Jul 04 2009

Wann wird man je verstehn? – Open Thread

Marlene Dietrich

Hat tip to JayV:

As Americans pursue Happiness today – on this most sacred of holidays –   reveling in American exceptionalism, eating hot dogs, potato salad and ice cream, they also rage war to foster “democracy” in an occupied Iraq and  Afghanistan:

When will they ever learn?

I first heard Where have all the flowers gone? in 1964 (remember Vietnam?) in my high school German class. Yeah, PP&M, Baez, Kingston Trio, they’ve all sung it, but Dietrich’s extraordinary rendition is the best IMNSHO! Ausgezeignet!  Pete Seeger preferred the German version rather than his English version; especially the lyrics. Seeger said often that the German version sings better.

19 comments

Skip to comment form

    • Edger on July 4, 2009 at 16:39
      Author
    • #
    • Robyn on July 4, 2009 at 17:08
    • #

  4. Last year I wrote a diary here on the 4th of July. I said,

    I hope that this is the last Independence Day   (4.00 / 16)

    that I feel such trepidation and dischordance about this country. I have never felt so close to the mourning of the loss of what Lady Liberty holds in her hand.

    I hope that a year from now there will be more reason for joy.

    I hope that all of you find a way to make this day whatever is most meaningful and useful to you.

    Meteor Blades responded,

    Nice Diary. I hope a year from … (4.00 / 7)

    …now we can have more reason for joy – beyond the fact that Mister Bush and Richard Bruce Cheney will be off to their next gigs, I mean.

    There is more joy, there is joy that Dick dick and Mister Bush are no longer the CEO’s, but I still feel that trepidation and discord. There are still those wars and new ones looming; there are still lies, thefts and their coverups held unaccounted for. There are still torturers and war criminals living free and there is still incredible inequality all across this land and the land of others.  

    We still have a long long row to hoe on this 233rd birthday of this nation.

    I hope this is a good day, regardless, for all of you.


Comments have been disabled.