What Bill Thinks: October 2008

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Great documentary about the Chicago 10

I caught this documentary last night by accident on PBS. Talk the story of the anti-war demonstrations at the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the trial of the Chicago 10. The trial is recreated in the same animation style as the movie "A Scanner Darkly" and the archival footage of the events are set to a soundtrack featuring Rage Against the Machine and Black Sabbath.

I knew very little of this event and am glad I caught it. And I recommend it highly, no matter what political bent you are.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

An anthem for the Earth

Last night, I came across the 2008 version of the "Where the Hell is Matt" dancing video. For those of you who do not know, this guy traveled around the world, doing a strange little dance on video. A few years ago, it was just by himself. But in this latest one, he has locals join with him.

When I saw this video, it blew me away. It was like a home video of the Human family.

And the soundtrack was just as powerful. The music was written by Garry Schyman, and the lyrics from a poem by Indian poet laureate, Rabindranath Tagore, called "Steam of Life"

Stream of Life

The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day
runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures.

It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth
in numberless blades of grass
and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.

It is the same life that is rocked in the ocean-cradle of birth
and of death, in ebb and in flow.

I feel my limbs are made glorious by the touch of this world of life.
And my pride is from the life-throb of ages dancing in my blood this moment.