God bless Garrison Keillor....

[noel711]

That old midwestern socialst..
In his monolog on tonight's radio show he openly critiqued
the political climate, and called for class warefare:
"If this is what they're saying... then let's just
give it to them!"
And the place went wild.
He sang an old union song to the tune of "Battle Hymn of the Republic.."

I wonder how long it will be before one of the Teaslaggers
calls him out as 'unpatriotic..'
this benevolent, sentimental humorist who calls 'em as he sees 'em.

I think if there's a citizens uprising,
it's gonna start in the midwest...

[Brickbat]

1. "Solidarity Forever."

I despise Garrison Keillor, who is most definitely not a midwestern socialist.

I'm assuming "Solidarity Forever" is the song he sang.

When the union's inspiration through the workers' blood shall run,
There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun;
Yet what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one,
But the union makes us strong.

CHORUS:
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
Solidarity forever,
For the union makes us strong.

Is there aught we hold in common with the greedy parasite,
Who would lash us into serfdom and would crush us with his might?
Is there anything left to us but to organize and fight?
For the union makes us strong.

Chorus

It is we who plowed the prairies; built the cities where they trade;
Dug the mines and built the workshops, endless miles of railroad laid;
Now we stand outcast and starving midst the wonders we have made;
But the union makes us strong.

Chorus

All the world that's owned by idle drones is ours and ours alone.
We have laid the wide foundations; built it skyward stone by stone.
It is ours, not to slave in, but to master and to own.
While the union makes us strong.

Chorus

They have taken untold millions that they never toiled to earn,
But without our brain and muscle not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power, gain our freedom when we learn
That the union makes us strong.

Chorus

In our hands is placed a power greater than their hoarded gold,
Greater than the might of armies, magnified a thousand-fold.
We can bring to birth a new world from the ashes of the old
For the union makes us strong.

[On the Road]

12. Wow -- You Must be Awfully 'Pure'

Keillor is a proud, unashamed Democrat, and he shows it on every opportunity, from his Jan 2001 statement that Bush had been sworn in 'by one of the five people who elected him' to his eloquent takedown of Norm Coleman in late 2002:

'...He was 9 points down to Wellstone when the senator's plane went down. But the tide was swinging toward the president in those last 10 days. And Norm rode the tide. Mondale took a little while to get a campaign going. And Norm finessed Wellstone's death beautifully. The Democrats stood up in raw grief and yelled and shook their fists and offended people. Norm played his violin. He sorrowed well in public, he was expertly nuanced. The mostly negative campaign he ran against Wellstone was forgotten immediately. He backpedalled in the one debate, cruised home a victor. It was a dreadful low moment for the Minnesota voters. To choose Coleman over Walter Mondale is one of those dumb low-rent mistakes, like going to a great steakhouse and ordering the tuna sandwich. But I don't envy someone who's sold his soul. He's condemned to a life of small arrangements. There will be no passion, no joy, no heroism, for him. He is a hollow man. The next six years are not going to be kind to Norm.'

http://dir.salon.com/politics/feature/2002/11/07/minnesota/index.html

[rbnyc]

19. +1 (nt)

[liberalmike27]

35. Might want to add

Remember the asshole media, who made such a big deal, pretending they were politicizing his memorial? Those were far more rabid times in the media than now, after the fairness doctrine, and all semblance of fairness had left the media, when it was all right wing, all the time on every channel, before MSNBC even brought something a bit closer to the center.

[newspeak]

71. also, I heard those who cast absentee ballots

were not to be counted for Mondale and the people weren't allowed to vote again.

[dflprincess]

86. You're half right

an absentee ballot cast for Wellstone did not get counted as a vote for Mondale. The decision on how absentee ballots would be handled came out of the Secretary of State's office - at the time we had the most horrible Republican in that office (Mary Kiffmeyer). I heard from someone in the Attorney General's office that the AG's office was convinced that the opionion was actually written by someone in the White House and that Rove had been on the phone to SOS's office telling her how to handle absentee ballots before it was even made public that Wellstone was dead.

However, it was (is) allowable that people who voted absentee could amend their ballots, either in person on election day or by filing a new absentee ballot. If two ballots from the same voter turned up the one with the most recent postmark is the one that would have been accepted. The problem was that there was really no time for people who were out of state to file a new ballot.

[66 dmhlt]

16. Tomorrow, try getting up on the OTHER side of the bed ...

[grasswire]

22. why do you despise GK?

