Posted on 10/22/2010 10:21:46 AM PDT by grundle
Mike Appelstein: In the now-infamous videotape, you indicated that you're furious about the way we're being led toward socialism and "incredible waste of money" being spent. Could you elaborate a bit on these sentiments?
Moe Tucker: No country can provide all things for all citizens. There comes a point where it just isn't possible, and it's proven to be a failure everywhere it's been tried. I am not oblivious to the plight of the poor, but I don't see any reason/sense to the idea that everyone has to have everything, especially when the economy is so bad. I see that philosophy as merely a ploy to control.
My family was damn poor when I was growing up on Long Island. There were no food stamps, no Medicaid, no welfare. If you were poor, you were poor. You didn't have a TV, you didn't have five pairs of shoes, you didn't have Levi's, you didn't have a phone; you ate Spam, hot dogs and spaghetti. We all survived! I am not against food stamps, welfare or Medicaid, if only they would oversee these programs properly!
I am also against the government taking over the student loan program, car companies, bailouts and the White House taking control of the census (what the hell is that all about?); [about] any First Lady telling (I know, I know, "suggesting to") us what to eat, the mayor of New York City declaring "no salt" (screw you, pal!), the mayor/city commissioners of Anytown, U.S.A. declaring you can't fly a flag, can't say the Pledge of Allegiance and can't sing the National Anthem. I'm against a President dismissing any and all who dare to disagree; the water being turned off in (central) California, at [an] area where they've turned off the water because they want to save a one-inch fish -- turning that huge area of farming land into another dustbowl -- the insipid start of food supply control methinks! The government deciding what kind of lightbulbs we can use (all you "think green" people, three objections to this b.s.: 1) Those bulbs give off the light of a candle; 2) They're very expensive; 3) They have mercury in them - how the hell are we supposed to dispose of them?).
I am against the government now thinking about bailing out unions. The unions made the contracts which include insane pensions; the U.S. government didn't. I'm against the government closing down offshore drilling in the Gulf with one hand and with the other giving (lending?) Brazil money to help them do way deeper offshore drilling -- rather curious. I'm against a government that will not defend our borders; and on and on and on.
As a lead-in to the next part of your question: Today it was announced that there would be no cost of living increase for Social Security recipients because "there's no inflation." I'd love to know what makes them think that! Where the hell do they shop? Prices have been rising for over a year. Inflation is a natural happening, I know. But why is it that suddenly food prices don't go up two or three or five cents, but instead they're going up 40, 50, 60 cents at a clip? No inflation my ass!
My anger stems from the unbelievable (criminal!) waste of money on pork and earmarks. It drives me nuts to see that X millions are being allocated to build a turtle tunnel, a donkey museum, a salamander crossing, etc, etc, etc. Billions spent every friggin' year on totally unnecessary crap so that these Congressbums can tell their constituents that they "brought home the bacon" and get re-elected. I'm sorry, but I don't want to pay for any Congress SOB's vote buying, and sure as hell not in these very very worrisome times!
What specifically about the current administration do you disagree with?
I disagree with spending / borrowing / printing -- damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead! I disagree with the "we won" attitude, which is the cowardly way of saying fuck you! I disagree with an administration that for twenty months blames Bush. If the President and his minions are so damn smart, why didn't they know the severity of the situation? The president has actually said (and I saw it on video) that they didn't know!
What would you like to see change?
The current administration!
How did you get involved with the local Tea Party movement?
I'm not "involved" with the local movement. I went to the first Tea Party in June or July of 2009 because it was within striking distance and I wanted to be counted.
Are you still involved in Tea Party activities?
I do my own protesting via email and postcards. Anyone who thinks I'm crazy about Sarah Palin, Bush, etc. has made quite the presumption. I have voted Democrat all my life, until I started listening to what Obama was promising and started wondering how the hell will this utopian dream land be paid for? For those who actually believe that their taxes won't go up in order to pay for all this insanity: good luck!
What are some misconceptions that people have about Tea Parties (and their attendants) in general?
That they're all racists, they're all religious nuts, they're all uninformed, they're all stupid, they want no taxes at all and no regulations whatsoever. Those "arguments" are presented by the Dems in order to keep their base of uninformed voters on their side. In my opinion, as soon as you start name-calling, your opinion is immediately deemed invalid!
