John Mellencamp Attacks President Bush In Open Letter

Launch.Yahoo.com ^ | 10/21/03

[veronica]

John Mellencamp has lashed out at President George W. Bush and America's foreign policy. In an open letter he co-wrote with his wife Elaine, Mellencamp blasts the powers that be for demonizing as "anti-American and unpatriotic" anyone who questions the policies of the U.S. government and the war in Iraq. Mellencamp uses words and phrases like "systematically lied to," "the political 'hijacking' of Iraq," "this misadventure," and "the globe's leading bully.

Arrogant and thoughtless" to describe the current situation, before writing, "Now, each day, as the dust settles and the truth slowly surfaces, more and more people come to the inevitable conclusion of what a debacle this whole war was."

Mellencamp adds, "The word 'Democracy' means literally 'by the people.' This is the basis of our government and society. It is what this country was founded upon and what makes us American. It is not just our 'right' but also our duty to speak out and voice our thoughts and opinions. How, then, was it possible that, in the land of freedom, those who opposed the common opinion were called...'un-American?' Resentfully, we wonder...This nation was founded to enable freedom and diversity of opinion, and many lives have been lost to secure that liberty. Paradoxically, some still resist the open mindedness that is the very foundation of this country."

Mellencamp also questions the negative reception of "To Washington," which is on his latest album, Trouble No More. He writes, "The song 'To Washington' was met with criticism and was labeled an anti-war song. That was not at all the case or intention--it was merely a report of the political climate." He adds that as his family travels the country, they speak with people everywhere to find out how they're feeling, which greatly influenced the song: "The lyrics of 'To Washington' are not just a personal opinion, but also the view from a very wide horizon."

Mellencamp told LAUNCH that "To Washington" wasn't a direct indictment, just a reflection of what he saw going on in America. "This song was written long before we went to war, and everything in that song you could probably have read in any newspaper or magazine, like Newsweek or Time, at the particular time that I was writing that song," Mellencamp said. "I didn't make any of that stuff up--it was all in the newspapers, which is the tradition of a lot of folk songs."

Mellencamp ends the letter by suggesting that people should learn a lesson from the recent election in California: "The Governor of California was removed from office based on finance troubles. And yet George W. Bush has lied to us, failed to keep our own borders secure, entered a war under false pretense, endangered lives, and created financial chaos. How is it that he hasn't been recalled?...The fight for freedom in this country has been long, painful, and ongoing. It is time to take back our country. Take it back from political agendas, corporate greed, and overall manipulation. It is time to take action here in our land, in our own schools, neighborhoods, farms, and businesses. We have been lied to and terrorized by our own government, and it is time to take action. Now is the time to come together."

Here is the full text of "An Open Letter From John & Elaine Mellencamp":

"As the echo of the war drums fades away and the angry masses calling for blood slowly disperse, we as a nation must now confront the truth. We face the unpleasant reality of an uncertain future, compromised safety, a failing economy, and the question of how a society of otherwise reasonable citizens was systematically lied to and manipulated into backing the political 'hijacking' of Iraq.

"Before a single bomb was ever dropped, some of us, formerly called the 'anti-American and unpatriotic,' have questioned or opposed this war. Now, each day, as the dust settles and the truth slowly surfaces, more and more people come to the inevitable conclusion of what a debacle this whole war was.

"Thirty-nine-thousand bombs later, no weapons of mass destruction uncovered, no dangerous dictators captured, no connection to September 11th. What have we gained but relentless media coverage of a fallen statue and some stolen oil fields--the spoils of this misadventure. Not to mention lucrative corporate payoffs and an enormous price tag of over $80 Billion...some tax cut.

"But what have we lost? We have lost the lives of over 300 Americans. Approximately two U.S. troop deaths each day, 193 deaths since the war was declared over. In total, an estimated 20,000 people have died, thus far, in this conflict.

"In addition to the lives given for this effort, our nation has suffered the loss of respect within the world community, particularly the United Nations. We have managed to squander any goodwill we once had to now succeed in solidifying our image as the globe's leading bully. Arrogant and thoughtless.

