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Gene Simmons of Kiss tells it right.. IMHO a "BIG SURPRISE!"
Gene Simmons web site ^ | unknown | Gene Simmons

Posted on 04/21/2003 1:25:29 PM PDT by Bob Eimiller

From Gene Simmons web site: Recently, because of the War in Iraq, our letters pages have become a forum for all sorts of views. A few of you have expressed concern and sometimes outrage at some of my responses. And, perhaps a word of explanation is in order.

First, and most important, I stand by my words.

......

I have said in this political climate, that I am ashamed of the behavior of people who call themselves either members of the Democratic Party (whose politics I usually support, incidentally) or as Liberals (funny, I always thought I was one). But, I will not hesitate to tell someone off. I believe in a form of politics that supercedes philosophical discussions. I believe in Pragmatism.

Pacifism is a beautiful word. No one wants war. Not you. Not I. But, the most passionate Pacifist is only relatively so. What I mean is, it's easy to be a Pacifist here in America. That's because Hussein and other menaces are far away. The closer a gun is pointed to your head, the less of a Pacifist you are...the more you're interested in stopping the guy pointing the gun to your head.

Granted. Saddam Hussein never pointed a gun to my head. I also never want to wait long enough for him to do so. PRE-EMPTIVE WAR is one of the realities we all have to face. There will never be another 9/11...and I could give a sh#t if there is or isn't a direct line to Hussein. He had to go. Period. That regime wouldn't think twice about giving an extremist a suitcase filled with a dirty bomb.

I am passionate about America. It has given me (and in my estimation, the world) everything I ever wanted... including the right to disagree, without winding up in a can of dog food. And, because of my passionate love of America, warts and all, I will stand up and defend her at the drop of a hat.

Is America always right? No. But for 100 years, it seems to me, it has gotten most of it right. The most powerful force the world has ever known is not conquering other countries. Previous world powers, had a colonial agenda. This included at various times in history: Rome, Greece, Nazi Germany, France, England, Communist Russia and Persia. There are more.

But, aside from the French complaining (don't they always?) about the influx of the AMERICAN CULTURE, I don't see America expanding its borders...All the countries in the world are free to rule themselves as they see fit...as long as they don't threaten anyone else.

So, the letter column has tended to veer towards your letters. I didn't push it there. You did. DON'T START SOMETHING, UNLESS YOU WANT TO FINISH IT. If you write letters and are willing to give...you better be willing to get.

Because I give as good as I get.

"America, love it or leave it?" I never subscribed to that ideal. It's actually UnAmerican. I DO believe in different opinions. But, I am also ashamed of any American especially, who gets up on stage in a different country to badmouth America, while American troops are dying in a desert country they would never want to live in.

Is that behavior giving aid and comfort to the enemy? You bet your fu#kin' a$$. In jail, when you misbehave, you get b#tch slapped, or you become someone's b#tch

In life, you should be held accountable for anything that comes out of your mouth, not just your a$$.

Yelling FIRE in a movie theater, is NOT freedom of speech.

The war, for the most part is over. The British and the Aussies, (God bless em both,) amid a murky political situation, stood alongside Americans and did what had to be done.

The Iraqi's are free.

I suggest anyone having a problem with this war go talk to the Iraqi's. Ask them if they prefer freedom (even at the price of, initially having what seems to be chaos), or if they prefer Saddam Hussein come back and reinstates the old ways.

I DARE anyone to say the Iraqi's were better off before, under Hussein.

And, after the war dies down, and people here in America go back to normalcy, there will be people who say that they are "non-violent." You don't want to get into fights. But, what that really means is, you don't want to pick on anybody.

Problem is, the bad guys don't always agree with you. You see, if you're against violence and some guy holds a gun to your head and asks you for your money, you better re-think your position. You better become VERY VIOLENT at that moment. Or, you're dead.

Being a Pacifist, is an ideal. I subscribe to it. I'm against violence. But, only CONCEPTUALLY, if you threaten my children, I wouldn't think twice about snapping your neck on the spot. I suspect most people would take my view.

You can tell by the length of this missive, that this issue has gotten under my skin. So, I'll try to recap my feelings, in brief. Get ready, 'cause here comes the truth:

America is the world's only hope for a bright future.

