on opposing sides in the civil war - that was 80+ years ago! Of course there is Labour, Greens even perhaps Sinn Fein or the P.D.'s but they just make up the numbers.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by the wounded hussar
Re: The Politics
Lefterly. Since time began. A Canadian archetype.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by drone
Re: The Politics of Folkies
OK, USA... I used to be way left, but just because I was anti-war and anti-imperialist. Now I'm just dog tired of being held hostage by two corrupt street gangs. Two-party politics in the US has nothing at all to do with governance any more. *sigh*
I'm just tired of war and mendacity.
I certainly wouldn't refuse to play music with anyone. That might be the only chance for peace, and I'd hate to blow it. But that wouldn't keep me from being worried about what would happen when the music stopped... <G> Maybe the music is the best political/anti-political thing we have.
It's a real stretch to imagine how in the world I'd get to play music with Bin Laden (for example... or ... Pol Pot or Hitler or ... -choke- Bush...), since my little backwoods culchie life doesn't really go very far from home... <GGG>
But there have been times when I played with folks who hate me (probably more often than I know) and with folks for whom I have little respect, and it's turned out civil and even pleasant more often than not...
stv
http://cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by stv culchie
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Ha, ha, very funny, Macthewife! If you'd like to have a bunch of shaven-headed racist thugs in power then please do post your house address on this list so we can send them round with a copy of the BNP's manifesto. Be warned as it usually comes wrapped in a brick.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by Floss the Tethers
Re: The Politics of Folkies
http://www.guardian.co.uk/racism/Story/0,2763,356579,00.html#article_continue
make your own minds up I have and its about truth not shaven headed lager louts
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by Ripthecalico
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Our local branch of the Green Party could easily form a folk group - we've got 3 fiddles, one singer, one whistle player. The trouble is - apart from me people don't take the time and are to busy with politics.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by kuec
Re: The Politics of Folkies
What is it about Birkenstocks? I was at a gathering of my husband's side of the family a year or so ago. They all tend to be fairly conservative and devout, so generally I love and respect them and keep my mouth shut. Was introduced to another woman who had also married into the clan. We took one look at each other's feet and bonded instantly! Ugly shoes rule!
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by KateG
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Guernsey Pete: You surprise me. When I had dealings with Peter Bellamy in his student years, he didn't reveal any right leanings; quite the opposite. But 'that was then, this is now'.
The leader of a London band, who influenced and helped me musically long ago (a staunch Communist Party member) was frequently bemused that the bearers of traditional music were so conservative/reactionary.
# Posted on April 29th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I note that neither MacThewife nor Geoff W choose to reveal anything about themselves; but information by and about Nick Griffin is easy to come by.
# Posted on April 30th 2006 by oldstrings
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I tend to live by the live and let live political rule. I've never noticed arguements to change either side's view point. That said, I'm fairly conservative on most view-points but that doesn't mean that I support the current American administration. Some of my best friends are wonderfully 'liberal' and I am a happy 'fundie' and we all get along quite well and tend to agree on more than most people would want us to realize.
# Posted on April 30th 2006 by musicfan
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Thanks Gary, Thanks Ed.... next time the thing gets serviced I will have a bottle ready!! I'll find it online!
Hey Ed.... I never look at feet much, but do you wear them in the snow?
Shall have to start counting Birkenstocks! They look heavy though, are they really comfy?
# Posted on April 30th 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Politics of Folkies
i'm lost where politics is concerned - i don't know my left from my right
# Posted on April 30th 2006 by flisstle
Re: The Politics of Folkies
“Hey Ed.... I never look at feet much, but do you wear them in the snow?”
Well Iris it’s a good thing you don’t look at my feet much, besides them being ugly cusses DM may get upset. Yes, I wear them in the snow as well provided it is not more than a few inches deep, the snow that is. If so I have a pair of clogs from Lands End that have a thicker soul and faux fur around the uppers. If the accumulation is more than five or so inches deep I’ll wear boots to shovel the walkway but get back into the Birkies as quickly as is practical. No, Birkenstocks are not heavy and they are the only kind of shoes I have found that allow me to be on my feet all day and not have them hurt. They are a bit inconvenient when I am walking backwards carrying a piece of antique furniture out of a house though.
“next time the thing gets serviced I will have a bottle ready!!”
I’m not sure I should dare to ask! See you soon I hope.
Hey Steve,
Spot on! I say out with both the Republicans and the Democrats and let’s take our country back. The last time in our history we referred to States by color the colors were Blue and Grey. We lost nearly a half a million Countrymen as a result. The sixty percent of us in the middle really have to start speaking up or I fear we risk a repeat of this great tragedy.