"The word Democracy means literally 'by the people.' This is the basis of our government and society. It is what this country was founded upon and what makes us American. It is not just our 'right' but also our duty to speak out and voice our thoughts and opinions. How, then, was it possible that, in the land of freedom, those who opposed the common opinion were called...'un-American?' Resentfully, we wonder.

The song 'To Washington' was met with criticism and was labeled an anti-war song. That was not at all the case or intention--it was merely a report of the political climate, in the age-old tradition of the troubadour spreading the news through song and story. Professionally, we, the Mellencamps, have the opportunity to travel extensively, and we take full advantage of that by talking to, listening to, and experiencing the diversity our vast country has to offer. The lyrics of 'To Washington' are not just a personal opinion, but also the view from a very wide horizon.

Who is to say what is or isn't 'patriotic?' Do the flags that wave from every minivan really offer any support? Where is the support for the thousands of servicemen and women who return to the states to see their benefits cut, their health problems ignored, their jobs gone, and their families living in poverty? How are they repaid for their efforts, for risking or losing their lives? So far, dismally.

"This nation was founded to enable freedom and diversity of opinion, and many lives have been lost to secure that liberty. Paradoxically, some still resist the open mindedness that is the very foundation of this country.

"The Governor of California was removed from office based on finance troubles. And yet George W. Bush has lied to us, failed to keep our own borders secure, entered a war under false pretense, endangered lives, and created financial chaos. How is it that he hasn't been recalled? Perhaps this time we could even have a real election...but that wouldn't fit the Bush administration's 'take what you want and fire people later' policy. Take an election; take an oil field; take advantage of your own people--a game of political Three-Card Monte.

"The fight for freedom in this country has been long, painful, and ongoing. It is time to take back our country. Take it back from political agendas, corporate greed, and overall manipulation. It is time to take action here in our land, in our own schools, neighborhoods, farms, and businesses. We have been lied to and terrorized by our own government, and it is time to take action. Now is the time to come together."

[sultan88]

We really need to start an "88 Club"

OK, so far we got 88Keys, DJ88, Warhead W-88, Rocky88, Smith288, MJY1288, gg188, cherry_bomb88, and sultan88. Who have I missed?

[suzyq5558]

HEHE! you just never know:0

[Defender2]

Great, more PLASTIC PEOPLE(Mellencamp, Streisand, etc.) opening their trash traps!!!! Enough already, pull a johnny depp(not capitolised on purpose) and move your socialists/communists/terrorists loving *ss to france!!!!

[Kay Soze]

Whats at stake is well beyond the grasp of Mr Mellencamp's 8th grade education.

[BattleFlag]

Open letter to John Mellencamp.



John, I want you to know that this evening a CD of yours gave me the first and only pleasure it ever has. It was one of your more forgettable efforts which came to me as a result of not getting the "dated" card back into the music club by the specified date. It is the only one of your works I own in any format.

I didn't do this because I don't think you should speak what is on your mind, by all means speak as loud and long as you wish.

I didn't do it to in some small way, impede the financial success and support you have enjoyed from people all across the political spectrum.

I didn't do it because of your obvious indifference to the values and strongly held beliefs of those who put money in your pockets.

Nothing as lofty as all this...

I did it because if and when I ever cue this CD up again I really don't think I will be able to stomach listening to a loud mouthed punk who's declining popularity and talent have caused him to obtain notice the only way he can and that is by pandering to the lefist media and preaching to the leftist choir.

Ken

[Question_Assumptions]

Too bad. It sounded like he was just starting to get it before 9/11...

