Comment of the Moment: Freedom of Speech & Thrasher's Wheat

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

Our Comment of the Moment involves Neil Young's announcement that his Love Earth Tour of Europe will kickoff with a free benefit concert in Ukraine, "Freedom of Speech" and Thrasher's Wheat's comments policy.

As background, some rather heated discussions here on Thrasher's Wheat lately regarding Neil Young's free benefit concert in Ukraine and his wife Daryl Hannah declaring "SLAVA UKRAINE" while presenting an Oscar at the Academy Awards Ceremony on March 2, 2025.

While comments here ranged from "Go Neil!" to "Stupid idea", the battle raged on an open page.

On to our Comment of the Moment on Neil Young's Love Earth Tour of Europe Kickoff in UKRAINE + Freedom of Speech by Dionys (and our response below):

All comparisons are limping somehow, but still I won’t give up on this: „free speech“ may be paramount on this blog and it’s a worthy thing to defend it, like pacifism by the way.

However, there are many situations where “free speech” is not helpful, but harming other people, mostly people who for reasons of self-defense demand unlimited speech to be limited. To demand that victims have just to make use of their right to “free speech” when “free speech” is used as a weapon against them, is blue-eyed and cynical at worst.

(With regards to this also read beyond the famous first paragraphs of Kant’s Essay on “What is Enlightenment?”)

Nobody in a fully seated theatre just can yell out “Fire!” and claiming afterwards to just have exercised his or her right to “free speech”. You do not want to have emergengy room staff discuss your treatment by exchanging various opinions about how to react to the emergency. Ergo: Under existential threats “free speech” is not helpful.

It is agreed, a democracy is based on the free exchange of information and opinion. That’s the position of the 18th century (Kant, French and American Revolutions). The 18th century could neither foresee the modern mass society and their mass media nor the highly accelerating digital technology of the recent decades. It’s questionable to insist on absolute 18th century principles if the framework under which these principles have been developed doesn’t exist anymore and a new framework ist needed. Traffic rules for horse drawn wagons being applied to todays traffic, you get the picture. As the examples above show, also in former times “free speech” never was unlimited, not even in the US. So while the American constitution and its amendmends served their purpose very well for two and a half centuries, it’s about time to rethink a few givens that are not givens any more.

The current behaviour of American corporate media is one issue. Unlike in the past they do not play their paramount role: living, exercising and defending “free speech” (Just look up the pages on NYA relating to that).

Secondly, the undermining of the checks and balance system, the pride of true American patriots, has been so effective that none of the three main institutions remains undamaged, and in the case of the executive and the legislative branch at present they even became dysfunctional.

The other issue comes into focus if you are not sitting behind your (American) garden fence. Recently the vice-president of the not so United States in a statement regarding his reading of “free speech” in Germany met with the representatives of the ultra-right party “Alternative für Deutschland” (AfD) and snubbing all other political parties. He and also the current South African executive governor of the US claimed that there is no real “free speech” in Germany, basically touting lines of the AfD. Needless to say that the AfD follows an agenda which would curtail any “free speech” in Germany. (We have been there before, thanks a lot.) Thanks by the way to wise Americans after 1945 who helped design our constitution, we have been fine with laws who forbid hate speech, racist speech and Nazi language in public. These under our jurisdiction are not covered by “free speech” but fall under instigation of “racial hatred”, a federal crime for which you might get canned or heavily fined for example.

It is obvious that American digital moguls dislike regulation of their activities: with the German and EU majority and their digital legislation projects something like “X” will have to spend a lot of money sanitizing their digital outhouse and will be challenged on many of their deliberately spread falsehoods serving their political and economical agenda. Something that apparently is totally in order under American protection of so-called free speech. No thanks, again. Which brings us to the key problem. In an unique alliance between the current protection racket that figures as the US government’s top level and the magnificent seven digital giants time and again you could see and not just from the outside that their “free speech” ist not yours, Snow White, because you don’t have the money nor the bandwidth to create separate “realities”. So Beanstalk-Jack, if you want to discuss with a cannibal whether he’ll have you for breakfast or maybe not, good luck to you (and your hyper morals).

A special interest place like this blog dedicated to Neil Young, an artist who by his art stringently has sided with what we on both sides of the Atlantic used to call a set of common western values, will have to deal with the fact, that those falsely claiming adherence to these values in order to establish a social-darwinist, authoritarian society are misusing free speech and need to be reigned in. The other options are playing the martyr or being overlooked because of irrelevance.

If George Washington and all those other founding fathers would have been fundamentalists, there never would have been a United States. Luckily these guys were up to their time. So to translate the quote into the 21st century: If we let the freedom of speech be used by the dumb they may silence us, to have us led like sheep to the slaughter.
Just a reminder: a constitution written in stone can’t breathe and it’s not for the living.

A sincere appreciation here Dionys for the time and effort on a subject and human right of utmost importance to all humans on EARTH: The right to free speech.

We could riff on this subject for weeks ...  and we have in the past (see here, here & here.)  We'll also note that the TW comments policy is clearly defined on each comment post prior to composition and publish.  This current TW comments policy has been in place for well over a decade after years of refinement.

So, to our friend we've never seen -- Dionys, a longtime TW reader, supporter and valued commenter, a few thoughts on why Freedom of Speech is paramount here at TW. While we would prefer to focus on the coming re-launch of TW, this allows us the opportunity to try out a few upcoming features.  Bear with us we work out the bugs.

Dionys, you have argued that while free speech is a valuable principle, it is not absolute and can be harmful in certain contexts. 

While the risk of unrestricted free speech being weaponized against vulnerable groups is real in the Digital Age, the need for regulation is a more dangerous threat. And no, an unchanging constitution, doesn't stifle progress because of its steadfastness to core values. 

A number of counter arguments to consider: The examples of yelling "Fire!" in a theater or emergency room debates are strawmen—free speech has never been absolute. Legal systems, including the U.S. (e.g., Schenck v. United States, 1919), already recognize limits where speech incites imminent harm or violence. The issue isn’t free speech itself but enforcement of existing boundaries, not the creation of new, vague restrictions.

