Posted on 08/22/2005 5:54:23 AM PDT by Hadean
CRAWFORD, Texas Aug 22, 2005 — Joan Baez was against the Vietnam War and she showed it appearing at marches, once even blocking the entrance of a military induction center.
The folk singer is against the Iraq war, too, and she showed her support Sunday to protesters camping out near President Bush's ranch.
Baez took to the stage for about 500 people on an acre lot offered by a landowner who opposes the war, performing such classic peace anthems as "Song of Peace," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."
Not far way is the camp started by Cindy Seehan, whose son Casey was killed in Iraq.
"In the first march I went to (opposing Vietnam) there were 10 of us. This is huge," Baez told the relatives of fallen soldiers before performing just up the road from the ranch.
For Baez, an anti-war movement was inevitable.
"It was the final tear for the overflow and you can't stop running water," she said. "Cindy's was the final tear."
Downtown, more Bush supporters arrived at a pro-Bush camp that had been set up as a reaction to Sheehan's. As of Sunday afternoon, more than 150 people had visited the large tent with "God Bless Our President!" and "God Bless Our Troops" banners and a life-size cardboard cutout of Bush.
"When we saw this, we said, `Thank God you're here'," said Frances Lee, who came from Douglasville, Ga., with neighbor Brenda Bohanan. They planned to hold pro-Bush banners down the street from the protesters.
"We said, `We wanted y'all to know that there are people from all over the United States that care'," Lee said.
The pro-Bush camp is called "Fort Qualls," for Marine Lance Cpl. Louis Wayne Qualls, 20, killed in Fallujah last fall. His father, Gary Qualls of Temple, said the anti-war demonstrators are being disrespectful to soldiers.
Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Army Spc. Casey Sheehan, also died last year in Iraq. He is among more than 1,800 U.S. soldiers killed since the March 2003 invasion.
Sheehan, of Vacaville, Calif., started the anti-war demonstration on Aug. 6 and vowed to remain until Bush agreed to meet with her or until his monthlong vacation ends Sept. 3. She flew to Los Angeles last week after her 74-year-old mother had a stroke but is expected to return to Texas in a few days.
gee thanks...doc....I suppose nobody was there for the music....WRONG....most people were there for the music...
I take it personally.
"Mighty Wind was dead on because it made fun of the genre in a kind way, not going for the throat."
Very true. Never thought I would see "Spinal Tap" doing folk. Classic. I also thought the music was good, written and performed by the actors.
I see the has-beens crawling out of the woodwork to try and get another 15 minutes.
'Mighty wind' stunk...it was a fluff piece for the folkies...
Meatheads "This is spinal tap" was brilliant as much as I hate Meatheads politics...this was a funny movie and even die hard rockers..love it(at least ones smart enought to get it). on a scale of 1-10....I give it an eleven.
Her voice isn't what it used to be. Still, she can crank up those leather bellows when necessary.
My apologies. My previous comment was meant for 50sDad.
Not Surprised!
The closest I come to listening to Joan Baez is when I listen to Judas Priest's version of Diamonds and Rust. Thanks for that, Joan. Now, go away.
Great song ( the Judas Priest version ).
Anyone remember this?;
Make Joan Baez Laugh ( SNL )
http://snltranscripts.jt.org/86/86cjoanbaez.phtml
I remember from the 60's. Hated her politics but the woman could flat out sing. Beautiful voice. But then again, Babs Streisand has a beautiful voice (barf).
I enjoy Linda Ronstadt's voice and her song selection, but she's an odious person.
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