Peaceful World, John Mellencamp

Come on baby take a ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is as cool as can be
In a peaceful world

People know this world is a wreck
We're sick and tired of being politically correct
If I see through it now but I didn't at first
The hypocrites made it worse and worse
Lookin' down their noses at what people say
These are just words and words are okay
It's what you do and not what you say
If you're not part of the future then get out of the way

Come on baby take a ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world

Racism lives in the U.S. today
Better get hip to what Martin Luther King had to say
I don't want my kids being brought up this way
Hatred to each other is not okay
Well I'm not a preacher just a singer son
But I can see more work to be done
It's what you do and not what you say
If you're not part of the future then get out of the way

Come on baby take a ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world

The money's good and the work is okay
Looks like everything is rollin our way
"Til you gotta look the devil in the eye
You know that bastard's one big lie
So be careful with your heart and what you love
Make sure that it was sent from above
It's what you do and not what you say
If you're not part of the future then get out of the way

Come on baby take a ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world

Lay back the top and ride with me
I'm up from Indiana down to Tennessee
Everything is cool as can be
In a peaceful world

Hey yeah
Hey yeah
Hey yeah
Hey yeah

John, you aren't part of the future. Take your own advice. Get out of the way.

[Grampa Dave]

PJ O'Rourke's, "All the Trouble in the World"

The lighter side of overpopulation, famine, ecological disaster, ethnic hatred and poverty. The book is available in paper back and is a great one.

[faithincowboys]

I really don't remember him having a cogent dissent to this war before it all went down, by the way, his idiot friend, John Edwards voted for the War. The only person this idiot can vote for is Dean, if he says he is for Kerry or Edwards or Clark he is full of it. The only "serious" candidate that has been against the war from the word go is Dean.

[uglybiker]

I think that was by David Bowie.

See post #54

[ravinson]

It is not just our 'right' but also our duty to speak out and voice our thoughts and opinions. How, then, was it possible that, in the land of freedom, those who opposed the common opinion were called...'un-American?'

So Johnny the ex-Cougar believes that has the right and the duty to call George Bush a liar and a terrorist for toppling a ruthless dictator but Johnny doesn't think it should be possible for anyone to call him "un-American" for doing so. Johnny, you're a sophomoric hypocrite with a tired act.

[america-rules]

John Mellencamp sued Bush in 2000 for using one of his songs !

He's been a Lefty all along :)

[Landru]

"Who is John Mellencamp, and why should I listen to him or care what he says? Seriously, who is he??"

HA!!!
I'd only just begun reading the 150+ comments & it sure didn't take long before I hit #4, the first question which sufficiently answers the only question concerning *the* motivatation behind the puny moron sudden appearence.

The question's of course, "Just what is Mellentramp's babbling really all about?"

Well fqued since you've never been introduced, meet John Cougar Mellencamp. (Grrrrrr)

John was once a musician & like most others of the times, John possessed a modicum of talent.
So while he may have been (at times) entertaining, he was also absolutely *clueless* about most everything outside music, too.
When John *did* venture outside his area of "expertise" say on matters of politics et al?
He quickly morphed into the biggest-smallest boor one could possibly imagine; of course, *unbeknownst* to John & his drug addled brain.

Nevertheless John attained a brief -- albeit shortlived -- run of popularity, mostly amoung our pop culture's prepubescent crowd of yesteryear, cica 1985-89.

Here fifteen years later we're all hearing from "Little John" once again & on matters he hasn't any more a clue now than he did then.
What this means is that it's finally dawned on John his time in the limelight represented little more than a "flash in the pan."
But what has certainly had to represent an even darker epiphany for this *little* egomaniacal hasbeen has just got to be the reality there're people [like you] who sincerely don't know -- nevermind care -- *who* hell he is!!
Yessiree Bob, he's just another Minnie Pearl now days, in the scheme of things.

~sigh~
Yea, appears no one told John growin' old ain't for sissies.

And here's a little more *trivia* about John that'll help you come to know "who" JCM really is, as a person.
John Cougar Mellencamp was [much] better known by a *pet name* given him by those who had to work closely with him during his haydays & as such, knew him best.
John's *friends*..

They called him, "The Little Bastard" :o)

...oy vey. {g}

[bushfamfan]

Make sure you mail them to him too. Get the message across. He's out of my cd case too.

[joanie-f]

Your rant here was a classic – among your best ever.

>>> So while he may have been (at times) entertaining, he was also absolutely *clueless* about most everything outside music, too. <<<

Okay, Dan. Here’s a challenge for us all. Let’s make a two-column list – the left (how apropos) side entitled ‘modern professional musicians who have no clue about anything outside of music,’ and the right side entitled ‘modern professional musicians who know at least a little about non-musical things.’

