Political - Are you gonna boycott Bruce!?!?!

[peachgirl]

I do have a problem with entertainers using time that I paid for to spout political views.

I agree, it would tick me off if I went to see someone and without warning I had to put up with a political speech.

In that case, I probably wouldn't go back to see them. But, I see a big difference between that and an organized effort to hurt anyone's career because you don't like them expressing their views.

If the guy wanting to start this little boycott wanted to boycott every entertainer that expressed their political views then I'd just say he's a nut case. What he's wanting to do though is simply silence anyone who disagrees with him.

 

[Bob NC]

I like Bruce, but honestly, I don't give a rats patoot what his political opinions are. Why does the media think anyone is interested in the political beliefs of Bruce, Rosie O'Donnell, Sean Penn, Any Baldwin Brother, or ANY other celebrity?

Whether or not they agree with me is not relevant, I just don't CARE!!!!!!

Just because you can sing, what makes your opinion any more important than my neighbors? BTW, I haven't seen my neighbor on TV lately giving his opinions.

 

[jimmiej]

I have some of his albums. The River is my fave. I'll probably still listen to it when I'm remeniscing (sp?) about the 70's,LOL, but I don't think I'd buy anything else of his. If an entertainer or business is going to speak their mind openly about political/social things, they risk losing my $$$. It's as simple as that for me.

 

[brerrabbit]

I won't boycott him because of his views even though I won't be voting for Kerry. I think that the New York candidate whi is advocating the boycott is wrong. I mean holding to his theroy should Republican business owners fire all their Democratic employees? Should Democratic business owners fire all their Republican employees? It should be an individual choice, if the entertainer in question says or does something that ticks you off, then boycott to your hearts desire. But an organized boycott because someone's political views differ from you is crazy. I don't give any more credence to something a "celebrity" says than I do anyone else. Being able to act, sing, dance or play a professional sport does not by default make you an authority on anything.

Just my view of it.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by shortbun
You don't like the Boss? I could debate you on that-ha!
Oh, was I supposed to say, "thanks for your opinion! "?


Baby We Were Born to Run! The Anthem of the 70's and
all wild lovers of that era. You're just too young Esmerelda.

I was around in the 70's I was just small.

If Bruce was someone I really liked, I honestly would not care what his political views were.

I'm sure my politics are quite different from the majority of the artists I like. Likewise there are a lot of artists whose songs I dislike whose politics are closer to my own. And I'm not going to run out and buy their cd just because of it.

My politics are also quite different from most of the friends I have. It does not really matter to me at the end of the day as long as every one is respectful. What I don't like is being mean or disrespectful.

And I agree, if I paid to hear you sing or dance, then I don't want to hear you spouting politics on either side of the line. Just sing or dance. That is what people come to see you for.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Aloha!

WHY do people feel so threatened by opposing viewpoints?

I find it fascinating how many are dismayed when political views join up with entertainment!

Am I the only old fogey out here who remembers how the political music of the '60s represented and sometimes motivated an entire generation? That is not to say that ALL music is political. I enjoyed The Monkees and The Supremes as well as Dylan.

But anyone who has truly listened to BRUCE'S lyrics for the past 30 years knows that he has worn his political heart on his sleeve 4ever! Ever listened to the NEBRASKA songs? Or 'SEEDS' ? You all didn't really think BORN IN THE USA was complimentary did you? Watch the video.

Just as Woody Guthrie told the story of what he saw in Depression-era America, BRUCE writes often about the impact of government policies on us folks...his observations, his views.

This is not to say that he doesn't write a mean pop-type song and that there isn't a place for these in music. But, come on, BRUCE is so much more than that.

AND...this does not mean he is any less patriotic. The ability to observe, comment upon and participate in our DEMOCRACY is sacred.

We can all spend our $$ as we wish...this is still a free country. But the notion that only one viewpoint is acceptable frightens me.

Whew.....that feels better! Thanks for listening! ~Rose~

 

[Sandy V.]

Rose, I don't feel threatened by an entertainer's opinion that differs from mine. In fact, I think its refreshing that they're interested enough in politial/personal causes to take the time to say/do something.

