Whenever I hear about a mass shooting, particularly a mass shooting in a school, or church or even a grocery store and then I read about all those politicians who defend owning military grade assault weapons as if it’s a god-given right, I feel so damn old. God plopped you on this earth, naked and defenseless with absolutely no rights.
I guess that’s why this song by the Beatles (George Harrison) always resonates with me at times like this.
It’s been a long, long, long time
How could I ever have lost you
When I loved you
It took a long, long, long time
Now I’m so happy I found you
How I love you
So many days I was searching
So many tears I was wasting, oh, oh
I could see you, be you
How can I ever misplace you?
How I want you, how I love you
You know that I need you
Hope I love you
It’s a simple song, written for the so-called “White Album” toward the end of the Beatles. At that time, George was coming into his own as a songwriter while Paul and John were feuding and pouting and pouting and feuding – which is understandable considering the stresses they were under..
Thus I was surprised to read that one night, in the midst of all that craziness, somehow all four Beatles managed to make it through 67 takes of Long, Long, Long without killing each other. 67 takes! That must have been some night. The result is a piece of music that critics have praised as “a touching token of an exhausted, relieved reconciliation with God” with a “weird spectral ending.” (They accidentally recorded the sound of an empty wine bottle rattling on top of a speaker and decided to leave it in, along with Harrison’s “palpable spiritual wailing.”)
George was talking about the life force we are all a part of. Animals, plants, the oceans and rivers. We can’t break the connection but it’s easy to misplace and if that happens, time drags on forever.
You’ve probably seen the above image many times but I really don’t think it can be shared enough, do you?
**”The music of deep silence,” is how one Rolling Stone music critic referred to Long, Long, Long
Saying nothing in particular 
There’s a deep silence for sure and it comes from the right side of the aisle in Congress. Even though a majority of Americans favor some sort of restriction on the sale of assault style weapons, the GOP covers its ears and screams, “La la la, I can’t hear you, la la la.”
And so they remain silent until the furor quiets down until the next shooting and then the process repeats itself. Sadly the tactic seems to be working.
And when they do speak it comes out something like what Tim Burchett, the Congressman who represents Nashville said, “So, it’s (the Nashville Shooting) a horrible, horrible situation. And, we’re not gonna fix it. “I don’t see any real role that we could do other than mess things up, honestly, because of the situation.”
And then he called for a Christian revival. That’s right, pray the problem away.
But he wasn’t done yet. When a reporter asked, “What else should be done to protect people like your little girl?” He answered, “Well, we homeschool her.” How nice for him. If both parents have to work in your household, well, sucks for you.
I’ll give Burchett his due. He’s right, “we’re not gonna fix it.” Not for the reasons he cites, but because he and most of the GOP is owned by the NRA.
Religion has definitely been eclipsed by gun worship – it’s horrifying. Really end of the world stuff.
If the founders of this country had had the ability to look 250 years into the future, they would have legally banned the ownership of guns and rifles.
Oh golly, if the founders were still around there would have a lot of Jan 6th folks shot for treason!
It all looks unspeakably mad from this side of the pond. I think it’s fair to say most of don’t understand this stupid fixation with owning guns.
I know many people who do enjoy collecting guns and every now and then shooting them but they would never buy a semi automatic. And they certainly don’t send out Christmas cards posing with their guns!
‘Collecting guns’ is something I just can’t get my head around. I mean…why?
That poor child will become the face of the gun control issue in this country and should make the US say if not now, when? Sadly I fear the answer is never.
It’s a fantastic photo. I wish that it could change minds. Unfortunately greed is an ugly beast.
I am speachless with grief yet again…
What can I say anyway no one listens! It’s heartbreaking….get rid of guns and assault weapons…I’ve said it all before.
What hope is there when the congressman for Tennessee who overlookes Nashville send this disgusting image as his Christmas greeting.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11908439/Tennessee-congressman-faces-backlash-posing-rifle-2021-holiday-card.html
Reaching out to you 💜💜
Unfortunately he’s not the only crazy right winger who thinks Christmas is an opportunity to show how loyal they are to gun manufacturers.
It’s obscene really isn’t it 💜
A beautiful song.
I’m at a loss about all the mass shootings in the USA. We have crime & murder here, but very rarely comparable.
It’s not easy to buy firearms here (Canada), and we are making it more difficult.
All the mass shootings are heart breaking, and nothing ever gets done – except prayers…. seems to me.
Best to you, Jan!
It’s way too easy to buy guns in many states – it’s because our politicians are so greedy they don’t care who gets hurt.
I think you’re tight about that!
Thank you, JT….for the song, the history of it…and no, we can’t share that image enough. It’s all too much…
That song has always haunted me. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get that frightened girl out of my mind
I feel that…haunting is the right word. Sending hugs, JT. ❤️
The song is a good choice for the days we’re living though, again. The image is powerful and I agree it needs to be everywhere filed under Never Forget!
It really feels like a long, long, long time has passed since mass shootings seem to have become a necessary part of life in America.
This is why an AGI is humanity’s only salvation.
Adjusted Gross Income? ; )
Hi Jan, an incredibly sad post and picture.