18th-Century Principles Remain Relevant: The core idea of free speech—empowering individuals to challenge power and exchange ideas—transcends its historical origins. Modern mass media and digital technology amplify its reach, not its obsolescence. Adapting traffic rules doesn’t mean abandoning the road; it means refining how we navigate it. Similarly, free speech can evolve without being discarded.

Media and Governance Failures Aren’t Free Speech’s Fault: Corporate media bias and governmental dysfunction reflect failures of execution, not the principle of free expression. Blaming free speech for these issues is like blaming a hammer for a poorly built house—it's the wielders, not the tool. Strengthening accountability (e.g., antitrust laws, transparency) addresses these without curtailing rights.

Risk of Authoritarian Overreach: Dionys warns of free speech enabling authoritarians, yet history shows censorship often empowers them more. Who decides what’s “misused”? Germany’s hate speech laws work because of its context and democratic guardrails; elsewhere, similar rules have silenced dissent (e.g., Turkey, China). Restricting speech to stop “dumb” misuse risks handing authoritarians a playbook.

Free speech remains a cornerstone of human progress and dignity. 

It’s the mechanism by which marginalized voices—once slaves, women, workers—toppled oppressive systems, not just in the 18th century but today (e.g., #MeToo, BLM). Digital platforms, for all their flaws, have democratized expression, giving individuals unprecedented power to challenge narratives—like this very blog honoring Neil Young’s defiance through art.

 
It fosters resilience: societies that grapple with uncomfortable ideas (even falsehoods) develop stronger intellectual immune systems than those shielded by censors. The U.S. Constitution’s adaptability—amended 27 times—proves it can breathe, balancing freedom with responsibility. 

Free speech isn’t a relic; it’s a living tool, imperfect but essential, ensuring that neither the powerful nor the “dumb” can monopolize truth. 

To abandon it risks not just irrelevance, but surrender to the very forces feared.

More on Love Earth Tour of Europe Kickoff in UKRAINE.

"SLAVA UKRAINE"Daryl Hannah - Academy Awards Ceremony, March 2, 2025image via Neil Young Archives(see Daryl Hannah declaring "SLAVA UKRAINE" while presenting an Oscar )
 (Click photo to enlarge) 

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STEALTH GIG: "Cinnamon Girl" by NY+CH Download + FU##in' UP is Coming! | NYA

FU##in' UP is Coming | NYA  (Click photo to enlarge)

 

Neil Young Archives has posted a download link @ FU##in' UP is Coming | T-C | NYA with a live version of "Cinnamon Girl" from the stealth gig in Toronto, Nov 4, 2023. (Thanks Hambone!)

UPDATE: Since posting, the download link on NYA has been removed and replaced by a YouTube link (see embed below).  On the mobile app version of NYA, there is currently now no link available.



More on STEALTH GIG REPORT: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse, Toronto - Nov. 4, 2023.

Also, see The Neil Young Stealth Gig and The Damage NOT Done + Comments of the Moment. 

The Rivoli, Toronto on Nov. 3, 2023

(see STEALTH GIG REPORT: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse)

Photo by Andrew Bennett  (Click photo to enlarge) 

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The Neil Young Stealth Gig and The Damage NOT Done + Comments of the Moment

The Rivoli, Toronto on Nov. 3, 2023

(see STEALTH GIG REPORT: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse)

Photo by Andrew Bennett  (Click photo to enlarge)

 

The fan reaction to the recent news of Neil Young performing for the private birthday party of a wealthy Toronto local is -- as always - revealing of the fans, the artist and these times we live in (see STEALTH GIG REPORT: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse).

This isn't the first time we've been down this road with Neil on private gigs (see Private Gig Report: Neil Young + Promise of the Real - Paris, Jan 25 2016). Back in 2016 there was similar fan backlash at the news French billionaire Eduardo Carmignac arranged for a private concert and sang on backup vocals.

"Fuckin' Up"
Neil Young + Promise of the Real - Paris, Jan 25 2016
w/ Billionaire Eduardo Carmignac on backup vocals
Photo via Rocker Paris

(see Private Gig Report: Neil Young + Promise of the Real - Paris, Jan 25 2016)

 

To say there's a lot of unsubstantiated speculation here goes without saying. 

As most of our regulars know, we here at Thrasher's Wheat are passionate defenders of free speech -- most recently evidenced by Thrasher's Wheat Signs On To The Westminster Declaration. 

In response to this "indignity", some fans have lashed out using the dreaded "H" word: hypocrisy.

And in a somewhat predictable response, other "rustie grains" have come to Neil's defense and his "freedoms and rights as an artist". Here's a comment by Abner:

I guess I am out of the loop on this sort of thing?

A truly great artist with apparently serious convictions about his art plays a show for a billionaire? Why? Do we know Neil got paid? Do we know "he did it for the money" and even if he did what follows from this fact? I don't think it follows that he is a hypocrite. He said he wasn't playing for Bud and politicians but all musicians play for money. 

What is the real difference between playing the Roxy and playing a single show for one person or family?

I think the people who immediately assume the worst or infer the worst need to check their logic and assumptions. And no, I don't see Thrasher and others in worship mode. It is more like at this point Neil Young has paid his dues times about 1 billion and we should have a deep respect and admiration for what he has done. 

We know he will continue to chart his own path and this is what is known as authenticity.

Good points Abner and thanks for sharing.

Here's a more expansive and nuanced comment by Jim: 

What a fine weekend for Thrasher's Wheat and reporter Stu! Kudos to you both for this musical scoop to start the Neil's birthday weekend!

The TW report is credited as the source all over the internet...

Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/neil-young-ragged-glory-private-concert-canada-goose-1234874732/

[links snipped]

BTW,private gigs are always entertained by booking agents for artists and sometimes go to the top of the list as a recommendation. These private gigs now help pay the enormous cost of touring these days. Wondering if Neil Young has some sort of relationship with the company? If it is Canadian Goose they are a clothing company who often supplies film crews or is it Grey Goose Vodka?

