Janis Ian at Governor's Island Society's Child 7/5/08

[MrAndyStephenson]

Obama 2012, Richardson 2014 - Oklahoma, 2016 Trump

[VABkWrm]

Janice you have always inspired so many people, and you still do. What a testament to the power of music and the written word as tools of change for the good.

[clitoricam]

Okay we are commenting on a great old sixities song right??

[moshekatan1]

A Shayna Maidel - thanks Janis Bravo

[victorsblock]

do the women get free "strap ons" upon admission a Janis Ian concert?

[1canyonguy]

My favorite church supporting Janis -talking bout Rev Gary my favorite Rev

[profsvensen]

Love the song, but does it make me feel real old. Last image of Janis was a 15 yr. old on stage.

[lasktguy]

What the frig are you talking about? If anything the exact opposite is true. It's been obvious for deaes that Republicans couldn't care less about the general population. All they care about is big business and the rich and denying the truth. I'm all for giving Democrats more power. Look how badly your Republican president of the last eaight years screwed up the country. He left Obama with a huge mess to straighten out and of course the Republicans fight him every step of the way.

[fruticetum]

Janis Ian was such a pretty young girl. It's such a shame she had to be a leftwing lunatic. Now she's this angry old hag whose politics has aged and poisoned her very unattractively.

[fruticetum]

I've never met a liberal who had the intellectual firepower to debate me on politics. The reason for that is simple. Liberalism is based on lies and deceit, and anyone who adheres to a faulty ideology can't be that intelligent to begin with. It's like writing a book on "Winning Roulette Strategies". The game is a guaranteed loser and only a fool would write a book like that.

[lasktguy]

Fruticetum, I see what your ideology is based on. Conceit and false ideas. Liberalism is the closest thing to honesty we have in this country. Republicans and right wingers are the ones who are decietful, care only about themselves and their money and lately seem to be involved in quite a few sex scandals.

[fruticetum]

Lask, Think about something.  When liberals enact big government legislation, it gives them more power. When conservatives enact legislation, it makes central governmen,t ergo conservative lawmakers, less powerful.

The health care debate, global warming, gov't takeover of car companies--it ALL gives Democrats more control. It's ALL about power. Democrats don't give a shit about people's health. If they did, we could fix it without gov't taking it over.

Think about it.

[HippieNiecey]

I appreciate president Obama and change. I am so tired of the negativity about him all the time. Martin Luther King and The Kennedy's would love him if they were still alive. What is there not to like about him Geez .......Anyhow Janis had a great song with this one. I loved it. If you just listen carefully you'll see things have surely changed. I think she did a great job on the song. What is wrong with people? She was so young at the time she made this song.

[fruticetum]

I guess what's not to like about 0bama is that the "change' you're talking about means change from the most prosperous country in the world to just socialist country in perpetual recession.

As for Janis Ian? Just shut up and sing. Keep your politics to yourself.

[HippieNiecey]

I hope this isn't geared at me. I don't come here to argue and debate, but admire the music and talent of all of our old music and the artists behind them. The world is changing everyday no matter whether people like it or not. I don't get into politics, but when I feel that something is unjust I will speak on it. Are you saying for her to shut up and sing? Cause I know you couldn't be talking to me.

[fruticetum]

Why would I be talking about you? You're not a singer, are you? Of course I'm talking about Janis Ian. I like her music. I don't care for her unattractive political views.

[HippieNiecey]

LOL ...........Oh ok. I was gonna say ........What did I do? I hate politic talk too so I surely agree with what your saying. I apologize. Happy Holidays!

[DrHogfan]

Wow this racial stuff happened at Janis' concert out in OF ALL PLACES California ! I thought racism happened only in the south or so Hollywood would have you believe.

[lascreen]

Oh Frutice, what a tool you are. It is a FACT that Liberals are more educated, make more money, and are higher achievers than toothless, knuckle dragging trash like you.

Btw, the majority DO want a public healthcare option. Willfully ignorant followers like you are holding this Country back from real PROGRESS.

[fruticetum]

Actually, George W. Bush won among college graduates in both elections.

