Poncho Sanchez - Raise Your Hand

Picante Concord

Ever since he made his first record Poncho Sanchez has headed one of the most popular and influential latin-jazz bands around. The youngest of eleven children, Sanchez taught himself how to play guitar, flute, drums and timbales before settling on the congas. He joined Cal Tgader's band in 1975 and was an important part of Tgader's pace-setting group until his idol's death in 1982. Shortly after, he formed his own band and has since recorded on a regular basis.
Sanchez's group is very active, playing in clubs, concerts and festivals on a regular basis. Everyone plays flawessly and Sanchez's conga work provies an array of expertly placed accents multiple rythms and support. The songs are uniformly excellent and Sanchez's group handles standards, hard bop and afro-latin numbers.
This recording highlights the conga legend's innate curiosity, his sincere interest in a wide spectrum of popular music and his cordial relationship with an eclectic group of the world's finest musicians. Full of traditional salsa and Cuban music it heats up with vintage Latin soul, coming together for a spicy blend of sensational music.

Various Artists - Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof, The Soundtrack

Maverick/Warner Bros.

The music featured on this soundtrack captures the raw emotion and feel of the exploitation films that became popular in American cinema in the late 60's and 70's. With their explicit sex and excessive violence and gore, the films were mainlly shown in inner-city theaters known as "grindhouses," and were viewed as double-features.
Death Proof is Tarantino's half of the new explosive movie double feature Grindhouse. The viewers will follow Austin's hottest DJ, Jungle Julia as she sets out to unwind with two of her friends. The soundtrack features classics songs from those grinhouse days like "Jeepster" from Brit glam band T Rex, "Staggolee," by SF blues band Pacific Gas & Electric and "Down in Mexico," from doo-wop legends The Coasters. Truly a gem of a find.

Rickie Lee Jones - The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard

New West

Sometimes Rickie Lee Jones looks like she just walked out of a Jack Kerouac novel. Her between the cracks singing style--a mixture of child-like wonderment, jazzy affectation and sobbing intensity--form her songs into works of poetic intamicy. Her debut album scukpts her quirks into slurred, bebop tunes such as "Chuck E.'s in Love," and "Danny's All-Star Joint."
Rickie is a child of restless and volitile parents. She moved across the country with them until she landed a job as a waitress in Los Angeles. Jones began hanging out in creative circles that included Tom Waits and Little Feat's Lowell George. Her style includes jazzy R'n'B and beat poetry, which made her an instant critic's darling. Subsequent albums range from a refinement of street stories and jazzy covers of old pop standards. Always, Jones managed to bring a creative, unconventional approach to the material, even when substance abuse problems, a marriage and the birth of her daughter threatened to distract her.
Her unique aproach includes fusing her vivid portraits of street characters with supple vocals that can be innocent and knowing, so full and akward, breatheless and powerful all in the same moment. She shows us her transformations in full on this album--in a way reminiscent of Van Morrison's performances on Astral Weeks. Immediately fans will find this album rocking harder that any of Rickie's prior recordings. What is more intriguing is that this innovative music is all based on the ideals of Christ. This is a true transformation.

Abra Moore - On the Way

Sarathan

Although Abra Moore left Poi Gog Pondering--a group she helped form in 1986--during the early ninties to pursue a solo career, this singer/songwriter/guitarist didn't release a major-label album until 1997's Strangest Places. She burst onto the music scene amidst an industry focused upon female singers as well as the birth of the Lilith Fair, the first all-female travelling music festival.
But it was her powerful lyrics and light airy vocals that earned a 1997 Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Performance for her song "Four Leaf Clover." While retaining folky roots, she expands her music into a solid rock sound. The songs contain sharp lyrics and deep guitar licks while at the same time keep the artists love for folk and R'n'B. Moore's softest side shines through on her independent release Sing. She sings of heartache, loss and her respect for life, especially when sharing her feelings about her mother, who died when Moore was a small child.
On the Way is hard evidence that Abra Moore has come home. After having a difference of views with her former label, she has broken off and gone back to a more organic sound. Her album flourishes with passionate songs about love, letting go and always remembering.
As one of the most forward-thinking female vocalists of the last twenty years, Abra came full-circle with On the Way, returning to her folky roots and sounding reminicent of when she first bursted forth onto the music scene. Her music pulsates with creativity and life, a neccesity for everyone's collection.

