Posted on 10/15/2002 8:20:39 AM PDT by mhking
(Musician) Henry Rollins Calls For Drastic Action On Iraq
(10/11/02, 5 p.m. ET) -- Henry Rollins's 1999 spoken word album Think Tank spoke about the singer's concerns about terrorism and the threat posed to the world by Iraq's dictator Saddam Hussein. Rollins continues to be concerned about Hussein, and is outspoken and strident in his criticism of the dictator, to the point of suggesting drastic action.
Rollins spoke to LAUNCH about Hussein's evasion of U.N. weapons inspections. "If he didn't have anything to hide, then why is he saying, 'Oh you can't go there.' I think a full 100-percent daylight, lights on, everything known, inspection needs to be had, if not, then it needs to be leveled. 'Let's just say, anywhere you don't allow us to check we just drop a bomb on it. How 'bout that?' I am so down with that. 'Well, I'll put women and children in it.' Well, then you can tell the world that you killed them because we told you what we're going to do. And now it's up to you to put the women and children in that mosque or take them out."
Rollins added, "We should promise, not threaten, we should promise. And if the women and children get killed the blood is not on our hands. That is a really harsh point of view, way harsher than I usually am and way more to the right than I usually am, but this guy is screwing up."
Rollins continued, "I think that if Saddam Hussein wants to be in the world picture and have his sanctions lifted, he should put the entire world at ease and give unlimited access to U.N. weapons inspectors."
Sounds like I might need to head to the record store (OK, OK, CD store - I'm 'old school,' OK?) and pick up a new album (yes, I know, CD).
About ten years ago a close personal friend of his was shot to death by a mugger and died in his arms. Since then, I think he's been a more hard-headed realist, more aware of the nature of evil, than some of his more sheltered musical compatriots.
I agree, oline.
His "spoken word" routine was on TV recently and he spent quite a long time ripping conservatives in general and the President in particular.
Of course, this newsletter comes in the wake of the events of September 11. It would be trite and evasive not to address this topic. I have been putting off writing this to you because of exactly that reason. I knew I would have to deal with it in some way and I was not looking forward to it. It is no fun to dwell on such catastrophic news. I would be out of line to think that I could add anything of worth to what has already been said, but like you, I have been thinking about it on many levels.
Yesterday I was on one of the local radio stations here and of course the interviewer wanted my take on the current events. It was the first time I had been live-on-air addressing the topic. I felt very on the spot and knew I had to use caution as I proceeded. Theres no way I was going to able to talk about this for half an hour and not piss someone off if I didnt choose my words carefully. Some of my statements surprised me.
I dont think that America deserved what it got in any way. I cant say I was surprised though. There are people in other countries who plainly see our way of life as repellent. My manager said to me the other day, "A lot of people in other countries hate Americans." He and I both travel extensively and often and have found this to be true. To anyone who travels often, this is nothing new. I have encountered rudeness, indifference and outright hostility when visiting other countries. These instances are very rare and you can have the same experience in America on any given day, of course, but the fact is that theres a perception of Americans in other countries that one almost has to go out of ones way to disprove.
Many cultures all over the world see America as crass and destructive, exploitative and manipulative. America does a lot of good and a lot of not-so-good. No country is perfect, of course, but no country on earth does things in such a grand fashion as America. The Hollywood industry could have never come out of Europe. I am not talking about making movies; I am talking about Hollywood as an attitude, a power and a presence. Whenever I see an actor getting into the political arena it makes me sick. I cant imagine what other countries must think. When Florida couldnt get their votes tallied in the last presidential election I winced thinking about how hard the rest of the world must have been laughing. It also occurred to me that forces that dislike America could take in that information and reckon that we dont have it together and that its a good time to attack.
When you live as well as America does (and America lives very, very well), you have to protect it and you have to deal with the fact that theres millions of people all over the world who dont have a fraction of what the average American has. From material possessions to basic freedoms--America is the rockstar nation.
I think the American media should stop the "Boy are we surprised!" type of reportage. Wake the fuck up. America, youre hated. Terrorism happens all over the world all the time. I heard someone say on CNN the other day, "America used to be the world. Now America is part of the world."
Its an all time low and we gotta deal. The flag waving "U-S-A" chanting is a too little too late. The knee jerk patriotism is corny to me. If you want to be a patriot, then be one all the time, not just when you feel your homeland attacked. Its not just about being vigilant against attack, its about knowing that until racism is gone, illiteracy and semi-literacy is gone and myriad other social ills wiped out, then no one is totally free. Thats my kind of patriotism. No more ghettos, no more idiots, no more of the blind, brutal ignorance that keeps progress at a crawl. I have at least said way too much.
And yes, I did see it.
Somewhere I have the thing on tape where he's imagining what it would be like to be "Iron Man" (from the Black Sabbath song).
That is hilarious!
Take care Bella, and say 'hey' to SCGOP for me.
CD
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