Obama hears from Occupy Wall Street

[Onlooker]

This is so cool in my opinion. Occupy Wall Street is stealing the thunder from the moribund Tea Party, and standing up to vested interests in ways we haven't seen in many years.

http://thinkprogress.org/special/2011/11/13/367283/hawaiian-guitarist-wears-occupy-with-aloha-shirt-while-playing-for-obama-other-world-leaders/

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum is currently being held in Honolulu, Hawaii, bringing together many of the world’s leaders in both the public and private sectors. Last night, APEC held a gala attended by President Obama and his wife in addition to a number of other world leaders.

Hawaiian guitarist Makana, who had previously played at the White House in 2009, was slated to play at the gala. Rather than play his normal routine, Makana decided to make a statement. He opened his suit jacket to reveal a shirt that read “Occupy Aloha.” He then proceeded to play a protest ballad title “We Are the Many,” wherein he blasted corporate lobbyists and called on Americans to occupy “the streets.” He played this protest song for 45 minutes in a room full of the world’s elite.

Here's the song; it's a great political song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq3BYw4xjxE

We Are The Many - Makana - YouTube

[Frustratedlady]

1. This is for real? Surely, the 45 minutes is a typo.

That song should go viral, if it hasn't already.

[LiberalArkie]

4. He said he played it over and over in different ways

[Wwagsthedog]

2. Guy sure has stones!

[LiberalArkie]

3. Yea, big ones

[LiberalArkie]

5. Would someone put this in the video section..

[gateley]

6. Wow. nt

[NYC_SKP]

7. I LOVE that President Obama and the Secret Service Let Makana Play, AWESOME!!!

Makana played the whitehouse in 2009, it's not like they're strangers.

http://takeitpersonally.blogspot.com/2011/11/amazing-triumph-apec-dinner-gala-in.html

:P

..

[slipslidingaway]

9. If the Secret Service had removed him the media probably would have covered...

the incident, and now they are not.

:P

[NYC_SKP]

11. Obama to Makana... "Hey man, play that song you wrote..."

I'll make sure they don't shoot ya!

:P

[EffieBlack]

10. I couldn't believe that the CNN reporters expressed puzzlement that staff or Secret Service

didn't remove the guy - as if that would have been appropriate. And can you imagine the reaction the news media would have had if the White House HAD stopped him from singing?

I guess they're not used to a White House that believes in free speech - even if the speech comes inconvenient times - and doesn't fall all over itself trying to squelch the voice of a harmless singer who calmly and respectfully serenades the President with a protest song.

[Remember Me]

8. I think it's our new ANTHEM!!

Here's my thread, with lyrics:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xq3BYw4xjxE&feature=player_embedded#!