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I didn't say it was universal language- I mainly wanted to focus on the potential negative impact for all of us when we make blanket statements about any one style of music.

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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Hey!  Stop calling Western classical music rigid!  As a classically trained clarinetist who does play jazz and klezmer, I know that it is very unfair to make categorizations about ANY type of music- I've met extremely rigid jazzers who stress more about if their improv sounds "right", and I've performed with some of the most amazingly flexible, supportive classical musicians who took amazing liberties in the music to reflect the mood of the players. 

In fact, while working with a student on a jazz lead sheet- I had my colleauge next door, a jazz prof,  barge into our lesson and cry "you're not playing that stylistically correct!"  Never had that happen with one of my classical colleagues. 

Please stop making statements that define classical music as anything else but emotionally satisfying, expressive music which reflects human feelings and life- hey, much like jazz!!! 

posted 2 years, 3 months ago
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thank you. If we have 5 kids or young adults victims of trafficking....it is too many, and we need to do something.  For God's sake, if I find a stray dog - I know EXACTLY what to do, and there are resources!  We don't have a shelter or resources to help these folks get out, or laws to truly prosecute the offenders?? As Doug said, we need to get our heads out of the sand.

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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why do you think it's impossible for there to be 2000?  Have you been on 82nd at 1am on a hot summer evening?  I see young faces, different ones, everytime I drive home from work.  That's just one street. 

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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I live near 82nd and I see it almost daily.  I learned that young girls are being trafficked in Portland while I was in Mexico City in 2003- my young daughter and I were in a difficult situation and a Good Samaritan helped us out and he proceeded to tell me how girls are sent through Mexico City into cities on the West Coast, especially Portland. 

Three months later I was on the MAX downtown and realized the couple next to me were not father -daughter; his hand placement on her upper thigh told me otherwise.  I kick myself to this day for not calling the police or doing something.  The thing is, when I told my friends about this, almost all of them thought I was either lying or saw it incorrectly.

A month later the young man demonstrating his vacuum cleaner in my living room proudly told me his brother was a pimp in the neighborhood.  I casually stepped outside, got his license number, and called the police.

posted 2 years, 9 months ago
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