I won’t bore you with my list, except to tell you that the left side has maybe 2,793 entries (give or take a Springsteen or two) -- dominated by rockers and folk musicians, and the right side contains Ted Nugent, Toby Keith, and Lee Greenwood. (If you can think of any more entries for the paltry right side, please let me know. Maybe we can bring that side’s total up to five or more, if we think real hard.)

~ joanie

P.S. The titles of the two sides of the list are admittedly a bit misleading, since the majority of modern American musicians know little or nothing about music either. But entitling that left column ‘modern professional (purported) musicians who have no clue about anything outside of cacophony/dissonance/noise/decadence/vulgarity/conformity’ kinda smacked of overkill. :)

[Landru]

"Here’s a challenge for us all."

HA!!
Some challenge.
Ya like shooting fish in a barrel, don'tcha. {g}

"Let’s make a two-column list – the left (how apropos) side entitled ‘modern professional musicians who have no clue about anything outside of music,’ and the right side entitled ‘modern professional musicians who know at least a little about non-musical things.’"

I do believe you've proposed doing something called a "Ben Franklin," joanie.
Yup, used for those who can't make up their minds.
Means you're misapplying the technique (in this instance), y'know.

"I won’t bore you with my list, except to tell you that the left side has maybe 2,793 entries (give or take a Springsteen or two) -- dominated by rockers and folk musicians, and the right side contains Ted Nugent, Toby Keith, and Lee Greenwood. (If you can think of any more entries for the paltry right side, please let me know. Maybe we can bring that side’s total up to five or more, if we think real hard.)"

Why is that.
Why has it become an American "tradition" for morons to wax poetic ad nauseum on matters they know absolutely nothing whatsoever about which for some damned reason appeals to the angst of the nation's youth who'll promptly make millionaires outa the dolts.
Go figure, because this (tired old) phenomenon goes wayyyyy beyond the usual explaination of, "That's Entertainment!"

"P.S. The titles of the two sides of the list are admittedly a bit misleading, since the majority of modern American musicians know little or nothing about music either. But entitling that left column ‘modern professional (purported) musicians who have no clue about anything outside of cacophony/dissonance/noise/decadence/vulgarity/conformity’ kinda smacked of overkill."

HA, ya think?!?!

...why you ol' misleader, you. :o)

[conservativemusician]

Mellencamp's an idiot.

MTB rocks........So does Randy Moore.

Thanks.

Got a couple of things heading your way.

[Landru]

"Mellencamp's an idiot."

If brevity is the soul of wit, you're absolutely *zany* today, guy.
I tried saying the same thing only it took me 10,000 words & used up a chunk of the old man's bandwidth.

"MTB rocks..."

How 'bout those Caldwell boyz, eh?
I mean I'd love to hear your take on Toy's beautifully choreographed riffs, runs & solos and just how he made his Gibson Les Paul sing so sweet; nevermind, his mastery over the Fender peddle steel or the banjoe he went into a room & practiced for an *hour* before coming out to record the song you first hear one in?

His kid brother, Tommy, deserves a special place for what he was able to get his Fender Jazzmaster to do, too.
Pure unadulterated beauty to these ears he was.

Then there's the jazz drumming, soulful sax & hillbilly fiddle all incorporated into a western swing that to this day remains unequaled.
That kind of "magic" comes along -- maybe -- but once in a person's lifetime & that assumes they'd recognize exceptional work when they heard it, too.

"So does Randy Moore."

Randy's pretty special to me if only from a musician wannabe's POV; &, I pray the guy's able to attain everything he's deserving of & entitled to.

"Thanks."

If you found yourself enriched, musically, even half as much as I by those recordings, than I recieved all the "thanks" from you I could ever have wished for.
To have a hand in inspiring a talented person such as yourself is for me the very next best thing to playing that which I cannot.

"Got a couple of things heading your way."

...I'll be greatly looking forward to whatever it might be, Mr.A.

[jimt]

I've called him John Anal Faggotcramp ever since "Little Pink Houses".

[Ol' Sparky]

Hey, at least, Billy Ray can act -- sort of...