Fighting For What You Believe In

After reading a movie review on piglipstick's blog on Sir! No Sir!, I decided to rent it. I was just a wee little toddler during the first years of the Vietnam War. My parents were supporters of Nixon. As I grew older, I don't recall any discussion at home about this period in history. In school, the subject was touched on briefly and (likely) was tarnished propaganda in many ways. As such, over the years I've wanted to learn more. I've learned some things on my own, but I wanted to know more about the Resistance movement, in particular from the soldiers and vets themselves.

This movie/documentary did not disappoint me. It's a very very moving piece. It makes you cheer and cry at the same time. I had no clue as to the number of underground newspapers, created and written by the soldiers themselves, at times on military bases. I was unaware as to the number of prison sentences given to those brave men and women who said "I will not participate in this illegal war."

It got me to thinking about present time. Where is this resistance today from our military personnel? God knows thousands of them have written to Michael Moore alone, not only questioning the reasons why they were sent to Iraq, thousands have said they want out. They don't want to return. So many coming back fucked up emotionally, mentally and physically. And yet, I ask, where is that organized resistance movement this time around?

I can only think that soldier's lives are in much more danger today than they were during the 1960's and 70's. Flee to Canada? Forget it. The corruption is deeper, stronger, more widespread. Human life has become a commodity in its truest form. Freedom marchers risk imprisonment, bodily harm and death at a far greater scope today than at any time in our known history. Need I use the word "taser", too?

Also missing is the culture and music of the time. Where is the music calling for peace and love? (I have a TON if any singers and bands are in need of material!) Today we have a glut of angry, violent lyrics that don't come to some conclusion of peace or healing. Get even now. That brain-damaging thumping bass seems to have left too many of this younger generation more interested in loud noise than they do in any sort of purpose. Pleasure now is the theme of the day. Meaning seems to be lost and with it, justice. Fairness. Truth. Hooked on video games, cell phones and caffeine, our younger generation has been damaged by unhealthy living, parents who are over-worked and underpaid, not to mention the growing disease that is today's public school educational environment. Corporate Culture. Buy now pay later. Mass consumerism. Pleasure now, consequences later. Slave wages, slave labor. Lamestream media and its slew of people disguised as journalists.

All have contributed to the sense of apathy and lack of awareness.

Such a massive puzzle of dysfunction and corruption. Sometimes thinking about changing just one piece simply doesn't seem nearly enough.

"The times, they are a'changin'..." sang Dylan back when. I wonder what that song means to him today.