I can't begin to imagine what elicits that kind of response, unless perhaps you are related to his first wife.

[patrice]

26. Kind of invalidates how someone might feel then about the real oppressor, doesn't it? I mean,

"despise"??? WTF!

I don't know how anyone could feel anything much stronger than that for our real opposition.

[mdmc]

45. (poster is jesse ventura)

the only person to ever beef with GK

[Baby Bear]

60. I Kind of Like Jesse Ventura

But he can be a real asshole sometimes. Nobody is perfect.

[kurtzapril4]

53. I appreciate GK's politics,

but I don't like him too much, either. Especially when he "sings." His show is good, lots of good artists on it, and I love the Joke show they do every April. But GK I just find overwhelmingly smarmy and sentimental.

[dgauss]

31. First time I've ever heard anyone say they "despise" Garrison Keillor.

Maybe you're thinking of someone else?

He's the Mark Twain of Midwestern Lutherans and an absolute gem of general, reasonable compassion.

[crim son]

36. The poster HAS to be thinking of someone else.

There is nothing not to love about Keillor.

[me b zola]

38. This is what i also think, the poster has confused GK with somebody else

I have read the poster for years and find it difficult to believe he/she would despise Keillor.

[Ben Gay]

54. I wonder if "despise" just got typed by accident, the poster meant some other word?

Because the rest of the post doesn't seem to support it...or maybe he has an "opposite" Thesaurus? :D

[lindalou65]

73. He's a good man and I cannot imagine not liking him

but there are some who don't. I only wish there were more out there like him!

[Still Blue in PDX]

39. I didn't much like Keillor when I was a perfect young LCMS Republican wife and mommy..

That was a long, long time ago.

I loved Guy Noir, but some of his humor poked a little too close for comfort. :hurts:

[harmonicon]

41. It wasn't "solidarity", unless it was a version I don't know as well.

I had it on in the background while doing work, but didn't pay much attention. I would have noticed if it were that, because I know the song well.

Like others here, I really can't imagine why on earth you would despise the man. He is midwestern (unless you want to argue that the midwest ends at the Mississippi, which is fair enough), and he is socialist insofar as the Democratic Farmer and Labor Party is socialist, though maybe not a ("big s") Socialist.

[ellisonz]

42. Pete Seeger and the Weavers rendition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYiKdJoSsb8

[BlueMTexpat]

44. Wow - are you an evil twin - or did you just misunderstand who

GK is? :wow:

[tomp]

50. of all people to despise.

you might consider being a little more discriminate.

and this is coming, mind you, from a confessed inveterate hater.

and yes, i understand keillor is not a socialist, and "proud democrat" is not something i'd like to be called.
but there is no question he speaks out in defense of poor working and middle class people and against hyporcisy
and shallowness.

[Enthusiast]

61. You despise Garrison Keillor?

That makes no sense.

We are seeing this more and more often on DU. Early on in the thread a disrupter jumps in in an attempt to ruin the discussion.

[Enthusiast]

63. You just made the list.........nt

[xxqqqzme]

66. despise? that's a very strong word

for a thoughtful humorist. I think of him as a modern Mark Twain. Years ago I would plan my weekly car washing around "The Prairie Home Companion" so I could listen to it uninterrupted (who's going to get close to me when I'm washing the car? - afraid I'd put them you work helping).

I would suggest you go to the library and check out Homegrown Democrat. It beautifully and simply presents the solid foundation of why he (or anyone w/ a heart) is proud to be a Democrat.

[spooked911]

68. one reason to dislike GK is that he was willing to overlook Bush's warcrimes

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/garrison_keillor/2009/04/29/retribution

of course, that makes him like Obama too, but GK is a milquetoast Dem, at best.

[Ikonoklast]

76. Did Garrison Keillor poison your dog or something?

Did he wrong you in a former life?

I know people that don't care for his attempts at singing, but even he makes fun of it.

[patrice]

2. And his taste in musical guests is absolutely impeccable! Here's his link with audio files.

http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/

[Frustratedlady]

11. Megan Fischer was great. Thirteen and she belts out a song like an adult.

Keillor can sneak in some doozies on politics. He has a great sense of humor...dry, but funny. His writings are also great...particularly on politics.

[patrice]

18. I have learned to really enjoy music I wouldn't otherwise listen to by listening to GK's guests.

I really like learning something new!

[tropicanarose]

57. Me too! I was thinking the same thing as I was listening to the program last night. The lyrics of ro

the songs can be so wonderful.....I loved Garrison's little ditty about a town where he had lived in MN and one about lost love too....he is really delightful.

