Pete Seeger and a Top Ten Conservative Idiots Update

[Nanjing to Seoul]

1st: I am done with my PhD work for now. I will write the newest Top Ten tomorrow or the next day.

2nd (and more important):

Everyone talks about Pete Seeger meaning something to them. In my early childhood, there were only three people, outside of my parents, that had a huge influence on my life. Those three were Raffi (don't laugh), Harry Chapin and Pete Seeger.

Pete was the first adult singer I ever listened to. His song about the SF Bay (Garbage) and DDT (The Cats are Scratching the Streets) profoundly impacted me at an extremely young age.

Each song turned on, in me at the young age of six, a social bearing years ahead of my age. Instead of reading the pablum that schools forced me to read, I began reading things that were considered subversive and even un-American. Pete Seeger led me to Rachel Carson. Pete Seeger led me to Ralph Nader. Pete Seeger led me to Cesar Chavez. Pete Seeger let me to Nelson Mandela.

I only lived about an hour away from Beacon as the crow flies, but once I watched him sing in Newburgh (on my side of the bridge). I couldn't have been more impacted. His hope, his love of people, his strength. . .his worldview. It brings small tears to my eyes remembering sitting in the audience and just listening to him talk, sing and interact with his fans as though he knew each of us personally. As he spoke about the Hudson River, his love of Mother Earth couldn't be more evident. His detest for things like Love Canal and the destruction of the brackish Hudson ecosystem made me look at the Upper Delaware River valley north of Port Jervis in the same light.

Because of Pete Seeger, I became an environmentalist. Because of Pete Seeger, I became a civil rights advocate. Because of Pete Seeger, I became the politcally active person I am too. While I only stand in a classroom and teach, I know I am doing with my students what Pete Seeger did to me.

As I teach my physical and human geography class and the lessons that would get me strung up in an American classroom (climate change, environmental sustainability, urbanization and land use, agriculture, social economics, environmental degradation and the human effects on the natural environment, including sensitive areas, the oceanic current belt, prevailing winds and pollution), I am reminded with each lesson the first two songs I committed to memory.

As I teach my history class, I use Pete Seeger's music to talk about the depression, the fight against fascism, the cold war and the Spanish Civil War.

Pete Seeger is the second hero of mine to pass on in as many months. I never met the man personally, but the impact his words, music, life, activism and struggle molded me into the person I am today.

Pete, this week's Top Ten is a tribute to you. It is written with you mind. You didn't know me. I didn't know you. But your impact on people like me cannot be understated.

Thank you Pete. Thank you for everything. And Godspeed.

[beachbum bob]

1. Sorry to hear about the passing of Pete Seeger,

no doubt, the greatest american folk singer of all time as well as prolific song writer who impacted 10's of millions of americans who listened to his words and proclamations. I remember in one of my american history classes in High School when we were discussing the McCArthy era and the house unamerican Activities witchhunts how our teacher hated Pete Seeger (teacher was former marine) and his songs. Seeger was hauled before the committee because of his music.....The conflict between world views has never NOT been in american politics. One hand we have those who believe in the visions of Pete Seeger and the other side who believe in taking all they want with complete disregard of everyone and everything. Reminds of Jesus's contempt for the money lenders and how he crashed their tables that were set up outside the temple. What got Jesus crucified more than anything else? His words of compassion and contempt for those who wish to shackle all others for their personal gains. Jesus was a threat to the ruling hierarchy with his teachings. Not much had changed in 2000yrs...except we have christians in name only (CINO) who are polar opposite to the real teachings of Christ and what in means to have Christian values. This war will also be fought.

[TexasProgresive]

2. Pete is proof that one person can make a difference.

And thank you for being a teacher. There are 2 professions that get my undying admiration; nurses and teachers. And neither get much respect, but know this, I love you.

Edited to add: Pete was a teacher as well. He couldn't get work and so turned to giving workshops and concerts for children. The same people who tried to silence him thought he could do no "harm" with kids. How stupid of them.

[madokie]

3. Thank you Pete for all you did

to make a difference. You not only talked the talk you walked the walk.

Thank you Nanjing to Seoul for what you've done for us too. I really enjoy your version of the top ten idiots.
Good luck in all your endeavors

[LWolf]

4. First of all,

I'm not going to laugh at you or Raffi. I was playing Raffi for my sons and my young students in the 1980s, and again for my grandson when he was born. I love Raffi.

Secondly, my heroes tend not to be public figures. Pete Seeger is an exception.

Finally, I don't usually read the top ten, but I will this week. For Seeger.

[countryken]

5. Pete

Maybe it's the company I keep online as well as with my personal relationships, but I've never seen such an outpouring of love in response to someone's passing as much as I have for Pete.

He influenced generation after generation in the best way possible, with messages of peace and protection of our planet and optimism and, yes, economic responsibility.

I had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions. He took the time to sing a song for my 4 year old son after a concert on one occasion. When young Tom told him he liked the 'Green and Yeller' song, Pete explained to the NPR guy he was interviewing with to tell him Tom was referring to 'Henry My Son', then he got down and sang it for Tom, giving my son an experience that will live with him forever. Yes, Tom grew up to be a socially responsible man.

Singing to/with thousands in Pittsburgh's Point State Park with the American Wind Symphony, the power was cut towards the end of the show. No matter, Pete stepped up to the front of the stage and led the crowd in singing the rest of the show.

I saw him do an outdoor concert with Arlo to benefit the food bank. 'Some food' was the price of admission.

He gave of himself like few ever had, his was a life as well lived as any, and while we'll miss him, I figure he's not gone, he's just somewhere else right now, and his influence will live forever.