I was just reading a story about Bradley Manning, the US Army soldier who released classified documents to WikiLeaks and is now being being held “in extreme isolation in a Marine brig in Quantico, Virginia.”
Whenever I learn about something done by the Obama administration that reminds me of something done by the Bush administration — whether it’s sending more troops to Afghanistan, breaking the promise to close Guantanamo, or backing “reform” legislation which benefits the industries that are responsible for making the legislation necessary in the first place (health care, banking) — I’m reminded of Pete Townsend’s lyrics in “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” the epic closing track off of The Who’s 1971 masterpiece, “Who’s Next.” (Incidentally, “Who’s Next” is #28 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.)
Forty years later, this song is as timely and meaningful as it ever was.
The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that’s all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain’t changed
‘Cause the banners, they are flown in the next warI’ll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I’ll get on my knees and pray
We don’t get fooled againMeet the new boss
Same as the old boss
