professorpan wrote:Springsteen spoke out at every concert appearance on his tour before the 2003 invasion of Iraq. During every single show, he paused to give what he called his "public service message" about the rush to war, the futility of all war, and how it would be a colossal mistake to invade Iraq.
Good for him. So when can we expect to hear him say it is "a colossal mistake" for Obama to continue that war (not to mention the war in Afghanistan, to say nothing of Obama's very own "surgical strikes" in Pakistan)?
Let me know as soon as it happens, Pan. I mean it. Because that would take actual guts.
He got some boos from the crowd (no, they were not yelling Bruuuuuuce) and he knew it might hurt his sales, but his words were impassioned and real. It took guts, unlike posting on message boards.
...say you, gutsily, on a message board.
I don't give a flying fuck what anyone thinks about his music
So you say. And since you've chosen the vocabulary: I don't give a flying fuck what you think about my opinion of that music. Nor do I think good songwriters write "anti-war songs" that make it sound as if they're wrapped in the flag and longing to bomb Hanoi, or Kabul, or anywhere.
because I don't rely on the validation of others when it comes to what I like to listen to. As Snoop Dogg might say, "Never have, never will." But unlike nearly every other mega-star in popular music, Springsteen has always put his words, energy, and money into causes I believe in.
But that won't stop halfwits who don't know what they're talking about from slandering him. Reason #267 why I can barely even skim the bulk of threads on this board anymore, and why even typing this little screed seems like a waste of time.
Well, Pan, that "little screed" was nothing if not predictable. It's the standard
deeply miffed reaction of any full-witted "liberal" Obama-ite when anyone ventures to takes the shine off his hero. (As Brecht said, pity the land that needs them.)
Talking of guts (or prudence, or canny business sense, or
something), here's more from Anti-War Bruce, he of the guts, he who is convinced (according to you) of "the futility of
all war":
BBC, July 29th 2002:
Springsteen 'backs' war on terror
Bruce Springsteen has reportedly praised the way US President George W Bush handled the "war on terror" after the 11 September attacks.
The veteran rock legend said he had been surprised by the approach to action against the Taleban and al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan after the World Trade Center attacks.
Springsteen made the comments as his album of 11 September-inspired songs was released.The 52-year-old star is well known for supporting liberal causes and his anger at the hijacking of his Vietnam-themed song, Born in the USA, by right-wingers.
But he told The Times: "The war in Afghanistan was handled well.
"It was deliberative, which I wasn't counting on. I expected a lot less from this administration." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2158381.stm
"Deliberative"? Sic. For fuck's sake.
Still, credit where credit's due: the BBC's caption to their accompanying photo is nothing if not laconic:
Springsteen is a well-known liberal
Who could deny it?
"Ich kann gar nicht so viel fressen, wie ich kotzen möchte." - Max Liebermann,, Berlin, 1933
"Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts." - Richard Feynman, NYC, 1966
TESTDEMIC ➝ "CASE"DEMIC