[mdmc]

46. thanks for the link

[rosesaylavee]

3. I am sure GK is on their list already

Glad to here he got them Lutherans riled up. :)

However, I do think the revolution already started in the Midwest. Here in Illinois, I am south of the action that has been pretty much ongoing in Madison, WI. Madison is also the locale of the first Vietnam protests back in the 60s. We may seem calm and sedate and exceedingly patient here in the Midwest ... but that's only how we hold our mouths.

[patrice]

9. Sidenote: WI was also one of the first to end Capital Punishment. Mid-19th century, I think. nt

[rosesaylavee]

14. Madison, Wisconsin is a national treasure.

Independent thinking held in high regard there.

[patrice]

17. Have only been there once, a long time ago, but I remember being struck by the city's

well balanced ambiance, not too big, not too small, the sizes and shapes of buildings seemed to be kind of classically proportioned, everything well kept, nice parks downtown . . .

:hi:

[rosesaylavee]

28. Had a mentor who grew up on a farm

just south of town who has since passed on. Loved it when he would go on about 'thinking individuals' and how valuable they were. Or righteous rants about who wasn't one were also entertaining. Some towns or areas really do have collective mindsets ... or maybe prevailing mindsets. Independent thinking is definitely a valued trait from what I pick up from the Madisonites I have met.

[patrice]

32. I'm envious. I live in Cupcake Land (see Thomas Frank's book What's the Matter with Kansas?)

[rosesaylavee]

49. Oh, but I live in one of the collar counties

around Chicago. My congressman is one of the freshman tea-partiers. Joe Walsh has just announced he's going to run against this guy as it just suits him to do so. It's slowly moving from R to purple but of course not fast enough for my taste. Just don't lose hope - the pendulum can also swing the other way. Which it will when enough people know they have been lied to for decades.

[xchrom]

4. Recommend

[patrice]

5. Keillor's webmail:

http://www.publicradio.org/applications/formbuilder/user/form_display.php?form_code=0512cbfda6df

[eppur_se_muova]

6. Wonder how that goes down with his sponsors ...

is he still sponsored by Cargill ??

[patrice]

7. The audio file links on his homepage changed just now into highlights only.

[dragonlady]

25. Try these links for PHC replays on Sunday

http://wpr.org/webcasting/live.cfm at 10 am CT (there will be pledge breaks)

http://www.wuwm.com/media/stream_player/streaming.php?channel=HD1 at 12 noon CT

[patrice]

27. Thank You Very Much!!

:hi:

[bvar22]

64. Thanks, dragonlady!

A 10AM Sunday rebroadcast is PERFECT for us!
:hi:

[Bluenorthwest]

15. His show is underwritten by Ford and General Mills

Underwriting and sponsorship are not the same thing, but those are the Corporate contributors.

[jwirr]

21. Let's be fair - he is on PBS and they are underwritten by many corporations.

Garrison is only one of the shows on PBS.

[eppur_se_muova]

33. Thanks. nt

[bvar22]

62. I thought he was sponsored by....

Powder Milk Biscuits

The Ketchup Advisory Council

American Duct Tape Council

&

The Chatterbox Cafe

So whats up with THAT? :shrug:

[kestrel91316]

67. Always glad to see ANY major corporation separated from their ill-gotten

gains by a clever leftie.

You would prefer they only spend money on RW causes????????

[rbnyc]

8. I named my son after him.

[classof56]

58. What a handsome guy you have!

I like his namesake, too!

Blessings.

[rbnyc]

70. Thank you.

We're very lucky.

[tropicanarose]

59. Is that your little boy? He is precious!

[rbnyc]

69. That's my boy...

...reading the paper on the commuter train.

Thanks.

:loveya:

[tropicanarose]

81. Beautiful child! =)

[LuckyLib]

75. How wonderful to see your little guy with his face in a newspaper!

(So many little kids plugged into their "devices" these days.) He's well on his way to a life with books. Hurray!

[rbnyc]

88. He also has an iPod...

...because of Grandpa!!! But he mostly likes to take pictures with it.

He loves to read.

Thanks.

[madrchsod]

10. i never understood why my dad bought his books and listened to him

then i grew up and understood.

