The Peace Tapes (Vol. 1): A Video Guide To Peace

Coming on the heels of the 20th anniversary of the Woodstock festival, this is a timely remembrance of things past, as well as a consumer survival kit for lobbying for peace. In interviews, Country Joe McDonald and Richie Havens recall the power of Woodstock, while Abbie Hoffman discusses the pivotal 1968 Democratic Convention. Spiritual leader Ram Dass and Grateful Dead-member Bob Weir talk about their respective work in the field. Throughout, footage from the more turbulent events of the '60s (as well as some of the non-violent triumphs) is presented with explanatory narration. One wonderful vintage 1968 TV clip features the Smothers Brothers and actor George Segal performing the caustically humorous "Draft Dodger's Rag" (one of the key reasons they were later cancelled.) The second half of the program is a dove's smorgasbord: a host of social, political, and environmental organizations from Greenpeace to the North Wind Undersea Institute are profiled. One such, Howie Samuelson's "Earth Network", is creating low-budget videos covering a whole range of subjects, which they are giving away free. The sample program shown was a clever piece on recycling. There are also instructions for writing your congressperson, as well as an excellent visual explanation of how to vote. The program concludes with a listing of all the organizations discussed, along with a statement of their mission, address, and phone number. It's been awhile, but with an excellent program such as this, peace may be making a comeback in the near future. Highly recommended. (Available from: