Posted on 09/13/2003 7:50:49 PM PDT by 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.
But, it was written by three rockabilly guys back in the 50s: Buck Trail/Henry Glover/Somebody Innis.
I think the first artist to do this tune was a hillbilly artist named Moon Mullican.
Bryan Adams and a bunch of others did a cover of this as well as Lowe (I have the "Basher" CD and there's a great sendup of the tune on that CD). I hope they play it in Milwaukee.
Anti-police? I think some people here should take the time to listen to American Skin or read the lyrics.
41 Shots/Cut through the night/You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule/praying for his life
Is it a gun/ Is it a knife/ Is it a wallet/ This is your life/ It ain't no secret/ The secret my friend is you can get killed just for living in your American Skin
Those words are hardly accusing the involved officers of callous brutality. Sounds to me more like he's lamenting the society in general where such a climate of fear, distrust and misunderstanding can put police and civilians in those tragic situations. I thought the NYPD misunderstood the song. However, they had a valid point about the song resurrecting the whole controversy several months after it had died down. That's my opinion anyway.
As to the main topic, despite being a huge fan, I think, joke or not, Bruce made a mistake with the "impeach" issue. His politics are well known and he's entitled to his views, but why spoil what was apparently a highly-entertaining show for many of his fans who think the President is doing a fine job? What did he hope to gain? Surely he knew that none of his conservative fans would be amused. Maybe he wants the publicity, but considering how tightly his organization is reputed to control his image and propaganda, I fail to see why he would risk such a move. Even presuming it was a stupid joke, surely he knew the likely reaction in Washington, of all places?
Finally, I've noticed several people accusing him of being anti-military because of Born in the USA. Again, I think that people are misunderstanding the song. The lyrics tell, in the first person, the story of a poor guy sent to 'Nam, losing a brother there and coming home to a society that was hostile to him, a man who had fought for his country. He wasn't slamming the soldiers in that song, but the society that didn't look after these men, just because they served their country in an unpopular war that was lost.
Springstein is an aging over-rated loser. I haven't found any of his music worth buying. And his political rap is no better.
It is unfortunate that in a society such as yours, where free speech is entrenched in your constitution, that whenever someone says something the least bit controversial that disagrees with your positions you're ready to lynch them. So much for freedom of speech.
Please point me to the calls for a lynching. Free speech applies to all citizens of this nation, even those who don’t happen to be celebrities. You obviously feel that they have the right to say anything they wish, and they do. What your feeble mind fails to grasp is that other Americans have the right to vocally disagree with them. That’s what makes America great.
You invade Iraq against the wishes of the world
I guess the governments of Great Britain, Australia, Italy, Poland, etc. don’t count. Nor, apparently, does the opinions of three quarters of the Iraqi people, who are thankful that they no longer live under a tyranny people like you supported. France does not have sole ownership of “the wishes of the world.”
because of supposed WMDs (which didn't exist and don't)
With all due respect, you’re a blathering idiot. Unless you have access to more information than Kofi Annan, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Hans Blix, Jacques Chirac, Al Gore, and the entire UN Security Council – all of whom have noted that those weapons existed and were never accounted for. In fact, you might want to try selling your “the weapons didn’t exist” theory to the Kurds Hussein murdered with those “imaginary” weapons.
Maybe your administration needs to wake up to the new realities and understand that with the fall of the Iron Curtain that there are now a lot of little people wanting to give you a bloody nose.
Yes, there will always be pissant little bastards with a grudge based on jealousy and envy. It’s not all that big burden for us to carry. We don’t share your predilection for whinging.
Well Bin Laden did a good job and he's still laughing at you.
Yeah, I’m sure he’s having a real hoot. Have you noticed the world hasn’t seen hide nor hair of your hero since sometime before an American air raid on the Tora Bora mountains of Afghanistan in December 2001?
Understand the world outside your borders and maybe, just maybe you'll get it.
I’m sorry that your little corner of the world hasn’t grasped the US’s attention. We simply don’t have the time or inclination to learn the not-so-fascinating ins and outs of every little global backwater. You’ll just have to get over that. We don’t ask that you learn anything about America either. We can’t help it if you’re all addicted to crappy Hollywood movies and McDonald’s hamburgers. It’s not our fault we’re so freaking irresistable.
I dream of a compassionate USA.
You’re still typing, aren’t you?
Maybe the next adminstration will think likewise.
Nah, Jeb’s just like his brother.
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