Editor's Note: If Abra Moore's not married, she can marry me anytime. I'm a New York City kid; that might turn her on.

Hiroshima - Little Tokyo

Heads Up

Hiroshima has sold over three million records in their 33 year careerbut that is nothing compared to what they've done in the process: they are responsable for introducing a variety of traditional Asian instruments to a global audience, integrating them into a new art form via music.
Little Tokyo, which takes it's name from the southern California neighborhood, is an obvious reference to the importance of America maintaining a positive multicultural world view in the midst of the enduring international and intercultural tensions. Blending many ethenic instruments the album is supported by simple yet solid jazz riffs with the right amount of funky grooves to entice your ear. Progressive jazz is good jazz.

The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show - Live at the Troubadour

Jack/Warner Bros.

Live at the Troubadour, is about an hour give or take of mildly humorous rants and songs of comedians Naked Trucker and T-Bones. Together the tell you of their meeting on the side of a road and all the misshaps they've had along the way.
For those who like square-dancing hip-hop, drinking beer and mindless comedy this CD is a sure-fire-win. For the rest of us who enjoy our satirical humor as good as or better than "The Simpsons," file this CD under "Git-Er-Done!" and then get it done!

Angela Hacker - The Winner

Warner Bros.

Making a debut album is the life-long ambition of so many individuals in our country. America's diverse tastes of music make it suiting that we continue to create more contestant shows that will push our lucky "stars" into success and multi-millionaire status over the corse of a few months... You can tell that I'm a fan for "talent" shows like Nashville Star.
Yet this Alabama girl has herself and Nashville Star to thank for this lovely collection of cover songs and classic country hits. Angela Hacker has a voice that would have made her a Blues queen, but she's no Mississippi momma, naw, this lady is Country. Angela takes you farther south than any map can plot with a variety of hits that show off her vocal capabilities and a few of her own creations, letting us know that she is more than an instant star.

***Shelton's Single of the Week: "Strawberry Wine"***

ALO - Roses & Clover

Brushfire

Animal Liberation Orchestra, or ALO, is the best sound in Santa Barbara, CA. ALO is unlike most bands in regards to how they develop their music. Admittingly a live-band, they create their music around the live show needs.
Roses & Clovers, is not only their new album, but contains exclusive tracks not yet performed on stage! To record this album the band holed themselves in a turn-of-the-century old Victorian barn and with little more than their instruments and 40+ songs, they emerged, triumphantly with these ten amazingly uplifting and light tunes that are infectious and experimental.

Jimmy LaFave - Cimarron Manifesto

Redhouse

Austin-based singet/songwriter and guitarist Jimmy LaFave brings a passionate rock and roll energy to his original folk songs, whether he's playing solo or with a band. His musical heritage in Texas certainly was rich: folk singer Woody Guthrie, jazz trumpeter Chet Baker plus songwriter J.J. Cale and Leon Russel's Shelter Studio's. But to find a wider audience, and more importantly, a record deal LaFave thought it would be worth while to move to Texas. He found both after moving to Austin and he's been based there ever since. LaFave counts among his influences Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. LaFave's grassroots aproach, the way he blends country, blues, folk and early rock and roll, is his work ethic and low-key rapport with fans are all factors that wirk in his favor. His sound, taken from live performances and radio broadcrasts is rough and right giving all his releases a feel that fits his music perfectly.
Cimarron Manifesto pays homage to Jimmy's heroes--Woody Guthrie and J.J. Cale--and to Oklahoma and it's red dirt music. As a response to the country's changing cultural landscape, this album explores themes of personal loss, war and wanderlust. A beautiful listen, you can travel the highways accompanied by this one.

Brandi Carlile - The Story

Columbia/Sony BMG

The Story builds on the plantive aching melodies, moody atmosphere and heartfelt lyrics that made her first album with nuanced arrangements including electric guitar, piano and cello.
Driven by Carlile's shattering vocals, the album pulsates with a raw, roadworthy intensity that brings the listener closer to her live concert sound than her self-titled debut. The Story tells no lies and holds only suprise for those who choose to hear.