It terms of the "sell out" aspect of this discussion...we seem to be in very novel times where new things are happening all the time that have no historical precedent. It is almost like history isn't repeating itself anymore. While we've been told war is human nature I am seeing that change now, too, if that ever was true. Nearly ever veteran I've seen return home came back changed. Boot camp made them save their friends but didn't turn them into killing machines in my experience with them.

If you are rigid and unbending you might just break these days. Glad that Neil Young has convictions that can change in front of the public and not just privately.

This Hopi prophecy is making more and more sense to me a decade later:

You have been telling the people that this is the Eleventh Hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is The Hour. And there are things to be considered….

Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. And do not look outside yourself for your leader.

Then he clasped his hands together, smiled, and said, ‘This could be a good time’!

There is a river running now very fast. It is so great and swift that there are those who will be afraid. They will try to hold onto the shore. They will feel they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.

Know the river has its destination. The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, keep our eyes open, and our heads above water.

And I say, see who is in there with you and celebrate. At this time in history, we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves. For the moment that we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word "struggle" from your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. – Hopi Prophecy (2012)

ps - Here is the Canada Goose website in the U.S. I suspect might be the company that had the private gig with Neil Young & Crazy Horse 'n Micah Nelson at that tiny club:

https://www.canadagoose.com/us/en/film/film.html

Looks like Canada Goose had a change of mind about their clothing and fur plus a bit on the history of the birthday boy and his company:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/how-i-transformed-canada-goose-from-a-small-family-business-into-a-11-billion-luxury-brand/vi-AA1jJcux#details

So is this private gig going to be a promotional video for ‘Neil Young Official Release Series Discs 22, 23+, 24 & 25’? How did they get a film crew and all that equipment in that tiny club (check out the images in the post above).

Thanks Jim. Lots of wisdom there in the Hopi Prophecy. And then there is the whole can you "change your mind" evolution and maturity.

Again, for us, freedom is rebellion. Rebellion is freedom.  

If Neil is freely making decisions of how he earns his living, so be it.  If he's being manipulated, forced or shamed or worse into doing things, then, well, all our musical heroes are just mere flawed mortals. 

Surprise. 

Our esteemed colleague Scotsman has much more here on the subject of private corporate gigs  @ The Flying Scotzman | Patreon:

"An artist, when he plays a private corporate gig, becomes a mercenary."

More on the STEALTH GIG REPORT: Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse.

 

Neil Young & Daryl Hannah 

Backstage Door @ The Rivoli, Toronto - Nov. 3, 2023 

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Thrasher's Wheat Signs On To The Westminster Declaration

The Westminster Declaration

 

As we here at Thrasher's Wheat continue our multi decade struggle to speak truth to power, we proudly add our signature to The Westminster Declaration in order to dismantle "The Censorship-Industrial Complex".

Via westminsterdeclaration.org:

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The Westminster Declaration

We write as journalists, artists, authors, activists, technologists, and academics to warn of increasing international censorship that threatens to erode centuries-old democratic norms.

Coming from the left, right, and centre, we are united by our commitment to universal human rights and freedom of speech, and we are all deeply concerned about attempts to label protected speech as ‘misinformation,’ ‘disinformation,’ and other ill-defined terms.

This abuse of these terms has resulted in the censorship of ordinary people, journalists, and dissidents in countries all over the world.

Such interference with the right to free speech suppresses valid discussion about matters of urgent public interest, and undermines the foundational principles of representative democracy.

Across the globe, government actors, social media companies, universities, and NGOs are increasingly working to monitor citizens and rob them of their voices. These large-scale coordinated efforts are sometimes referred to as the ‘Censorship-Industrial Complex.’

This complex often operates through direct government policies. Authorities in India[1] and Turkey[2] have seized the power to remove political content from social media. The legislature in Germany[3] and the Supreme Court in Brazil[4] are criminalising political speech. In other countries, measures such as Ireland’s ‘Hate Speech’ Bill[5], Scotland’s Hate Crime Act[6], the UK’s Online Safety Bill[7], and Australia’s ‘Misinformation’ Bill[8] threaten to severely restrict expression and create a chilling effect.

But the Censorship Industrial Complex operates through more subtle methods. These include visibility filtering, labelling, and manipulation of search engine results. Through deplatforming and flagging, social media censors have already silenced lawful opinions on topics of national and geopolitical importance. They have done so with the full support of ‘disinformation experts’ and ‘fact-checkers’ in the mainstream media, who have abandoned the journalistic values of debate and intellectual inquiry.

As the Twitter Files revealed, tech companies often perform censorial ‘content moderation’ in coordination with government agencies and civil society. Soon, the European Union’s Digital Services Act will formalise this relationship by giving platform data to ‘vetted researchers’ from NGOs and academia, relegating our speech rights to the discretion of these unelected and unaccountable entities.

Some politicians and NGOs[9] are even aiming to target end-to-end encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram.[10] If end-to-end encryption is broken, we will have no remaining avenues for authentic private conversations in the digital sphere.

Although foreign disinformation between states is a real issue, agencies designed to combat these threats, such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the United States, are increasingly being turned inward against the public. Under the guise of preventing harm and protecting truth, speech is being treated as a permitted activity rather than an inalienable right.

We recognize that words can sometimes cause offence, but we reject the idea that hurt feelings and discomfort, even if acute, are grounds for censorship. Open discourse is the central pillar of a free society, and is essential for holding governments accountable, empowering vulnerable groups, and reducing the risk of tyranny.

Speech protections are not just for views we agree with; we must strenuously protect speech for the views that we most strongly oppose. Only in the public square can these views be heard and properly challenged.

What's more, time and time again, unpopular opinions and ideas have eventually become conventional wisdom. By labelling certain political or scientific positions as 'misinformation' or 'malinformation,' our societies risk getting stuck in false paradigms that will rob humanity of hard-earned knowledge and obliterate the possibility of gaining new knowledge. Free speech is our best defence against disinformation.

The attack on speech is not just about distorted rules and regulations – it is a crisis of humanity itself. Every equality and justice campaign in history has relied on an open forum to voice dissent. In countless examples, including the abolition of slavery and the civil rights movement, social progress has depended on freedom of expression.

