Jackson Free Press

I believe in a world where, on a day like Memorial Day, we can all cast aside our differences and come together - black and white, liberal and conservative, Tupac and Biggie (RIP) - to collectively make fun of hippies. It's been a tradition in my family for generations, one that I hope to share with you, the reader. Enjoy.

Previous Comments

ID

148158

Comment

Tee, hee. ;-) On a serious note, I'm thinking a lot about my cousin Josh Ladd today, who died in Iraq before he ever had a chance to live his life and be what he could become. May be rest in peace for his courage and patriotism. And I'm thinking of my dear stepdad who left so much in Korea and Vietnam. He lived through the wars, but they scarred him forever. I will never forget the Taps played when he was buried, and being presented his flag. The best thing we can do as Americans is live the principles of freedom and diversity that our soldiers sign on to fight for—even when they are misled to get them onto the battlefield. We must constantly fight to make sure that the American dream is available to everyone. Even hippies. ;-)

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2009-05-25T09:11:04-06:00

ID

148185

Comment

I think the Daily Show is funny and am happy it can poke fun at its liberal fan base. But war and peace is a tender subject and laughing at hippies on Memorial Day just makes me uncomfortable. Code Pink is a really fun, and funny, organization-- its members willing to go to all kinds of antics, like making and wearing a pink bunny costume and hopping across the Golden Gate Bridge on Easter Sunday, to remind people that life is good and precious and funny and that maybe by working to stop some huge military funding bills, we can all have a little bit more it-- Americans, Pakastanis, Afgans. Though many family members of my have served in the military, none of them paid the highest price in service to our country. And I am so blessed to have them here still with me. I am sorry for the loss of your cousin Donna. Many peace activist work from a belief that life is sacred and that sacredness is worth fighting for. Or yelling at Donald Rumsfeld about. A clip of two ladies from code pink going buck wild on Donald Rumsfeld at the White House Correspondents dinner: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDmRdfyAUio You cant keep a good woman (or country) down.

Author

Kat

Date

2009-05-26T19:58:46-06:00

ID

148506

Comment

Kat, Thanks for expressing your feelings about the blog post. My favorite thing about the Daily Show is their willingness to mock all-comers. My family comes from a long line of poor farmers, many of whom served in the military and whose culture is often mocked openly by the media, comedy programs like the Daily Show, and yes, self proclaimed hippies. So, I had to take a chance to playfully make fun of some of the excesses of hippie culture. I think Project Pink is a great example of the effectiveness - and the limitations - of organized protesting. Here's a link to a story I read on Politico that you might be interested in. It's about how many progressive organizations have had to change their methods in the age Obama. Would be interested in your take on it. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0609/23329.html

Author

bryan doyle

Date

2009-06-05T10:29:58-06:00