John Mayall and The Bluesbreakers - In the Palace of the King

Eagle Rock

Two truths about singer/harmonica player John Mayall: he is a survivor, and he's got a keen ear for talent. Mayall was a seminal force in the early British blues scene that produced so many influential artists. Most notably Eric Clapton. Mayall made him one of his Bluesbreakers, in which Clapton really established his name as one of the pre-eminent guitarists on the scene. The roster of artists who passed through the group reads like a who's-who of British blues-rock: Mick Taylor (Rolling Stones); John McVie, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Green (Fleetwood Mac); Colin Allen, Jimmy McCulloch (Wings); Jack Bruce (Queen) and countless others.
He was able to make it beyond the small clubs to become a star, releasing some of the most consistant blue records on either side of the Atlantic. Mayall's longevity--he is still recording and touring and discovering new talent into his 56th album to date--is atributable largely to his ability to redefine the blues, finding new and challenging ways to interpurate and expand the American music he loves so dearly.
With his 56th album, John Mayall pays tribute to Freddie King (1934-1976). "He was a big man from Texas, he played an even bigger guitar. He was the king of the Kings, born to be a superstar,"
For a band that has been associated with the music of Freddie King right from the start, they sure have put a deal of effort in creating the ultimate tribute. And to sweeten the deal two of Mayall's original compositions are included for the listener's sweet-tooth.

Maria Muldaur - Naughty Bawdy & Blue

Stoney Plain

Great blues women are saluted in the newest release by Maria Muldaur. Woman like the incomperable Sippie Wallace ("Separation Blues"), Bessie Smith ("Empty Bed Blues"), Victoria Spivey ("One-Hour Mama"), and many other blues queens. The album also includes songs made famous by Ethel Waters and Sara Martin.
The blues found here are representing a different kind of blues--a dressed up and sophisticated blues--than the primative Delta Blues. Appearing in large theaters these women would sing alongside the best musicians of the day. Appearing on the album is Bonnie Rait singing alongside Maria on a classic by Sippie Wallace. A real sweet addition to any blues-jazz collection.

Various Artists - Don't Mourn--Organize!, (Songs of Labor Songwriter Joe Hill)

Smithsonian/Folkways

Joe Hill (1879-1915) was a labor organizer and songwriter for the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.. His songs describe labor struggles with strikebreaking ("Casey Jones--The Union Scab"), the plight of the homeless and unemployed ("The Tramp") and Salvation Army soup kitchens ("The Preacher and the Slave"). His execution for murder in Utah on 19th of November 1915 raised Joe Hill to powerful symbolic status within the labor movement, and many songs were then written about him ("Joe Hill," ect.) by other songwriters. Both as songwriter and subject of songs, Joe Hill continues to be an important figure in United States labor history.
The day before his own execution Joe Hill wrote "Don't waste any time mourning--Organize! Of course time has worn this down to Don't Mourn--Organize! This album is as monumental as the man who wrote and inspired so many activists. Many artists have come together to make this possible, Pete Seeger, Hazel Dickens, Si Kahn, Utah Phillips and Billy Bragg to name just a few.

Editor's Note: Joe Hill was a labor organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World. His songs were about labor struggles with strikebreaking, the neverending troubles of the homeless and the unemployed, the economic base of prostitution and Salvation Army soup kichens. His execution in 1915, raised him to martyrdom within the labor movement and many songs and poems were subsequently written about him. All these many years later Joe Hill continues to be a inspirational figure in United States labor struggle. "I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night."

Michael Buble - Call Me Irresponsible

143/Reprise/Warner Bros.

Michael Buble's new CD is a "remark on the state of love," contains a depth of feeling that will delight and surpase the expectations of long-time fans. Call Me Irresponsible boasts more of Buble's modern interpretations of standards from a variety of era's, including songs by Leonard Cohen, Eric Clapton, Cy Coleman, Gamble and Huff as well as two self-penned originals including the single "Everything," a delightful love song that captures the very meaning of love.

Sick Puppies - Dressed Up As Life

RMR/Capitol/EMI

In the first year of existence, the irresistibly persuasive guitar-powered melodic rock of feel-gooders, Sick Puppies had already earned them tons of fame in their home of Sydney, Australia. They quickly rose to international radar with their "Free Hugs" music video for "All The Same." The music video blew Sick Puppies out of the water and into our living rooms.
Now here's their US Release Dressed Up As Life, full of aching vocals, melancholy acoustics and amped up bass lines. there is no doubt that they will blow up like a wildfire. And who is responssable for those sexy vocals? Shimon Moore. And the woman who can walk her bass like nobodies bussiness, Emma Anzai. And Mark Goodwin has his hard-hitting style that sets the bands agressive style in stone. A perfect line-up with unphathomable potential.

