P-Funk @ Red, White & Blue Heroes Ball Misunderstanding

free republic Blog ^ | 1-26-09 | Funkateer

[funkateer]

Wounded Vets Upset at Bush Insult During Vets Inaugural Ball Concert? Publius' Forum ^ | 1/22/09 | Warner Todd Huston

Posted on 01/22/2009 8:18:41 AM PST by Mobile Vulgus

While performing at the inaugural ball honoring America's military veterans, some wounded vets are reported to have walked out on funk Musician George Clinton over a perceived on stage insult to George W. Bush. (Seen here in his mugshot from his 2003 arrest for possession of cocaine)

The Washington Times is reporting that during the Heroes Red, White and Blue Inaugural Ball a white towel with the word "[Expletive] GEORGE" spelled out on it was displayed by band members of George Clinton and the P. Funk All-Stars.

Some veterans felt the display was an insult to George W. Bush, and one band member quickly pulled the sign down when it was noticed that wounded vets were leaving in disgust. Band members denied that the sign was any reference to the President and said that it was supposed to be a sign to their own band leader, George Clinton.

Read the rest at Publiusforum.com...

[funkateer]

I am a member of George Clinton's band, P-Funk, and I'd like to clear up a huge misunderstanding. The sign "F*** George" is directed at George Clinton, and has appeared in our show for a very long time, not just at the Heroes Ball. It has NOTHING to do with George Bush. You can look at live footage and see that sign in every show going back at least 18 months. The guy who holds up the sign is playing the part of "Sir Nose", who is a hater, but who is eventually cured of his hatred by the music. He appears in a comic book included in a P-Funk record from the 70's. I can see how a person who is unfamiliar with P-Funk story lines, and unfamiliar with the show could easily think the George being referred to is Bush, but that is simply wrong. Please remember that we VOLUNTEERED to perform at the Red White and Blue Ball, and we sincerely appreciate the military personnel who have sacrificed so much for our country. Although we are know for our anti-establishment ideas and liberal thinking, like "One Nation Under A Groove", and we might not like Bush, we are not THAT crazy!! If you don't believe it, you have more in common with Sir Nose than any of us do!! Peace and Love to Everyone - No Exceptions!!

[cweese]

Perhaps you might change the sign to “F*** Clinton” and see how far that gets ya.

[raybbr]

The sign "F*** George" is... Low class in my opinion regardless to whom it refers.

[dawn53]

Good point. They can explain it away, but I’ve seen too many crude signs, bumper stickers, etc. with reference to GWB to believe the part of the sign in their show isn’t meant to portray their attitude toward
GWB.

[lefty-lie-spy]

Thanks for the explanation. I like your grooves. In fact I met an old bass player for P-Funk when I lived in Hong Kong in 1999. I think his name was Sonny or somesuch. He had a kicking blues band at a hotel bar in Kowloon.

It certainly was an ignorant insensitive, disrespectful oversight to display such a banner at that event though, as there is only one interpretation that people not familiar with the tour could possibly take it for.

I hope you stick around FR and make some new FRiends here. Peace out.

[nuconvert]

It makes more sense that the sign originated as a double entendre, and having used it in your act for 18 months - which by the way is NOT “a very long time” - you all overlooked it.

It was nice of you to volunteer to entertain our veterans.

[jackofhearts]

“Perhaps you might change the sign to “F*** Clinton” and see how far that gets ya.”

...point taken. Case closed.

[cmsgop]

My God, a member of P-Funk posting on Free Republic, now I've seen it all.......

Thanks for the explanation, your good peeps, I'll "Stomp " now......:*)

[jellybean]

I have no idea who P-Funk or George Clinton are, but lets get one thing straight - FREE REPUBLIC IS NOT A BLOG!

[nuconvert]

btw - I haven’t followed the band over the yrs,...what happened to The Funkadelics?

[Bahbah]

It’s nice of you to make the effort to clear that up.

[1rudeboy]

My God, a member of P-Funk posting on Free Republic, now I've seen it all . . . .

One Nation under a groove!

[1rudeboy]

Thank you for agreeing to perform in the first place. I suggest remembering the lesson you learned: it's one thing to perform your music in front of an audience that is familiar with your material, and another thing to perform your music in front of an audience that is not.

That's all I really take from this . . . and it happens everywhere . . . in comedy, in writing, in speaking, in music . . . .

[Gosh I love this neighborhood]

Perhaps you might change the sign to “F*** Clinton” and see how far that gets ya.

Very good point. I would like to see that!

[gate2wire]

Well, thank you and the group for entertaining our troops.

Just curious, did you all ever volunteer to entertain the troops during Pres. Bush’s admin?

[usmcobra]

IBTZ

[CAluvdubya]

Wow, first time I've ever heard of a band member up this early on a Sunday morning!

I'm with whomever said, "Did you ever volunteer for the troops under George Bush's term?"

[philman_36]

It's Sir Nose D'Voidoffunk! No worries, I'll shoot him with my Bop Gun. Dr. Funkenstein

As an average white guy, well over 40 now, I was turned on to funk at the tender age of 16 by my older brother and all I can say is...
We need the funk!
(and funk is still way better than hip hop...in my opinion)

Man, you guys got some grande huevos stepping into the lion's den to air it out. Kudos to you, George and the rest of the band for doing this. Some will understand and some won't and you're just going to have to accept it.

[silverleaf]

LOL! There ya go!

[VirginiaMom]

The sign had NO place at the event you were playing...no matter who it was referring to. Very, very poor taste and low class to boot.

VirginiaMom