PHIL OCHS

The final story, the final chapter of western man, I believe, lies in Los Angeles.

Leaving America is like losing twenty pounds and finding a new girlfriend.

Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make the attempt. That's morality, that's religion, that's art, that's life.

In such ugly times, the only true protest is beauty.

There is an urgent need for Americans to look deeply into themselves and their actions, and musical poetry is perhaps the most effective mirror available. Every newspaper headline is a potential song.

When they show the destruction of society on color TV, I want to be able to look out over Los Angeles and make sure they get it right.

Does defending liberalism leave you friendless and perhaps wondering about your breath?

God isn't dead - he's just missing in action.

Step outside the guidelines of the official umpires and make your own rules and your own reality.

The fortunes of the entire world may well ride on the ability of young Americans to face the responsibilities of an old America gone mad.

And if there's any hope for America, it lies in a revolution, and if there's any hope for a revolution in America, it lies in getting Elvis Presley to become Che Guevara.

It is wrong to expect a reward for your struggles. The reward is the act of struggle itself, not what you win.

A protest song is a song that's so specific that you cannot mistake it for bullshit.

It's always the old to lead us to the war It's always the young to fall Now look at all we've won with the sabre and the gun Tell me is it worth it all.

One good song with a message can bring a point more deeply to more people than a thousand rallies.

In every political community there are varying shades of political opinion. One of the shadiest of these is the liberals. An outspoken group on many subjects. Ten degrees to the left of center in good times. Ten degrees to the right of center if it affects them personally. Here, then, is a lesson in safe logic.

Yet she's only as rich as the poorest of the poor Only as free as a padlocked prison door Only as strong as our love for this land Only as tall as we stand!

The only way to Cuba is with the CIA.

I'm gonna give all I've got to giveCross my heart, and I hope to live.

The Yippie demonstrations were merely an attack of mental disobedience on an obediently insane society... and if you feel you have been living in an unreal world for the last couple of years, it is particularly because this power structure has refused to listen to reason... Step outside the guidelines of the official umpires and make your own rules and your own reality.

The people who carried the burden, who marked in strange field in search of an answer, and ended their journeys an unwilling hero.

Comfort his family with a telegram, we regret to inform you we lost a man, but we gave him the highest medal of the land.

Maybe we should raise our voices, ask somebody why. But demonstrations are a drag, besides we're much too high.

I can spare a dime, brother, but in these morally inflationary times, a dime goes a lot farther if it's demanding work rather than adding to the indignity of relief.

Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt.