FR EXCLUSIVE: Springsteen Called For Impeachment of President Bush at DC Concert

Kristinn | September 13, 2003 | Krsitinn via Angelwood

[Angelwood]

Rock star Bruce Springsteen called for the impeachment of President George W. Bush at a nearly sold-out concert at FedEx Field just outside of Washington, DC tonight. During the introductions of his back-up band, The E Street Band, Springsteen said of saxophonist Clarence Clemons, "It's time to impeach the president and get a man in there to get us out of this mess." The audience cheered in response.

At a recent concert at Fenway Park in Boston, Springsteen touted liberal comedian Al Franken's new book and encouraged people to read it. In the Spring, Springsteen issued a statement defending the Dixie Chicks after they told a foreign audience that they were "ashamed that the President of the United States was from Texas."

At least Springsteen chose to make his statement about impeaching President Bush in the nation's capital. However, his timing just two days after the nation marked the second anniversary of the September 11 attacks is sure to make his remarks even more controversial than otherwise, especially because the nation's capital was a target.

Springsteen was silent during the eight years of Bill Clinton's presidency: A time when children were gassed and burned to death at Waco; our national security was betrayed to the communist Chinese government in exchange for millions of dollars for Clinton's campaign coffers; and when Clinton lied under oath and obstructed justice in a civil rights lawsuit filed by one of the "little people" that Springsteen champions.

Springsteen's current album and tour are based on the September 11 attacks and he has several songs about the bravery of those who gave their lives responding to those attacks. Springsteen's tour is scheduled to end at the beginning of October with three dates at New York City's Shea Stadium.

[jla]

Celebrity Judges, any comments?

Yeah. You're pretty good with a hammer, aren't ya?
Ya see, Isabel is projected to be bringing her winds right over my house...and it's cedar shake roof.

[No Left Turn]

The man titled an album, "The Ghost of Tom Joad," as a tribute to Steinbeck's, "The Grapes of Wrath." What a goddawful socialist screed that book was, and it shows where BS leans. I still like his music, and until recently, he did a good job of hiding what a whack job lefty he is. But I always knew it was right under the surface. The sad thing is that he seems to have been inspired by Al Franken. If Al Franken is inspiring him, I don't hold out much hope for his next album. It could be worse than the horrendous combo of "Luck Town" and "Human Touch".

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

41 shots???

[CroftonFreeper]

I was there and this whole thing is blown out of proportion. He said it jokingly in the process of introducing Clarence Clemens. Not that he didnt mean it, he had several derogatory comments about Dick Cheney. He clearly has some resentment towards him.

I had to just consider the source and enjoy the music. This incident was about 10 seconds of about a 3 hour show.

The Dixie Chicks are a different animal. I would love to see them play at the MCI center here in DC. I just can't do it. Sometimes , as in the Springsteen concert, you just cant take it too seriously.

[CroftonFreeper]

Just to correct the record. The DC concert was in no way close to being sold out.

[jackbill]

As Laura Ingraham has said, in her book title: SHUT UP AND SING.

On second thought, just SHUT UP.

[Landru]

"I have reason to believe PJRiotAct is a troll."

A *troll*??
Nawwwwww.

It's a *himbo*.

...yeaaaa.

[Landru]

"Celebrity Judges, any comments?"

Yea, maybe one.
I think the kid's probably feeling pretty lousy right about now, as a portion of his youth just died.

...so I've left the whole thing alone.

[WOSG]

In 1982, Springsteen performed for the 100,000+ strong march in New York in support of the "Nuclear Freeze" (remember that?).

He hasnt changed.

[WOSG]

"I was once from New Jersey"

... uh, you are STILL from New Jersey... cant get that off your resume. :-) Anyway, so am I. dont feel so bad, it is the garden state! "what exit?"

The Boss a 1970s thing to me, a memory, not 'cool' for today. I liked his early music. But who gives a d*mn about what his politics are. "Shut up and sing" - i like it!

[WOSG]

Anyone who doesnt think these artists are in it for the money are so gullible they think 'gullible' is mis-spelled in the 19th webster's dictionary. (Go ahead, check it out, it's true!)

[WOSG]

Al Franken fights a battle of wits unarmed.

Flipped Lou Dobbs who had him the other night... pulling toenails out is less painful than watching him try to defend AlGore...

I lasted about 30 seconds, then had to switch. Too painful.
It felt like I was rubbernecking at a bad accident scene.

[FBD]

"...so I've left the whole thing alone."

Ah, jeez you've got a tender spot for Mudboy don't you?

The lovely Laura Ingraham has written a book called 'Shut Up and Sing'. If only musicians would do just that.

Good to hear from you Mr. D. :)

[Happygal]

Just checkin' in...


And hopin' life is treating you guys well.

Life has overtaken me..

Nice to check in, and see you are all doing well.

FBD..thanks for the ping! :-)

[Tymesup]

41 shots was the name of the song.

While Mr. Diallo's death was a tragedy, no one sings the praises of the NYPD and Rudy Giulani. Under Dinkins, there were 2400 murders a year. Under Giulani, it dropped to 600. That's 1800 people a year, more than half of the number that died 9/11.

The only difference is we don't know who these 1800 people are by name.

I doubt Mr. Springsteen would know when it was time to stop shooting. I know I wouldn't.

[sultan88]

"Life has overtaken me.."

And we have missed you!

[Happygal]

Thank you so much, sultan.

I promise to be around more...soon.

I'll message ye.

[adlaistevenson]

Of course it makes sense if you realize the
Attorney General was promoting an abstenence program for teenagers in which the youngsters were to submit their own stories of adherence to sexual abstenence prior to marriage. Since Mr. Ashcroft believes his program is effective, and assuming that he is not a hypocrite (like, say Rep. Dan Burton who lied for 20 years about having an illigitimate child while calling the President names for lying about sex, Rep. Henry Hyde's affair, Rep. Helen Chenowith's affair and Newt Gingrich having an affair on his second wife with a woman from his church choir) then you would expect Mr. Ashcroft would be eager to tell his own abstenence stories as he expected others to. But he didn't. If you had read what the controversy regarding the Franken letter to Ashcroft was about, you would have to know that. But as I said before, I don't see evidence that conservatives generally perceive irony, as your politely well intentioned response shows.