Fort Hood - Let The Sunshine In
A year or so ago, I ran into a song by Mike Doughty, called "Fort Hood." Interesting guy, Doughty. Son of a Vietnam vet, he grew up on military bases. Later on, he became the lead singer & moving force behind Soul Coughing, the great stream-of-consciousness-poetry-dada jazz band of the 90's. He was also a heroin addict during those years.
A few years back, he went solo, kicked heroin and began doing different stuff. Very different.
Like "Fort Hood."
I loved this song as soon as I heard it. He took the chorus from the 1969 song "Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In," and dragged it dancing & singing - and still bubbling with hope - into the middle of a song about PTSD. He named the song Fort Hood because that base, those families, had suffered the most losses in the recent wars.
I'm not sure I can bear the argument coming, about why this happened. The endless expert argument about these wars, and them foreigners, and what happens to soldiers and why, and who hated who & who was at fault.
As for how they died at Fort Hood today, and why.... Well, the experts & the screamers are gonna have to sort that out without me.
Because today, all I can think of is how those who died, especially the young ones, should still be living. And that now, they're gonna miss the joys of their young adulthood. That's the loss Mike Doughty sang about, and that's a loss we can all understand.
So let's sing along. Sing along with Mike. For all the kids that got lost.
And let the sunshine in.
* Update * Some of the kids...
- Jason Hunt, 22, Frederick Oklahoma, voted "most Quiet" in his Senior class
- Michael Pearson, 21, Bolingbrook Illinois, trained to deactivate bombs
- Francheska Velez, 21, Chicago Illinois, 3 months pregnant
- Amy Krueger, 29, Kiel Wisconsin, enlisted the day after 9/11
- Russell Seager, 51, Racine Wisconsin, worked with vets with PTSD, Doctorate in Alt Medicine
- Aaron Nemelka, 19, West Jordan Utah, engaged
- Kham Xiong, 23, St Paul Minnesota, father of 3
- Juanita Warman, 55, Independence Missouri, PhD
- John Gaffaney, 56, Serra Mesa California
- Michael Cahill, 65, just returned to work after heart attack
Mike Doughty "Fort Hood" Music Video
If you're in the mood, drop by with a song.
Otherwise, just drop by!
November 6, 2009 10:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not very musical, but I'm not sure if PTSD is the best explanation here. As I understand it (and I could easily be wrong), the guy has not yet served overseas. He is a psychiatrist, and that could be traumatizing, but I don't think it crosses into PTSD territory.
Several sources (not all of them conservative) are also reporting that he shouted "Allah Akbar" during the shooting. Someone with his name (although it's not that rare of a name) also previously posted a defense of the Muslim suicide bombers. I see no evidence that this was an organized terrorist event, but I do think it's possible that the event was caused by his service responsibilities conflicting with his religious beliefs.
November 6, 2009 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
What crap. He is a muslim fanatic and a terrorist. He killed because of his hatred of the west. To pretend otherwise is just PC stupidity. He is no different than Hasan Akbar, his motivation is the same, the fact he was not a 'member' of AlQuaeda means nothing. He is still a terrorist.
November 6, 2009 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Take it somewhere else, guys.
Thanks.
November 6, 2009 1:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Choice of words aside, what I'm arguing isn't substantially different from what you're arguing. The differences are that I'm talking to my peers in our language. What you call "politically correct", I call "using more meaningful language". Calling someone a "terrorist" doesn't do a whole lot in trying to answer questions about why they became a "terrorist" or what we can do to help prevent these actions in the future.
So, rather than just dismissing it with easy language (i.e., "muslim fanatic and terrorist"), what do you see as penultimate reasons for his actions? Do you not think him being moved to Iraq contributed to his actions? (Just to be clear, that's not to blame the reassignment for the crime. It's instructive to look at both ultimate and proximate causes.) It's quite likely that his Muslim faith contributed to his beliefs that the war in Iraq was wrong, although lots of atheists also feel this way, of course. Also, I assume you acknowledge that plenty of Muslims are good, upstanding citizens of this country. Also, do you really think his actions were thought through enough to adequately be described as "terrorism"? I.e., was his goal really to spread terror, or was he lashing out as a sociopath would? You seem to think avoiding the word "terrorist" is PC. I, on the other hand, think immediately attaching one's self to the use of that word even in the absence of concrete evidence is CPC (conservatively politically correct).