We played at Ireland’s 32 monthly meeting this Thursday past and our city is in the throws of a rather heated Mayoral campaign. Well the incumbent Mayor and a couple of the incumbent City Council members came by to “rally the troops” as it were. Man, were these guys on the defensive. That was the first time I remember hearing the Mayor drop his arrogance and try so desperately to defend his failed policies. My tongue is still sore from my teeth being clenched so tightly feverishly trying not to point out the lies being spewed as they spoke. We hadn’t gotten paid yet and in fairness to my band mates I didn’t want to offend the organization, as they invited these politicos to address the gathering, and risk getting tossed out with out the dough.
I really cannot envision myself not playing music with someone because of their politics provided the contentious subjects are not brought into the conversations.
“since my little backwoods culchie life doesn't really go very far from home...”
I hope this doesn’t include a little trip eastward the end of July!
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on April 30th 2006 by ejsant
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I'll have to take note of your footwear, Ed, and I was referring to my furnace, LOL!!
What is it about politicians that they need more and more money from us for failed programs or inneficiently run ones.
I live in a very conservative pocket of NJ and we have actually seen our property taxes mostly stay the same, and in some cases go DOWN. We even have a libertarian on board locally. The crazy thing nowadays is that we work until I believe July to pay taxes. I remember the days..... so old...ha ha.... when you could have a husband and wife working at fairly low playing blue collar jobs, have a nice if not extravagant, place to live in a good solid safe area, have a car, and SAVE one salary! When the kids came along, maybe things were tighter, but mom could stay at home in many cases at least until they were going to school, then a part time job might help.
I know this might sound backwards and maybe sexist to some, but having lived it, and had my friends live it, and now seeing my daughter and her husband struggle along on two fairly decent salaries, I do see a difference. I see them stressed to the max with a baby, unable to save for a downpayment on a house, while I remember us managing pretty stress free. We had little money when my daughter was young, but had what we needed. Thankfully we worked hard and were lucky, in that our businesses did well, about 10 years down the line, but the beginning... we still had everything we needed and could even save. Even had two cars.
Luckily my daughter works from home, as I did.... but I just can't imagine having a baby for six weeks and putting him or her into day care, commuting to work, stressing out. at work, running home and dealing with the baby, then doing that again day after day, it would break my heart to have to do that... and I think one of the main reasons is that taxes that are burdensome for programs that don't work or have too high operation costs. It's a mess, and I think families with kids suffer the most, and maybe older folks trying to stay in the homes they love. There should be at least some breaks for them.
Of course we need taxes to run the police, defence, inrastructures, courts, schools, but many people seem to think the more money that's been poured into the schools the worse they get. I don't know enough to have an opinion, just have heard that over and over. I do know that my daughter thinks the schools are so bad that she intends to join with a few other mothers and home school. Schools often are not even safe anymore, but that may be another issue. We do need some system to take care of the disabled, help out those in need...the medical system.....argghhhh....don't even want to go there. I pay $410 a month for a LOUSY plan!! I can scarcely handle it but have to have it.
Well, I won't say more and get in trouble here, but....just something to think about, I am with Ed. no Dems. no Reps. it's all out of hand. Let the people take the country back. The question is HOW do we do it? I have doubts we'll see much change in our lifetimes.
# Posted on April 30th 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Politically - I would be a very scary radical if I ever got involved again, which is unlikely.
I think politics has no place in the world of jigs and reels (other than perhaps the odd amusing tune title, which will serve to date the tune for posterity if nothing else.)
Now folk songs (as opposed to traditional songs). The odd satirical lyric is great, in my book. But if I have to hear one more earnest ditty about how great and noble and hard and unfair were the lives of fisherman/miners/factory workers/herring gutters/ploughboys sung by some by an urban professional who has absolutely no experience of these things .... I will boke!
# Posted on April 30th 2006 by kris
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Agree with Kris.
And all those folk who've never been properly drunk in their lives singing about whisky etc
# Posted on April 30th 2006 by Bren
Re: The Politics of Folkies
[yawn}
# Posted on May 1st 2006 by Owell Mabee
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Iris,
You can find Redbreast in Washington and Hackettstown.
# Posted on May 1st 2006 by citogue
Re: The Politics of Folkies
You are kidding? Where? Bottle King? i usually travel the other direction, Newton etc. Shop-rite is pretty big and didn't have it.
Do you live there, what do you play....do you come to the IAANJ session.... if not you should!!
BTW.... looking for Lambic's Belian raspeberry beer too or whatever it is! Can't find that either.
# Posted on May 1st 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Politics of Folkies
PS..... citogue..... glad this conversation is steering towards drink! LOL!
# Posted on May 1st 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Now see if we had someone other than a Republican or Democrat in office Iris wouldn’t have the trouble she is having trying to find her favorite libation!!! Service the furnace indeed.
Sorry couldn’t resist on either count.
Peace,
Ed
# Posted on May 1st 2006 by ejsant
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Oh lordy.
Here in sunny Australia we have a Bush Administration Sanitation Team running the country, flying desperately over to the US to offer their tongues as dunny paper as often as possible. I have no time for this government and there is nobody, to my knowledge, in my tune scene who has. Is this saying something? To severely misquote a friend, it's been said that "tunes don't make me want to dance - they make me want to start a revolution". True, it was said by a die-hard Socialist, but I think that it goes further than the far-left notion of a "Revolution". Tunes are a great form of collective action - I'm fairly convinced that most tune-players in Australia have no time for nasty politics.