And if I want to see a performer that has KNOWN political views that differ from mine and past behavior has indicated that they're probably going to use part of their performance to talk about those views, I can exercise free will in making a decision to pay for a ticket to see them in concert. Or not.

Where the problem lies with me is when I have an expectation that a singer will SING and they diverge from that expectation in a significant way after I'm in my stadium seat and part of a "captive audience."

My best personal example would be Elton John. I think he's immensely talented. I don't know what his political viewpoints are about the upcoming election, and I don't particularly care.

Right now, to see Elton John in concert would cost me, at a minimum, $275 for 1 ticket in the cheap seats at Caesar's Palace (that's the only place I know at the moment where he's performing). If I make a decision to shell out the money for the ticket and the additional expense to get to Vegas, eat, sleep, etc., then Elton John DARN well better sing as many hit songs as he can fit into a concert and not interject politics into it. I came to hear "Crocodile Rock", "Take Me to the Pilot," and "Candle in the Wind", not to be subject to intense political rhetoric of any kind.

Elton John can hold any political view he wants. But with 30 plus years in the music business, I didn't come to hear his opinion. I came for the SONGS!

 

[Lanshark]

I've been singing Glory Days a lot this week. There must be some deep psychological meaning indicating I shouldn't boycott.

GLORY DAYS

I had a friend was a big baseball player
back in high school
He could throw that speedball by you
Make you look like a fool boy
Saw him the other night at this roadside bar
I was walking in, he was walking out
We went back inside sat down had a few drinks
but all he kept talking about was

Chorus:
Glory days well they'll pass you by
Glory days in the wink of a young girl's eye
Glory days, glory days

Well there's a girl that lives up the block
back in school she could turn all the boy's heads
Sometimes on a Friday I'll stop by
and have a few drinks after she put her kids to bed
Her and her husband Bobby well they split up
I guess it's two years gone by now
We just sit around talking about the old times,
she says when she feels like crying
she starts laughing thinking about

Chorus

Now I think I'm going down to the well tonight
and I'm going to drink till I get my fill
And I hope when I get old I don't sit around thinking about it
but I probably will
Yeah, just sitting back trying to recapture
a little of the glory of, well time slips away
and leaves you with nothing mister but
boring stories of glory days

Chorus (repeat twice)

 

[barbeml]

One of the biggest problems facing this country today is that people are forgetting that exercising one's right to express their views is the epitome of being an American!!!!

I am a moderate-to-liberal-Democrat. I do not agree with the politics of such celebrities as Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzeneggar and and Tom Selleck, but that does not stop me from enjoying their performances.

To "boycott" or otherwise "punish" people for no other reason than for expressing their views and exercising their rights as Americans seems nuts to me. Just my opinion.

 

[beattyfamily]

I wouldn't necessarily boycott an artist BUT my opinion of them sometimes changes if they are in my face with their views. Some examples are Linda Ronstadt, Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn (I did rent 'Mystic River' though), Michael Moore, the Dixie Chicks (I'd still listen to them on the radio but probably won't buy their CD or go to a concert of theirs) etc.... I can't help it, once I know their views and they are quite vocal about it, then it's in my head when I see them and it does affect how I feel about them. But I wouldn't try to ruin their careers.

I would be VERY angry though, if I went to a concert and was bombarded with the performer's political opinion without prior knowledge...that is NOT what I paid for. I do not believe it's in the performer's best interest to do that.

I still like Ben Afleck though.

 

[Kendra17]

Originally posted by CEDmom
This is very interesting. I'm just wondering if you check on the political views of the makers of every product or service you buy?

No, I don't check on everything. I assume many people have differing views--my parents do, for instance, and i still love them and support them in everything.

To be more specific, at this time, I CHOOSE not to support actors and musicians that vocally support, campaign, and donate money to the Democratic party. If a dollar of my movie ticket cost goes in Susan Sarandon's pocket, then I would prefer to spend that money elsewhere.

I do not find this hypocritical at all. I want my money to go to causes--either directly or indirectly--that I agree with. Sure, a dollar doesn't make a real difference, but it is MY dollar. . .and if I know that certain people are donating funds, well, I don't want to help them.

