FR EXCLUSIVE: Springsteen Called For Impeachment of President Bush at DC Concert

Kristinn | September 13, 2003 | Krsitinn via Angelwood

[MrLeRoy]

I was wrong---it's an oldie by Moon Mullican, covered a few years ago by Nick Lowe.

[ArneFufkin]

That tune was covered by Nick Lowe on "Rose of England" ... that's where I heard it.

But, it was written by three rockabilly guys back in the 50s: Buck Trail/Henry Glover/Somebody Innis.

I think the first artist to do this tune was a hillbilly artist named Moon Mullican.

[ArneFufkin]

Oops, we're five minutes late with each other~! LOL

Bryan Adams and a bunch of others did a cover of this as well as Lowe (I have the "Basher" CD and there's a great sendup of the tune on that CD). I hope they play it in Milwaukee.

[Youngblood]

I'll give you anti-police but I think you will find Springsteen held a number of fundraisers for the FDNY after September 11.

Anti-police? I think some people here should take the time to listen to American Skin or read the lyrics.

41 Shots/Cut through the night/You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule/praying for his life

Is it a gun/ Is it a knife/ Is it a wallet/ This is your life/ It ain't no secret/ The secret my friend is you can get killed just for living in your American Skin

Those words are hardly accusing the involved officers of callous brutality. Sounds to me more like he's lamenting the society in general where such a climate of fear, distrust and misunderstanding can put police and civilians in those tragic situations. I thought the NYPD misunderstood the song. However, they had a valid point about the song resurrecting the whole controversy several months after it had died down. That's my opinion anyway.

As to the main topic, despite being a huge fan, I think, joke or not, Bruce made a mistake with the "impeach" issue. His politics are well known and he's entitled to his views, but why spoil what was apparently a highly-entertaining show for many of his fans who think the President is doing a fine job? What did he hope to gain? Surely he knew that none of his conservative fans would be amused. Maybe he wants the publicity, but considering how tightly his organization is reputed to control his image and propaganda, I fail to see why he would risk such a move. Even presuming it was a stupid joke, surely he knew the likely reaction in Washington, of all places?

Finally, I've noticed several people accusing him of being anti-military because of Born in the USA. Again, I think that people are misunderstanding the song. The lyrics tell, in the first person, the story of a poor guy sent to 'Nam, losing a brother there and coming home to a society that was hostile to him, a man who had fought for his country. He wasn't slamming the soldiers in that song, but the society that didn't look after these men, just because they served their country in an unpopular war that was lost.

[Jorge]

I think its time to impeach Bruce Springstein from his high horse. Just who in the hell does he think he is?

Springstein is an aging over-rated loser. I haven't found any of his music worth buying. And his political rap is no better.

[WilliamD]

It is unfortunate that in a society such as yours, where free speech is entrenched in your constitution, that whenever someone says something the least bit controversial that disagrees with your positions you're ready to lynch them. So much for freedom of speech.

Did Bruce say what is reported? Damn right. Was the tone of the pronouncement made with any seriousness? Not that I could tell, but it was in line with his position.
He's not been shy about his position visa-vis your government's actions in Iraq. He was however supportive of the action against Afghanistan, but then you don't say that in your editorial do you? Not surprising.

Perhaps if you were to look at yourselves(and this is addressed to those posting the virtol that I've read here) you'd find that you really don't have a clue. You're just blindly following whoever's in charge - exactly what Bruce is against.

The current administration is running your country into the ground and you supposed 'free Republicans' aren't even questioning what's going on. Yeah, 9/11 was a horrific event but with all your military might you've not even caught the man ultimately responsible. The Taliban are once again making inroads in Afghanistan. You invade Iraq against the wishes of the world because of supposed WMDs (which didn't exist and don't) and you still can't find Hussein.

Maybe you need to realize that being the top dog comes with a price, that the cost of being a 'free' nation isn't cheap. There are always going to be those who feel that they've been wronged. Maybe your administration needs to wake up to the new realities and understand that with the fall of the Iron Curtain that there are now a lot of little people wanting to give you a bloody nose. Well Bin Laden did a good job and he's still laughing at you.

It isn't all black and white. It isn't either for or against. Understand the world outside your borders and maybe, just maybe you'll get it. But I doubt it. Some people are just too stupid for their own good. I dream of a compassionate USA. Maybe the next adminstration will think likewise.

[dead]

It is unfortunate that in a society such as yours, where free speech is entrenched in your constitution, that whenever someone says something the least bit controversial that disagrees with your positions you're ready to lynch them. So much for freedom of speech.

Please point me to the calls for a lynching. Free speech applies to all citizens of this nation, even those who don’t happen to be celebrities. You obviously feel that they have the right to say anything they wish, and they do. What your feeble mind fails to grasp is that other Americans have the right to vocally disagree with them. That’s what makes America great.

You invade Iraq against the wishes of the world

I guess the governments of Great Britain, Australia, Italy, Poland, etc. don’t count. Nor, apparently, does the opinions of three quarters of the Iraqi people, who are thankful that they no longer live under a tyranny people like you supported. France does not have sole ownership of “the wishes of the world.”

because of supposed WMDs (which didn't exist and don't)

With all due respect, you’re a blathering idiot. Unless you have access to more information than Kofi Annan, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Hans Blix, Jacques Chirac, Al Gore, and the entire UN Security Council – all of whom have noted that those weapons existed and were never accounted for. In fact, you might want to try selling your “the weapons didn’t exist” theory to the Kurds Hussein murdered with those “imaginary” weapons.

Maybe your administration needs to wake up to the new realities and understand that with the fall of the Iron Curtain that there are now a lot of little people wanting to give you a bloody nose.

Yes, there will always be pissant little bastards with a grudge based on jealousy and envy. It’s not all that big burden for us to carry. We don’t share your predilection for whinging.

Well Bin Laden did a good job and he's still laughing at you.

Yeah, I’m sure he’s having a real hoot. Have you noticed the world hasn’t seen hide nor hair of your hero since sometime before an American air raid on the Tora Bora mountains of Afghanistan in December 2001?

Understand the world outside your borders and maybe, just maybe you'll get it.

I’m sorry that your little corner of the world hasn’t grasped the US’s attention. We simply don’t have the time or inclination to learn the not-so-fascinating ins and outs of every little global backwater. You’ll just have to get over that. We don’t ask that you learn anything about America either. We can’t help it if you’re all addicted to crappy Hollywood movies and McDonald’s hamburgers. It’s not our fault we’re so freaking irresistable.

I dream of a compassionate USA.

You’re still typing, aren’t you?

Maybe the next adminstration will think likewise.

Nah, Jeb’s just like his brother.