illusion of freedom

The illusion of freedom will continue as long as it's profitable to continue the illusion. At the point where the illusion becomes too expensive to maintain, they will just take down the scenery, they will pull back the curtains, they will move the tables and chairs out of the way, and you will see the brick wall at the back of the theater.

--Frank Zappa (1977)

alarm the populace

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

-- H.L. Mencken (1921)

fear free speech

"When you tear out a man's tongue, you are not proving him a liar, you're only telling the world that you fear what he might say."

-- George R. R. Martin (1999)

All or Nothing

"Never get out of the boat....  Unless you're going all the way."

-- Willard (Apocalypse Now) 1979

Windpower

Switch off the mind and let the heart decide

who you were meant to be. 

Flick to remote and let the body glide. 

There is no enemy. 

Etch out a future of your own design

well-tailored to your needs.

Then fan the flame and keep the dream alive. 

Shatter the lens and grind it into sand. 

One measured exposure.

Scatter the seed and furrow in our land. 

The future is roses! Roses! 

-- Thomas Dolby (1982)

Wanna Be Loved

I've been afraid, and I've been alone
Sometimes I need someone to pick up the phone
I'm tired of the leavin'
I need a home

I just wanna be loved
Can you tell me I'm worthy or important
Am I workin' hard enough?
I just wanna be loved

And I want someone to want me
I want somebody there
And I need someone to need me
I need someone who cares

-- Brandon Coleman (Red Clay Strays) 2024

Dream a Little Dream of Me

Stars shining bright above you

Night breezes seem to whisper "I love you"

Birds singin' in the sycamore tree

Dream a little dream of me

Say "nighty-night" and kiss me

Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me

While I'm alone and blue as can be

Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading, but I linger on, dear

Still craving your kiss

I'm longing to linger 'til dawn, dear

Just saying this

Sweet dreams 'til sunbeams find you

Sweet dreams that leave all worries far behind you

But in your dreams, whatever they be

Dream a little dream of me

-- Gus Kahn (1931)