Rodney's Painted Pen Commentary,
Just an excerpt from my daily blogger commentary, that drew a lot of attention.

Rodney's Painted Pen Commentary
The Hippie Movement

Yes, where indeed have all the hippies gone, as I stand still in time, clad in my worn Levi's, Birkenstock's and shoulder length hair, It is a curious thing is it not? Where did all these folk go?
Yes, I was raised in the sixties where Viet Nam stapled this grand country of ours in acute differing opinions. And standing tall in the midst of this historical time churning stood the hippie! He and she came from nowhere, merely to one day appear on the horizon of time. The hippie stood against a dramatic background of disapproval from society at large, yes their content of message being quite viable to my way of thinking, often being overlooked, due to their visage few seemed to approve of.
Yes, it would seem the long hair and simple garb, not always exuding clean, seemed to mute the mighty message of peace they embraced in their hearts. The free love theme irking and shaking the very axis and foundation of the somewhat puritanistic regime that had prior dominated in steel fashion and form.
These colorful, unusual and emerging creatures of curiosity expounded simplicity in time, and seemed to vehemently be opposed to, and held utter disdain for the financial realm they felt responsible for much of the unrest in our society and world at the time, well afterall goes the old saying, that greed is the source of all war!
The hippies stood tall against an array of discrimination only known to minorities prior in time, they fell in dead heaps, in pools of blood at Kent State, when it seemed our government at the time was given somewhat to rather intolerant position, when it came to the right and issue of free speech, as well as an American citizen having the right to voice a dissenting opinion. Oh yes folks, back then you could be quickly stamped a pinky or communist merely by voicing an antiwar sentiment and being a peace-loving fellow.
Well, we have come a long way I should think in the last 35 years! and I for one applaud the movement and the brave insightful souls as well, that ushered in a modicum of civility and tolerance into our society. I furthermore believe that history shall applaud and remember these as well in kindness one day.
I think we overlook often the profound impact that the hippie movement painted across the fiber of our country. Oh yes it was not all good perhaps, when discussing the prevalent drug use and what not, yet when one focuses on the theme this hairy group were attempting to introduce, I think an unbiased and open minded individual would be remiss in not acknowledging it, for surely our young people of the day knew something in their hearts, that we as a people and society of brethren had not fully yet recognized.
So my question this day remains, where are all you guys? Surely you didn't all cut your hair in order to invade the mainline center of commerce! Yes, many in fact were forced in the years to come, to down tone our look and image, why? in order to get a job! That's why.
But surely we didn't forget and abandon that banner of peace and equality that we so valiantly raised in that day, against the opposing roar of societies mocking disapproval. Or did we?
I know a lot of folk still smoke pot, though few admit it this day, but folks that is not what constituted the true hippie! No, the true hippie in my estimation was one of pronounced courage, prepared to voice his daring opinion that the society of the day was indeed worthy of ushering in some marked change. anti war, peace, how can any argue with such profound sentiment?
It would seem as well that they were on to something, for the years unraveled in marvelous fashion, with the ushering in of civil rights, women's rights, and the likes.
Yes, I think we often overlook the grand contribution these, our once young propagated, spawned and birthed.
But I ask this day, where are all you guys? Surely we didn't all became upwardly mobile citizens cloaked in the same race for power and the gold coin, just like the society we held in such contempt and disdain in the sixties did we? Or did we in fact?
Yes, often and sadly I exclaim, do we leave our most correct passion of thought only to be viewed in the rear view mirror of life, yes, family, responsibilities, work, and careers, can often overtake even the most fervent hippie of yesterday and transform them into your average bloke chasing the buck, at all cost!
Alas, what a masterful display of conscience created aids did these once valiant usher in to the doors of our hearts. Yes, that all men were equal! That war was not society at its best, that peace was an enviable and civilized approach to world relations, that the dollar was not all important, but rather that people were!
Do we not realize in part what caused the revolution of sorts!
Our children, some or many were experiencing neglect due to the parental staff pursuing with vigor, the things and possessions that would allow them to keep up with the Jones!
Yes, I feel the race for the gold coin perhaps diverted the parents attention of the day somewhat, from other more pressing issues, such as quality time spent with their children etc. I feel the same disease has invaded our coastlines as well this day in hurricane force. We often in our pursuit to attain possessions, do so at the costly expense of our children's neglect. Our children today exist in a society where both parents work and the entire emphasis of living is given to this odd notion that to succeed one must possess things!
No folks, I know I'll take a lot of heat for this statement, yet I for one feel, that it might serve us well to go back to the sixties and revisit what our charming youth were attempting to say!
Afterall, I am certain this day that ALL agree that our children today, are our greatest asset, treasure and Only chance at a kinder and more civilized tomorrow.
So lets raise em right ok? And give them an enormous dose daily, of love, attention and interest.
I have had my say, feel free to have yours.

Peace,
www.rodneybohen.com