SoHum Parlance

I can't call. They might track my phone call right to my pot plants. I'm too scared to be politically active.
 

Besides, it wouldn't get me a wristband.
 

C D C D
Look outside the window, there's a woman being grabbed
C Em F G
They've dragged her to the bushes and now she's being stabbed
E Am
Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the pain
F Am Dm G
But Monopoly is so much fun, I'd hate to blow the game
C Am Eb
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Cm F
Outside of a small circle of friends.

Riding down the highway, yes, my back is getting stiff
Thirteen cars are piled up, they're hanging on a cliff.
Maybe we should pull them back with our towing chain
But we gotta move and we might get sued and it looks like it's gonna rain
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends.

Sweating in the ghetto with the (colored/Panthers) and the poor
The rats have joined the babies who are sleeping on the floor
Now wouldn't it be a riot if they really blew their tops?
But they got too much already and besides we got the cops
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends.

Oh there's a dirty paper using sex to make a sale
The Supreme Court was so upset, they sent him off to jail.
Maybe we should help the fiend and take away his fine. (*)
But we're busy reading Playboy and the Sunday New York Times
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends

Smoking marihuana is more fun than drinking beer,
But a friend of ours was captured and they gave him thirty years
Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody why
But demonstrations are a drag, besides we're much too high
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends

Oh look outside the window, there's a woman being grabbed
They've dragged her to the bushes and now she's being stabbed
Maybe we should call the cops and try to stop the pain
But Monopoly is so much fun, I'd hate to blow the game
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends

[ Additional verse, 1974 ]
Down in Santiago where they took away our mines
We cut off all their money so they robbed the storehouse blind
Now maybe we should ask some questions, maybe shed a tear
But I bet you a copper penny, it cannot happen here
And I'm sure it wouldn't interest anybody
Outside of a small circle of friends


Notes:

Chords supplied by ao555@FreeNet.Carleton.CA (Rocky Bivens)

* This line is often misquoted as follows:
"Maybe we should take a stand and send the fiend a fine"
This compleatly reverses the meaning of the verse and the intent of the song. However on There and Now - Live in Vancouver 1968, Phil himself sings it this way, although, this is probably accidental as he also forgot a portion of the previous verse in that performance.

The first verse is a commentary on the murder of Kitty Genovese. She was murdered March 14th, 1964 in NYC. Dave Marulli supplies the following about this incident:

On March 13, 1964, a 28 year old New York City woman gained world-wide recognition for her role in an event which even today is remembered by people everywhere, creating a legacy still held up as an example of American values, or lack thereof. There can be no doubt, however, that Kitty Genovese would have given all her worldly possessions to have avoided the global "fame" acquired on that Friday the 13th that gave to her the ultimate horror associated with this symbol of bad luck.

Even though 47,000 New York City residents have been murdered since, hers remains the most tragic because 38 "citizens" awakened by her cries for help watched as she was assaulted not once, but three times over a half hour period. Not only did they fail to come to her aid, they also failed to call the police for help. Vincent Mosely, her assailant, stabbed her several times, then left, only to return a few minutes later to cut her up a little more.

During his brief absence, these "decent" New Yorkers turned off their lights and went back to sleep, only to be awakened again by this second assault, a scene repeated a third time, after which she no longer needed the assistance she failed to get the first, second or even the third, and final time.

During Mosely's trial, witnesses made several statements, but one stands above the rest as a symbol of this tragic event and is the reason for its world-wide infamy: "We didn't want to get involved." No surprise to Mosely, for as he said: "I knew they wouldn't do anything - they never do."

Hundreds, if not thousands, of studies were done about this event and book after book after book announced the downfall of American values because of it.

One study concluded that on average, if more than 4 people witness an event, nobody will do anything. Each person will say to themselves "I don't have to get involved since there are other people here who can help."

Updated: Last modified 5 Jul 98 by trent
 

Well, it's a great system! You fill out their form with your telephone number and their system calls you immediately and hooks you up with the senator's office. But I haven't gotten through. Feinstein's line is perpetually busy and Boxer's system isn't working, hopefully because it's overloaded.

Anon - no need to guilt people. The 4th Amendment isn't Kitty Genovese.
 

Also, you should source C&Ps.

I think this is the site.
 

The link also provides the current tally of positions for the amendment. Right now it's 9 for, 7 against, and 84 unknown.
 

There's still time to help the terrorists!
 

Appeasers unite!
 

Yes, we need to sacrifice the 4th Amendment to appease the rabid right!
 