Obviously, CEDMOM, I cannot check the views of the makers of every product or service I buy. With so many full-page ads, though, and concerts, etc., and news stories regarding the views of celebrities, it's easy to eliminate certain ones. . .Sean Penn, Jessica Lange, Viggo (oh, what's his name? the Lord of the Rings/hidalgo guy), Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Alex Baldwin, etc. When this election is over, I will feel a bit differently, I'm sure.

This isn't across the board, though. I mean, most corporations and board members will have differing political views.

That said, it's a matter of weighing. I want to go to Disney world, for instance, and I'm going to go. . .not every board member or cast member is a Republican!

I try to buy gasoline from stations that don't get their oil from the Middle East, I might go out of my way to buy Israeli products, etc. I do what I feel I can do and believe I'm doing and try to do the right thing.

 

[DIZNYFAN]

Boy the Conservatives must really feel the BOSS has some clout to be running that ad pretty sad if you ask me.

 

[Planogirl]

I wouldn't boycott an entertainer with certain political leanings any more than I'd put some of those who post here on ignore. I don't care what someone famous believes even though I'm as willing to listen to their views as a Diser's.

I may have to go buy a Bruce DVD now because I support his right to express his views in any way he sees fit. Again, what those views are is irrelevant to me.

 

[Kendra17]

Originally posted by DIZNYFAN
Boy the Conservatives must really feel the BOSS has some clout to be running that ad pretty sad if you ask me.

This is interesting. I don't think I'd ever START a boycott of Bruce Springsteen or any other musician. . .my feelings are more personal. I am surprised that a boycott was organized. . .although, at the same time, i don't disagree with what the woman in the article said, specifically.

However, thinking about this some more, maybe it becomes clearer. Have you ever participated in a boycott of any product at all? In that way, it makes sense--Springsteen is a commodity and he produces and markets a product (and this isn't a slam to him regarding commercialism or anything like that. . .lol). So, everyone, in a sense, is a commodity. And every employed person produces some sort of good or service. So, whether a CD, a movie, concert tour, ketchup, nail polish, chicken, etc., . . those are all products. We have the choice to support those companies or people who create them, or not.

I completely support Bruce Springsteen's right to speak his mind. I'm always shocked when people try to get a speaker canceled or a concert canceled. But, again, I don't want to show my support and besides talking about it, the only other way to show nonsupport is to refuse to give financial support. I don't disagree with the concert goers at the Linda Ronstadt concerts, though. . .she shared her view, and the public disagreed and shared their views by booing. The concert hall also can choose to speak their mind by supporting the musician or not, also. It has to be a two-way, or three-way street.

It's not that the Conservatives think Bruce SPECIFICALLY has clout, it's a way to let the public know that there is a segment of the population that disagrees. And, by organizing a boycott and getting some press coverage, now we know that. I mean, in reality, what's the boycott MEAN? Not too much, it's just PR. Who buys a Springsteen CD per month anyways? If you're a fan, you already have them, and if you're not, you wouldn't be buying one. And, how often does he tour? Not too often. I don't think the boycott will amount to too much, but the message OF a boycott causes conversation and discussion and a sharing of views.

 

[jimmiej]

Originally posted by barbeml
One of the biggest problems facing this country today is that people are forgetting that exercising one's right to express their views is the epitome of being an American!!!!

I am a moderate-to-liberal-Democrat. I do not agree with the politics of such celebrities as Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzeneggar and and Tom Selleck, but that does not stop me from enjoying their performances.

To "boycott" or otherwise "punish" people for no other reason than for expressing their views and exercising their rights as Americans seems nuts to me. Just my opinion.

He has a right to say what he wants & I have a right to not give him any more of my $$$ if I don't like what he said/believes. America, what a country!

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Aloha!

I think some may be confusing POLITICAL VIEWS with PARTISANSHIP...

You cannot listen to BRUCE'S lyrics and not know where he has always come from politically (unless you only heard SHERRY DARLING).

