The Kolog

Mr. Mubarak or Mr. Jones?

Sometimes, my iPod is a self-proclaimed genius, other times it’s damned near prophetic.  At least I choose to think so as the songs on my playlist allow me to make more-or-less sense of the day’s occurrences…

I fear many of my friends will disregard the revolutionary events occurring in Egypt over the past six days, just as too many people close to me downplayed the significance of 9/11 shortly after two hijacked planes flew into the World Trade Center.  No matter, really: after all, my comments will no less be lost among the abyss of online chatter concerning the rebellion, and rightfully so.  Having said that, perhaps there is someone among my nebulous list of Facebook friends who will read this and tune-in.

Granted, I know little of U.S. foreign policy nor do I care to challenge wholeheartedly those who have made a career of such matters; however, I do know something about the light of liberty that lit my forefathers’ revolt and secured my freedoms, which have granted me the right to comment on what I please.

Of course, many of my fellow citizens are scared about the tenuous situation in the middle east, but I fear, they succumb to the political rhetoric that has held us suspended in a perpetual state of terror for too long.  If this is a twenty-first century revolution, as some have coined it, than we must not respond with twentieth century assumptions.  As our current administration understands, based on the public comments made over the weekend, no one outside of Egypt knows what will happen in the upcoming days.  Therefore, we have only principles upon which to stand; and maybe it’s just my opinion, but I choose to cling to the ideals of democracy when thinking about such matters.

We have feared for too long, and if these defensive reactions had actually led to more promising prospects of peace and prosperity in my lifetime, perhaps I would support the  continuation of such  irrational appeals, but they have failed in so many ways.

Again, I would never presume to predict how the situation in Africa will conclude; but as for the events that have already transpired, I cannot help but applaud the civil disobedience spawning what seems to be a revolution in one of the greatest cradles of civilization.

When considered within a self-centered context, the current events in Egypt must give all Americans, particularly those following or aware of the Tea Party, considerable pause.  For we are witnessing an actual revolution, the likes of which too many too recently too often have called for in the past year or two in America.  Seriously, is this the objective of those who feel threatened by our current administration?  Does anyone in the United States of America really believe that such extreme measures must be taken in order to seek change in our society?  While I am no man of religion, I pray not.

Whether the revolution will be televised (on cable network news or via the Internet), the turmoil in Egypt and the global response leads me back to the impetus of this post…

While walking my dog tonight after listening to countless news reports concerning the events in Egypt, I listened to a variety of tunes on my iPod.  Admittedly safe within the comfortable confines of Charlottesville, Virginia, I responsibly deposited the bag of my pooch’s poop and then proceeded to listen to two tracks by Bob Dylan.  The first, “Chimes of Freedom,” made me think of the sentiment as it must be felt viscerally  on the streets of Cairo and other urban centers in Egypt tonight as the people prepare for what they are hoping will be a march of millions.  The second, “Ballad of a Thin Man,” made me think of the rest of us witnesses around the world:

You walk into the room
With your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked
And you say, “Who is that man?”
You try so hard
But you don’t understand
Just what you’ll say
When you get home

Because something is happening here
But you don’t know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You raise up your head
And you ask, “Is this where it is?”
And somebody points to you and says
“It’s his”
And you say, “What’s mine?”
And somebody else says, “Where what is?”
And you say, “Oh my God
Am I here all alone?”

Because something is happening here
But you don’t know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You hand in your ticket
And you go watch the geek
Who immediately walks up to you
When he hears you speak
And says, “How does it feel
To be such a freak?”
And you say, “Impossible”
As he hands you a bone

Because something is happening here
But you don’t know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You have many contacts
Among the lumberjacks
To get you facts
When someone attacks your imagination
But nobody has any respect
Anyway they already expect you
To just give a check
To tax-deductible charity organizations

You’ve been with the professors
And they’ve all liked your looks
With great lawyers you have
Discussed lepers and crooks
You’ve been through all of
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s books
You’re very well read
It’s well known

Because something is happening here
But you don’t know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you
And then he kneels
He crosses himself
And then he clicks his high heels
And without further notice
He asks you how it feels
And he says, “Here is your throat back
Thanks for the loan”

Because something is happening here
But you don’t know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Now you see this one-eyed midget
Shouting the word “NOW”
And you say, “For what reason?”
And he says, “How?”
And you say, “What does this mean?”
And he screams back, “You’re a cow
Give me some milk
Or else go home”

Because something is happening here
But you don’t know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Well, you walk into the room
Like a camel and then you frown
You put your eyes in your pocket
And your nose on the ground
There ought to be a law
Against you comin’ around
You should be made
To wear earphones

Because something is happening here
But you don’t know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

(Copyright © 1965 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1993 by Special Rider Music)

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