MY TRIBUTE TO THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN

There has been a surprising lack of weirdness in the trisaster in Japan.  Mostly I see horrible devastation and radiation and people acting in a heroically civil manner.  I made this picture to salute people we could learn from in this.

This is my recognition of the spirit, courage and civility of the Japanese people and their response to the recent trisaster.

This is a reminder that the Sun is always shining. Sometimes we just can't see her.

Below is the the devastation of the earthquake and tsunami, while Fujiyama soars above the tragedy. Above all, the benevolent presence of Amaterasu-no-Kami, the Sun Goddess and chief deity of the Shinto religion, gives her blessing and strength to her people, the people of Japan.

(Note: I am neither Shinto nor Japanese. If I have hurt anybody's religious sensibilities, please let me know and I will correct the matter.)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

From Creative Commons

With much thanks to Derek Visser. Three of his photos were used to make the Fukushima plant here:
www.flickr.com/photos/vizpix/5530864283/
www.flickr.com/photos/vizpix/5529845859/
www.flickr.com/photos/vizpix/5529038135/

To the United States Air Force
www.flickr.com/photos/usairforce/5529732202/
and
the US Pacific Fleet(Navy)
www.flickr.com/photos/compacflt/5529922582/

The other images used are in the Public Domain.

USA - It's Not Nice

I dedicate this to the people of Tunisia and Egypt and Libya and Bahrain and all the others who have decided that the time to say "Enough!" is now.  

Over a month and. although there has been a lot of news, nothing has come across my desk that fits my definition of weird.  Not wanting to bore my readers (both of you) , I did come across this song by Malvina Reynolds, one of my favourites.  She was a unusual enough to qualify as weird, I think.  She looked like the dried-up sour self-righteous, conservative Church Lady biddy, but was in fact a fiery, outspoken,  socially progressive singer/songwriter/poet whose songs are still widely sung.  Her most well-known are God Bless The Grass and Little Boxes. 

Today I share with you a little gem called It Isn't Nice.  It's a weird sort of song.  Catchy tune, too!

It Isn't Nice 
words and music by Malvina Reynolds; copyright 1964 Schroder Music Company, renewed 1993. This original version of the song was banned from the radio in Japan--in Japanese, but not in English!


It isn't nice to block the doorway,
It isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it,
But the nice ways always fail.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
You told us once, you told us twice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
 
It isn't nice to carry banners
Or to sit in on the floor,
Or to shout our cry of Freedom
At the hotel and the store.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
You told us once, you told us twice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
 
We have tried negotiations
And the three-man picket line,¹
Mr. Charlie² didn't see us
And he might as well be blind.
Now our new ways aren't nice
When we deal with men of ice,
But if that is Freedom's price,
 We don't mind.
 
How about those years of lynchings
And the shot in Evers' back?
Did you say it wasn't proper,
Did you stand upon the track?
You were quiet just like mice,
Now you say we aren't nice,
And if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.
 
It isn't nice to block the doorway,
It isn't nice to go to jail,
There are nicer ways to do it
But the nice ways always fail.
It isn't nice, it isn't nice,
But thanks for your advice,
Cause if that is Freedom's price,
We don't mind.

Additional notes
1. This refers to an injunction limiting pickets to three. Nancy says she now sings "token picket line," as being less obscure and more gender-inclusive.
2. The Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang defines "Charlie" as "white men regarded as oppressors of blacks.--used contemptuously. Also Mr. Charlie, Boss Charlie."