If you agree with the oldtimers whoare concerned that Larry is selling out, the theme for next year is probably more marketable.

there are possibilities here....

lets go back in time... what was the original american dream? maybe further back, pre-contact... what dream did the NATIVE americans have? what dream can we come up with that'll spark change - ignite the revolution, so to speak?

does not have to be the politically charged theme it appears to be... does not have to mean we all toss up or white picket fences, put sparky the dog on the lawn, have 2.5 kids, etc......

maybe we take this theme and roll hard with it... so hard that we take the reality of today's world and keep running with it.... make the american dream what it COULD BE if we dont knock it off.... then we have the american NIGHTMARE.......

ruminate on this theme a bit.... there are possibilities here.......

I like the theme... I also like that they clarified it wasn't just thoughtless flag waving patriotism... that the american dream is more than that, and should be thought provoking...

The Dream has changed a lot over the years... I liked the american indian thoughts above... and the 1950's white picket fence... but don't forget the lines of "The New Colossus," by Emma Lazarus, written for and inscribed on the base of the statue of liberty. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free; send these, the homeless tempest-tossed, to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door."

It is such a broad topic, it has a ton of potential...

If burning man goes commericial - they'll loose so much it probably won't be worth going ... interesting thought... what would spring up to replace it...

Jack

The meaning and value of America's culture is SOOO different depending on your background. I am an immigrant. My parents arrived in Sunnyvale in 1960 with two kids, $1,000.00, some real fears and a lot of hope. We left Indonesia and later the Netherlands for a place that promised and soon delivered the opportunity to do more than merely survive.

My parents grew up in places where soldiers show up at your door to send you to concentration camp and when they can't find you they send your brother instead. Where at 5 years old, they keep your entire family under house arrest for three years because your skin is too light! And this is in addition to all of the usual oppression of women and poor people in general.

As spoiled as I am, I really appreciate this opportunity to celebrate America in a whole new Burning way!

StillJill