November 6, 2009 1:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
The man posted to the web defending suicide bombers as heroes. He argued that 'infidels' must convert to Islam. It should have been obvious that he was hostile to the US, yet everyone pretended not to be able to see that. Now Obama says we must not jump to conclusions about his motives. Just like Hasan Akbar's motives were allegedly a mystery. The 'show bomber' is still referred to by his non-muslim name Richard Reid, the fact that the DC snipers were muslims was also downplayed. We search people at the airport at random, pretending that an 80 year old Swedish woman is just as likely a threat as the man named Muhammed Jihad Jihad. The fact is that the vast bulk of terrorist attacks have been perpetrated by muslim extremists, not because they view the war as wrong, but because they hate western civilization and want to destroy us.
November 6, 2009 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did he? Or did someone with the same first and last name post that? Neither his first nor last name are uncommon amongst Muslims, of which there are approximately 1.5 billion in the world. Even if he did (and I think it's entirely possible, if not even likely), how would anyone else have known it was him, assuming that he didn't state similar opinions to those he worked with? Again, remember his name is very common.
Do you also remember all of the right-wing radio stations being sure of the reasons behind the Oklahoma City bombing? IIRC, you're old enough that you surely remember that, without exception, they all blamed the Muslims.
November 6, 2009 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Let the sunshine in? Very uplifting, I suppose.
The reality was more like...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxiK3fqonV4&feature=related
Quadrilateral I was
Now I warp like a smile!
November 6, 2009 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you trying to confuse me? If so, it's not that difficult…
November 6, 2009 4:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Root, I give you... my new hero... DJ Funktuall. Basically, Funktuall gets toasted in his room, plays his fave stuff (lots of SC & Doughty, Wilson Pickett, old soul, etc.), dances around, is almost entirely incoherent, and proclaims it edutainment. Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago... Blue-Eyed Devil... and Bus To Beelzebub.
Obviously, dude's a bit of a role model for me.
November 6, 2009 4:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
IF WE CAN JUST KILL ALL THE MUSLIMS AND ARABS AND PERSIANS AND PALESTINIANS......
I mean, what a wonderful place we could have. The earth would be peaceful and all.
I think this all started when we elected this Africano guy named Hussein.
If we could just fight them here so we would not have to fight them over there.
Or if we could just fight them over there so that we would not have to fight them in Texas...
I get SOOOOOOOOO CONFUSED OVER ALL THIS.
November 6, 2009 3:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
I just keep thinking of ten thousand miles, 115 degrees, hidden dangers, clear and present dangers...just being amazed in when you wake up in the morning.
I also recall those in fatigues at Coffman Union a hundred years ago. They had this walk. Out of our group of six three were there on the GI Bill.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMWpDZjXqxA
I do not know how relevant this song is. Just been in my head.
check back later
November 6, 2009 10:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a version by the Reverend Julius Cheeks that I love. This guy's on fire. A song of a soul in torment.
November 6, 2009 11:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
Playing for change:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM
Mark Johnson's global project for peace through music. He recorded over 100 musicians playing this, and Bob Marley's 'One World.' Moyers had him on last year.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/10242008/profile2.html
November 6, 2009 11:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
This gave me shivers... And then the tears came!
November 6, 2009 3:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just fancy; they were all tuned to the same pitch, and played in the same key. Almost magic.
November 6, 2009 4:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love it when people do this! :-)
November 6, 2009 4:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4FEn-ZKdDg
November 6, 2009 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Cockburn is nice, lulu. I like also 'will there never be an end to the Indian Wars?'
November 6, 2009 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm with ya. I'll try not to get carried away, but here is another that fits the time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFKBWsIJDxU&feature=related
November 6, 2009 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love "Wondering Where The Lions Are." He created some really beauty, did Bruce. Both early on, with stuff like All The Diamonds....
