Panama Red and Elvis

Elvis died August 16, 1977

https://www.counterpunch.org/2016/08/17/panama-red-and-elvis/

September 26, 1971--Christiana first occupied and free state established

In 1971, the freaks of Copenhagen occupied an empty military base and established the Free State of Christiana.  The cops and other authorities responded with clubs and arrests, yet eventually came to an agreement.  It survives, albeit in different form, with both police and gangs challenging the residents and the area's status.  Meanwhile, real estate interests encourage both.  Here are a couple links.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9MyVUXjuOA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0kcNUdsycE

August 23, 1972: Last Official US Combat Troops Leave Vietnam

Although the combat troops had left, there were still several tens of thousands of troops in country, not to mention CIA mercenaries, Special Forces, and others.  In addition, the bombing would go on for years, including the Christmas bombings at the end of 1972--some of the heaviest bombing raids in the history of bombing raids.  I thought I would link to this pamphlet written by Overseas Weekly writer Richard Boyle describing GI resistance to the war....Overseas Weekly was an unofficial newspaper written for GIs and sold in the PX alongside the official Stars & Stripes.....The resistance Boyle writes about is part of the reason the war was Vietnamized and US troops were slowly removed from in country....while the killing dragged on....

https://libcom.org/history/gi-revolts-breakdown-us-army-vietnam

Elvis and Panama Red

Remember the death of Elvis.....

http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/08/17/panama-red-and-elvis/

Elvis is Everywhere

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7NWXJ8iPQw

The Long Road to Marijuana Legalization

In 1999 or so, after many years of not communicating, my friend Chip and I got back in touch.  One of the first things he said when we talked on the phone was in relation to the fact that marijuana was still illegal.  Since then, several states have legalized the weed for medical use and two have legalized it for recreational use.  Here in Vermont, an effort is underway to legalize marijuana.  The law that was drafted is less than ideal, but it is a step in the right direction.  This oped appeared in an online daily newspaper in Vermont known as the Vermont Digger.