We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression…everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way…everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want…everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear…anywhere in the world.

–President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Message to Congress, January 6, 1941

Everybody’s Talkin’
Fred Neil

Everybody’s talkin’ at me
I don’t hear a word they’re sayin’
Only the echoes of my mind
People stop and stare
I can’t see their faces
Only the shadows of their eyes

Chorus: I’m goin’ where the sun keeps shinin’
through the pourin’ rain
Goin’ where the weather suits my clothes
Bankin’ off of the northeast wind
Sailin’ on a summer breeze
Skippin’ over the ocean like a stone

And, I won’t let you leave my love behind
No, I won’t let you leave my love behind
And, I won’t let you leave my love behind

To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

{Refrain}

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together

{Refrain}

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

{Refrain}

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late

The Ancient Egyptians
(A Love Letter to Jonathan Richman)

Well the Ancient Egyptians, and the other Africans
The Mayans, the Incas, and all the Polynesians.
All around the world, a long long time ago,
People would walk, where ever they had to go.
They didn’t have car keys, and they didn’t have roads —
They didn’t have those ugly convenience stores, or Texacos
In fact, all around the world, a long long time ago,
people would walk, where ever they had to go.
Well now it’s the 1990’s, and the gasoline does flow,
but I still try and walk most of the places I have to go
But sometimes my friends will stop and say,
“Hey Frank! There’s a bus or a cab over there…
Why don’t we go ahead and get in it?”
But I say no, no, no, and didn’t you know,
you get to know things better when they go by slow.

The Setting: At the toy store
The Players: A mother and her 5-year-old son
The Witness: I was shopping for a birthday present

——————————————————————————–

She asked:
Which one to you like?

He said:
I want a Buzz and a Big Woody!

She observed:
Isn’t that what every boy really wants.