Springsteen is letting me down!

[Rock'n Robin]

I don't go to concerts to be preached to! My mind is made up already and it is not the way Bruce wants it to be! It's bad enough that probably only 1 in 5 of the teachers at my school are republican, now my musical favorites are turning against me!
I thought about going but why risk being beaten up when the acts say "lets all go out and vote for Kerry!" and I am one of the few saying 'NOOOOOO!!!" And I don't believe in the tactics of moveon.org, so I don't want any of my hard-earned $$ going to them.
There was a recent survey that said only 5% of voters stated that the opinions of celebrities made a difference to them. Guess these guys didn't see that survey.
I'll wait until Bruce has another non-political tour!
Robin M.

 

[Robinrs]

Like Bruce said last night, they are citizens stating their views, just as you did.

No celebrity has ever made me change my views, we are all adults, we decide them on our own. If a celebrity decides to use their "celeb status" to tout what they believe in, Ronald Reagan, Susan Sarandon, Arnold Scharzenegger and just about every country star out there, they do it because it's what they believe in.

It's up to us to react they way we want because that's our right.

I think that's what a democracy is.

 

[damo]

5% could be the election.

There are about 150 million voters. 5% is 7,500,000 people.

 

[Tinkbell]

Originally posted by damo
5% could be the election.

There are about 150 million voters. 5% is 7,500,000 people.

Very good point. Also, these concerts are not only out to change political views. They are also a great way to inspire some people to vote who have never voted before.

 

[Nancy]

Celebs and others can state all the opinions and give politcal speeches..that is fine. Afterall everyone is entitled to that. But if he and others are doing concerts and letting people know that they are going to be political in nature then we can choose to go or stay away. I get enough politics on TV news and here on the DIS lately that I don't want to spend my hard earned money to hear more. Their opinions wouldn't sway mine anymore then opinions here on the DIS would.

I personally wouldn't go knowing there would be political overtones...but that's just me. I'm sure there will be lots of folks that go so they won't miss little ole me.

 

[Samsara]

Well, evidently Jessica Simpson supports the shrub although she isn't doing any concerts for him.

Isn't it amusing though? Jessica Simpson supports the shrub?

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Gooooooooooooo BRUCE! (psst...there are other threads on this very topic--may want to check them out!!)

 

[goin2disneyagain]

I just mentioned this in another thread. You should not be preached at on who to vote for when you pay money to go to a concert and hear music.

 

[BedKnobbery2]

Oh, good heavens to mercy. Were all you people up in arms when celebrities would shout out "God bless America!" during a concert right after the 9/11 attacks? Because guess what--that's a political view.

I'm also tickled to no end that a large number of the conservatives here are raising heck about celebrities "preaching" in concert....I wonder if they feel the same way about prayer in school, or "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance? Since, you know, that's using a public forum to enforce/encourage political beliefs.....

 

[Saffron]

This isn't a concert for entertainment's sake, this is a concert to raise funds for an organization to try to get Bush out of office, pure and simple. Yes, the muscians playing in the concert better say what's on their mind, and they better politicise at least part of the concert, that's what the people buying tickets to this particular concert or doing it for. Two reasons to buy a ticket to this particular tour of Springsteen's"

1.) to raise funds to support organizations to try to remove Bush from office.

2.) to be entertained by the muscians that want to support such organizations.

If you don't want to do both, I would suggest not going to the concert, or just buy a ticket to support the organizations and stay home, but if you're going to be upset because muscians are speaking out and trying to remove Bush from office, don't go. That's what it's there for. "Rosalita jump a little lighter ..."

 

[Sirius]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin
It's bad enough that probably only 1 in 5 of the teachers at my school are republican...

Wow, that seems like a lot to me.

 

[gina2000]

What I heard during a U2 concert after 9/11 was Bono talking about forgiving and forgetting. I sat down. I cried during the montage of pictures shown honoring those who died. But I didn't agree with his statements and I still, for the most part, don't. I don't think I've heard "God Bless America" at any concert in the last 30 years. Guess I'm hanging out at the wrong venues.

I'm not a conservative. I'm pretty middle of the road. But I know where I stand when I pay for something. I think it's fine if Bruce wants to support the Democratic party. He won't do it on my dime. I don't believe any of his feelings or ideas are at odds with mine. I just don't want to hear about a candidate's endorsement. That's not why I go to concerts. If he wants to stand up on a political platform and endorse a candidate, more power to him.

 

[disney4us2002]

Originally posted by Samsara
Well, evidently Jessica Simpson supports the shrub although she isn't doing any concerts for him.

Isn't it amusing though? Jessica Simpson supports the shrub?

This is the reason I rarely even read the political posts. Why is it necessary to be disrespectful? It is possible to disagree with the man, the administration, even democracy itself without namecalling. Whether you like it or not, the man is the president of this country.

