I was going to share an early demo of "Falling Apart (Right Now)" on Friday, but then...everything fell apart, and it felt like an inappropriate time to share it.
Thank you for speaking up. Right now we need cis white men to be loud about this gross injustice. Especially cis white men with platforms like yours. I appreciate how vocal you’ve been about social justice, and putting your money where your mouth is, now more than ever.
Also, I can’t believe Susie hasn’t worn out her Badge-a-Minit in the last six years. That’s some strong hardware to endure so much rage crafting.
108 million people didn't vote in the 2020 election. Each of us needs to talk to all our friends and relatives who think "my vote doesn't count so why bother" and get them to the polls. Especially younger folks who don't understand the historical context for why what is happening on the Supreme Court is cataclysmic. Otherwise from this November onward we will be living in even darker times than we are now. No joke. So please, talk kindly to these people and encourage them to register and vote, and if they already are registered, explain why it's more necessary than ever to fill out a ballot--and vote the whole ballot not just the top positions. Do you want conservatives on your school board, water board, or city council? That's how they begin their dirty work. And then they end up as Governors and Congresspeople.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. It really helps to remind us that we are not alone with our thoughts and despair. And the fact the we are not alone should give us comfort and hope. That is the legacy of The Tweedy Show (continuing legacy, I hope). The Tweedy Show Client Union is also part of that. We are a community and will continue to be a community brought together by our respect and admiration of your words, talents, and love of you and your family, that you were so kind to share during our worldwide lock down.
Thanks for your vocal and financial support, Jeff. We know your heart. ❤️ I know there are tons of worthy organizations and I don’t have any new ones to suggest. But I do have a serious suggestion for the public at large and it applies to Wilco fans as well.
Acceptance of LGBTQ rights became more palatable to the mainstream as people came out of the closet and we realized that we all have people in our lives who we love who are gay/trans, etc. And the #MeToo movement, with people coming out from hiding and sharing their own personal experiences with sexual harassment and the impact it’s had on their lives, has has a real world impact.
So why not a #MeToo movement for women who’ve had abortions? I strongly believe that it’s time for women to come out of the closet about their personal abortion history. I’m tired of the examples of rape or incest victims’ right to terminate a pregnancy; every reasonable person who isn’t blinded by unmovable religious convictions should be able to get behind that. But that’s not the experience of most women. Most women have abortions for much more relatable reasons—birth control slip-up, too many children to take care of already, not ready to change the course of their lives by becoming a single parent or in a failing marriage—the reasons shouldn’t matter. It’s your body. If more women shared their own experiences without shame, I think it could have a real impact. Not everyone is in a position to shout it from the rooftops, but those who can, should. IMO, of course. If people realized how many of their next door neighbors, co-workers, and friends—everyday people they can relate to—had made this decision, I truly believe it could create a groundswell of support from all but the most intransigent.
I totally agree Diane -- AND we need a movement of MEN coming out of the closet telling their stories of how abortion impacted their lives. I've seen a lot of women come forward -- it's beautiful and inspiring, and men need to step up and do the same. Men telling their stories could change men's minds. #fuckthepatriarchy
Good point! Men have a part to play in this as well.
And by the way, since I’m just realizing I didn’t explicitly say it in my post, #MeToo. Bad marriage, unexpected pregnancy, and this was pre-Roe v. Wade. My mom drove me from Virginia to New York where it was legal.
in a devastating and confusing time with SCOTUS's decisions on Roe, expanding the right to carry guns in NY, and today evaporating some separation of church and state (again) it's great to hear of others who want to do more and bring people together as the divides grow greater.
if we lose hope we lose democracy and the right to express and fight for the fundamental rights and freedoms for all.
my challenge to those I know who are upset by recent actions: take this as an opportunity to (re)connect and (re)organize and (re)activate. for me it's a catalyst to increase the time I spend on political and social activism and to have the work I'm paid for be directed toward voting engagement, social engagement and protection of my rights as a woman and the protection of my friends and family - especially those who are LGBTQIA+ and people of color. and, don't forget to celebrate those you love, the places and things that bring you joy and do it with music. solid sound was a haven for me after the increased sadness and frustration brought on by uvalde, buffalo and all the mass shooting and gun violence that plagues America.
captain (and your cohorts) thanks for the joy you and this community can bring. I'm excited to see how we can cheer each other on to be part of making a difference for each other.
I'd suggest giving the money directly to a clinic and people doing the work right now. One of the most immediate issues is that people now have to travel to legal states. That's going to overload a lot of clinics near borders.
I'd suggest the Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City, IL. Just miles from the MO border. They're going to be very busy and they've been fighting the good fight since the 70s. https://hopeclinic.com/public-info/how-to-help/
There is no such thing as the Good Old Days. We need to vote for YOUNG PEOPLE who are not trying to turn back the clock, either to some fantasy version of the 1950s or to the times when a small group of white men wrote the Constitution.
