Before it became the Neocon Swastika, bumper sticker peer pressure to show unquestioning support for the troops, i.e. their mission of US military aggression, the “yellow ribbon” was a musical high concept of the 70s via Tony Orlando and his Dawns. Tie a Yellow Ribbon was sung from the POV of a felon, rehabilitated we presume, being released and hoping for a signal from his old lady, in advance of having to ask her face to face, to know if he was welcome to come back home. Perhaps he had no idea because she had not visited him in prison or perhaps there was a restraining order which forbid him from approaching without her prior consent.
Is it some Freudian admission that today’s military suggests its soldiers show the same trepidation? Are soldiers returning from doing time in this war, having had to commit the requisite war crimes, concerned that they would not be welcome to show their faces back home?
Is the Defense Department implying our troops are less heroes than they are criminals? Who needs affirmation of our unconditional support more than soldiers with guilty consciences?
I’m comin’ home, I’ve done my time
Now I’ve got to know what is and isn’t mine
If you received my letter telling you I’d soon be free
Then you’ll know just what to do
If you still want me
If you still want meWhoa, tie a yellow ribbon ’round the old oak tree
It’s been three long years
Do ya still want me?
If I don’t see a ribbon round the old oak tree
I’ll stay on the bus
Forget about us
Put the blame on me
If I don’t see a yellow ribbon round the old oak treeBus driver, please look for me
’cause I couldn’t bear to see what I might see
I’m really still in prison
And my love, she holds the key
A simple yellow ribbon’s what I need to set me free
I wrote and told her please-
“…I came to the conviction that the world can be progressively delivered from the scourge of war only by persons who have had the courage to sacrifice themselves by refusing all military service.” Albert Einstein, 1931.
What about John Wayne’s missy? She wore a Yellow Ribbon, too. Tied to her homestead broom, the natives are swept from the plains for sake of safeguarding wichi t&a. Yes, our prairie life owes a lot to man-fest destructo and the white magic capon.
An enjoyable explore of Pop (goes to weasel) music. Sing it Tony! Get Captain and Tenille to do the backup “You Better Shop Around”, and the retro movement is back.
God save the Queen, never mind the bullocks.
Einstein needs to talk about consumerism. Otherwise the above quote is brilliant and should be echoed from every Ivory Tower and scholarly twin. But I won’t go down on Wallmart Street today…everyone knows THEY suck. Jack the Zipper comes with tupperware for the Picnic at Jena’s Hanging Rock.
Global mime Marcel Marceau has died. This is your opportunity to wear white face to the park and razz the elite for loose change. Up the ladder, Marcel, one last time!
From Homer’s Odyssey: “Those that come through the gate of ivory are fatuous, but those from the gate of horn mean something to those that see them”.
From Homer Simpson: “Don’t let Krusty’s death get you down, boy. People die all the time, just like that. Why, you could wake up dead tomorrow! Well, good night.”