Springsteen Calls for Bush's Impeachment (9/15/03)

NewsMax.com ^ | 9/15/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Aging rocker Bruce Springsteen added a little political spice to his Washington, D.C., concert at FedEx Field Saturday night when, according to concertgoer accounts, he called for President Bush's impeachment.

"It's time to impeach the president and get a man in there to get us out of this mess," the Boss allegedly roared, according to FreeRepublic.com's Kristinn Taylor, co-leader of the group's D.C. chapter.

Another concertgoer told an online Springsteen discussion group that Bruce "got a little political, which I thought was great, but he definitely seemed to lose a bit of the crowd around me when he suggested we impeach Bush."

Others thought the Boss was merely joking, since he suggested that Bush be replaced by fellow E Street bandmember Clarence Clemons. But Springsteen reportedly followed his impeachment exhortation with complaints about past and present elected leaders who have misled the country.

During a Boston performance this past Wednesday, Springsteen prefaced his rendition of "Born in the U.S.A." with a statement he termed "a public service announcement" about holding our political leaders accountable.

According to the Boston Herald, he closed the show by plugging Al Franken's latest Republican-bashing book.

Last April, Springsteen defended the Dixie Chicks after lead singer Natalie Maines said she was ashamed that President Bush was from her home state of Texas.

"To me, they're terrific American artists expressing American values by using their American right to free speech," the Boss insisted on his Web site.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Bush Administration
Media Bias

[bushfamfan]

LOL, I keep saying that. Funny how the Demonrats in the media and elsewhere echo that Bush is out to get richer and make his friends richer to relish in making the poor poorer. Now when you look at reality: Bush drives a Ford pickup, lives in an environmental friendly ranch house that is simplistic and not covered in chandeliers, etc. like those Hollyweirdos that own numerous SUV's, Mercedes, exhuberant interiors, their own airplaines, not to mention numerous homes. They seem to be living the high life and giving nothing but rhetoric about the little man-just as the Demonratic party is really nothing but rhetoric on the issues.

[jjbrouwer]

"It's time to impeach the president and get a man in there to get us out of this mess," the Boss allegedly roared, according to FreeRepublic.com's Kristinn Taylor, co-leader of the group's D.C. chapter...

Others thought the Boss was merely joking, since he suggested that Bush be replaced by fellow E Street bandmember Clarence Clemons.

I suppose Brucie shouldn't be surprised that a few humourless slow-wits won't get that he was just making a joke...

[Hildy]

Why do you have to tear down this guys' talent because you don't agree with his politics? Springsteen is an icon, a trendsetter. He has a place in music history. So he's misguided politically...something seems to happen to performers when they become so wealthy that they don't mix with the public anymore. I have my theories, but who really cares? To tear down his talent makes you all seems so petty. And by the way, these Springsteen threads are being posted on music boards across the country and they're all laughing. And I believe rightfully so.

[FeliciaCat]

I wonder how many fans Bruce has that are under 30? I dont believe there are that many....he mainly appeals to the aging hippy/baby boomer/clinton voter crowd...big deal.

[jjbrouwer]

Agreed. There used to be a time when you listened to an artist just because you liked the music. Now politically correct geeks are trying to stop us from doing this (organising dumb boycotts etc) just because they disapprove of the singer's politics.

Springsteen is an American legend. In the month that another legend Johnny Cash died, you'd think people would cherish those who are still with us and performing great music. Who cares about his politics?

[Hildy]

I agree. Do I wish they'd keep they're mouths shut? yes. Do I sign and shake my head? Yes. Does that stop me from listening to their music or going to their movies? No.

[Skooz]

I never cared for Springsteen, regardless of his politics. He's just plain boring. He's overhyped and overrated.

If he were a Reagan Republican I would say the same thing. But I would have more respect for him.

[jjbrouwer]

Although, at the risk of contradicting myself, there is one musician whom I would never pay to see no matter how good his latest album was - Michael Jackson.

As far as I am concerned he should be in prison. Springsteen might whistle a leftist tune but - as far as I know - he isn't a pervert.

[Sloth]

Later, Senator Orrin Hatch is expected to make a statement regarding this year's Grammy awards.

[BSunday]

Springsteen on being an American:

Born down in a dead man's town
First kick I took was when I hit the ground
End up like a dog that's been beat too much
Til you spend half your life just coverin' up

[Delbert]

Bruce Who? He sucks anyway.

[jjbrouwer]

"Springsteen on being an American":

You have inadvertently misrepresented Springsteen's lyrics. This may be difficult for you to grasp but - though they are in the first person - the lyrics to Born in the USA are written from the point of view of a Vietnam vet who returns home to find that his country has overlooked him.

The character in the song is not Springsteen, though he clearly supports the anti-war sentiments. The words were inspired by Vietnam vet Bobby Muller.

Ironically, President Reagan used the lyrics in several of his 1984 campaign speeches.

[Mr. Mojo]

I read somewhere that he intended "Born in the USA" as something of a sarcastic swipe at America, and that he was a little amused that patriotic Americans had started treating it like an anthem.

You read correctly. The vast majority of people don't actually listen to music lyrics, so this this misinterpretation isn't exactly surprising.

[BSunday]

This may be difficult for you to grasp

Why would it be? Am I that much inferior to your great intellect?

[jjbrouwer]

Your earlier post suggested there might be some difficulty. Perhaps your post was just coloured by your obvious dislike of Springsteen. If you do understand the lyrics are the fictional narrator's opinions and not necessarily Springsteen's, then that is fine and dandy.

[BSunday]

Your earlier post suggested there might be some difficulty

Right. And your posts "suggest" you might be a pompous @ss.

I suppose you were in Springsteens head when he wrote the song, right? Perhaps he claims as you do so as not to appear Anti-American.

Perhaps your post was just coloured by your obvious dislike of Springsteen.

I actually don't care one way or the other about the man. I was just trying to make a point. The only reason I am replying now at all is that you are extremely annoying.

[jjbrouwer]

I was just trying to make a point.

Yes and I applaud you for that. I know it isn't easy. I remember now that you were the poster who recently insisted the classic Sixties E-Type Jaguar was in some way inferior to the unremarkable Ford pick-up truck pictured on your profile.

[BSunday]

Whatever you say, Moron.

[jjbrouwer]

Do you chew gum while you post?

[BSunday]

Naw...et gets in thu way uv mah backy.

Do you chew gum from that pedestal you put yourself on?