People who don't have a problem with cancelling the 4th amendment have never supported it anyway. They are the same people who have always asked, "If you don't have anything to hide then why require a search warrant?" accusing those who insist on their 4th amendment rights of being criminals. We all know the type. In history this type were monarchists who have never valued freedom. They are cowards who would rather be safe in slavery.
 

Feinstein? You have to be kidding. The San Francisco politicians are a bunch of cowards. Look at what Pelosi has done in The House. Fucking nothing!! Now she wants to let Rove skate on his giving the finger to the Judiciary Committee. They told him to show up and he said FUCK YOU. And Pelosi says back off on a contempt citation. Feinstein is just as bad. She and Kay Bailey Hutchinson will have a little terrorist fist bump when this bill gets passed. I hate these people.
 

Shouldn't they have a (C) identifying their party affiliation?

CORPORATIST
 

joe mccarthy, then give her a call and make her fearful of your vote.
 

If you remain silent then you shouldn't whine about what they do or don't do.
 

This is an existential moment. Will you tell your grandchildren you tried to preserve the 4th Amendment for them?
 

Feinstein has offices in other places than the Bay Area. Yesterday we called Fresno, San Diego, and Los Angeles, and talked to real people there. It was only the Wash DC and the SF lines that were perpetually off the hook.
 

For future reference, here are the numbers for Diane Feinstein's offices
(SF) 415 393 0707
(LA) 310 914 7300
(I think Fresno? sorry, one of these two is Fresno and the other San Diego) 619 231 9712
559 485 7430

When you call your reps offices, it is a very good idea to get the person you chat with to tell you what you have told him or her; just to make certain they were listening and got it.
 

I called both Senators at 6 pm July 8. F's office didn't take the call because it was "after hours." B's answering machine claimed the "mailbox is full.
 

I hate to burst your bubbles, but my first job out of college was as the receptionist to a US Senator in a field office. I promise you, you're wasting everybody's time - including your own - by going into a long discussion about your feelings. All they're interested in is whether you're for or against whatever topic you're calling about and your personal information so they can send you a form letter. That's it. You're dreaming if you think the intern (yes, it's often an intern) really cares what you're saying or that your personal private message will ever reach the senator or representative whose office you're calling.

Scouts honor.
 

Probably true. Just register your support for the amendment and let him/her tally you up.
 

They tally your responses or views: for, against.
They note the strength thereof.
Yes, it is unwise to rant at length, but a forthright statement is always good.
Make certain the intern or whoever understood your point. Reiterate it. Have them tell you what they heard.
"So, I am very opposed/in favor of resolution such and such".
They do pay attention.
Emails also are helpful.
Most helpful of all, personal (brief) letter...but you don't have time for that today.

There are many ways to make your point. There are many ways to try to stand up for what you think is right. Use what you can.
 

"I hate to burst your bubbles, but my first job out of college was as the receptionist to a US Senator in a field office. I promise you, you're wasting everybody's time - including your own - by going into a long discussion about your feelings."

I don't have the time to go into "a long discussion about my feelings." I simply wanted to register a vote. Couldn't manage to do that with either of my Senators.
 

I got the "mailbox full," as well.
 

"I hate to burst your bubbles, but my first job out of college was as the receptionist to a US Senator in a field office. I promise you, you're wasting everybody's time - including your own - by going into a long discussion about your feelings"

Just because you think nobody is listening does not mean that you should not stand up for what you believe in and speak your mind on issues. And not every intern may be as apathetic as you are describing. I know that if it were me taking phone calls I would be totally interested in what people had to say. I think that would be a really cool internship, actually.
 

Well, for awhile anyway. I imagine it could get monotonous after awhile.
 

I'm the original bubble poster...

Congressional internships aren't nearly as glamorous as they sound. Unless you're very lucky, it's usually a whole lot of unpaid mindless clerical work.

Yes, it DOES get monotonous when you're answering calls all day long, 5 days a week. Particularly when your elected official is on the "wrong" side of the issue. It sucks having people yell at YOU all day long, especially when it's an issue that you don't agree with your official about. And, remember, they're representing somebody else; they're not allowed to get into any kind of actual discussion about the topic. It's a totally one-sided deal and it's not fun. During my time on staff, there was a hugely important matter that got a lot of calls. By the end of the day, the sound of the ringing phone made me physically ill.

Anyway, yes, do let your representative know your feelings. Just don't expect that your personal message will be heard by the politician. Please be kind to the person on the other end; don't keep them on the line with a long rant. They've heard it a bazillion times already and really just want your basic views & your address so they can send you the official response.
 

1:12--I see your viewpoint now. I stand corrected. I posted without really thinking anything through...it was just my initial, whiny, 'but I want to speak my mind when I call and you should listen!' response. LOL