And while it's true liberals earn slightly more on average, the reason has to do with urban vs rural areas and not ideology. When you adjust wages and salaries for location, conservatives earn more.

Finally to nail down the fact that you are a dumbfuck, barely 40% support 0bamacare. Sounds like you're one of The Daily Show's addled fans.

[DrBPhD]

Typical right wing reaction: cursing and shouting with references to sexual intercourse. Is your vocabulary really that poor?

As to those health reforms: it's about time the US meet the general western standards. Every other western country has a good healthcare system for nearly every citizen. Only the US perform like a development country in this respect.

And the recession you're talking about is mainly Bush and Wall street made. Obama just inherited this mess.

[fruticetum]

Who wants to be like a European socialist country in perpetual recession. And did you notice? World leaders who need advanced specialized care aren'f flocking to Canada or Sweden. They come here.

[victorsblock]

@lascreenFagLibtard:

this country is as perfect as a country can be. We don't need libtard communist fucktards like you.

[lascreen]

@victorsblock

Still waiting for big mouthed cowards like you to bring the civil war part II...then we can get to the business of taking out the trash like we did last time.

[victorsblock]

@lascreenFagLibtard: Go to Cuba. All you libtards will get free healthcare.Start packing. If you need help I'll be there.

[lascreen]

@victorsblock

You don't know where Cuba is, you Fascist prick. Our Founding Fathers would be shocked to discover that tools like you would so willingly destroy what they risked life and limb to birth. You have no idea what I'm talking about, huh?

[victorsblock]

@lascreenfagLibtard:

yes, the founding fathers, not the founding libtards, risked life and limb because they knew what the British were: big central govt., oppresive high taxes and hating religion. The founding fathers believed in GOD, big families,low taxes, the right to bear arms, NO baby killing(abortions), ect...... In other words they believed in EVERYTHING you fight against. You are on the side of all liberals(communist, socialist, nazi's, ect...)

leave and fuck up another country please

[TheTalshiar]

@victorsblock Hey dumbass, go study some history.(No, watching faux noise and listening to Limpballs and beckerhead doesn't count.)

[victorsblock]

@TheTalshiar:

hahahahahahahahaha

hahahahahahahahaha

hahahahahahahahaha

LIBTARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL!!!!!!!!!!

[lpride1]

Beautiful Janis. Her DVD Live at the Club Cafe is great. She is really funny too.

[fruticetum]

What a cute girl in the first clip. Who's the second lady? Her grandmother?

[clairedelune49]

She grew up and so could you!!!

[fruticetum]

I mean it's like. Just fucking sing and leave all the kooky hateful anti-American shit at the door. Like anybody cares what these fucking singers' whacked out political views are. We just want to hear "At Seventeen". Keep all that other neanderthal far-left bullshit to yourself.

[mikejcar2000]

Wow,dude, take a look in the mirror or just back at your oun post here as you are so busy spueing acid and hate telling Janis to keep her mouth shut and views to herself?? Mm HELLO, you should move to the USA where free speach is protected and oh woops!

[fruticetum]

The shame of it is, after taking on this noble cause, Janis Ian went to the far-left extreme nutcase anti-American level Why does it always turn out that way with these artists?

Their ugly leftists ideas ruin it. Just like Linda Ronstadt and the Dixie Chicks

[georjec]

Wow!

[SchmedleyDoRight]

Uh....yeah...,and WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ON ABOUT? YOU SOUND LIKE AN ACID CASUALTY.

[DrBPhD]

Because they get a bit more educated than you I guess.

[postalcarrier3]

janis, great song. brings back memory of me sitting in a hospital when I was in 6th grade and a nurse was singin this song. she told me she had a black boyfriend and could relate to this song. As she told me this she was tearing up. As for you helivz get real. Quit listening to all the b.s. that is out there. Obama is not going to lift the ban on partial birth abortion.