[vanlassie]

34. Maybe brickbat will grow up too, some day.

[Fire Walk With Me]

13. Go Garrison!

[Odin2005]

20. This proud Minnesota LWer loves him. he is a national treasure.

[Mimosa]

23. WOW.

Garrison Keillor understands the history of America and our arts more than most. I fear for the futures of the younger people. :(

[Festivito]

24. Minutes after he mentioned socialism, the station had technical difficulties and played some musAC.

That was our Ann Arbor, Michigan, station, 91.7 FM. It continued to play Garrson's voice at half volume and the show's music at full volume. Strange.

But, I did repair my two lawnmowers!

[unkachuck]

29. K&R....if you can't love Garrison Keillor, who can you love?....n/t

[northoftheborder]

30. Garrison Keillor is a national treasure, AND a populist Democrat from way back.

He even had the nerve to make fun of Bush during the years when it was extremely unpopular to do so. His humor is gentle, wry, honest, and true. He can tell a story like no one else.

[orbitalman]

37. K & R

[Dover]

40. Listen to the show here

The complete show won't be available until Monday. I missed the broadcast and am not sure at what point Keillor spoke about class warfare, but hope to listen on Monday:

http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/stations/

[Stumbler]

43. I tend to hear the rebroadcasts on Sunday morning on the local npr station

From time to time it's a little too much gospel for me, but then I remind myself that it's a nice alternative to actually attending a church. I'll keep an ear open for this message.

[MissDeeds]

47. Love Garrison Keillor

His staunch Democratic ideals, folksy stories, and gospel music remind me of wonderful years I spent with my grandmother and her sisters in Kansas.

K&R

[Doc Holliday]

48. We could use a GK here in Texas, too....

....he'd probably be shot, because individual thinking is not exactly encouraged....

....but oh-boy could we use him!

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

52. You all have Jim Hightower, don't you ?

http://www.jimhightower.com/

[Enthusiast]

65. Welcome to the DU.

We are happy to add your individual thinking around here.

[PSzymeczek]

85. You had one

in John Henry Faulk, but he was blacklisted.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

51. I missed the show last night but will definitely cacth

one of today's re-broadcasts.

K&R

[tropicanarose]

55. Yes! God Bless Garrison! I heard that show on NPR yesterday evening and really enjoyed it. rop

it is so refreshing to have someone like him, so decent and soft spoken, telling it like it is....
somehow in his own soft way, the message comes through even louder!
I love him!

[unionworks]

56. I heard it

...was singing at the top of my lungs driving up I79. :yourock:

[lupinella]

72. Go GK!

Have always loved him as a humourist... his delivery is blissfully dry.

[nilram]

74. Here's the lyrics

Someone posted them about 20 minutes ago,

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/09/25/18691292.php


GK's bit is at 56:16 in his show, in the second segment on the web page --
http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/programs/2011/09/24/

[tropicanarose]

80. Thank you so much for posting these....I have been looking for them =)

[tropicanarose]

83. The only lyric that I didn't like it that he mentioned the "Liberal Aristocracy" which is the rop

common accusation of the Rethugs of our party

[Harriety]

77. Yup. He's one of a kind that's for sure..... The good kind.

[colsohlibgal]

78. Here We Go!

Say it Garrison..... it's just another hypocritical charge by the wingnuts who have been on their own 30 year class warfare attack. So it's time to peel it all back!

We need to really work on the media, to get them to quit this false equivalences junk, like between real scientists with provable facts and religious nuts who think "The Flintstones" was real, we were living with dinos 5,000 years ago. That has to end.

It's a long way back but we have a start and we need to build on it, it will not be easy turning this country back into a real democracy as opposed to our current corporate state.

[PatrynXX]

79. Just imagine my tea party dad was a big fan of his in the 80's

have the Prairie Home Companion on tape and vinyl :) and considering vinyl made a come back I'd gather it's better to listen to him on vinyl :D

[1776Forever]

82. Sent this with the link to Garrison's Sept 24th show to my Repub Sister & Brother-in-law.

I can't wait for her reply! They get a Retired School Teacher Pension from Ohio and they still think the Police and Fire Fighters, who do not get Social Security, should have their Pensions cut! Go figure! Our middle class has got to wake up! I don't think they consider themselves middle-class but believe me they sure as heck are! They need to get on board as we are all in this together!

Here's the link to the Sept. 24th show:

http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/

[Divine Discontent]

84. Amen! God bless that man.

I have always liked him from when I was in high school. Very witty.


http://www.zazzle.com/republicans_2012_keeping_millions_out_of_work_bumper_sticker-128002960205017719

[unionworks]

87. btw

...you have to be pretty bent to "despise" Garrison....