You’re the fucking best, Jeff. And Susie too. Thank you for the condolences and the reminder to not give up hope. My children, much like yours, inspire and remind me to not let cynicism stop me from continuing to
fight for equality, justice, and compassion for all.
In Chicago walking from work to the train every once in a while there would be those horrible people with the 7 foot high pictures of blood and guts. It never occurred to me that they would win. But I used to stop and talk to each one and tell them that I took their schtick very personally. That I had an abortion at 19 and I’m not ashamed and it saved my mental health. I guess it didn’t work. They won this round. But they haven’t really won. Thank you again Jeff.
My mom spent the majority of her nursing career at Planned Parenthood in Texas and Arkansas, helping women obtain inexpensive health care and navigate options she’d been denied. Oh, the stories she told of her younger days. Shame on the privileged individuals at the Supreme Court who made this happen. The danger of this reversal falls on the backs of teenagers. My heart in breaking!
Please consider donating to All-Options, a national organization that provides resources for pregnant women from diapers to access to safe abortions. They also have a pregnancy resource center in Bloomington, IN and run the Hoosier Abortion Fund. My girlfriend works for this organization and they do great work in the reproductive rights world.
Thank you for your hopefulness Jeff. I needed that. I’m pretty sure if I hadn’t had an abortion at 19 I wouldn’t be here now to tell the story. It’s a pretty boring story. Nice people, good medicine, etc. But I keep having to tell it. We will keep fighting and not lose hope. I promise!!
Thank you as always Jeff! You, Susie, and your family have been beacons of the very hopefulness that you speak of for a long time now, and continue to be. And to echo something Jeff Knurek already said, the Tweedy Show Client Union continues on to this day as a community of people who are inspired by your songs and words yes, but your values as well. We’ll keep fighting the good fight alongside you! Fuck the Supreme Court! It’s time to take that anger, hurt, and sadness and stand up to this attack on American women. I’m tired of the direction this country has been heading in, but you sure as hell better believe I’m not defeated!
Thank you for this. On another musical note- Your list reminds me of a video I saw this weekend of Olivia Rodrigo at Glastonbury. She brought Lilly Allen out on stage and sang "F**ck You" dedicated to those same five individuals.
Thank you for speaking up. Right now we need cis white men to be loud about this gross injustice. Especially cis white men with platforms like yours. I appreciate how vocal you’ve been about social justice, and putting your money where your mouth is, now more than ever.
Also, I can’t believe Susie hasn’t worn out her Badge-a-Minit in the last six years. That’s some strong hardware to endure so much rage crafting.
Had never heard the word cis man before, you learn something everyday!
It’s another way to say Just an Acerage Guy 😉
I love your typo! You are absolutely right! Plenty of land to call my own! Cheers!
Ahahaha! Oops! 😹
108 million people didn't vote in the 2020 election. Each of us needs to talk to all our friends and relatives who think "my vote doesn't count so why bother" and get them to the polls. Especially younger folks who don't understand the historical context for why what is happening on the Supreme Court is cataclysmic. Otherwise from this November onward we will be living in even darker times than we are now. No joke. So please, talk kindly to these people and encourage them to register and vote, and if they already are registered, explain why it's more necessary than ever to fill out a ballot--and vote the whole ballot not just the top positions. Do you want conservatives on your school board, water board, or city council? That's how they begin their dirty work. And then they end up as Governors and Congresspeople.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. It really helps to remind us that we are not alone with our thoughts and despair. And the fact the we are not alone should give us comfort and hope. That is the legacy of The Tweedy Show (continuing legacy, I hope). The Tweedy Show Client Union is also part of that. We are a community and will continue to be a community brought together by our respect and admiration of your words, talents, and love of you and your family, that you were so kind to share during our worldwide lock down.
Thanks for your vocal and financial support, Jeff. We know your heart. ❤️ I know there are tons of worthy organizations and I don’t have any new ones to suggest. But I do have a serious suggestion for the public at large and it applies to Wilco fans as well.
Acceptance of LGBTQ rights became more palatable to the mainstream as people came out of the closet and we realized that we all have people in our lives who we love who are gay/trans, etc. And the #MeToo movement, with people coming out from hiding and sharing their own personal experiences with sexual harassment and the impact it’s had on their lives, has has a real world impact.
So why not a #MeToo movement for women who’ve had abortions? I strongly believe that it’s time for women to come out of the closet about their personal abortion history. I’m tired of the examples of rape or incest victims’ right to terminate a pregnancy; every reasonable person who isn’t blinded by unmovable religious convictions should be able to get behind that. But that’s not the experience of most women. Most women have abortions for much more relatable reasons—birth control slip-up, too many children to take care of already, not ready to change the course of their lives by becoming a single parent or in a failing marriage—the reasons shouldn’t matter. It’s your body. If more women shared their own experiences without shame, I think it could have a real impact. Not everyone is in a position to shout it from the rooftops, but those who can, should. IMO, of course. If people realized how many of their next door neighbors, co-workers, and friends—everyday people they can relate to—had made this decision, I truly believe it could create a groundswell of support from all but the most intransigent.
