I've recently seen a commercial this week promoting the arts. It starts out with a man playing some musical instrument in the streets and a voice says, "Some children aren't getting enough of the arts." While a little boy and his mother come walking past the man, the little boy says to him, "Get a job!" And the voice says, "And it shows."

My point: this isn't promoting the arts; it promotes unemployment. I would gladly pay to see a concert or opera any day than to have to endure some lazy guy playing in the streets forcing me to listen to his lack of talent. I'm with the little boy here. Get a gig somewhere and get off the streets. Just because I would want him to be gainfully employed doesn't mean I have no appreciation for music. Everyone in my family plays an instrument. This commercial is just too funny!

-- Maria (maria9470@lycos.com), April 10, 2002

Answers

Maybe he had played in an orchestra, before the 911 scared the tourists from New York City. You cannot say he isn't working, he is, he just leaves it up to the music to to touch the listeners into paying for whatever enjoyment they get out of it.

But then I never thought the government should support "the arts", I have always felt children should be given the oppertunity to learn the arts and if they had enough talent, they would make it in the "art" world. It had gotten to the point where "crap" was considered art (not talking about the Madonna done in dung)and the government had to use tax dollars to "support" it. If it had any popular draw, it will make a profit, if it isn't any good, it will fold. Free market.

So while I disagree with the idea behind what you are saying, I disagre with the attitude and reasoning you use to come up with your responce.

Never assume you will never be in that kind of position, shit happens, things beyond your control which can change your secure life into chaos.

-- Cherri (whatever@gigesdr.org), April 11, 2002.

Just because somebody made a fairly stupid commercial they thought was clever doesn't mean the idea of teaching children about the fine arts is a bad idea. It is a good idea.

In my state music education has been cut from the curriculum in most school districts and forced into the position of an informal, after-school activity. Why? Music education costs money. It isn't one of the "three Rs". It's a frill. Of course, prison life is notoriously unfrilly, too. In fact, it's as plain as mud. But, making schools more like prisons is not my idea of a bright idea.

Maria, why do you think it is that you would prefer to "see a concert or opera any day" -- could it be because you have a music education already?

-- Little Nipper (canis@minor.net), April 11, 2002.

Hearing a street musician - whether good or bad - makes me smile....that someone is willing to publically share their passion with the world is heartwarming to me.

-- Peanut (Gallery@MusicallyChallenged.com), April 11, 2002.

I'd say it all depends on whether the guy was any good. Was he? I haven't seen the commercial.

-- Flint (flintc@mindspring.com), April 11, 2002.

I saw a movie some years ago about a high school music teacher. As I recall, the title was "Mr. Holland's Opus." I thought it was quite good.

-- Peter Errington (petere7@starpower.net), April 11, 2002.

I'm gonna play dis sax in you ear while youse waits for da subway. Den if youse don't tip me 5 bucks I'm gonna mess up you face.

Work? Last year I busted my balls doing squeegies on cars at red lights. I charged 3 bucks. If dey didn't pay I keyed da cars. Rudy made me quit, da fascist dago.

-- (rocco@squeegie.squad), April 11, 2002.

We took the kids to a celtic concert because they had been very bad children. The older ones were mortified to be seen (a) with their parents and (b)at a celtic concert. The little ones were unhappy that the outing obviously would not include a playground. The patrons of the celtic concert were unhappy to see a troupe of kids at a Blue Hair event.

They loved it. It's one thing to hear music, and another to see music being made. The band broke strings in their enthusiasm, which was a hit with the kids. The band seemed delighted to see children there having a good time. And the Blue Hairs were relieved that the children didn't cause a problem.

Music education is a fantastic thing, especially when they can learn to make it themselves.

-- helen (fiddle@with.everything), April 11, 2002.

Cool Helen. Remember the good ol days when parents made their children take piano lessons, etc. It was common for children to learn the fine arts. I think its a wonderful thing, because it allows expression through music, whether playing, singing, conducting, composing. It's a great outlet for tension, kinda like a spiritual workout if your playing with your heart.

I just purchased a violin and am going to try to take it back up where I left off some twenty years ago. When I held it in my hands for the first time, put on some Beethoven and tried (and I emphasize tried, lol)to play along, it was GLORIOUS. I am very happy I chose to do this. My youngest displays a great love of music; I think piano lessons are in order.

-- (cin@cin.cin), April 11, 2002.

"I would gladly pay to see a concert or opera any day than to have to endure some lazy guy playing in the streets forcing me to listen to his lack of talent."

You make an awful lot of prejudiced assumptions here, which only further illustrates what an ignorant, intolerant, and selfish person you are. You fit perfectly into the Repug mold.

-- (sheeesh@how.disgusting), April 12, 2002.

you sound a bit moldy yourself

-- (see jerk@knee.jerk), April 12, 2002.

I don't know, cin. I had to take piano lessons for years, and boy did I hate it. If anything, it may have delayed my appreciation of fine music.

-- Peter Errington (petere7@starpower.net), April 12, 2002.

I knew I could count on this forum to give a wide variety of responses. Thanks it made me smile.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), April 12, 2002.

Sorry to hear you didn't enjoy your lessons, Peter, but aren't you glad that you can play at least?

-- (cin@cin.cin), April 12, 2002.

Cin, me play? Surely you jest. I never sat down at the piano unless I had to.

-- Peter Errington (petere7@starpower.net), April 12, 2002.

How ironic. My mother couldn't afford lessons for me.

-- (cin@cin.cin), April 12, 2002.

Cin:

I just purchased a violin and am going to try to take it back up where I left off some twenty years ago.

That means that you quit when you were one. ;<)))

Best wishes,,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), April 12, 2002.

haha z dont I wish

I will be 36 this month

-- (cin@cin.cin), April 12, 2002.