This time he is speaking out for a particular candidate as are so many others ON BOTH SIDES....And when things become divisive, don't be surprised if an openly gay artist....such as ELTON JOHN...does take a moment to address a political or partisan viewpoint. SANDY...I'm not saying he will...but it wouldn't surprise me since I don't think he agrees with Pres. Bush's advocacy of the gay marriage ban amendment! Maybe you'd better reconsider that expenditure if such a comment would ruin his entire performance for you. There's always Wayne Newton (LOL) Sorry...just kidding....Couldn't help myself! I do hope you get to go and enjoy a great show!

Really...I still watch EVERY re-run of Magnum, PI and Tom Selleck is no political friend of mine! To me, an artist's opinions color her(or his) art...It makes them multi-dimensional...I like that!
ANYWAY....
Let's all remember what the great President TEDDY ROOSEVELT (Republican) said..."To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. "(1918)

Peace. Love & Mickey Mouse ~Rose~

 

[Nancy]

I like some of Bruce's stuff....and I was around during the 70's and not so young. Would I boycott because of this...nope. I wouldn't go to see this particular show, but I would see others.

I look at it this way. I LOVE Streisand...she is very vocal in her polictical leanings, not always my feelings on them either. Now if she was in concert and I could afford it I would go, but if it was a concert where there would be speeches being given and I knew in advance that was happeneing, I wouldn't go. I would still buy her CD's and see her movies.

BUT...if people are offended by it and they choose to boycott, that is their choice. (maybe also their loss!)

 

[gina2000]

Originally posted by DISshopkeeper
Nah, it's not that important to me.

I AM glad that Bruce is not "hiding" his intentions regarding the tour. so if I don't agree, I don't have to buy a ticket. What I DON'T like is artists blindsiding their fans with political tirades when I came for the music.

ITA

 

[WillyJ]

Well, Mai Ku Tiki pretty much said what I think; Springsteen is not a sitcom star or a lounge singer who has to project some non- controversial, vanilla persona that appeals to the broadest possible range of people to make a living. . . he's an artist who has built a career by being true to his art, his fans, and not by trying in any way to have some huge, broad appeal. . .

I'm also certain that he couldn't care less about any financial hit he might take. . and not just because he's set money-wise for life.

After building a cult-following by touring and releasing his first two albums, Born to Run hit big and Springsteen was of course excited and happy he could finally pay his band and stop lving hand-to-mouth. Except even as the bucks rolled in he little of it was going to him. . .

He had signed a management contract with a guy named Mike Appel, literally on the hood of a car after a show, and hadn't paid much attention to the details, and he was stunned to find that he didn't own the songs he'd written, Mike Appel did.

This started a long legal battle- of course Appel didn't want to lose Bruce now that he'd made it, so he offered him a new contract plus a big chunk of money Born to Run had earned but still retain the rights to his previous work . . and Springsteen said no.

Oh wanted sonme of the money of course, he felt he'd earned it. But he wanted his songs to be his more- he was willing to get little or nothing for everything he'd earned up to that point, virtually start over, and take his chances in the future. And eventually that was the deal they cut. . .

That was why it took almost 4 years for Darkness on the Edge of Town, the follow-up to BTR, to be released, why it was such a moody, dark work, and why Springsteen was pretty well broke up until the time Born in the USA hit big. .



So, good luck to Ms. O'Grady and anyone who feels the need to boycott Springsteen- it's your right and I certainly don't mind.. but on the other hand I wouldn't expect it to produce much.

Because a guy who'd walk away from millions of dollars while living in his car over a principle, is a guy you can't hurt like that. The only thing that could hurt him if he didn't do what he thought was the right thing to do. . and that just ain't happening.

As The Boss himself once put it. . .


"Walk tall.. or don't walk at all. . "

 

[Shelle&Dave]

My DFiance is one of the biggest Bruce fans ever. He thinks this whole thing is being blown out of proportion. One of the Bruce message boards that DF is a member of has been reduced to a bunch of political arguements. Nobody is even talking about his music anymore...just his political viewpoints.

I think everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I wouldn't want someone to instantly dislike me because I don't agree with their opinion. I understand he is putting himself in that position by being so public about it, but I wouldn't boycott his music totally just because he isn't going to vote for the same person I'm going to vote for.