I totally agree Diane -- AND we need a movement of MEN coming out of the closet telling their stories of how abortion impacted their lives. I've seen a lot of women come forward -- it's beautiful and inspiring, and men need to step up and do the same. Men telling their stories could change men's minds. #fuckthepatriarchy
Good point! Men have a part to play in this as well.
And by the way, since I’m just realizing I didn’t explicitly say it in my post, #MeToo. Bad marriage, unexpected pregnancy, and this was pre-Roe v. Wade. My mom drove me from Virginia to New York where it was legal.
D&C saved my wife's life after a miscarriage when she almost bled to death. I had a vasectomy soon afterwards.
thanks for this.
in a devastating and confusing time with SCOTUS's decisions on Roe, expanding the right to carry guns in NY, and today evaporating some separation of church and state (again) it's great to hear of others who want to do more and bring people together as the divides grow greater.
if we lose hope we lose democracy and the right to express and fight for the fundamental rights and freedoms for all.
my challenge to those I know who are upset by recent actions: take this as an opportunity to (re)connect and (re)organize and (re)activate. for me it's a catalyst to increase the time I spend on political and social activism and to have the work I'm paid for be directed toward voting engagement, social engagement and protection of my rights as a woman and the protection of my friends and family - especially those who are LGBTQIA+ and people of color. and, don't forget to celebrate those you love, the places and things that bring you joy and do it with music. solid sound was a haven for me after the increased sadness and frustration brought on by uvalde, buffalo and all the mass shooting and gun violence that plagues America.
captain (and your cohorts) thanks for the joy you and this community can bring. I'm excited to see how we can cheer each other on to be part of making a difference for each other.
Howdy Jeff,
I'd suggest giving the money directly to a clinic and people doing the work right now. One of the most immediate issues is that people now have to travel to legal states. That's going to overload a lot of clinics near borders.
I'd suggest the Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City, IL. Just miles from the MO border. They're going to be very busy and they've been fighting the good fight since the 70s. https://hopeclinic.com/public-info/how-to-help/
Thank you for all the help you can bring!
There is no such thing as the Good Old Days. We need to vote for YOUNG PEOPLE who are not trying to turn back the clock, either to some fantasy version of the 1950s or to the times when a small group of white men wrote the Constitution.
I love the badges :)
You’re the fucking best, Jeff. And Susie too. Thank you for the condolences and the reminder to not give up hope. My children, much like yours, inspire and remind me to not let cynicism stop me from continuing to
fight for equality, justice, and compassion for all.
In Chicago walking from work to the train every once in a while there would be those horrible people with the 7 foot high pictures of blood and guts. It never occurred to me that they would win. But I used to stop and talk to each one and tell them that I took their schtick very personally. That I had an abortion at 19 and I’m not ashamed and it saved my mental health. I guess it didn’t work. They won this round. But they haven’t really won. Thank you again Jeff.
My mom spent the majority of her nursing career at Planned Parenthood in Texas and Arkansas, helping women obtain inexpensive health care and navigate options she’d been denied. Oh, the stories she told of her younger days. Shame on the privileged individuals at the Supreme Court who made this happen. The danger of this reversal falls on the backs of teenagers. My heart in breaking!
Please consider donating to All-Options, a national organization that provides resources for pregnant women from diapers to access to safe abortions. They also have a pregnancy resource center in Bloomington, IN and run the Hoosier Abortion Fund. My girlfriend works for this organization and they do great work in the reproductive rights world.
Thank you for your hopefulness Jeff. I needed that. I’m pretty sure if I hadn’t had an abortion at 19 I wouldn’t be here now to tell the story. It’s a pretty boring story. Nice people, good medicine, etc. But I keep having to tell it. We will keep fighting and not lose hope. I promise!!
FUCK THE SUPREME COURT
Thank you as always Jeff! You, Susie, and your family have been beacons of the very hopefulness that you speak of for a long time now, and continue to be. And to echo something Jeff Knurek already said, the Tweedy Show Client Union continues on to this day as a community of people who are inspired by your songs and words yes, but your values as well. We’ll keep fighting the good fight alongside you! Fuck the Supreme Court! It’s time to take that anger, hurt, and sadness and stand up to this attack on American women. I’m tired of the direction this country has been heading in, but you sure as hell better believe I’m not defeated!
I appreciate that you mentioned Mavis because “We’ll Never Turn Back” is my go-to ‘civil rights record’. Such a timeless album un/fortunately.
Thank you for this. On another musical note- Your list reminds me of a video I saw this weekend of Olivia Rodrigo at Glastonbury. She brought Lilly Allen out on stage and sang "F**ck You" dedicated to those same five individuals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fpc40dmPlVM- It is a good sing along song right now..