We do not want our children to grow up in a world where they live in fear of speaking their minds. We want them to grow up in a world where their ideas can be expressed, explored and debated openly – a world that the founders of our democracies envisioned when they enshrined free speech into our laws and constitutions.

The US First Amendment is a strong example of how the right to freedom of speech, of the press, and of conscience can be firmly protected under the law. One need not agree with the U.S. on every issue to acknowledge that this is a vital 'first liberty' from which all other liberties follow. It is only through free speech that we can denounce violations of our rights and fight for new freedoms.

There also exists a clear and robust international protection for free speech. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)[11] was drafted in 1948 in response to atrocities committed during World War II. Article 19 of the UDHR states, 'Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.' While there may be a need for governments to regulate some aspects of social media, such as age limits, these regulations should never infringe on the human right to freedom of expression. 

As is made clear by Article 19, the corollary of the right to free speech is the right to information. In a democracy, no one has a monopoly over what is considered to be true. Rather, truth must be discovered through dialogue and debate – and we cannot discover truth without allowing for the possibility of error. 

Censorship in the name of 'preserving democracy' inverts what should be a bottom-up system of representation into a top-down system of ideological control. This censorship is ultimately counter-productive: it sows mistrust, encourages radicalization, and de-legitimizes the democratic process. 

In the course of human history, attacks on free speech have been a precursor to attacks on all other liberties. Regimes that eroded free speech have always inevitably weakened and damaged other core democratic structures. In the same fashion, the elites that push for censorship today are also undermining democracy. What has changed though, is the broad scale and technological tools through which censorship can be enacted. 

We believe that free speech is essential for ensuring our safety from state abuses of power – abuses that have historically posed a far greater threat than the words of lone individuals or even organised groups. For the sake of human welfare and flourishing, we make the following 3 calls to action.

• We call on governments and international organisations to fulfill their responsibilities to the people and to uphold Article 19 of the UDHR. 

• We call on tech corporations to undertake to protect the digital public square as defined in Article 19 of the UDHR and refrain from politically motivated censorship, the censorship of dissenting voices, and censorship of political opinion.

• And finally, we call on the general public to join us in the fight to preserve the people's democratic rights. Legislative changes are not enough. We must also build an atmosphere of free speech from the ground up by rejecting the climate of intolerance that encourages self-censorship and that creates unnecessary personal strife for many. Instead of fear and dogmatism, we must embrace inquiry and debate.

We stand for your right to ask questions. Heated arguments, even those that may cause distress, are far better than no arguments at all. 

Censorship robs us of the richness of life itself. Free speech is the foundation for creating a life of meaning and a thriving humanity - through art, poetry, drama, story, philosophy, song, and more. 

This declaration was the result of an initial meeting of free speech champions from around the world who met in Westminster, London, at the end of June 2023. As signatories of this statement, we have fundamental political and ideological disagreements. However, it is only by coming together that we will defeat the encroaching forces of censorship so that we can maintain our ability to openly debate and challenge one another. It is in the spirit of difference and debate that we sign the Westminster Declaration.

Signatories

• Matt Taibbi, Journalist, US

• Michael Shellenberger, Public, US

• Jonathan Haidt, Social Psychologist, NYU, US

• John McWhorter, Linguist, Columbia, Author, US

• Steven Pinker, Psychologist, Harvard, US

• Julian Assange, Editor, Founder of Wikileaks, Australia

• Tim Robbins, Actor, Filmmaker, US

• Nadine Strossen, Professor of Law, NYLS, US

• Glenn Loury, Economist, USA

• Richard Dawkins, Biologist, UK

• John Cleese, Comedian, Acrobat, UK

• Slavoj Žižek, Philosopher, Author, Slovenia

• Jeffrey Sachs, Columbia University, US

• Oliver Stone, Filmmaker, US

• Edward Snowden, Whistleblower, US

• Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, USA

• Stella Assange, Campaigner, UK

• Glenn Greenwald, Journalist, US

• Claire Fox, Founder of the Academy of Ideas, UK

• Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, Psychologist, Author, Canada

• Bari Weiss, Journalist, USA

• Peter Hitchens, Author, Journalist, UK

• Niall Ferguson, Historian, Stanford, UK

• Matt Ridley, Journalist, Author, UK

• Melissa Chen, Journalist, Spectator, Singapore/US

• Yanis Varoufakis, Economist, Greece

• Peter Boghossian, Philosopher, Founding Faculty Fellow, University of Austin, US

• Michael Shermer, Science Writer, US

• Alan Sokal, Professor of Mathematics, UCL, UK

• Sunetra Gupta, Professor of Theoretical Epidemiology, Oxford, UK

• Jay Bhattacharya, Professor, Stanford, US

• Martin Kulldorf, Professor of Medicine (on leave), Harvard, US

• Aaron Kheiriaty, Psychiatrist, Author, USA

• Chris Hedges, Journalist, Author, USA

• Lee Fang, Independent Journalist, US

• Alex Gutentag, Journalist, US

• Iain McGilchrist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher, UK

• Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Human Rights Activist, Author, Netherlands