I always thought that the folk scene in Australia was the realm of the leftie, but some of the recent festivals I've played at have been chockers with conservative punters. It doesn't seem right to get a mediochre reaction to a song about the unfairness of the current changes to Australian IR legislation from an audience at a festival sponsored mainly by the CFMEU. What's going on? Is it all too easy for everyone? Is folk music becoming the new "world music" - a handy smorgasbord of interesting and cute musical styles to entertain the rich?
Bunch of wonkers.
# Posted on May 1st 2006 by katiebee
Re: The Politics of Folkies
He Ed, I'd have my own STILL... LOL! Yes, you can help out!
# Posted on May 1st 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Politics of Folkies
The US needs more parties, of the political AND the social kind!
And more stills, too!
And, Ed, I don't think I'm going to make it out east this time.
It looks like we're going to play the Louisville Irish Fest on the weekend of the CBOM tasting in Philly, and that was my best shot at the E coast this summer ... It's tearing me up, two things I love at the same time... foo....
But if my Lowden guitar, my Jeep, my 16-track tape machine and the fiddle all sell, I might be able to amend those plans...
stv
http://cdbaby.com/Culchies
# Posted on May 1st 2006 by stv culchie
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Well, I now generally try to avoid mixing politics with traditional music but, it has to be said that whenever the "P" word has arisen in discussion with other musicians, generally (but not always), their political leanings have turned out to be remarkably similar to my own...
# Posted on May 1st 2006 by Ron P
Re: The Politics of Folkies
"Democracy is a circus run from the monkey cage" H.L. Mencken
# Posted on May 2nd 2006 by dafydd
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Steve.... are you really going to make it out here sometime? Please get in touch if you do, I think you have my #? if not, drop me an email. Between me and Ed you'll have a great time session hopping. You have to meet the local luthiers too, keep the checkbook and credit cards HOME! Esp. at Ed Foley's.
We won't talk politics, LOL!! Promise!
# Posted on May 2nd 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I vote tactically in Scottish parliamentary elections:
Communist in constituency vote,
and Scottish Socialist Party in the regional list
One thing Tony Blair's government has cured me of, is being blackmailed into voting labour just to try and keep the Tories out. After the Iraq war I cannot see me ever voting Labour under any circumstances.
In fact the Iraq war has left me feeling completely cynical about democracy in the uk.
# Posted on May 2nd 2006 by ramblingpitchfork
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Hey Iris,
I've got a full brewing kit if you can find a recipe for raspberry beer.
KateG
# Posted on May 2nd 2006 by KateG
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Here you go, Kate.
http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?threadid=3490
Now you and Iris go easy on that stuff, hear?
# Posted on May 3rd 2006 by joesmith
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Thanks for the link Laitch, though I don't know if I'll start brewing anytime real soon. Some of the recipes looked good. But I think I'll pass on the one with raspberry extract and Splenda. I'm pretty open-minded about what I eat and drink, but I draw the line at artificial sweetener, no matter how "natural".
# Posted on May 3rd 2006 by KateG
Re: The Politics of Folkies
You're not alone there cw67q
# Posted on May 3rd 2006 by Ottery
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Thanks Kate and Laitch... I ditched my winemaking kit for something revolutionary called E-Z Caps. You can make sparkling wine and cider in one litre soda bottles with them and the taste is great. The wine...well I leave the white as is, sparkling..... tastes like champagne, and the home made hard cider it the best.
I may make raspberry cider as an experiment. The apple tastes a lot like beer really, so maybe the raspberry will work out.
Sad thing is I can't really drink much of any beer or wine, I get headaches from it. I'll stick to my Jack Daniels! Fun to do the cider though.
# Posted on May 4th 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Politics of Folkies
Just checked the Lambic recipe.... way too complicated, I don't have time to deal with real beer. Esp. if I can't drink more than a tsp. I'll make it with E-Z Caps sometime and report back. I was surprised Irish Moss is an ingredient. If people here in the states can't get a little bit, I can send some.... I am a paper marbler and use it in my work, I have about 40 pounds currently. So if you need that little bit, let me know. It is the food grade stuff, that goes in your candy bars and ice cream.
# Posted on May 4th 2006 by irisnevins
Re: The Politics of Folkies
I believe you should keep an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out. Of course I am a conservative. I believe one of the things work conserving is Irish Music. I am not liberal enough to accept Celtic/Rock as an advance; it is for people who can play neither well. I don't believe introducing blues or jazz into Irish Music is a plus. I don't believe musicians should be subsidized by the government.. I don't accept the Marxist view that the value of a tune is to be measured by revolutionary content. Remember music exists only to serve the revolution. After that there will be no need for music.
# Posted on May 14th 2006 by stonecrusher