And more recently, songs like Pacing The Cage.
He's got the heart we need on a day like this.
Cheers, Lulu.
November 6, 2009 2:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sometimes the road leads through dark places
Sometimes the darkness is your friend
The video of Diamonds really takes me back. the first time I heard Cockburn was when I took some friends on a full moon sail off St. John, USVI. Someone brought one of his albums.
It is a beautiful thing on the ocean when at the very same time the sun sets the full moon rises, the wind calms, the water settles, and without anyone suggesting it everyone gets quiet for a while.
November 6, 2009 2:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bruce came to our hole-in-the-wall tiny town last April to play; my husband went to see him. A good man, is Bruce. Stood around and rapped with the local fans.
November 6, 2009 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am playing this now Lulu. How delightful.
I also played Wendy's Musical Link.
This is a sweet tune for a warm sunny Nov day.
How relevant, I do not know, but this is another piece of music that kind of reminds me of yours:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=769Oueux4nI
November 6, 2009 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
There ya go. Who knows how or why some music connects with other music? Not me. If Pseudo is listening today [Hope you are buddy and hope you are feeling well] he will probably rate this one as a geezer song like he has some of mine in the past, but it reminds me of being young and I like it.
I'm outa here for a while, can't let this warm day slip completely by. Meanwhile...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7P2XvHo3Adg
November 6, 2009 3:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Love this song. Ronnie Lane's version. Another little guy with a Big Heart.
November 6, 2009 3:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I like this best. I will be playing this all nite cause I got a little vodka twist in my diet...out of nowhere.
I love Ronnie Wood's drunk take on this also.
But this is best, for sure.
November 6, 2009 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was never much of a Coldplay fan, but when I heard them with the BV Social Club, my opinion changed. From Wiki's take on this song:
Perhaps not a theory to answer all questions, but one that might help the overall weight of the world from weighing us down individually and collectively, as so much of the current news inevitably does. Plus, it's got a beat and you can dance to it.November 6, 2009 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
OOps! The link! P.S. Soul Coughing was one of the musical highlights of the mid-late 90s for me.
November 6, 2009 1:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
WELL Q AND THERAP ARE ON TOP OF THE LIST TODAY!!! That is a good omen. It is sooooooo beautiful here Miguel. The sun is shining and its Nov and its 50+.
I love this song. It has a taste, a ring of Chicago in it.
November 6, 2009 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Beautiful day, like you say Dick. And after it was down to the teens last week here. Time for us to go enjoy a Fall walk, before the Ice Machine lowers itself into place. And Miguel's song has some warm weather in it, eh? I'll take it.
Did you see they're releasing the names of some of the dead kids now. Always busts me up. I've listed some up at the end of the post now. A kid from Oklahoma, 22, named "Most Quiet" in his Senior class. Now he'll always be the quiet one. No 2nd Acts. And that young woman form Chicago, just found out she was 3 months pregnant.
Falling leaves, Dick. Not enough time to enjoy their sunshine.
November 6, 2009 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know, I will weep over the death of a six year old. Of course how many six year old corpses is w responsible for?
But there is more really to the death of a 22 year old. I mean the education and training of this vet.
He had choices and as time went by, he would have had so many more choices. A law degree, a medical degree...leadership positions available. Looking at a forty year career.
And now a mother and her baby.
WHAT A FUCKING WASTE.
November 6, 2009 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Two children were taken along with Kahlid Sheik Mohammed. They have never resurfaced. W may be responsible for the death of at least that 6 year old. And what about some in Iraq and Afghanistan?
November 6, 2009 5:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
That is what I mean TheraP. We get our computerized DOD stats about our brave troops.
But have we killed a hundred thousand, one million. NOBODY KNOWS.
Children hanging from their mothers' dead limbs.
November 6, 2009 5:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mike Doughty actually wrote a song about Chicago long before anybody drove any planes into any skyscrapers and we were all so much more innocent, while under the influence of some psychedelic substances... 'Is Chicago, Is Not Chicago'. Then John Butler thinks we can be better than that.
