VOTE: Freedom vs Tyranny

"I'm Happy To Report In. Vote Your Conscience."Neil Young in 2020

 

Obviously, -- at least so we would like to think -- everyone votes their "Conscience", as Neil Young urged in 2020.

That is voting their conscience for "Freedom" and voting against "Tyranny".

Or, maybe not ... a terrifying realization. Or,  even worse -- those who think they  are voting for "Freedom" but -- in reality -  they're mistakenly actually voting for "Tyranny".  Quite a state of affairs, eh?

As usual, Neil Young has quite a bit to say about Presidents and politics.

Who's Going To Stand Up and Save The Earth?
Neil Young
2014-07-12, Hyde Park, London, England
Photo Paolo Brillo |Facebook 

Many of us were introduced to Mr. Young back in 1970 with the song "Ohio" and the lyrics:

"Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,
We're finally on our own.
This summer I hear the drumming
Four dead in Ohio." 

CSNY's "Ohio" single with the United States Bill of Rights
Highlights the right to peacefully assemble

And Mr Young has not slowed down on the subject of Presidential politics since 1970. 

Freedom (1989) by Neil Young -
"The rock and roll coda of the Cold War"

 

In the late 1980's, Neil Young penned the song "Rockin' In The Free World"  lyrics:

"We got a thousand points of light
For the homeless man
We got a kinder, gentler,
Machine gun hand"

The lyrics are a direct reference to President George Bush's (#41) campaign pledge to create a compassionate citizenry volunteering to help cope with society's ills. The "thousand points of light" symbolize the American citizen's spirit and a shining example of giving selflessly to care for one another's neighbor and brother. Along with "a kinder, gentler hand", Bush believed that each American could contribute to helping make the United States -- and the world -- a better place to live and work. 

Jump to 2006 and "Living with War" and Neil Young's song "Let's Impeach The President".

                      

In 2008, the song "Lookin' for a Leader" with lyrics:

"And maybe it's a woman
Or a black man after all"

Referencing Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, the official music video was prefaced by: "Every American President has left an impact on his country and the World. This musical history lesson from Neil Young takes a look at the past, present and future of US leadership."

Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama

After all, we're still lookin' for a leader.

Americana and The American Dream via Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Album

Which brings us to 2016 and Donald Trump & Neil Young...

 

Donald Trump & Neil Young - 2014

 

And so began our long running coverage of these two men and their apparent love/hate relationship.

   

Neil Young's Open Letter To President Trump 

Also, see:

• Neil Young: "I don't hate Trump. I do hate that he is President
  
• Neil Young to Donald Trump: This note is NOT for you!
• Full Statement by Neil Young on Donald Trump's Use of Song "Rockin in the Free World"
• Neil Young Weighs In On US Presidential Election
• "Fuck You, Donald Trump" Says Neil Young Onstage; Posts Video Clip to His Facebook Page
• "Got A Man of The People Says Keep Hope Alive": Neil Young’s "Rockin' In The Free World"
• Bernie Sanders Campaign Video of Neil Young’s Song "Rockin’ In The Free World"
• INTERVIEW: For Neil Young, the Trump Era Feels a Lot Like the '60s | Mother Jones
• Neil Young Discusses His New Album, Trump, Future of Pono | Rolling Stone
• Neil Young Discusses Donald Trump  + Donald Trump Discusses Neil Young
• "Rockin' In The Free World" Lyrics Analysis

In 2020, Neil Young was still "Lookin' for a Leader", because "The Times" were a changin'.

JOE BIDEN IS THE GREATEST - Aug 8, 2023

T-C | Neil Young Archives 

In October 2024, Neil Young endorsed VP Kamala Harris for President, per a statement on Neil Young Archives. Young wrote: "Cast your vote for a beautiful future for your family."

"Why I Love Kamala Harris" |  Neil Young Archives

So. From the "tin soldiers and Nixon" in 1970 to "loving" the current Vice President in 2024, Neil has covered the spectrum -- both as a Canadian and a U.S. citizen.

Not that music can change the world or anything like that afterall.

Because one person's perspective on freedom of speech is another's right to dissent.

Sigh. We have all been here before.

Lastly, we bring to you one of the most controversial  posts in Thrashers Wheat history: George & John, Donald & Neil + Bob: Sooner or Later, It All Gets REAL ... As in Now.

GEORGE Magazine - 1997; U.S. Citizen Neil Young - 2020

George & John, Donald & Neil + Bob: Sooner or Later, It All Gets REAL ... As in Now 

This one has it all rolled into one ... if you dare.  Why? Because the future proves the past.

"FUTURE PROVES PAST"

More on politics and music and  The Politics of Music or the Music of Politics?

To be honest here, we're no longer just "Lookin' For A Leader", mainly because "We're The Ones We've Been Waiting For".

"We're The Ones
We've Been Waiting For"
#WT1sWBW4"

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