GITMO and Pearl Jam - a publicity stunt?

2

Comments

  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    MrSmith wrote:
    Byrnzie wrote:
    i wasn't at any of the shows there jeanwah, but the eddie rants seem to be getting fewer and far between, at least judging by the shows i've been to the last few years. maybe he's thinking that most of the fans just want to share in the love of the music.

    Is that how you describe his opinions on certain issues?: 'rants'?

    Personally, I like listening to Ed speak and share his views on certain issues. Not only is it interesting, but he nearly always injects some humour into it, and these 'rants' help to build a rapport with the crowd and individualize every show.

    If I wanted to just listen to the music then I'd stick a fucking cd on, or I'd be an Oasis fan who is content to just watch a band walk on, play the songs, and leave. But then I'd be a moron with low expectations.
    what is interesting about his rants? they are seldom funny. i like hearing his goofy little anecdotes and stories, but the political stuff is pretty generic anti-whatever stuff. and the crowd (or at least those around me) are never into it. it usually grinds the show to a halt.

    i agree with ed most of the time, but i kinda agree. it doesn't often go over well. if anyone has the cleveland 06 boot... listen to him talk about his dream right before ledbetter. talk about killing the momentum in a great show... it's the most nonsensical rambling gibberish i ever heard!

  • i agree with ed most of the time, but i kinda agree. it doesn't often go over well. if anyone has the cleveland 06 boot... listen to him talk about his dream right before ledbetter. talk about killing the momentum in a great show... it's the most nonsensical rambling gibberish i ever heard!
    yeah i agree with much of it too, i just don't need to hear it at a show.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    edited November 2009
    Jeanwah wrote:
    I can't help but wonder if it's all a publicity stunt

    Sure, keep the faith.
    citizen54 wrote:
    Maybe he's getting older and realizing you can only rail against the darkness for so long. It gets tiring fighting the forces of stupidity.

    Yep, best just to shut the fuck up and accept being screwed by the media and the fat cats. Shame that Nelson Mandela didn't learn that lesson a long time ago. We might still have apartheid in South Africa. Oh well, at least we can console ourselves with the knowledge that we have it in Palestine now instead. :lol:
    Simply put: political rants by Ed these days = bad for Pearl Jam business.

    Funny you should say that, because Eddie Vedder and Pearl Jam have always struck me as just a bunch of greed-heads with no soul and no integrity. I wonder if Eddie is friends with Mick Hucknall and George Michael?
    inmytree wrote:
    and this course you speak of...what course is that...? I thought they were in it to make music and money...

    Yeah baby, it's all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
    Yes, they are still on the music for money course... Maybe moreso now than ever before.
    I'm not judging here, just stating facts. People change... Or maybe the anti-corporate, anti-marketing, anti-establishment image they built for themselves over the first 12 years of their career, was really a very clever, very-corporate, brilliantly-marketed, part-of-the-establishment approach, and we just didn't see it ;) ?

    And there was I thinking I was just imagining things when every time I listened to a Pearl Jam record I heard cash registers ringing through the speakers. And all this time I put that down to Matt's cymbals. :lol:
    aerial wrote:
    “If your young and not a Liberal you have no heart...if your older and not a Conservative you have no brain”....or something like that

    Tell that to Noam Chomsky, and Howard Zinn. Oh, and Castro's still alive last time I checked.
    i think given the nature of the philly shows, ed purposely kept politics out of it. those shows were to honor the spectrum.

    given that the gitmo subject is stickied on the porch, is on the homepage, i don't see it as a publicity stunt, at all. ed and the boys need not talk about evry cause they support, every time they have a show.

    Thanks for finally saying something that I agree with, and for keeping it simple and to the point. ;)
    MrSmith wrote:
    maybe he realised bitching at concerts is largely counterproductive an stupid?

    Drawing attention to certain issues, like the Iraq war e.t.c, isn't counterproductive and stupid. It's intelligent, and arguably obligatory for people with integrity who have a platform and are in a position to change things.
    Post edited by Byrnzie on
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    MrSmith wrote:
    the political stuff is pretty generic anti-whatever stuff. and the crowd (or at least those around me) are never into it.

    Maybe it's an American thing. Maybe why Bill Hicks and Noam Chomsky are virtually unknown in America. 'Just shut up and play the music' is only a sentiment I hear from Americans.
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    Byrnzie wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    the political stuff is pretty generic anti-whatever stuff. and the crowd (or at least those around me) are never into it.

