these were for money. Not that the boys didn't have an agenda besides. I don't doubt for a minute that Neil Young was incensed. Or that Lennon deeply desire Imagineland. But they didn't revive any Richard the Lionhearteds let alone bring peace on earth or an unrising against the powers that be at Kent State. Was anyone ever prosecuted even? So how much rebellion did that add up to?

I'm not saying attitudes aren't influenced, but I am saying, not as profoundly as is being made out. Certainly not the songs mentioned.

Today, I'd have to say americans are too self absorbed for any change but increased decadence followed by societal collapse. Certainly some music is helping that along. Although I give more credit for that to the visual portion of the audio visual mediums.

(Interesting word 'medium'.)

So.

That begs the question as to which songs of our generation(latter 20th century to present) that have actually had marked effect on the nation for political good. Good defined as, promoting individual liberty. As opposed to rebellion. All to often bystanders get hurt in rebellions. Representative democracy would be another worthly candidate. Any songs that markedly improved our representative system.

Thanks for the history lesson db, most interesting. Truly. I learned two highly informative tidbits today:

In overwhelmingly Roman Catholic Austria, people are automatically registered as Church members when baptised as infants. They must apply to the government to leave the Church under guidelines established by Adolf Hitler during the country’s Second World War Nazi occupation. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1228766/posts

Be well, and all the best!

PS I won't sell out for a song(but I'd be pleased to listen:) The good news(for you & most of the board, if not the US of A) is that Vermont will probably give Kerry 60%. And it could be important, keeping in mind that if a little state like Vt had gone the other way last time.... I will be among the roughly1% voting against the official choices foisted upon the american public, and for real change!

"Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word: equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude." --Alexis de Tocqueville