Here's the part I really like:
"...the only reason I'm singing you this song now is cause you may know somebody in a similar situation, or you may be in a similar situation, and if your in a situation like that there's only one thing you can do and that's walk into/the shrink wherever you are ,just walk in say "Shrink, You can get anything you want, at Alice's restaurant.". And walk out. You know, if one person, just one person does it they may think he's really sick and they won't take him. And if two people, two people do it, in harmony, they may think they're both f*ggots and they won't take either of them. And three people do it, three, can you imagine, three people walking in singin a bar of Alice's Restaurant and walking out. They may think it's an organization. And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day,I said fifty people a day walking in singin a bar of Alice's Restaurant and walking out. And friends they may thinks it's a movement"
The video has embedding turned off, but here's a full version
of the song for your enjoyment. This is Guthrie singing in 2005.
And, finally, nothing is more heartwarming than John Hughes' film "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Few films continually capture my heart and make me laugh hysterically. The sentimental scenes where Dell Griffith (John Candy) is pouring his heart out to Neil Page (Steve Martin) make one understand that some people just need a person they can talk to or have listen to them. Sure, you might end up on a train that breaks down or a bus that doesn't go far enough or in a rental car that eventually catches fire and is deemed unsafe for driving by a police officer that pulls you over but you know that you are likely to make a friend if you just give the person a chance.
Let the Thanksgiving holiday be about friends, family, and singing a bit of "Alice's Restaurant" with a smile or grin on your face. Pile the food you are able to have, be thankful you have food to eat, think about the foodless families this holiday and perhaps commit to doing more to make this world a better place in December and the New Year.
(Also, if Uncle John tries to talk inflation with Glenn Beck tinfoil hat nonsense, don't hesitate to shut Uncle John down with some, I don't know, logic. Religion and politics are supposed to be off-limits at family events. Forget that and have a happy Thanksgiving.)
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