I Got A Retro Feel: How Innocent Hobbies are No Longer Safe

[Archerfish]

Well, since this is going to show that I am a newbie here, I expect to be smacked for general cluelessness.

Anyway, I was perusing some websites regarding one of the hobbies I enjoy (Watching Japanese animation - anime.) when I stumbled upon a link to the following website:

Voices for Peace

Which is publicizing a war protest album which, judging from the list, seems entirely filled with songs from the Vietnam era:

War Pigs

Eve of Destruction

War Again

For What It's Worth

Masters of War

Sunday Bloody Sunday

War, One Tin Soldier

Blowin' in the Wind

Fortunate Son

Where Have All the Flowers Gone

Now all of these songs are being covered by some fairly well-known (To the anime community.) voice actors and actresses. While the list of charities benefiting from the album seems relatively unexceptional if on the left side of the scale - CARE, Doctors Without Borders and the Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust - the very idea of them using war protest (Or peace-now.) songs seems...well, rather disconcerting.

While I have always expected that my favorite performers have their own opinions, I always seem to be surprised when those opinions manifest themselves. But in this case, the fact that we seem to have a "Return to the 70s!" vibe going on with this project, lead me to wonder if I can ever really enjoy any hobby without having to wonder if the people involved in that hobby intend to shove their political views in my face when I don't want to see it. This album is very different from commenting about your opinions in an interview...

And that implication that the GWOT/Iraq = Vietnam...Well, to begin, do they really know how Vietnam ended...?

Archerfish

[Supernatural]

They forgot "Ohio" by CSNY.

[Darkwolf377]

There's a history of protest art and music, so that's not the problem. What bugs me is as you point out, this whole "70's vibe" going on. It's like their only point of reference is something that happened to them as kids or their older brothers and sisters got laid and did good drugs in the "Vietnam era" and they want to buy some street cred by covering those songs.

Rock is dead, long live PC pop.

[Jeff Head]

Either ignore their anti-war, anti-American drivel and keep with the hobby, realizing they may have talent in one area and be clueless in another, or find animation performers who are more in line with conservatism (if there are any)...or if it bothers you to be giving them money with which they make these asinine comparisons...get a new hobby and vote with your feet and your wallet.

In short, perhaps consider taking up shooting as a hobby. It is really wuite enjoyable and one day it could save your life.

[Jeff Head]

BTW, welcome to FreeRepublic!

[laney]

Just thought I would check in here for a minute since I read this post I am now more confused, long weekend I guess
Maybe I just need more sunshine for it to makes sense?

Anyways if they let ya hang out long enough..Welcome to FR...

[darkwing104]

Protest songs and Anime...Just don't mix...

Welcome to the FR!

[laney]

Have to respond..Rock is dead???hardly, the Stones made more money last year than any Cheesey POP group....

Country music and a few solo artists are the only musicians worth a darn in today's music...

Classic Rock is yesterday's rock today's rock and tomorrow's rock...:)

[The_Reader_David]

???!

The only connnection I'd ever found between anime and the Vietnam war was Blood: the Last Vampire (which I didn't think was very good--I mean the animation was great, but the 'plot' was so thin as to be pathetic).

[strategofr]

"Either ignore their anti-war, anti-American drivel and keep with the hobby, realizing they may have talent in one area and be clueless in another,"

I wouldn't have a problem with this EXCEPT, I cannot imagine that their cartoons are not drenched with the effects of their political affiliation.

In this case, it may not seem like leftist causes being promoted in the cartoons so much as a love of death---elevated to a level of "art". That love of death is part of the Left.

[DGray]

Just FYI, "Sunday Bloody Sunday" is not about Vietnam. It's about the Northern Ireland situation and the title refers to a specific incident which took place in 1972: Bloody Sunday history from the BBC.

[steve8714]

Sunday bloody Sunday is about Ireland, isn't it?

[Rebelbase]

Long live PC pop? I didn't know you were a Michael Jackson fan.

[Darkwolf377]

Have to respond..Rock is dead???hardly, the Stones made more money last year than any Cheesey POP group....

So that's the proof rock is alive and kicking, that bunch of corpses raked in a ton of cash from old fogies like me?

The whole idea of a "rock" show in a stadium is anti-rock. Your point is making MY point--that ain't rock, it's more like a Vegas act.

Country music and a few solo artists are the only musicians worth a darn in today's music...

I thought you just said rock wasn't dead.

Classic Rock is yesterday's rock today's rock and tomorrow's rock...:)

An art form that isn't creating new, vibrant work is dead.

[Darkwolf377]

Long live PC pop? I didn't know you were a Michael Jackson fan.

If you couldn't tell that was sarcasm after the previous paragraph in the post, I have to wonder if you're a Celine (yurk!) Dion fan. ;)

OK, that was below the belt, sorry...

[Rebelbase]

I'd rather lay claim to Celine Dion than Micheal Jackson.

[laney]

Look at Carlos Santana he is able to assist other artists that come and go with a hit record, he is a Classic Rocker that has talent to keep coming back with new tunes every 1o years, many like him that started off in some smokey bar.

[Darkwolf377]

Wow, lighten up, man. You're the one with Michael Jackson on the brain, while at least I was thinking about a woman ;).

[Lurker]

Of course he could always 'take up' the anime hobby himself (or herself as the case may be) and write something more in tune with his or her own politics.

Oh, and good advice about taking up shooting. That's nearly always to be recommended. **grin**

L

[Darkwolf377]

Look at Carlos Santana he is able to assist other artists that come and go with a hit record, he is a Classic Rocker that has talent to keep coming back with new tunes every 1o years, many like him that started off in some smokey bar.

I don't quite understand the point here. Santana had one massive hit record that was mostly due to riding on the talents of those with one hit record. Check out his sales from the mid-seventies till then.

His stuff is more pop-rock than rock, anyway. I don't know too many people who rock down to Santana, though I know lots of people who have him in their "world music" rotation.