Tibet: The Populist Playlist

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Rick-Springfield-250x200.jpgAt the “finish line” for the Olympic torch runners at the Embarcadero area of San Francisco today was a live band made up of five white dudes wearing leisure suits and wigs, and performing mostly 80s songs.

As hordes of folks carrying Tibetan national flags, Chinese national flags, “Free Tibet” signs, bullhorns, video cameras, and cellphones surged through the massively barricaded area, the band performed as if it were a homecoming party at a frat house. Here’s a sampling of their set list, what my colleague calls the Populist Playlist for the day:

Prince: “1999”
Smash Mouth: “Allstar”
The Trammps: “Disco Inferno”
House of Pain: “Jump Around”
Prince: “Let’s Go Crazy”
Kool & the Gang: “Get Down on It”
Neil Diamond: “Sweet Caroline”
Rick Springfield: “Jessie’s Girl”
Steve Miller Band: “Space Cowboy”

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“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things it doesn’t like—which is most things that are true.

We’ll say it loud and clear: At Mother Jones, no one gets to tell us what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please do your part and help us reach our $150,000 membership goal by May 31.

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