• Konstantin Kisin, Author, UK

• Leighton Woodhouse, Public, US

• Andrew Lowenthal, liber-net, Australia

• Aaron Mate, Journalist, USA

• Izabella Kaminska, Journalist, The Blind Spot, UK

• Nina Power, Writer, UK

• Kmele Foster, Journalist, Media Entrepreneur, USA

• Toby Young, Journalist, Free Speech Union, UK

• Winston Marshall, Journalist, The Spectator, UK

• Jacob Siegel, Tablet, US/Israel

• Ulrike Guerot, Founder of European Democracy Lab, Germany

• Heather E. Heying, Evolutionary Biologist, USA

• Bret Weinstein, Evolutionary Biologist, USA

• Martina Pastorelli, Independent Journalist, Italy

• Leandro Narloch, Independent Journalist, Brazil

• Ana Henkel, Independent Journalist, Brazil

• Mia Ashton, Journalist, Canada

• Micha Narberhaus, The Protopia Lab, Spain/Germany

• Alex Sheridan, Free Speech Ireland

• Ben Scallan, Gript Media, Ireland

• Thomas Fazi, Independent Journalist, Italy

• Jean F. Queralt, Technologist, Founder @ The IO Foundation, Malaysia/Spain

• Phil Shaw, Campaigner, Operation People, New Zealand

• Jeremy Hildreth, Independent, UK

• Craig Snider, Independent, US

• Eve Kay, TV Producer, UK

• Helen Joyce, Journalist, UK

• Dietrich Brüggemann, Filmmaker, Germany

• Adam B. Coleman, Founder of Wrong Speak Publishing, US

• Helen Pluckrose, Author, US

• Michael Nayna, Filmmaker, Australia

• Paul Rossi, Educator, Vertex Partnership Academics, US

• Juan Carlos Girauta, Politician, Spain

• Andrew Neish, KC, UK

• Steven Berkoff, Actor, Playright, UK

• Patrick Hughes, Artist, UK

• Adam Creighton, Journalist, Australia

• Julia Hartley-Brewer, Journalist, UK

• Robert Cibis, Filmmaker, Germany

• Piers Robinson, Organization for Propaganda Studies, UK

• Dirk Pohlmann, Journalist, Germany

• Mathias Bröckers, Author, Journalist, Germany

• Kira Phillips, Documentary Filmmaker, UK

• Diane Atkinson, Historian, Biographer, UK

• Eric Kaufmann, Professor of Politics, Birkbeck, University of Buckingham, Canada

• Laura Dodsworth, Journalist and Author, UK

• Nellie Bowles, Journalist, USA

• Andrew Tettenborn, Professor of Law, Swansea University,  UK

• Julius Grower, Fellow, St. Hugh’s College, UK

• Nick Dixon, Comedian, UK

• Dominic Frisby, Comedian, UK

• James Orr, Associate Professor, University of Cambridge, UK

• Brendan O’Neill, Journalist, UK

• Jan Jekielek, Journalist, US

• Andrew Roberts, Historian, UK

• Robert Tombs, Historian, UK

• Ben Schwarz, Journalist, USA

• Xavier Azalbert, Investigative Scientific Journalist, France

• Doug Stokes, International Relations Professor, University of Exeter, UK

• James Allan, Professor of Law, University of Queensland, UK

• David McGrogan, Professor of Law, Northumbria University, UK

• Jacob Mchangama, Author, Denmark

• Nigel Biggar, Chairman, Free Speech Union, UK

• David Goodhart, Journalist, Author, UK

• Catherine Austin Fitts, The Solari Report, Netherlands

• Matt Goodwin, Politics Professor, University of Kent, UK

• Alan Miller, Together Association, UK

• Catherine Liu, Cultural Theorist, Author, USA

• Stefan Millius, Journalist, Switzerland

• Philip Hamburger, Professor of Law, Columbia, USA

• Rueben Kirkham, Co-Director, Free Speech Union of Australia, Australia

• Jeffrey Tucker, Author, USA

• Sarah Gon, Director, Free Speech Union, South Africa

• Dara Macdonald, Co-Director, Free Speech Union, Australia

• Jonathan Ayling, Chief Executive, Free Speech Union, New Zealand

• David Zweig, Journalist, Author, USA

• Juan Soto Ivars, Author, Spain

• Colin Wright, Evolutionary Biologist, USA

• Gad Saad, Professor, Evolutionary Behavioral Scientist, Author, Canada

• Robert W. Malone, MD, MS, USA

• Jill Glasspool-Malone, PhD., USA

• Jordi Pigem, Philosopher, Author, Spain

• Holly Lawford-Smith, Associate Professor in Political Philosophy, University of Melbourne, Australia

• Michele Santoro, Journalist, TV Host, Presenter, Italy

• Dr. James Smith, Podcaster, Literature Scholar, RHUL, UK

• Francis Foster, Comedian, UK

• Coleman Hughes, Writer, Podcaster, USA

• Marco Bassani, Political Theorist, Historian, Milan University, Italy

• Isabella Loiodice, Professor of Comparative Public Law, University of Bari, Italy

• Luca Ricolfi, Professor, Sociologist, Turin University, Italy

• Marcello Foa, Journalist, Former President of Rai, Italy

• Andrea Zhok, Philosopher, University of Milan, Italy

• Paolo Cesaretti, Professor of Byzantine Civilization, University of Bergamo, Italy

• Alberto Contri, Mass Media Expert, Italy

• Carlo Lottieri, Philosopher, University of Verona, Italy

• Alessandro Di Battista, Political Activist, Writer, Italy

• Paola Mastrocola, Writer, Italy

• Carlo Freccero, Television Author, Media Expert, Italy

• Giorgio Bianchi, Independent Journalist, Italy

• Nello Preterossi, Professor, University of Salerno, Scientific Director of the Italian Institute for Philosophical Studies, Italy

• Efrat Fenigson, Journalist, Podcaster, Israel

• Eli Vieira, Journalist, Genetic Biologist, Brazil

• Stephen Moore, Author and Analyst, Canada

• Thrasher, Independent Blogger, ThrashersWheat.org, USA

Footnotes

1. Pahwa, Nitish. 'Twitter Blocked a Country.' Slate Magazine, 1 Apr. 2023, slate.com/technology/2023/04/twitter-blocked-pakistan-india-modi-musk-khalistan-gandhi.html.

2. Stein, Perry. 'Twitter Says It Will Restrict Access to Some Tweets beore Turkey's Election.' The Washington Post, 15 May 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/05/13/turkey-twitter-musk-erdogan/.

3. Hänel, Lisa. 'Germany criminalizes denying war crimes, genocide.' Deutsche Welle, 25 Nov. 2022, https://www.dw.com/en/germany-criminalizes-denying-war-crimes-genocide/a-63834791

4. Savarese, Mauricio, and Joshua Goodman. 'Crusading Judge Tests Boundaries of Free Speech in Brazil.' AP News, 26 Jan. 2023, apnews.com/article/jair-bolsonaro-brazil-government-af5987e833a681e6f056fe63789ca375.