Various Artists - Putumayo World Party

Putumayo

All around the world, people know that the key to an unforgettable celebration is great music. Whether you live in Iceland or Italy, Tahiti or Timbuktu, music really gets that party started and keeps it moving. Putumayo gives us the ultimate in feel-good music from around the world in World Party. This ultimate music collection featues some of the world's best-known dance rhythms and is guaranteed to enliven any gathering.
Jamaican reggae legend Burning Spear sets a movin' groove with "Walk," while the Denmark based Laid Back incorporate a Caribbean atmosphere in the song "Grovin' on a Feeling." A portion of proceeds will go to Action Against Hunger, an international relief and development organization committed to saving the lives of malnourished children and families while providing sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger.

Various Artists - Take Action Vol. 6

3 Disc CD/DVD, Hopless/Sub City

Take Action was created by Hopeless and Sub City Records to create a better world, one voice and one action at a time. They have released a phenominal three disc compilation of music and videos to help fight the destruction caused by juvenile depression.
Artists like My Chemical Romance, Senses Fail, Taking Back Sunday, All Time Low, A Static Lullaby and many more popular youth-driven/youth-focused groups appear in efforts of making a difference in our world today. All the music is new and edgy, full of energy and ready to knock you of your rocker. Hell for parents who have children suffeing from depression, how bout making it better... buy them music they like, don't isolate them but point toward positive solutions like activism and charitable work.

***Love's Single of the Week: "Monster" by Meg & Dia ***
The Youth America Hotline is a peer-to-peer counseling network that takes thousands of calls each year from youth in crisis. You can call and speak to a trained teen peer counselor at 1-877-968-8454. Please visit Youthline.us to learn more!

Michael Brecker - Pilgrimage

Heads Up

Next to John Coltrane, Michael Brecker--a 13-time Grammy winner in a career that spans more than three decades--is unquestionably the most influential tenor player in the history of jazz As a result of his stylistic and harmonic innovations, he is the most studied contemporary jazz musician in the music schools throughout the world today. Sadly, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with myelodysplatic syndrome and lukemia, Brecker passed away on January 13, 2007.
He was a remarkable tenor saxaphonist but took a long time before getting around to recording his first album. He spent much of his career as a top-notch studio player with others leading some jazz listeners to overlook his improvising skills. He played with Horace Silver, gigged with Billy Cobham and then co-led the Brecker Brothers (a commercially successful funk group) with his brother/trumpeter Randy Brecker. He also made a number of studio sessions during the seventies and eighties, popping up practically everywhere (including with James Taylor, Yoko Ono and Paul Simon). With the release of his first album Brecker appeared more often in challenging jazz settings, eventually becoming the superstar till his recent death.
Pilgrimage was recorded in the midst of his illness and includes some of the finest music he has ever recorded. This album features an all-star lineip of pianists Herbie Hancock and Brad Mehldau, guitarist Pat Metheny, drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist John Patitucci.
***So Nice, Gotta Do It Up Twice (Created by the Original NYC DJ, Jocko, 1955)***

Bob James - Angels of Shanghai

Tappan Zee/Koch

Bob James' recordings have practically defined pop-jazz and crossover during the pass three decades. Very influenced by pop and movie music, James has often featured R'n'Bish soloists (most notably Grover Washington Jr.) who add a jazz touch to what is essentially an instrumental pop set.
After a period with Sarah Vaughan, 1965-1968, he became a studio musician and by 1975 was arranging and working as a producer. In 1974 James recorded his first purely commercial effort as a leader; he later made big selling albums for his own Tappan Zee label, including collaborations with Earl Klugh and David Sandboard.
Angels of Shanghai is an exciting East-meets-West musical exploration featuring contemporary jazz artists (Nathan East, Harvey Mason, Jack Lee and Lewis Pragasam) interacting with young musicians from Shanghai who perform on traditional Chinese instruments including the er-hu, the pipa, guzheng and dizi. Ancient sounds blend with modern technology creatively to produce a boundless experience.