November 6, 2009 5:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
This song answers the question for me...
Absolutely Nothing!
~OGD~
November 6, 2009 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd like to offer this:
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/blog/kontakion-departed-all-souls/1833
It is, in my view, a stunningly beautiful song of mourning. And no matter what or who you are mourning here... I hope you'll listen. It begins with discordant sounds. And then... such beautiful choral singing.
I always appreciate your voice, Quinn!
November 6, 2009 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
November 6, 2009 6:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a song I wrote. I call it Grace.
Any moment now we may all fall into grace
I believe this can happen 'cause I've learned
something about this human race
Every good deed done, every hard fight won
is done for me, is won for you
Anybody willing to grow, everybody willing to go
as far as Love will allow
Will help us all somehow
This is the evolution
When everybody who finds a way to love themselves
makes it easier for everyone else
And when we are willing to go through the pain
you know that out there somewhere someone else
believes that they can
And that's why...
Any moment now we may all fall into grace
I believe this can happen 'cause I've learned
something about this human race
Every good deed done, every hard fight won
is done for me, is won for you
Anybody willing to grow, everybody willing to go
as far as Love will allow
Will help us all somehow
This is the evolution
When every struggle that we face makes it easier
for someone else who is in the same place.
And when our hearts are open we can look at
someone else and remember that every person is
another one of ourselves
And 'that's' why...
Any moment now we may all fall into grace
I believe this can happen 'cause I've learned
something about this human race
Every good deed done, every hard fight won
is done for me, is won for you
Anybody willing to grow, everybody willing to go
as far as Love will allow
Will help us all somehow
This is our evolution
This is our revolution
This is our evolution
And any moment now....
written by Lauren Brillante, all rights reserved
November 6, 2009 4:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was also thinking that now might be a good time to watch that movie 'Pay It Forward' again. I have a concern that we focus on all the 'shit' in the world and not enough of the beauty, courage, and grace of our fellow human beings:) XOXO
November 6, 2009 4:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I cry every time I see that film.
November 6, 2009 4:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wonderful thoughts! Lovely poem!
And Random Acts of Kindness!
November 6, 2009 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you synch . . .
My take is here in Thera's thread . . .
~OGD~
November 6, 2009 5:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
When I need a good, cleansing cry...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIF4_Sm-rgQ
(jeff buckley covers leonard cohen)
November 6, 2009 5:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was going to make a lame Canuck joke, but this is really beautiful Wendy. And it fits right into Q's Fifth Dimension chorus. Here we have an alleluia chorus.
Thank you for this!!
November 6, 2009 5:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad you liked it, Dick. The minor chords can make your heart ache so sweetly, yes?
November 6, 2009 6:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now listening for the third time....
I've felt so on the verge of tears - all day.
November 6, 2009 6:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good; sleep better tonight. Every day can bring suffering, and sometimes even a bit of optimism in the face of it. Yet we still gotta get up and do our jibs, whatever they may be. Especially the ones that don't pay us nuttin'. ;-}
November 6, 2009 7:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love L. Cohen, thanks. This is from the only war movie that I ever remember making me cry. In the context of this whole train of thoughts and songs it seems to fit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCs1rkAXZ9o
November 6, 2009 6:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Since we're talking Leonard Cohen ... and religious beliefs as a pretext for murder ... and how that plays out in the form of war and peace ... there is one song that ties it all up with a brilliant bow.
The story of human sacrifice is from the Bible, but it resonates with today's headlines:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm1QyIEFYwk&feature=related
November 6, 2009 7:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's my contribution to the dirge - hard to top Sandy Denny.
November 7, 2009 2:25 AM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, maybe Sinead comes close. Make sure to hold on. Better version lives here, but no video :-(
November 7, 2009 2:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just thought I'd throw this in here, if anyone likes classical guitar. A personal favorite, close to the sublime - unless I'm playing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbD0HLUR6Xw
November 7, 2009 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink