Have You Seen The Stars Tonight?

The Tarantula Nebula, In A Place Far Far Away

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Today is officially “No Kings Day.” This is the day we – again – protest against the monster in the White House. Now with music to fit the occasion.

I started writing this post as an angry screed against our wanna-be king trump. The music I looked for was angry music, filled with defiance and rage against the would-be two-bit penny-ante dictator and his sycophants currently running our nation. Music that would fit the mood of a national protest against Trumpism and the hate-filled monsters who’s life goals are seemingly built around destroying the lives of other people who just want to live free and build a better life for their children.

But, then, I realized I was taking the wrong road.

He’s Not Worth It

Searching for angry music forced me to soul-search into what I wanted to express. As I dug deep, I finally came to the realization; Trump is not worth it.

Yes, Trump is a monster. Every person who enables him is a monster. All are devoid of souls, devoid of compassion, devoid of empathy. All are consumed by self-hate, with their life’s goal of making miserable the lives of as many people as possible, as compensation for the black holes where their souls should be.

They deserve no sympathy. But, as I searched for the right music to express my anger, I realized I was taking the easy road of rage. And the words of Friedrich Nietzsche echoed in my head:

Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back at you.
Friedrich Nietzsche

A Road Less Traveled

So, I regrouped. And on the drive home from work yesterday, listening to my music collection as I inched my way through Friday afternoon commuter traffic – made necessary by Trump and his “Return to Office” orders – I found the music for today.

Blows Against The Empire

Way back in 1970, when I landed my first job and had some pocket money, I found music. Literally the first album I ever bought for myself was from a group radical even by 1960s standards, in their incarnation as “Jefferson Starship.” The album was “Blows Against the Empire.”

This was an early “rock concept” album, produced during the darkest days of our nation’s involvement in the Vietnam War. The storyline was right out of one of the Science Fiction novels I had already read, and in my idealistic youth this storyline struck a cord. Not to mention, I was captivated by lead singer Gracie Slick, for whom I maintain a life-long obsession as my favorite female singer.

One of the more captivating tracks of this album was “Have You Seen The Stars Tonight?” On a stand-out album, this was a stand-out track. Listening to this randomly selected music track during my painful commute home yesterday, I realized this was the music I needed to post. Because, this is how we fight the monsters.

Do Not Become A Monster

In fighting back against the ever-swelling horrors of Trump, it would be all too easy to become a monster like Trump. But, that’s not who we are. We, as Americans, are better than Trump. Trumpism will not be defeated by becoming monsters just like him, thinking that being opposed makes us more righteous. We fight Trump by being the people we should be, by demonstrating compassion and empathy to those around us.

So, fuck Trump. Fuck every one of the Trump Vassals^® and kowtowing ass-kissing power-hungry soulless monsters surrounding him. And for today’s “No Kings” Day of Protest, I present the music meant for this day.