For those celebrating Independence Day, inhale, relax and enjoy the company of friends.
If by chance you have to ask the question “should those under the age of 18 be allowed to purchase fireworks”, or if you even felt the need to stay tuned to the “next segment” on your local news where they were going to answer that question, you are too stupid to have fireworks, please leave them alone.
It’s gone terribly wrong, but we can fix it. The corrupt copper pipes will soon to be replaced by newer plastic fittings, and caulked with silicone, which I hear is more flexible than glues of the past. The fittings, which we have yet to select, may or may not endure. The fact of their newness will be enough at first.
Until then, or at least for the weekend, shut off the television, unless your watching a rerun of “John Adams” or The Shawshank Redemption ( I know I saw this when I was young and really never realized how much I did not watch this film at that time — it is one of the best films I’ve ever seen at 3 in the morning, or any other time for that matter), go out and play.
Every year I post American Tune. It’s one of the best songs written about “America”. This year I’m going to replace it, because this is our land, and it’s the year we can at least go with to the polls with the pretense of trying to take it back.
There are not nearly enough covers of the following song. Misunderstood by many, punk bands often destroyed the song by distorting or changing the words, because they never understood the intent of the song. It’s intent was not make us stand proudly beating our chests claiming this land as our own, it was about the possibility of this country, for everyone.
I’ve seen some good clips of Arlo Guthrie doing this song.
I couldn’t find any decent ones tonight, so I present Tom Morello, because he knows what the song is about.
Here’s to a time when we no longer have to rage against the machine.
Happy 4th. I’m working all night.
A brew to new copper fittings.
Never heard The Nigthwatchman do that song.
suspect we’ll always be raging against something. ;(
“suspect we’ll always be raging against something“
I’m sure you’re not far off.
I’m on weekend vacation, but I couldn’t help but look this up. It”s not the full version but it is a peppy edition with Arlo and Pete Seeger. They are much older here.
Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger
The thing about plumbing fittings is you got to have them. If you don’t try to pick out the best someone else is going to do it for you, and if they make the wrong choice and your pipes keak you only have yourself to blame.
Clever jacon.
I saw that vid, it is quite peppy.
I still need to watch John Adams. When I heard that Paul Giamatti was going to be playing the part I couldn’t think of anyone better.
You’ve got to love Tom Morello playing a protest song on acoustic guitar. To that matter, I love Rage’s version of Maggie’s Farm.
Happy Fourth, Cooper
Happy 4th — now the 5th Wombat. It rained hard during our most celebratory event but what the heck.
I’ve developed a fondness for Wilco’s “Ashes of American Flags” as my July 4th soundtrack (there’s an interesting video of it here). I like Morello’s version of “This Land.” Songs come to be misunderstood and misused over the years (case in point “Born in the USA”), so it’s nice to get periodic reminders.
That’s a good song Francis.
Makes me want to sing, and protest, for me a rare thing.
The 4th on Friday is just plain weird, have fun.
No fireworks here. I never liked those things.
They set the fireworks off in the park after the rain. We watched them from the rooftop. I don’t care for them but they are right here I can hardly ignore them.
Thanks for this…
Thanks for stopping by, and you’re welcome Dr. Rob.
[…] same song every year and this year I changed it up a bit. I’m not one for blind patriotism. wonderlandornot.net/2008/07/04/this-land-is-your-land-is-your-land-this-lan… Happy 4th
[…]
I am still reading, and have been lurking lately. I chuckled at the“when I as young” then remembered you aren’t the 19 year old I started reading 4 years ago.
Arlo Guthrie carried on a dialogue much of the time when he sang this song too, this is a goot version, thanks for this post.
Yea he did much in the way of Alice’s Restaurant. I am glad to see you Joe. Where are you now?
I won’t be 19 again, so you better get used to it.;)
Plastic piping is about the worst thing you can do for your house. I think the industry is on the 4th or 5th type of plastic piping, the first groups being the objects of lawsuits due to their un-unique ability to fail. Problem with copper is that the thieves are breaking into homes — not just those under construction — to steal the piping. Which means that in my house, happiness is intact plumbing and a warm gun.
And the sparklers I am about to set off in your honor.
Song for my day? Frankenstein. The original. Not that crap played by marching bands. Might even put on a Nilson Smilson tune, too.
I am honored to be honored by a sparkler.
So my pipe dreams are trash?
A great deluge hit us during our 4th celebration.
This jazz version by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings is cool if you’re into Jazz.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFHJUg3G-ow
I had to have my cooper pipes replaced with PVC ( you know i bought a house a couple of years back), because out copper pipes were corroded with little pin holes due to well water. If plastic is worse then I’m going to be really pissed off. I hope for our sake the our next “fittings” with corrupt less easily.
Nice mix it up post, politics, music history, and a reminder that I haven’t watched “The Shawshank Redemption” in a long time.
ha I thought you said “cooper pipes”…I’m such a narcissist.
It rained like a bitch here for several hours too.
Like the jazz rendition it just doesn’t rally the troops.
Duh it took me two minutes literally to realize why you wanted Arlo’s version.
This is because I just came back from a very boisterous full beach fireworks display. Fortunately my very Southern neighbors became scared just as I realized that I was right to be as the wind is going full stream and the liquor is being drunk while the fireworks are going off – in New York it’s always so ochestrated. And people in Manhattan actually get fines or arrested for setting them off
Happy 4th Cooper and damn that Andy Borowitz for realizing that Obama actually wants to win
I’m not sure how meaningful this is but all the women who work in my hair salon and the customer’s yesterday are planning on voting for Obama
Yea, with all those dangerous fireworks being legal down there I’d be scared too.
Two minutes isn’t really that bad.
I Love that Band!! Are U thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’!!!
Bulls on Parade Baby!!
“Are U thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’!!!”
I’m now a mind reader?
lol
got it
Kids shouldn’t be allowed to buy fireworks…but if do & are allowed to do so by there parents & something tragic happens then I’d have to think it’s simply process of elimination.…OK, that’s a joke but I just don’t know.
Happy 4th yourself.
Not much happened here. Me & a few friends went to a goth bar where the male to female ratio was 5 male to every 1 girl.….including the women with someone, & or lesbian.
It’s a good thing I see no need to procreate.
Excellent — loved how the crowd got into it — still like the original by Woody Guthrie. Didn’t you love the part in Shawshank when Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman met up at the end — good for the good ‘bad’ guys. Nice that you got to see the pyrotechnics — in California we’ve been seeing them for months. Cooper pipes — love it.
I’m late but this was totally on point.
Hope your holiday was a good one coop. His version is excellent too.