    Maybe it's an American thing. Maybe why Bill Hicks and Noam Chomsky are virtually unknown in America. 'Just shut up and play the music' is only a sentiment I hear from Americans.

    is that really surprising? we're probably the most conservative/right-leaning country in the western world. the only countries further right of us are the kinds of countries that don't really allow rock concerts... like iran ;)
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    MrSmith wrote:
    what is interesting about his rants? they are seldom funny. i like hearing his goofy little anecdotes and stories, but the political stuff is pretty generic anti-whatever stuff. and the crowd (or at least those around me) are never into it. it usually grinds the show to a halt.

    Personally, I think a lot of the time his political talks add to the show. A lot of the songs were written in light of some issue or other and when he elaborates on that before playing the song it adds something to it. But then that's just me.
    I imagine many people don't know what the songs mean, or in what climate they were written, so him shedding some light on these things from time to time can't be a bad thing. After all, he's a singer with something to say, he's not a pop star.
  • edited November 2009
    Byrnzie wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    maybe he realised bitching at concerts is largely counterproductive an stupid?

    Drawing attention to certain issues, like the Iraq war e.t.c, isn't counterproductive and stupid. It's intelligent, and arguably obligatory for people with integrity who have a platform and are in a position to change things.
    drawing attention to West Memphis Three, some local issue or something people dont know about is one thing, but ranting about Iraq, not debating or having intelligent conversation, but using a bullhorn to shout at people, is utterly pointless. People don't like to be preached to. do you?

    who the fuck ever left a PJ show thinking "wow that rockstar is so right! i'm gonna oppose the war now!" it just hardens people to their own opinion. it has the opposite effect of getting people to oppose it. the choir eats it up, but again, that doesnt do anything.
    Post edited by LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun on
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    edited November 2009
    Byrnzie wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    the political stuff is pretty generic anti-whatever stuff. and the crowd (or at least those around me) are never into it.

    Maybe it's an American thing. Maybe why Bill Hicks and Noam Chomsky are virtually unknown in America. 'Just shut up and play the music' is only a sentiment I hear from Americans.

    is that really surprising? we're probably the most conservative/right-leaning country in the western world. the only countries further right of us are the kinds of countries that don't really allow rock concerts... like iran ;)

    We Americans only want what we want, too. We want nothing but the music, screw what one's opinion may be. It's all about our entitlement, it sure seems.

    Perhaps, they didn't mention anything about Gitmo as was suggested -- to respect the end of the Spectrum. I'll buy that, it does make sense. But for such a public voice that Eddie used to be at shows...to drop off to nothing since the election of Obama...well, it makes me wonder what the Hell happened. Will he ever mention politics or social issues again at PJ shows? Was the Spectrum really out of respect? I guess we'll see. I liked hearing what he had to say.

    For those who don't like Ed's "rants", well, if the shoe was on the other foot, what would you do if you had a microphone in your hand for thousands of people to hear you with? A microphone is a pretty powerful tool, would you "shut up and sing", and do as you're told by the listeners? Or would you say what you wanted everyone to hear?
    Post edited by Jeanwah on
  • Jeanwah wrote:

    If you didn't like Ed's "rants", well, if the shoe was on the other foot, what would you do if you had a microphone in your hand for thousands of people to hear you with? A microphone is a pretty powerful tool, would you "shut up and sing", and do as you're told by the listeners? Or would you say what you wanted everyone to hear?
    i'd shut up and sing. if someone asked my opinion, i'd give it. i don't send work to my boss with a note attached detailing why Bush should be in jail. its my fucking job. i'll help out my causes on my own time, not when someone else is paying me to do something else.
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    MrSmith wrote:
    Jeanwah wrote:

    If you didn't like Ed's "rants", well, if the shoe was on the other foot, what would you do if you had a microphone in your hand for thousands of people to hear you with? A microphone is a pretty powerful tool, would you "shut up and sing", and do as you're told by the listeners? Or would you say what you wanted everyone to hear?
    i'd shut up and sing. if someone asked my opinion, i'd give it. i don't send work to my boss with a note attached detailing why Bush should be in jail. its my fucking job. i'll help out my causes on my own time, not when someone else is paying me to do something else.
    So you'd "do as they told ya". Very nice.
  • CommyCommy Posts: 4,984
    MrSmith wrote:
    drawing attention to West Memphis Three, some local issue or something people dont know about is one thing, but ranting about Iraq, not debating or having intelligent conversation, but using a bullhorn to shout at people, is utterly pointless. People don't like to be preached to. do you?