Yes. I mean that. Yes, I know you live in another country and your country is cool, too. But, America is the only Superpower. There are no others. And that means, the world is a better place. Because if Nazi Germany or Communist Russia were the only superpowers, we would all be either dead or forced to live under their regimes.

America is not interested in ruling your country. If you think it does, smoking crack may be your answer.

I wasn't born here. But, I have a love for this country and its people that knows no bounds. I will forever be grateful to America for going into World War II, when it had nothing to gain, in a country that was far away...and rescued my Mother from the Nazi German Concentration Camps.

She is alive and I am alive because of America.

And, if you have a problem with America, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ME.

http://www.genesimmons.com/


TOPICS: Editorial; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: democrat; genesimmons; seeingthelight; simmons
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To: Bob Eimiller
This is one of the best pro-war summations I've seen anywhere!
21 posted on 04/21/2003 1:41:05 PM PDT by Monti Cello
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To: biblewonk
I wonder if he still hates Jesus.

Where did he say he hated Jesus?

22 posted on 04/21/2003 1:41:49 PM PDT by MrLeRoy ("That government is best which governs least.")
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To: Bob Eimiller
BTTT!!!
23 posted on 04/21/2003 1:43:31 PM PDT by sit-rep
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To: rintense
Exactly what I thought. Natalie Maines and being "Dixie Chicked" by irate consumers will go down in history. She's infamous.
24 posted on 04/21/2003 1:43:42 PM PDT by GraniteStateConservative (Putting government in charge of morality is like putting pedophiles in charge of children.)
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To: Bob Eimiller
Already posted here.Gene Simmons -- A Celebrity Who Gets It?
25 posted on 04/21/2003 1:44:38 PM PDT by John Lenin (Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,)
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To: Bob Eimiller
Thanks, Bob for posting this article. Mr. Simmons said it all. No further comments from me needed.

Thanks GENE !!!!

26 posted on 04/21/2003 1:45:15 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (A)
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To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
It tells you what 11/7/02 told you. We are now a 53% nation. We could be a 55% nation with a good economy next year. No more 50-50 "split right down the middle" punditry.
27 posted on 04/21/2003 1:45:23 PM PDT by GraniteStateConservative (Putting government in charge of morality is like putting pedophiles in charge of children.)
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To: Bob Eimiller
Excellent
28 posted on 04/21/2003 1:47:05 PM PDT by Tennessee_Bob (Dieses sieht wie ein Job nach Nothosen aus!)
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To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
A lot of liberals got mugged on 9/11.
29 posted on 04/21/2003 1:47:12 PM PDT by GraniteStateConservative (Putting government in charge of morality is like putting pedophiles in charge of children.)
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To: Egregious Philbin
It has nothing to do with what you care about the importance of Simmons "awakening" or the future Dixie Chicks "Dumb Blonde" journey through La La Land.

The idea that some "Liberals" are "evolving into logic instead of continuing to "ferment" in "ignorance".Tell me Egregious Philbin ...are you an "Awakened" liberal?

30 posted on 04/21/2003 1:50:30 PM PDT by Bob Eimiller
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To: MrLeRoy
I'm not really sure if there is a thread linking heavy metal to conservatism. My guess is that what KISS (or more specifically, Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons) are showing is simply an indicator of their advanced age. They've built a wildy successful entertainment business on the back of free-market America, and they have the clout to show appreciation without worry about an industry backlash - unlike their less-established heavy metal counterparts.

Mudvayne, Rage Against the Machine, and Pearl Jam are all hard rock bands from a younger generation, and both were vehement in their opposition to not only the war, but President Bush as well. I know Pearl Jam's rants were not well received by the American audience (according to Ann Coulter), but I'd be interested about the political leanings of the metalheads at the other two concerts to help build your thesis of Conservative Metalheads.

However, as conservatives, it should always boil down to facts and logic for making an informed decision. Whether or not a celebrity is with us or against us is only to be used for entertainment purposes!
31 posted on 04/21/2003 1:51:34 PM PDT by cbass
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To: MrLeRoy
Where did he say he hated Jesus?

