Carter & King

[H2O Man]

"Watch out now, take care
Beware of greedy leaders
They take you where you should not go
While Weeping Atlas Cedars
They just want to grow, grow and grow
Beware of darkness (beware of darkness)"
Verse Four


I remember that President Carter had a tree house built for Amy in the Atlas cedar on the White House lawn. He designed it himself, in a manner that did no damage to the tree.

I have pictures of John & Yoko with Muhammad Ali at President Carter's inagaugural ball.

I have a picture of George Harrison with his friend Jack, in the Oval Office with Jack's father, President Ford. Jack was a strong environmentalist, with a special interest in forests.

I was thinking about these things as I listened to my favorite song on George's first post-Beatles solo (triple) LP "All Things Must Pass" today. Many consider the first two albums in the set to be the best of any of the four's solo career. And, of course, verse four sparked a memory of President Carter.

That memory was certainly better than watching activities in DC this afternoon. I sat in my great-great-grandfather's rocking chair, drinking a cup of coffee, and looking out the window. It is frigid here in the sticks of upstate New York. So I had bought extra bird food to put out, and watched a variety of birds coming to eat.

Due to hunters, it is illegal to feed deer in this state. However, the birds never consume or carry away everything I place on the ground. Since squirrels have destroyed all the bird feeders I've placed up over the decades, I just place the sunflower seeds and cracked corn on the ground. By dusk, some deer stop by for a snack. (They wait until dusk so as to not risk a confrontation with my cranky hen. She has no patience for crows or deer, and chases them away.)

This got me to thinking about Jimmy Carter. And, of course, I was also thinking about Martin Luther King, Jr., as I had glanced at DU as the coffee was brewing. There were nice messages about Dr. King on the forum. Certainly the messages and lessons from these two great human beings are as important today as they have ever been. Though I wasn't watching the news today, I know what was happening, and in my mind's eye, I connect these things.

What is President Carter most famous for in his post-presidency? Helping poor people with housing. Having assisting in house-building in my younger years, having someone like him is essential. Just as everyone pitching in was essential.

Suddenly, I noticed that the Beatles were playing "Get Back" on a roof top. As a member of the DU community for over two decades, it hit me. We need to confront the damage that the felon and maga cult will do by setting negative emotions aside. George sang about them:
"As each unconscious sufferer
Wanders aimlessly"
..... followed by "Beware of Maya." He was speaking of illusion, which is where negative emotions always leads to. Always.

President Carter showed that helping those in need creates a better society. Martin Luther King showed that a dedicated, non-violent group of citizens can bring about positive change. It's up to us to honor their examples.

[Saoirse9]

1. Such a pity we no longer have the spiritual George

to help guide us during this nightmare time. But we have his music.

And the teachings of MLK, and the example of Jimmy Carter.

And, we have each other which is the most important thing to take comfort in.

[H2O Man]

2. Thank you.

And if all else fails, we still have John's song "Revolution."

[Saoirse9]

3. Revolution

You say you want a Revolution
Well, you know
We all wanna change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all wanna change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright
Alright
You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We are doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright
Alright
You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You'd better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright
Alright

[Boomerproud]

4. That was a beautiful OP.

I don't know the recipe for the best way to get through this insanity but All Things Must Pass is a great start. If Not For You, What Is Life and Apple Scruffs (that one makes me cry as a Beatle fan) will transport me back to freshman year.

[H2O Man]

5. Thanks!

"What is Life" is definitely one of my favorite songs to this day. (I tell my children that I'm not rigid -- I don't only listen to the Beatles ..... I listen to their post-Beatles tunes!)

[malaise]

6. Lovely

Saw this late 😀

[H2O Man]

7. Thank you!

I suspect that there is a reason why the Enlightened Ones throughout time and around the globe recommended working with the poor.