The Revolution Starts...Now by Steve Earle

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Here's an excerpt from the liner notes of singer, songwriter and activist Steve Earle's new record due out August 24th on Artemis Records. It's called "The Revolution Starts...Now"

The word “immediate” best describes the atmosphere around the studio as this record was being made in the late spring of 2004. The prisoner abuse scandal had just broken and the Bush administration, still reeling from the 9/11 commission hearings, was circling the wagons. The Democrats, for their part, were carefully (sometimes, in my opinion, too carefully) trying to sort out how best to press the advantage. Meanwhile, back here in Tennessee, me and my boys had a deadline to meet.


Steve Earle

The most important presidential election of our lifetime was less than seven months away and we desperately wanted to weigh in, both as artists and as citizens of a democracy. All but two of these songs were recorded within 24 hours of the first line hitting the paper. We worked 12- and 14-hour days and in between takes and over meals we talked about the war, the election, baseball, and women, in precisely that order.

Maybe I am getting old.

Democracy is hard work. American democracy requires constant vigilance to survive and nothing short of total engagement to flourish. Voting is vital, but in times like these voting alone simply isn’t enough. By the time some of you hear these songs the election will be over. Then the real struggle begins.

When the dust clears and the votes are all counted (we’re watchin’ YOU, Jeb) it will be up to all of us—Democrats, Republicans, Greens, and independents alike—to hold whomever is left standing accountable for their actions on our behalf every single day that they are in power. The day after the election, regardless of the outcome, the war will go on, outsourcing of our jobs will continue, and over a third of our citizens will have no health care coverage whatsoever.

Like I said, it’s hard work and there’s so much to be done. And there always will be.

more at:
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0810-15.htm

and I love his closing:
"Yours for the motherfuckin’ revolution,

Steve Earle
Fairview, Tennessee
May 2004

For Johnny Cash and Warren Zevon — See you when I get there, brothers"

[Tardisian]

1. Bravo.

All of us need to get involved; make sure those who represent us are doing what the PEOPLE want; not just what they and the money moguls want.

TANSTAAFL...for any of us.

[Gregorian]

2. I had a dream last night.

By the way- Steve Earl ROCKS! It wasn't until I heard him do a cover of Nirvana's Breed that I thought he was just a mandolin player. Oh brother was I wrong. Then I found out about his life. And then about his politics. He rules.

Last night I woke up after dreaming about the Democratic win. There we were with our party hats and noisemakers. Wee. But then the camera backed away. We stood amongst corpses. And we were'nt really smiling at all. What a celebration. I know it's sad, but it's the truth. And I didn't remember it until I read that sentence by Steve. The struggle begins when the election is over. When we get the troublemakers out of our way. Democracy shouldn't be like a sickness. But I'm affraid that as long as there are Republicans, there will be war.

[mr_hat]

3. Another cool thing: TRSN will be part of the dvd release of F911.