Have you always had conservative views?
To be honest, I never paid attention to what the hell was going on. My always voting Democrat was the result of that. My philosophy was and is all politicians are liars, bums and cheats. I make decisions on an issue by issue basis. I'm far more of an independent than a conservative or liberal. I don't agree with all of either side, and I think anyone who claims to is either a fool or a damn liar.
Did your experience working at Wal-Mart influence you? I don't think so. I did some protesting there, too!
When you consented to an interview with that television reporter, did you envision that your words would be spread online a year and a half later?
No. I'm amazed at this.
What are your feelings about the online reactions? Many people seem upset or outraged.
I'm stunned that so many people who call themselves liberal yet are completely intolerant. I thought liberals loved everyone: the poor, the immigrant, the gays, the handicapped, the minorities, dogs, cats, all eye colors, all hair colors! Peace, love, bull! Curious they have no tolerance whatsoever for anyone who doesn't think exactly as they do. You disagree and you're immediately called a fool, a Nazi, a racist. That's pretty f'd up!! I would never judge someone based on their political views. Their honesty, integrity, kindness to others, generosity? Yes. Politics? No!
And yet there is also a minority that agrees with you. There are a lot more than you think who agree with me.
Have you heard from Lou [Reed] or John [Cale] about it? Other artistic/musical friends?
No, haven't heard from anyone, but anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a fool, a racist, a Nazi. Anyone who knows me knows I'm afraid of flying, afraid of bugs, but not afraid to say what I think.
In your experience, are there other closet conservatives in the music/art world? (Without naming names, of course.)
I don't consider myself a "closet" anything! That TV reporter was the first who ever asked me what my political views might be. I'm sure there are plenty of conservatives in the music/art world since I don't believe there's any group, club, organization or profession in which all members think exactly the same.
Moving away from politics: Are you still involved in music? Have you continued recording or songwriting these past few years?
No time for it anymore. I take care of my eight-year-old grandson and it's a full-time job. He wears me out, keeps me laughing, and I love him to pieces!
This week IFC was trying to backpedal and spin.
But they still would not include her clear rebuke of the “progressive” political agenda.
WOW. A member of a band that was considered one of the forerunners of the 60s counterculture movement is a Tea Party Patriot!
As a New Yorker, he started off with a kind of jaded attitude toward activism.
The attempted assassination of his friend Andy Warhol by a radical leftist made him more contemptuous of the "counterculture" pretensions of many, I would guess.
And his reaction to 9/11 seemed to be visceral and personal.
A cookie to anyone who can tell me who is over Tucker’s left shoulder.
I'm a believer in "shut up & sing" (or whatever). I never made politics a part of our shows and many of the people I played with had no idea what my political ideology was/is.
I have encountered people who feeeeeeel that "'wingers can't rock" and are confounded when they find out that I do both.
Maureen sounds totally comfortable in her beliefs and just enjoying life. More power to her!
Don’t back down Mo...I’M STICKIN’ WITH YOU!!
Lou Reed Live. One of the greatest live albums ever recorded. Brian Hunter and Steve Wagner, two unsung guitar hero’s.
That was before the Left Coasters and the limeys came out with all their happy-clappy, LSD-expands-your-consciousness, let's-join-hands, peace-and-love-and-flowers music.
Musically, the hippies were already walking corpses before they held their first "love-in." VU and Dylan had already leapfrogged them by about 30 years.
Is it John Cale?
The Riverfront Times, published in St. Louis, MO, is a left-wing, radical liberal newspaper. This interview in that paper will expose urban liberals to new perspectives on economic issues they've taken for granted forever. Tucker's straight-forward, clear answers will give them something to think about - and thinking is good. :)
Thanks for posting it.
Looks like Cale with a Mega Tan
Sterling?
Looks like....OK, I give up...
Just like Sister Ray said.
Look at the pic at his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/johncaleofficialsite
I think you’re right.
bump for later
John Cale. Ding Ding. Under appreciated virtuoso on many levels.
I saw him in a small club in the 80s (maybe 300 people?)
He was awesome!
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