I did a simple thing but it made me happy: I transcribed my latest song so I have a lyric and lead sheet. It took about 30 minutes so I shall do this with some of the other songs I have recorded with the intent of torturing people at OMs and Folk singarounds. I have suffered for my art and so should you… A small thing but a step forward.

Noon January 20, 1961. In his inaugural address, JFK spoke of the need for all Americans to be active citizens: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” He asked the nations of the world to join to fight what he called the “common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.”He added:

“All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.” In closing, he expanded on his desire for greater internationalism: “Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.”

Or

” They were farmers and soldiers, cowboys and factory workers, steelworkers and coal miners, police officers and pioneers who pushed onward, marched forward, and let no obstacle defeat their spirit or their pride. Together, they laid down the railroads, raised up the skyscrapers, built great highways, won two world wars, defeated fascism and communism, and triumphed over every single challenge that they faced.”

Yet what we see Trump doing with the ICE thugs is clearly fascism. I really don’t understand how US politics works. My greatest fear is that the wannabes (Farage and his unspeakables) in this country might get into power at some point in my lifetime.

What a contrast. Obviously JFK was far from perfect, if he had lived would we still have a man like Trump eventually come to power. I guess the answer is yes because ‘Mostly Old White Men’ and a few of their young rich disciples seem pretty much unstoppable.

Everything is fucked now.

A thought at reaching 69: I don’t seek death but I am aware of its presence at least in the mirror in the distance. Something glimpsed in the shadows. I am not an optimist. All we ever have at best within reason is another day if we are spared. I find it easy to live that way as I have gotten older. Your welcome.