I picked up a metal magazing quite a few years ago, I think it was Metal Edge and they asked a ton of metal dudes who they'd want to come back as. Gene said "Jesus because then you get to live and do what every you want and then die and come back to life and do it all over again, what a f*ck*ng joke". I was way offended.

32 posted on 04/21/2003 1:51:45 PM PDT by biblewonk (Spose to be a Chrissssstian)
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To: GraniteStateConservative
I hope Hispanics take notice of this come 2004, since the Dems don't seem to care:

"We urge every Senator to treat Miguel Estrada fairly and to vote to confirm." - Hispanic Bar Assn.

"We don't want to be treated as double standards." -Robert de Posada, Latino Coalition

"This is a very serious issue for our community and no politician should take this lightly. We urge the Senate to act responsibly and urge an up or down vote. " - Robert de Posada, Latino Coalition

"It's of grave concern to those of us with family in the military and overseas that Rome is burning while the Senate is fiddling." - Kay Daly, spokesperson for the "Coalition for a Fair Judiciary."

"We rarely have seen, if ever, a record of accomplishment (like) Miguel Estrada." - Juan Carlos Iturregui, Hispanic National Bar Assn.

"We urge Senate to vote on this confirmation NOW. Not next month..." -Juan Carlos Iturregui, Hispanic National Bar Assn.

"We also are concerned that some members of the Senate are trying to impose a higher standard of review that is unprecidented." - Juan Carlos Iturregui, Hispanic National Bar Assn.

33 posted on 04/21/2003 1:51:57 PM PDT by votelife (FREE MIGUEL ESTRADA!)
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To: MrLeRoy
The picture reminds me of GWAR.
34 posted on 04/21/2003 1:52:20 PM PDT by biblewonk (Spose to be a Chrissssstian)
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To: Egregious Philbin
No, celebrities do influence people-- just like political ads do. We can use all the allies we can get. John Malkovich being my newest favorite.


35 posted on 04/21/2003 1:52:21 PM PDT by GraniteStateConservative (Putting government in charge of morality is like putting pedophiles in charge of children.)
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To: MrLeRoy
That's true in a lot of cases, but heavy metal leans left because of the connection of Christianity to the right. Most run rabidly anti-American and anti-semetic. See this message board for an example:

http://www.doom-metal.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=ec3ea8c03146d0f6291e2ac434c25780;act=ST;f=3;t=7720
36 posted on 04/21/2003 1:52:26 PM PDT by Desecrated (A nickel of every tax dollar should go toward the defense of America)
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To: lainie
If he's even still married.

I'm not sure he ever was. He was making the rounds on all the news channels about a year ago, talking out against marriage in general. I think Shannon Tweed is his common law wife at best.

Oh, and I'll be the first on the thread to say that I'm an actual KISS fan.
37 posted on 04/21/2003 1:52:51 PM PDT by Rastus
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To: HitmanNY
"Doesn't Gene do a bumper on Sean Hannity's radio feed?"

Yes, listening to Hannity now, and heard the radio feed by Simmons about 15 minutes ago

38 posted on 04/21/2003 1:53:40 PM PDT by deadhead (God Bless Our Troops and Veterans)
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To: Egregious Philbin
The opinion of Gene Simmons has about as much import as that of the Dixie Chick, which is to say little or none. Their opinions don't affect policy, nor are they well though out.

Well, well, well. Unlike the Dixie Chicks, Mr. Simmons has personal experience of the kind we rescued the Iraqi's from. He has his own website which has 1000's if not millions of visitors.

What do you have, and how is your opinion worth anything? It would also help, if you want to be taken seriously, to attempt to spell words correctly.

39 posted on 04/21/2003 1:54:31 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (A)
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To: cbass
They've built a wildy successful entertainment business on the back of free-market America, and they have the clout to show appreciation without worry about an industry backlash - unlike their less-established heavy metal counterparts.

He calls himself a liberal, but I assume he's more social liberal than anything. I know I heard him talk about his love of America before 9/11. He said something like, "Has anyone ever gotten off a boat and kissed the ground and said, 'Thank God! I'm in France!' No. Never happened. But, it happens all the time in America." He also sounds pretty anti-communist, which is always a good thing. Still, I'm sure I'd find his social views pretty repellant.
40 posted on 04/21/2003 1:58:56 PM PDT by Rastus
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