[SchmedleyDoRight]

And, uh, what exactly does the phonetic structure of a man's name have to do with anything? The only thing spooky here is that you'd spout such convoluted idiocy OUT LOUD! Oh, and that the U.S. and The World had to suffer the convoluted idiocy of an arrogant loudmouth who made an international fool of himself by spouting similarly-preposterous content for the last 8 years. He opened the flood gates for other dumbasses to think they had a forum, or even a voice worthy of listening to. Next page.

[Helivz]

Baracks middle name is "Hussein," which is scary to me. Seriously, I don't agree with his policies. They are anti-biblical; "Freedom of Choice is of the devil." The innocent child has no say in the matter. Abortion kills two people; the baby and the mothers joy for living. But Jesus even forgives the act of murder, and can and does restore people who've had abortion, to sanity.

[OrangeSFO]

"Baracks middle name is "Hussein," which is scary to me."

That's because you're a moron and a coward.

[randynmusic]

Wow...I remember when this song came out when I was a kid ( I bought the 45 )! I always felt quite moved by it! I've always wondered why I NEVER hear it on the radio...hmm?

This is actually the first time I've heard it in 45 years, and it still moves me..great song!

[MROSEN62]

Super wow! Great story, great song, great performer. Also, great to see that Janis continues to grace us with great songs and performances.

[THEHUNGRYVEGETARIAN]

Great story, about a great song, from an extremely great woman. Just an example of the power of music.

[kso808]

I recently saw Janis perform in a small indoor venue in Carrboro, NC, and loved when she launched in to this. The accompanying story was most moving as well. This is one of the first songs I can remember listening to on AM radio in the summer of 1967, a very good year indeed for music.

[fruticetum]

My message for Janis Ian: Sing your songs. Your early noble messages were needed. Today they have devolved into hatred anti-american far-left kookism.. Keep those messages to yourself.

[OoGreenAppleoO]

i love her! i would love to see her perform. The other day I had a speech in class where I had to say one of my favorite singers. I mentioned Janis Ian and everyone was like who is that? We need more singers like this no a days.

[jzoren64]

she looks fab i love her society's child is a gr8 album

[golddustmagazine]

This is a fascinating clip. It's almost word for word from her autobiography, but even more powerful when she tells it like this. Thank you so much for posting.

[Yesimustbestupid2]

I do hope Obama asks/requests Janis Ian to play at his inaugural concerts. Because even if you disagree with Obama's proposed policies, you do have to admit a song like this really helped move the U.S. towards accepting the idea of electing a man who as he put it, is a 'mutt'.

[Helivz]

Obama, which rhymes with "Osama" was not even born on American soil!! Heck yes, I disagree with his policies; gun control, funding overseas abortions, WITH OUR AMERICAN TAX DOLLARS. If you say such a song really moved the U.S. to put him in power, then what you are saying is that song is part of a series of downfalls America will have to suffer. I know of a dozen other "black men" that I'd rather see in the Oval office other than "Barack!"

[morticae]

I seriously doubt you, sir, could even name 12 black people who aren't professional athletes. Take your comments back to your blog where everyone who cares can find them.

[Helivz]

Whats your point? I have plenty respect for black men, who hold to biblical, Christian, traditional values. Obama does not. He is for funding abortions and wants to lift the ban on partial birth abortion, which means all races, even blacks, will be killed prior to being born outside of the womb. The point I was making, is that I'd rather have a pro-life, black, Christian man in office other than Obama.

[morticae]

Uh huh, I'm sure that was the reason you pointed out his name rhymes with Osama.

[Helivz]

Baracks middle name is "Hussein," which rhymes with "Hussein" (Saddam). Very spooky if you ask me.

[SchmedleyDoRight]

Hey, "Helivz":

The Dark Ages ended a long time ago. It was only a freak accident (thievery) that allowed the bizarre departure from sensibility that was The Bush Administration to temporarily obscure what every rational, intelligent human knows to be TRUTH: Freedom of Choice is a God-Given Right. (To all Atheists or Agnostics: A big apology here for co-opting your perspectives, but I hope you'll forgive me). Obama may not be the saviour, but he sure isn't THE DEVIL. The Devil just left

[fruticetum]

Oh, Jesus. Are you kooks still whining about Bush winning? Amazing how all the voting machine fraud magically disappeared in 2008, isn't it?