5. Nanu, Maighna. 'Irish People Could Be Jailed for “Hate Speech”, Critics of Proposed Law Warn.' The Telegraph, 17 June 2023, www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/06/1  7/irish-people-jailed-hate-speech-new-law/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_psc_ppc_us_news_dsa_generalnews.

6. The Economist Newspaper. (n.d.). Scotland’s new hate crime act will have a chilling effect on free speech. The Economist. https://www.economist.com/the-world-ahead/2021/11/08/scotlands-new-hate-crime-act-will-have-a-chilling-effect-on-free-speech

7. Lomas, Natasha. 'Security Researchers Latest to Blast UK's Online Safety Bill as Encryption Risk.' TechCrunch, 5 July 2023, techcrunch.com/2023/07/05/uk-online-safety-bill-risks-e2ee/.

8. Al-Nashar, Nabil. 'Millions of Dollars in Fines to Punish Online Misinformation under New Draft Bill.' ABC News, 25 June 2023, www.abc.net.au/news/2023-06-25/fines-to-punish-online-misinformation-under-new-draft-bill/102521500.

9. 'Cryptochat.' Meedan, meedan.com/project/cryptochat. Accessed 8 July 2023.

10. Lomas, Natasha.'Security Researchers Latest to Blast UK's Online Safety Bill as Encryption Risk.' TechCrunch, 5 July 2023, techcrunch.com/2023/07/05/uk-online-safety-bill-risks-e2ee/.

11. United Nations General Assembly. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). New York: United Nations General Assembly, 1948.

 

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A Happy Independence Day To All of Our "Children of Destiny": Celebrate and Exercise Your Freedoms!

"Children of Destiny" - Neil Young + Promise of the Real
Frame from Official Music Video

A very happy Independence Day (4th of July) to all of our "Children of Destiny" out there across the EARTH lands.

Last year on Independence Day 2022, the world was in a very different place than today as we scroll back to read folks thoughts one year ago. And judging by those keen observations a year ago, we deeply thank our readers and commenters for once again being ahead of the curve, aware and awake. We remain honored and humbled that so many find TW to be vital to their daily readings.

After shutting it all back down in 2020 and bombing our way back open in 2022, the more things change, the more they remain the same as it ever was.
Consitution
And on this Independence Day in America, as we celebrate #1776, our constitutional republic, exercise our freedoms, eat hot dogs (and conduct our protests with diatribes and actions), once again we are reminded how Neil Young's music resonates with its own special brand of fireworks with the song and video "Children of Destiny" from the 2017 album The Visitor with the band Promise of the Real.

As you may recall, one of the big Neil news items in 2020 was CITIZEN NEIL or ... Neil Young Becomes A U.S. Citizen.

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

In 2019, the application by Canadian Neil Young to become a U.S. citizen was delayed due to "possible lack of GMC (Good Moral Character)". In January 2020, Neil posted a photo of himself saluting the US flag, with a caption: "I'm Happy To Report In. Vote Your Conscience."

 Neil Young and Daryl Hannah on January 23, 2020
(Celebrating his Dual Citizenship w/ his wife)
(also, see Official Daryl Hannah | Instagram)

 

Neil Young

In 2019, in a posting on Neil Young Archives: "I Have Been Very Successful In My Life", Neil revealed that his initial citizenship interview went fine, but due to a technicality, another interview was required by the USCIS because of his "marijuana related activities".

In October 2019, Neil Young said in an interview: “I’ve passed all the tests; I’ve got my appointment, and if everything goes as planned, I’ll be taking the oath of citizenship” shortly after turning 74 on Nov. 12." Neil continues to be optimistic on becoming a U.S. citizen in order to "vote my conscious on Donald J. Trump".

via Neil Young Archives

Image via Rusted Moon

"Children of Destiny" - Neil Young + Promise of the Real
Frame from Official Music Video

Meanwhile, back to Neil Young's song "Children of Destiny". Judging by the reaction in July 2017, clearly once again Neil had managed to polarize his fan base. As if right on cue, some fans say "Right on Neil! Tell it to The Man!". Other fans say, "This is really dreadful hippie patriot jingoism."

Normally, over the past years here at Thrasher's Wheat, we blog on the 4th of July -- where we were born in the U.S.A. -- our hopes and dreams, such as 2015's Americana and The American Dream - This Land Is Our Land, This Land Is Your Land or Who's Really Going To Stand Up?

"Children of Destiny" - Neil Young + Promise of the Real
Frame from Official Music Video

Neil Young really hasn't changed that much in the past 40 years. He is still singing truth to power and we love him for that alone.

"Children of Destiny" - Neil Young + Promise of the Real
Frame from Official Music Video

Once again, thanks Neil. You're clearly on the right track. Past experience demonstrates that the more polarizing a new song is to your fan base, the more it demonstrates its the power and success. If we can't share our differences, we can't peacefully coexist.

To all, have a great and safe holiday.

Here is Neil Young's statement to go with the video version of "Children of Destiny".

Friends

Thanks so much for your response to Children of Destiny! This is a heartfelt message to people all around the world, our home. We hope this song resonates with you and gives you strength to know that you are not alone. Resist those who lash out against our positive message with violence, name calling and negativity. We are concerned for our Democracy, Environment and Freedom. Nothing will ever stop us from standing up. We gathered together on the full moon to record our song.

Here is a new video of that moment!

Love and Respect,
Celebrate Interdependence!
Neil

Thanks Neil.

Neil Young + Promise of the Real

Your words inspire us indeed. When we say we know the feeling, it is because of the support you gave us when we here at Thrasher's Wheat were feeling the same way regarding the relentless negativity of "The Doubters".

"The Doubters" -- who embrace failure -- will never be the "Children of Destiny". Not sure about that? Check the danger of able @ ~2:00:00 and your world will be rocked for the children. This is the TRUE Field of wheat.

Likewise, we still see the vista. We hear the muse. We continue. We continue because we believe and have faith in that greater good. Just as we all must teach our children (of destiny) well, we "must have a code that we can live by." Because, you are a child, i am a child, and we are all children of destiny. And, don't forget, in the fields of wheat, the "Children of Destiny" will NOT be harvested -- however, the chaff will be burned by unquenchable fire.

