A post for Super Joel Tornabene.

[byronius]

One of the original Diggers serving his nation alongside Abbie, he was the inventor of the Flower Bomb and the subject of the iconic photograph that inspired so many to activism, in which he is confronting the armed National Guard with daisies when you could get killed confronting the National Guard, period.

His sister told me he died of AIDS sometime in the 80's, and that he was a dedicated tree-freer who would often liberate corporate concrete-bound trees and replant them in better places.

I consider him an American hero. I thought he deserved his own post, irrelevant to current events as it might seem to some. To me, it's utterly relevant.

[byronius]

1. A link --

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_power

[RVN VET]

2. What a contrast to Kent State

But looking back, I really commend the Guards officers for maintaining discipline during these confrontations.

At Kent State, not so much -- the Ohio Guard moved onto campus with fixed bayonets. I don't know that they were told to fire and stab at will, but they sure as hell felt that if they did, Command would look the other way. And the proto-baggers in those days, validated in their unreasoning hatred by none other than the Vice president, not only were not revolted by the killings on campus. They actually voiced the opinion that the Guard didn't kill enough students!

Makes you wonder what the Vietnam era might have looked like with Butt-pimple Limbaugh and Odious Murdock's propaganda machine in operation?

[Enthusiast]

3. There is no question that the massive propaganda machine

has been a game changer. Propaganda is effective. Look how the media ginned up support for the Iraq War.

[MuseRider]

4. RIP Joel

I never knew his name until now and I am sad to know he has been gone for so many years. That photo meant a lot to me as did all the courageous who planted flowers in the ends of those guns.

[frant]

5. RIP Joel

I want to thank you for your kind words regarding my late brother. I would like to clarify a couple of points that were attributed to one of his sisters, I am one of 5 sisters Joel had. Joel died of AIDS complications in October of 1993, while living in Mexico City. As for his being a 'treefreer', I'm not aware of what that means, however Joel did go on to continue protesting the war and remained an activist for many years. You may be interested in an article by Paul Krassner in the Huffington Post a few years ago, he and Joel both listed as un-indicted co-conspirators during the Chicago 7 trial. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-krassner/tom-waits-meets-superjoel_b_84035.html
Joel was much loved and is very much missed.
Thank you, fran

[MuseRider]

6. Fran.

First let me express my condolences. One of my brothers died of AIDS as well 11 years ago. It is not a good way to die and I am sorry for every family that has to go through that.

Thank you for directing me to the article. I did enjoy it. You brother must have been an amazing young man to have done so much in such a short life. That was a difficult time for so many of us and those who were able and present during most of the action were heros to many of us. I am pleased to know he kept on as an activist.

Thank you so much for contacting me. I am pleased that you saw this and hope it brought good memories. Those memories are so important after such a loss as that of a brother.

[truck smith]

8. Memories of SJ

I was happily surprised to see so much written about Super Joel on the internet. I have a couple of memories I'd like to tell you about. Both take place during the drama around Peoples' Park in 1969. I knew Joel from hanging around Telegraph Avenue with friends, some of whom were Red Rockets. I liked Joel's intensity and willingness to speak his mind and, of course, his great wit.

One day I was sitting in the Med having coffee with Jerry Rubin. Jerry had just said that I was "so together" and how could he be together, too. As I was struggling to answer this absurd question, in walks Joel, who sees Jerry sitting with me and in a loud voice announces that "Jerry Rubin is here! Hey, Jerry!" Rubin, who was quite well-known by this time and was looking to avoid being recognized, jumps up from his chair and scrambles out of the Med. At which point, Joel sits down with me and drinks Jerry's coffee.
[Although Joel was loud and boisterous, as was Jerry, he couldn't bear Jerry's self-importance and self-regard.] Touché, Super Joel.

The other memory is from the mass arrest of Peoples' Park demonstrators in downtown Berkeley. I was arrested in this group and taken to Santa Rita jail where, as you can imagine, the guards just returned from Vietnam had no patience for people like us. Most of us obeyed and kept quiet, but Joel, in his daring way, couldn't resist, well...resisting the guards. They punished him by making him stand next to a post in the mess hall and leaning his head against it. They then beat the other side of the post with their batons. Although it wasn't direct contact with Joel's head, by the time they let him sit down he was bloody. Sadists, but we knew that already.

So, from almost 50 years later, I salute you, Super Joel Tornabene.

Seth

[Agschmid]

9. Welcome to DU.

[Stargleamer]

7. I always thought the guy in this photograph was George Edgerly Harris aka Hibiscus

Wikipedia seems to indicate as much: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_Power_%28photograph%29.

Also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hibiscus_%28entertainer%29

Well, AIDS tragically killed them both.