You far-leftists are angry because Bush was right and you were wrong about Iraq. You said the war was a hopeless quagmire and couldn't be won. Today Iraq is a peaceful democracy and ally.

Bush did the right thing despite the polls. Now we have an inexperienced incompetent socialist who favors even the most radical abortions.

[richstan4d]

You are exactly what's wrong with America. I could go on,  but logic is foreign to you.

[fruticetum]

No, what's wrong with America is we have a socialist in power who was elected despite no resume, by a bunch of morons who voted for him solely because of his race.

And now 0bama's handlers are trying to force a socialist medical system down our throats, despite the fact that the majority doesn't want it.

Please, all you leftwing nutcases. Move to fucking Cuba or some other socialist hell hole of your liking. Leave capitalism and achievers alone.

[DrBPhD]

Wahahahahahaha. Only a Bush lover could say this. What's wrong with your ears, eyes and brain. Iraq is a mess! Whatch something else than your FOX news every evening. The Iraq war is basically LOST by the USA for the objectives have not been reached. Sadam is out but Iraq has become a bigger mess instead. The US never had any control over that country. And for the reason it all started: no WMD's were found, Saddam simply didn't have them. Meanwhile the US are bankrupt as a nation. Cheers!

[fruticetum]

No, Iraq has been won, and the troops are leaving. Afghanistan is the place that's a mess. Chimpy 0bama has no idea how to conduct a war.

[DrBPhD]

I Just read the news. Another 100 people killed in Iraq because of violence. So far for the war being won. It's one big mess and the only reasons troops are leaving is because their efforts remain fruitless even after more than 6 years and the US need their troops for operations in Afghanistan. Obama very well knows how to conduct a war: 1st of all you need fresh troops. And as long as Iraq is an ongoing operation the US cannot do much in Afghanistan.

[fruticetum]

Yeah, you'll get the burst of violence, but if you look at icasualties website, you see deaths are at a trickle compared to what they were. If you're truly concerned about a quagmire, take a look at your boy's mishandling of Afghanistan. That country has deteriorated mostly in the past year.

[DrBPhD]

Mishandling is not the correct word. The contingent is simply too small to handle the situation (btw the british are in trouble too in Afghanistan).

The future US approach would actually be based on tactics and strategies deployed by the dutch at this moment. The recent deterioration largely comes from Taliban regrouping and gaining forces. Apparently operation enduring freedom in 2003 was not that succesful. It did not wipe out the Taliban but merely chased them out of towns and villages.

[lascreen]

The days of the Conservative intellectual are over...hence Sarah Palin. Obama won the college grad vote and the ONLY reason the polls show less support for Healthcare reform is because it has been watered down into a gift for corp. health insurance. The People are moving Left/waking up, dumbass and you're gonna be left behind.

[DrBPhD]

Talking to me? I am not a conservative so there is no being left behind for me when the people in general are moving left. I don't get it. Or did you actually mean "fruticetum" with your comment.

[fruticetum]

Yeah, people are moving left. That's why conservatives destroyed Democrats in two governor's races in two blue states last month.

The reason 0bamacare is unpopular is because people don't want socialism. 0bama will prove to be but a speed bump in the conservative revolution.

[lascreen]

You do know that less than 20% of Americans now consider themselves to be Republican?

Oh and on Afghanistan...al-Qeada has relocated to the Horn of Africa, so why waste taxpayer money on Afghanistan? What about the deficit? Why didn't Bush kill Bin Laden when he had him surrounded? He needed a bogeyman to scare Regressives like you.

[fruticetum]

What I do know is 60% call themselves "conservative".

[lascreen]

@fruticetum

LOL Conservatives would not be for spending taxpayer money on that war of choice based on lies in Iraq. They are NOT for nation building either. They also would seek to "conserve" our environment. What you are is a Neocon freak NOT a true Conservative.

[fruticetum]

What's funny is 0bama's war in Afghanistan is being fought for the exact same reasons as Iraq was. No WMD in Afghanistan,  nobody known to be there has any connnect to 9-11. We're there to fighting Al-queda ---hmm, just like we were doing in Iraq.

I guess that means 0bama embraces the Bush doctrine. Cool.

[lascreen]

@fruticetum

Exactly right and that is why Obama's poll numbers are going down among Progressives. You should love him because he's shown himself to be a Republican...though you are so incredibly misinformed that you think he is some sort of Liberal or Socialist when in fact he's becoming a Fascist. But I don't expect you to know the difference.

[fruticetum]

0bama is hardly a Republican. Even though he's sending troops, like a true leftwing coward, he's talking about pulling them out without regard to winning the war. Socialist, Fascist -- doesn't matter. Both involve heavy control by the government. He is a leftwing puke no matter how you slice it. The two terms are closer to each other than they are to a conservative government -- one that involves limited government control.

[lascreen]

@fruticetum

However, most of al-Qaeda have left Afghanistan. al-Qaeda never were in Iraq. So we really have no need to be in either country. But you didn't even know that they attacked us on 911. That is how lost you are. Funny how I can criticize Obama when he is wrong but you couldn't/can't be honest about Bush. You have more loyalty for the Republican Party than you do for your Country...sad.

[fruticetum]

Al-Queda was in Iraq.. That's who were were fighting, particularly in the latter months of the conflict. Of course they attacked us on 9-11. Who said they didn't? And George W. Bush did absolutely the right thing. What is there to criticize him for? He protected America valiantly.

[lascreen]

As expected you have no idea what Fascism is. It is a Right Wing ideology that supports corporate control of government which is what we have in the US thanks to 30 years of Reaganomics. You have bought the lies and moral corruption of Right Wing media.

[Ruinous]

You just proved that YOU have no idea what it is. Before you talk out your ass you should make sure your shit doesn't stink, mother fucker.

[lascreen]

"There have been reports that contacts between Iraq and al Qaeda also occurred after bin Laden had returned to Afghanistan [in 1996], but they do not appear to have resulted in a collaborative relationship," the report says. "Two senior bin Laden associates have adamantly denied that any ties existed between al Qaeda and Iraq. We have no credible evidence that Iraq and al Qaeda cooperated on attacks against the United States." 911 Commission

[paddyboyobrien]

she still sounds great...........

[Eschatus2]

Sadly, as long as we have different Races, there will always be racism, despite how noble the pursuit of ethnic equality. Tragically, Human Nature is naturally both benevolent and malevolent; this will never change, and this is the root of the problem.

[AcousticEclectic1]

Janis' solo version of Society's Child on this clip is just as powerful and fresh and moving as the original she did in 1965 at the age of 15!

Bravo Janis!!! :)

[cindykay555]

WOW what a gift! Thanks Janis for now and then.

[spiritualwitch01]

I pray that times are getting better racially. I am glad that she sings this song, loudly!

[abby015]

I do believe I was sitting right next to you. You did a fabulous job. Hope you got those albums signed!

[clairedelune49]

Great but it's still Janis' time. She's the Janis that didn't check out in her twenties .

[lizziecohen]

Thank you so much for posting this clip. I cried watching and listening to it, with Janis's poignant delivery... being strongly for Obama and having been around during Janis's time, it has many layers for me, seeing how significantly things have changed [yet, shadows remain].

[passover77]

I loved this clip and I'm strongly against Obama. It has nothing to do with his race and everything to do with his proposed policies and Reverend Wright.

[sabymoon]

You'll be just fine. I heard McCain give some very warlike, antiChrist statements in person, and McCain has also had his own minister problems. Anyone who takes seriously trying to be a good person, black or white, Muslim or Christian or Buddhist will judge people by their actions, not what they SAY they believe. Remember, Jesus said only 2 commandments are imp't- Love God; Love others. People of goodwill must get together now and help out in whatever way they can.

[dutchbonnet]

A wonderful clip. Fascinating story about that California audience. Thanks for posting.

[Roadywin]

I'll never get tired of hearing Janis sing Society's Child! It's timeless. Can't wait for her Autobiography by the same name!