And just as your encouragement long ago inspired us to soldier on, we won't quit or give up. We will
"Keep on bloggin'
`Til the power goes out
The batteries dead
Twist and shout"

Because, "We're The Ones We've Been Waiting For", as we like to remind ourselves.


Who's Going To Stand Up and Save The Earth?
Neil Young
2014-07-12, Hyde Park, London, England
For more on Neil Young + Promise of the Real's song "Children of Destiny", see:

• NEW Official Music Video: Neil Young + Promise of the Real - "Children of Destiny" (55+ comments)
• Statement by Neil Young + Orchestra Video Version of "Children of Destiny" (35+ comments)
• A Happy 4th of July To All of Our "Children of Destiny": Some Commentary on Neil Young's New Song w/ counter response to Forbes Magazine's review by author David Alm (20+ comments)
• Comments of the Moment:"Children of Destiny" by Neil Young + Promise of the Real (15+ comments)
• Neil Young's Muse: The Passion, The Pathos & The 4% (10+ comments)
• Comments of the Moment: Statement by Neil Young on "Children of Destiny" (10+ comments)

Patrick Henry Quote

Thomas Jefferson Quote

Keep Calm and Keep on Rockin'

 

And -- as if that wasn't patriotic enough for you -- then here's something that'll really get those patriot juices flowin' ...

 

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

George & John, Donald & Neil + Bob: 

Sooner or Later, It All Gets REAL ... As in Now 

(or The Problem In Georgia)

 

Our most controversial -- and REAL -- post of 2020 ..  imagine that, if you will ... 'cause, "don't let it bring you down, it's only castles burning, find someone who's turning, and you will come around."

 

May The 4th/FOUR Be With You

 #MayThe4thBeWithYou

 

 

(this is what Democracy REALly looks like)

 

 

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Why It Works: Neil Young's “Rockin’ In the Free World” | Essential Secrets of Songwriting

Neil Young (as a homeless person)
(frame from "Rockin' In The Free World" music video)

Neil Young's song “Rockin’ In the Free World” is so iconic that even U.S. presidential candidates use it to launch their campaigns.  Imagine that?

And while we have spent a great deal of time here on this blog analyzing the song “Rockin’ In the Free World” over the last few decades, we do sometime wonder just what it is about this song exactly that makes it work on so many levels?

To answer this question in terms of melody, lyrics, and chord progressions here is a detailed analysis from Neil Young, “Rockin’ In the Free World”: Why It Works |  The Essential Secrets of Songwriting  by Gary Ewer:

Melody

If you listen to a lot of Neil Young songs, you start to see that even though a song may be in a simple major or minor key (this one is in E minor, with an A chord thrown in, borrowed from the dorian mode), he tends to favour pentatonic melody shapes.

An E minor pentatonic scale uses the notes E, G, A, B and D, and you’ll notice that a lot of the verse melody dwells on these notes, particularly D, E and G:

Those melodic ideas, playing in and around those three notes, are a favourite shape of Neil’s, and as I say, you’ll notice that he really likes pentatonic shapes. You see it in the opening line of “Old Man” (“Old man, look at my life/ I’m a lot like you were…”), and all through the melodic ideas in his “Heart of Gold.”

...

Lyrics

The lyrics reference the politics of the late 1980s, so you’ll see references to the Iranian “death to America” mantra of that time, as well as some gibes to George H.W. Bush’s “thousand points of lights”, and “a kinder, gentler nation.”

But I think what is most noticeable is that this is the sort of lyric where the meaning gets transmitted best when being sung over one or two pitches. When you sing lots of repeated notes, it sounds like a kind of musical “scolding”. Just as Bob Dylan chose to set the lyrics of “Like a Rolling Stone” over melodic cells that repeat the same note often (“Once upon a time you dressed so fine/ Threw the bums a dime/ In your prime…”), Neil sings out the words to “Rockin'” like he’s really trying to make an important point, and uses repeated pitches to do it.

...

Chord Progressions

The song is in E minor, and both the intro and the verse use the simple three-chord progression Em-D-C. In the intro, those chords get played over a pedal point bass that sits on that tonic note E. The bass then moves to play root position chords for the entirety of the verse.

The chorus switches to the relative major key of G major, and gives us this progression: G-D-C-Em. The tag at the end of each chorus, which brings us back to either the intro for the next verse, or Neil’s guitar solo, is an A major chord.

...

Complete analysis from Neil Young, “Rockin’ In the Free World”: Why It Works |  The Essential Secrets of Songwriting  by Gary Ewer.

Also, see  more at Neil Young Lyrics Analysis | "Rockin' In The Free World".

Previously, Neil Young has  “continuously and publicly” objected to his music being used by Donald Trump going back to 2015 on his website NYA. Background on Neil Young's Open Letter To President Trump and below.

Donald Trump & Neil Young

or ...

Donald Trump & Neil Young Tangle Yet Again Over Use of Music At Events

or ...

 

Donnie, Ronnie & Neil: Southern Man and The Un-Civil Wars of Donald Trump & Neil Young or Rebels with Causes w/ Northern Man

or ...

More on It's Game ON: Young v. Trump. 

 

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

 Freedom ... So Is It All Really Just An Illusion Now?

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FACEBOOK UNCOVERED: How They Lied To You | Neil Young's Archives (NYA) Times-Contrarian

FACEBOOK UNCOVERED: How They Lied To You
via Neil Young's Archives (NYA) Times-Contrarian

In today's Neil Young's Archives (NYA) Times-Contrarian, author Phil Baker writes that Facebook's behavior is "worse than we had imagined".

"evil Facebook ... dangerous to our Democracy"
via Neil Young's Archives (NYA) Times-Contrarian

The NYA Times-Contrarian article goes on to urge fans to delete their Facebook account and submit their experience to NYA for publication consideration.

Thanks for listening Neil! Should've been done long ago. Here's our story below, which your team is well aware.

Short story: Mark Zuckerberg (CEO FACEBOOK): Liar? Idiot? Or Both?.

