Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999 01:49:01 +1200
From: Janskrit Virdee <lorax-AT-inet.net.nz>
Subject: Re: An Explosive End For Woodstock '99 (Burning and Looting)




"Mark S. Weiss" wrote:

> Chuck0 wrote:
> >
> > Jamal Hannah x342446 wrote:
> > >
> > > Ok, we had the discussion about the riot in Eugene, and a number of us
> > > felt that riots should be avoided.  This said, I must say I find it
> > > amusing that a crass, commercialized event like Woodstock '99 would end
> > > with people rioting, setting huge fires, stealing goods, and ultimatly
> > > being confronted by the mass of police.
> > >
> > > What do other people think?
> >
> > I though it was pretty funny, if even done by frat boys. It seemed
> > actually like the Burning Man contingent got bored and decided to have a
> > good time. It's funny how many spectators said the riot sent a wrong
> > message about the event.
> >
> > Think about it this way. The promoters, who were charging $150 a head to
> > see the Dave Matthews Band, Jewel and other MTV bands, will now be
> > facing a financial loss, thanks to the riot.
> >
> > Is this a sign of widespread alienation among privileged white youth?
> >
>
> The riots should be no surprise! Woodstock and 1999 don't mix. The
> peace-loving culture of the '60's (in which I grew up) is dead. This
> generation X seems incapable of sustaining sensible judgment. You can't
> put the essence of something so wonderful as the 1969 Woodstock music
> and peace festival in a bottle and sell it--although the marketing of
> the original event came close to it.
>
> Mark

Funny that.  It was because of the marketing of the original event that I cambe
aware of it.  The first time I ever saw the Woodstock movie was on TV about ten
years ago at the age of eleven.  All those naked people in the mud seemed to be
having a lot of fun and I regard the whole thing as one of the seeds planted in
my mind that lead to my current beliefs.
So thankyou marketing board.  You are at least partially responsible for
turning a geeky reclusive eleven year old into a raging loud mouthed anarchist.

Ha ha ha.

Lorax.