Middian - Age Eternal

Metal Blade/RED

In 2005 YOB faced it's tragic end after Mike Scheidt chose to let it go, due to his release of old things he was able to rise out of ruin into Middian. Mike recruited friends, Wil Lindsay to play bass and Scott Headrick to play drums. Although both are experienced musicians, neither has shared in the doom influences Mike had.
With Age Eternal you will undoubtedly find skilled musicians sharing the best they have to offer. With only five songs and crazy nine minuet ballads you can barely gritt your teeth through it. The faster the riff the better but that kick-you-in-your-head agressiveness turns my stomache. I have respect for the musicians, when you're good--you're good at it!

Good Charlotte - Good Morning Revival

Daylight/Epic/Sony BMG

I was in highschool when Good Charlotte gained fame in the early half of the decade. I thought that the girls were crazy for thinking there was anything hype about their music (ofcourse I was then into stuff like MSI and local favorites). These days I can look back and tell that these guys have progressed into a solid band with well articulate lyrics and fine musicianship. With Good Morning Revival, I agree the best single is "The River" which features M. Shadows from Avenged Sevenfold. But no matter how long I listen to Good Charlotte, they will never be punk, so let's leave that bad boy stuff to Mike Ness.

Young Abdel Mahdi (Shahmay) was only 18 years old,
He was the youngest of nine children, never spent a night away from home.
And his mother held his photograph, opening the New York Times
To see the killing has intensified along the road to peace

There was a tall, thin boy with a whispy moustache disguised as an orthodox Jew
On a crowded bus in Jerusalem, some had survived World War Two
And the thunderous explosion blew out windows 200 yards away
With more retribution and seventeen dead along the road to peace

Now at King George Ave and Jaffa Road passengers boarded bus 14a
In the aisle next to the driver Abdel Mahdi (Shahmay)
And the last thing that he said on earth is "God is great and God is good"
And he blew them all to kingdom come upon the road to peace

Now in response to this another kiss of death was visited upon
Yasser Taha, Israel says is an Hamas senior militant
And Israel sent four choppers in, flames engulfed, tears wide open
And it killed his wife and his three year old child leaving only blackened skeletons

It's found his toddlers bottle and a pair of small shoes and they waved them in front of the cameras
But Israel says they did not know that his wife and child were in the car
There are roadblocks everywhere and only suffering on TV
Neither side will ever give up their smallest right along the road to peace

Israel launched it's latest campaign against Hamas on Tuesday
Two days later Hamas shot back and killed five Israeli soldiers
So thousands dead and wounded on both sides most of them middle eastern civilians
They fill the children full of hate to fight an old man's war and die upon the road to peace

"And this is our land we will fight with all our force" say the Palastinians and the Jews
Each side will cut off the hand of anyone who tries to stop the resistance
If the right eye offends thee then you must pluck it out
And Mahmoud Abbas said Sharon had been lost out along the road to peace

Once Kissinger said "we have no friends, America only has interests"
Now our president wants to be seen as a hero and he's hungry for re-election
But Bush is reluctant to risk his future in the fear of his political failures
So he plays chess at his desk and poses for the press 10,000 miles from the road to peace

In the video that they found at the home of Abdel Mahdi (Shahmay)
He held a Kalashnikov rifle and he spoke with a voice like a boy
He was an excellent student, he studied so hard, it was as if he had a future
He told his mother that he had a test that day out along the road to peace

The fundamentalist killing on both sides is standing in the path of peace
But tell me why are we arming the Israeli army with guns and tanks and bullets?
And if God is great and God is good why can't he change the hearts of men?
Well maybe God himself is lost and needs help
Maybe God himself he needs all of our help
Maybe God himself is lost and needs help
He's out upon the road to peace

Well maybe God himself is lost and needs help
Maybe God himself he needs all of our help
And he's lost upon the road to peace
And he's lost upon the road to peace
Out upon the road to peace.