I would be hard-pressed to believe that anyone could dislike President Bush as much I dislike Mr. Clinton. I never disrespected him however, because I respected the office, probably moreso than he did, but that is another matter altogether.

Perhaps this is just a hang-up of mine, but I believe an otherwise valid political argument is often dismissed because the poster cannot convey his message without fervent disrespect.

 

[WillyJ]

I posted this on another thread and I'll repeat it here:

________________________________

I was curious as to why Bruce decided after all these years to take such an overtly political stance concerning the up-coming election. . .


While I think what he wrote in the Op-Ed peice was quite profound and consistent with his work over the years, the answer isn't in there- rather, the answer was in something he said to Ted Koppel in a Nightline interview aired last night. . .


Springsteen has a 14 year-old-son.

He lived through Vietnam and it affected him deeply- he saw thousands upon thousands of American boys come home broken and battered, and 50,000 die because our government lied to us and then didn't have the guts to admit they were wrong.

He doesn't know for sure, but based on rhetoric and actions he thinks there's a good chance if Bush is re-elected that there will be more "pre-emptive" wars and considering how streched the military is now a draft will be inevitable.

He's not sure about Kerry, but he thinks/hopes it will be less likely that his son and other American sons and daughters will be forced to fight wars of choice rather then necessity if Bush is gone and Kerry is in.


I feel the same way. I don't want to see his kid or anyone's kid forced to put thier life on the line because some politician wants to live a "tough-guy" fantasy he did everything to avoid when he had the chance.
_________________________


And I'll add a couple things. . .

1) While I understand and somewhat agree with those who are offended an entertainer would use thier performances to unexpectedly expouse a political stance, this is nothing of the sort-the concerts will be for a specific purpose and anyone who is against that needs not make any justifications or apoligies for staying away.

2) While the actual endorsment of one political candidate over the other in unique, anyone who's surprised at the position Springsteen is expressing hasn't been paying attention to what he's stood for and the consistent values he's put forth in his music since he started making it.


He put's his money where his mouth is; he stands up for what he believes in; and they don't call him "The Boss" for nothing. . .

 

[Samsara]

Sorry, the shrub, his administration, and his policies have not earned my respect. I disagree with the premise that one should blindly give respect to leaders just because they're leaders.

If I happened to cross paths with the shrub and he wanted to shake my hand, I would laugh and walk away.

And keep in mind that this is a "family-oriented" board so the term "shrub" that I kindly bestow upon him here is much more respectful than what I would call him elsewhere.

 

[Robinrs]

Yikes, Samsara... Tell us how you REALLY feel!

And Hi, WillyJ! I LOVE that pic of Bruce in your sig! We missed you man!

 

[shortbun]

To the op

No one is letting you down, these are your expectations becoming
your dissapointments, plain and simple. It's about you man, not the BOSS, not the Dixie Chicks, not REM, not Jackson Browne,
not James Taylor or Pearl Jam-you.

We are all excited cause we're gonna see the concerts, sing
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone" in unison, cry and have a
wonderful time raising money for something we believe in,
It's our turn, we've spent 3.5 years having our expectations
dashed and our country's reputation defaced. God Bless America!

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I have known for years since I bought Nebraska on an LP that Bruce leans liberal, that's fine. But as Shortbun said this is about my own disappointment. I wanted to see Bruce this time but I won't contribute to moveon.org. I'm not going to do anything radical like burn my CDs.
If Kerry stuck out his hand to me I would also laugh and walk away.
I hope it's not "your turn". I hope Ohio knows better.
Robin M.

 

[nuts4sn00py]

I try to stay away from these type of posts because it can be so difficult to say what you feel without someone getting insulted or upset. I agree with Gina2000. I have always loved Bruce's music & that's all I would be interested in at a concert. I hate to be preached to, whether I agree with you or not. I try to keep my political views to myself, unless provoked. What really gets me is that many of the people who complain didn't even vote! I don't care who you vote for...vote, otherwise, don't complain! I know I got off topic, but in the end, it is your vote that matters the most! Kathy

 

[shortbun]

Originally posted by Rock'n Robin
I have known for years since I bought Nebraska on an LP that Bruce leans liberal, that's fine. But as Shortbun said this is about my own disappointment. I wanted to see Bruce this time but I won't contribute to moveon.org. I'm not going to do anything radical like burn my CDs.
If Kerry stuck out his hand to me I would also laugh and walk away.
I hope it's not "your turn". I hope Ohio knows better.
Robin M.

Hey, I'll be in Perrysburg and Maumee Saturday meeting with
some Kerry people. We're everywhere! Can't wait for that
concert on Oct 2 in Cleveland! Springsteen with E Street and
R.E.M. Can't get much better n that! yipeeee!