Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/pete_seeger.html#VmFfacgEv5oWbgDW.99
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/p/pete_seeger.html#VmFfacgEv5oWbgDW.99
Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live. - Pete Seeger
This is the weekly selection of news and opinion from outside American mainstream media. Today we remember Pete Seeger, look at the Year of the Horse, and, in brief, the Syrian peace talks, the surprise cover of the Rolling Stone, and John Kerry's quest for an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
Folk singer and activist Pete Seeger passed away on January 27 at the
age 94. Infamously blacklisted after his appearance before the
McCarthy-era "House Un-American Activities Committee", he was a tireless
advocate for workers, civil rights, the environment and peace. Pete
Seeger influenced generations of songwriters. "Once called 'America's
tuning fork,' Pete Seeger believed deeply in the
power of song," President Barack Obama said in a statement on Tuesday.
"Over the years, Pete used his voice—and his hammer—to strike blows for
worker's rights and civil rights; world peace and environmental
conservation. And he always invited us to sing along." [Mother Jones, Jan 28] Mother Jones has a phenomenal musical tribute to Pete Seeger which you can reach by clicking this link. For more on his appearance before HUAC and the "black list", see Corey Robin's excellent post of January 29. Pete Seeger was a genuine force for good and he will be missed.
The Year of the Horse has begun. Lunar (aka Chinese) New Year celebrations started January 31 with as many as 2 billion people joining in across the globe - particularly in the Far East. The celebrations continue for 15 days. In China alone 3.62 billion journeys are expected to be taken in the 40 day period surrounding the New Year. "The staggering figure of passengers is set to make Chunyun, which literally means Spring Festival, transportation the largest seasonal human migration on the globe." [Xinhua news agency] According to Chinese Zodiac lore, "People born in the year of the horse are said to be a bit like horses: animated, active and energetic – they love being in a crowd. They are quick to learn independence – foals can walk minutes after birth – and they have a straightforward and positive attitude towards life. They are known for their communication skills and are exceedingly witty." [The Guardian, January 31] 
In Brief
The first round of peace talks to end Syria’s civil war have concluded with little tangible progress to speak of, delegates said Friday, as rights groups reported nearly 1,900 deaths in Syria as the summit was being held in Switzerland. A second round has been scheduled to start February 10. [Al Jazeera, January 31]
Pope Francis made it to "the cover of the Rolling Stone". A feature-length article on "a man whose obvious humility, empathy and, above all, devotion to the economically disenfranchised has come to feel perfectly suited to our times" appears in the February 13 issue. [Rolling Stone website, January 28]
US Secretary of State John Kerry and an elite team of US diplomats return to Israel as goals shift for the US's once-ambitious peace plan. [The Guardian, January 30]
Do you know the difference between education and experience? Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don't.
- Pete Seeger
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