Mark Zuckerberg (CEO FACEBOOK): Liar? Idiot? Or Both?

Earlier this year, we covered Neil Young's Big Decision On Archives: Facebook and Social Responsibility. Reaction was significant, with many Neil fans reporting similar experiences with the Great Social Media Whorehouse (sorry to offend whores).

A Facebook Nation of Liars & Whores
FACT: Facebook Delays, Denies and Deflects

In the parlance of our times, "fake news" is a fake construct designed to deflect from the actual, REAL truth. (See The Illusion of The Matrix Shatters: Corruption, Fake News & The Big Shift.)

The NYA Dilemma?

Once again, Neil Young speaks truth to power as he faces a "big decision" on access to his Archives due to Facebook's lack of social responsibility.

In a recent posing on NYA Times-Contrarian, Neil Young writes that:

"Censorship is a big responsibility and the Social Media Giant is seemingly not up to defending democracy, at least not yet."

NYA Times-Contrarian

The issue of tech giants and censorship has come up previously and it appears to have reached a cross-roads -- not just with Neil -- but with virtually all things internet related. In February, Neil Young wrote that tech giants rip off artists, who are being forced to distribute their music in the digital world. (And this is just one more reason why we sing this song because we love the man.)

NYA Times-Contrarian

And our advice to Mr. Young?

Ditch Facebook.

Ditch Facebook before Facebook ditches you, Neil. You'll be glad you did.

Why?

We'll go into that below.

Thrasher's Wheat | Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/thrashers.wheat - Suspended Since July 2015

As long time Thrasher's Wheat readers know, we have had confrontations with Facebook over the years since being suspended in 2015. (See An Open Letter to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO FACEBOOK and An Open Letter (#2) to Mark Zuckerberg, CEO FACEBOOK.)

Facebook: An Epic Orwellian Fail

Image via 21st Century Wire

Tech Giants, we the people, do NOT trust you. You guys have blocked us, shadow banned us, de-monetized us, de-platformed us, memory-holed us, and harassed/trolled us relentlessly. But all of your efforts have failed -- we're still standing. Enough.

Eyes Wide Shut, Mouth Closed

"They" have tried to take us down by canceling our advertising partnerships, or blocking our ability to run Google Ads, or hacking our Twitter account, or filing fraudulent transactions on our PayPal account, or disrupting the ISP service of our partner WBKM.org and Thrasher's Wheat Radio, or screwing around with our Amazon partner links, or jerking us around about Willie for a Nobel, capping our LIKES below 30K and unsub'g folks automatically, throttled our once robust reader comments eco-system suspending the Gigs for the Gulf page based on false copyright infringement claims, trying to make exposing environmental crimes a crime, disrupting freedom of speech and assembly, or humiliating and mocking our efforts when we try and stand up, algorithmic censorship to lower our rank off of Top 10 Search results or gaslighting us with "fake Neil news", sending in all sorts of trolls and spammers to disrupt the Neil community, or making exposing a war crime a war crime or blasting us with near Stuxnet-like levels of crippling attacks on our servers, dropped from Google News as a legitimate (non-fake) news source and on & on...

Is that the best you got? We're still here. Just remember, TW has been around longer than Google, Amazon or Facebook. The corruption on the highest floors will cease and Justice will triumph. The Truth and The Light will always prevail and overwhelm the darkest of the Darkness of Corruption.

Social media can often be seen as serving as the direct prophecy of George Orwell's 1984 novel's "Two Minutes of Hate".



(Note, if you found the above clip puzzling, "Watch The Dystopian World of 1984 Explained" on YouTube @ https://youtu.be/GQxOKXEff4I. In George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, the Two Minutes' Hate is a daily period in which Party members of the society of Oceania must watch a film depicting the Party's enemies (notably Emmanuel Goldstein and his followers) and express their hatred for them.

In case anyone is interested, here is what Goldstein actually says in that scene (you can't make it out, cause the crowd is shouting over it, but that's what he says according to the subtitles)

"Nothing the Party says is true. Nothing the Party does is good. Even the war itself isn't real. The Party wants you to believe we are at war so as to channel your aggression away from their rightful target: the Party.

Big Brother is not real. He is pure fiction, created by the Party. The real rulers of the State are unknown, faceless manipulators who, because they are not known are able to wield power without let or hindrance. People of Oceania, you are being duped.

The Party doesn't serve the people — it serves itself.

We are not at war with Eurasia. You are being made into obedient, stupid slaves of the Party. Open your eyes. See the evil that is happening to you. The Party drops bombs on its own citizens.

It is the Party, not the Eurasians, who are our enemies."

"Open your eyes. See the evil that is happening to you.")

As usual, everyone supports freedom of speech -- as long as it aligns with their views and politics. It's an angry world but we won't quit...

Shattering "The Facebook Matrix"

ps - And "Thank You" Mr. Zuckerberg for suspending our FaceBook account, saving us from all of your FB troll-bot zombie hordes (not referring to rusties)! Or Mr. Z - Liar? Idiot? Or Both?.

"First they came for Thrasher's Wheat,
and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a Neil Young fan.

Then they came for Alex Jones,
and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a white male conspiracy theorist.

Then they came for Oprah Winfrey,
and I didn’t speak up, because I wasn’t a black female social justice warrior.

Then they came for Neil Young,
and I didn’t speak up, because I was Donald Trump voter.

Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me."

MODIFIED ~~ Rev. Martin Niemoller, 1945

Open up the tired eyes. Eyes wide shut, we tried to lay it all out very specifically just prior to the 2016 election. And then clarified any mis-understandings shortly after the 2016 election. And yet again at the 2018 mid-terms.

No fear... never stand down ... The Big Shift crushes it... wake up and open the Tired Eyes...


'She was welded to the eagle's beak sun green leaned into that megaphone
and said, "truth is all i seek" '
~~"Sun Green" by Neil Young
ps - and if you still really want to know how we feel about all of this, we have all been here before, we have all been here before...

So don't do it Neil. Just say no to Big Brother.

peace & love,
thrasher and thrashette

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