Political Article: On Cindy Sheehan By: Joyce Marcel Back To Top So Gold Star peace mom Cindy Sheehan is quitting the American antiwar movement. ThatÕs bad news. Sheehan lost her son, Casey, on April 4, 2004, in Sadr City, Baghdad. In August of 2005 she set up a makeshift camp outside of George W. BushÕs summer compound, asking for a reason for her sonÕs death. His arrogance in ignoring her and her anti-war stance quickly caught the mediaÕs attention. A peace movement coalesced around her. Now, disgusted with Republicans, Democrats, left wingers, right wingers and especially middle-wingers - in fact, with almost all of America - Sheehan has announced that she is leaving the public stage. ÒCamp Casey has served its purpose. ItÕs for sale,Ó she wrote in her impassioned and disgusted farewell letter to America. ÒI have invested everything I have into trying to bring peace with justice to a country that wants neitherÉ Casey did indeed die for nothing.Ó America is fast descending into Òa fascist corporate wasteland,Ó she said. The Democrats are as blind and spineless as the Republicans. The sacrifices she made while attempting to stop the war have been for nothing. ÒI spent every available cent I got from the money a ÔgratefulÕ country gave me when they killed my son and every penny that I have received in speaking or book fees since then,Ó she wrote. ÒI have sacrificed a 29 year marriage and have traveled for extended periods of time away from CaseyÕs brother and sisters and my health has suffered and my hospital bills from last summer (when I almost died) are in collectionÉ I have been called every despicable name that small minds can think of and have had my life threatened many times.Ó While I never met Sheehan, we corresponded every now and then - usually when I wrote something that she particularly liked. I was always flattered. She is one of my heroes. Let me qualify that word. As a kid, I was inspired by the great heroes, by people like Joan of Arc. Then, as a teenager, I decided I didnÕt want to be burned at the stake. The tension in that dichotomy has stayed with me every since. There are real leaders and false leaders, true heroes and media-created heroes. Abbie Hoffman and Gloria Steinem, for example, were media creations who diluted and eventually destroyed the ÒmovementsÓ they were supposed to be leading. What about Sheehan? After all, millions of people around the world took to the streets to protest the invasion of Iraq. So why her? Because her bravery in plunking her lone self down on BushÕs doorstep was extraordinary. Bush may now have a 28 percent approval rating, but back then most Americans supported him and few newspapers dared question his actions. When Sheehan went to Crawford, she gave a lazy and timid press an alternative to regurgitating BushÕs propaganda. She gave millions of Americans the knowledge that they were not alone. She stood up for what was right. Yes, Sheehan was the real deal. Her tragic loss gave her dignity and respect. Her fury was real and earned. Her demand for an answer revealed Bush as the coward he is. Sadly, approval ratings donÕt matter much to Bush. He and his neoconservatives live in a different world. They play a different game. ÒWhat would be the consequences of failure in Iraq?Ó Bush said in a recent press conference. ÒSee, people have got to understand that if that government were to fall, the people would tend to divide into kind of sectarian enclaves, much more so than today, that would invite Iranian influence and would invite al-Qaida influence, much more so than in Iraq today. That would then create enormous turmoil, or could end up creating enormous turmoil in the Middle East, which would have a direct effect on the security of the United States.Ó This is the president of La La Land speaking. Iraq couldnÕt be more divided into sectarian enclaves than it is today, or hadnÕt he noticed? IranÕs influence is already large and growing larger. Bush has made Iraq a recruiting advertisement for al-Qaida. ÒCreating enormous turmoil in the Middle EastÉÓ? What does he think is going on now? And yes, having the entire Middle East hate us does directly influence the future of the United States. Maybe we should do something about that? Like getting out of Iraq and supporting the Palestinian people as well as the Israelis? ÒI recognize there are a handful there or some who just say, get out, itÕs just not worth it, letÕs just leave,Ó Bush said. ÒI strongly disagree with that attitude. Most Americans do, as well.Ó A handful? Most Americans? What are you talking about, Mr. 28 Percent? As mad as she is toward Republicans, Sheehan is also rightly furious at the Democrats for caving in to Bush on the war financing bill. Come the next election, however, I think Sheehan will see a change. The Pelosi Democrats - those fat cats still licking the gravy off their paws, people like Hillary Clinton, John Kerry and others - could be voted out of office. The people are angry. They want this war to end. All great heroes suffer. Many spend time in jail. In America, a lot of them also get shot. America is a big country; itÕs hard to upend the status quo here. Right now, Sheehan is exhausted and dismayed. ÒGood-bye America,Ó she wrote. ÒYou are not the country that I loveÉ I canÕt make you be that country unless you want it. ItÕs up to you now.Ó Like Rosa Parks before her, Americans will some day praise Sheehan for her courage in standing up for right against the most fiendish kinds of wrong. In the meantime, the rest of us must continue to fight. If we stop, Bush has won. And we canÕt let that happen. Joyce Marcel is a journalist and columnist based in Vermont. A collection of her columns, ÒA Thousand Words or Less,Ó is available through joycemarcel.com. And write her at joycemarcel@yahoo.com.

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