    who the fuck ever left a PJ show thinking "wow that rockstar is so right! i'm gonna oppose the war now!" it just hardens people to their own opinion. it has the opposite effect of getting people to oppose it. the choir eats it up, but again, that doesnt do anything.
    not ture at all.



    if we stay silent the issue is forgotten. we need to be constantly reminded of the importance of ending war, else we all go back to our lazy complacent lives. its a wake up call, call to arms, whatever. when people stop talking about it that's when they win. that's when murder becomes legal. and fuck that.


    id i had a microphone and 30,000 people in front of me i'd sure as hell bring it up too. change starts with information, and discussion, and i know its rock concert but people are dying, every day. its an urgent message and it needs to be relayed.
  • edited November 2009
    Jeanwah wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    Jeanwah wrote:

    If you didn't like Ed's "rants", well, if the shoe was on the other foot, what would you do if you had a microphone in your hand for thousands of people to hear you with? A microphone is a pretty powerful tool, would you "shut up and sing", and do as you're told by the listeners? Or would you say what you wanted everyone to hear?
    i'd shut up and sing. if someone asked my opinion, i'd give it. i don't send work to my boss with a note attached detailing why Bush should be in jail. its my fucking job. i'll help out my causes on my own time, not when someone else is paying me to do something else.
    So you'd "do as they told ya". Very nice.
    not at all. just cause i don't feel so important as to think that my opinion should be heard by everyone around me nonstop whether they want it or not doesn't make me a sheep. its about respect for other peopleand their time, especially people that helped me get where i am.

    maybe throwing in a quick thing about the war is fine, but stopping the show for a long winded rant is disrespectful. it insults my intelligence.
    Post edited by LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun on
  • Commy wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    drawing attention to West Memphis Three, some local issue or something people dont know about is one thing, but ranting about Iraq, not debating or having intelligent conversation, but using a bullhorn to shout at people, is utterly pointless. People don't like to be preached to. do you?

    who the fuck ever left a PJ show thinking "wow that rockstar is so right! i'm gonna oppose the war now!" it just hardens people to their own opinion. it has the opposite effect of getting people to oppose it. the choir eats it up, but again, that doesnt do anything.
    not ture at all.



    if we stay silent the issue is forgotten. we need to be constantly reminded of the importance of ending war, else we all go back to our lazy complacent lives. its a wake up call, call to arms, whatever. when people stop talking about it that's when they win. that's when murder becomes legal. and fuck that.


    id i had a microphone and 30,000 people in front of me i'd sure as hell bring it up too. change starts with information, and discussion, and i know its rock concert but people are dying, every day. its an urgent message and it needs to be relayed.
    and when you preach constantly, especially in the most tactless, beligerent way possible, people quickly learn to stop listening and avoid you at all costs. the right way to go about it is civil debate and respect for other's opinions, not screaming at people. people like myself dont like to be told what to do or think by some ass with a bullhorn.


    i will say this though. Eddie has gotten much more civil and tactful about it than he used to be. before, it was all "i hate republicans and you people are assholes and fuck you blablabla". yeah, that kinda shit really helps. now he at least tries to really reach people. but he's usually too drunk to get it across well.

    you can talk about it in ways that actually help, but ranting about it with a microphone isn't a very good one.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    MrSmith wrote:
    i will say this though. Eddie has gotten much more civil and tactful about it than he used to be. before, it was all "i hate republicans and you people are assholes and fuck you blablabla".

    Strange, but I've never heard him say anything like that. Maybe my record's are all scratched?

    If you told me that you knew of a rock singer who preaches constantly in the most tactless, belligerent way, Eddie Vedder isn't someone who would spring to mind.
  • Byrnzie wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    i will say this though. Eddie has gotten much more civil and tactful about it than he used to be. before, it was all "i hate republicans and you people are assholes and fuck you blablabla".

    Strange, but I've never heard him say anything like that. Maybe my record's are all scratched?
    sure he does. on his earlier solo tour he said basically just that and didnt feel like being nice, then said he would take their money and give it to democrats. i think he was pretty hungover, though.

    actually, that one was one of his funnier ones, because it was so blatantly antagonistic, but you could tell he was pissed.

    not to mention the "fuck em" response on Storytellers.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    edited November 2009
    MrSmith wrote:
    Byrnzie wrote:
    Strange, but I've never heard him say anything like that. Maybe my record's are all scratched?

    sure he does. on his earlier solo tour he said basically just that and didnt feel like being nice, then said he would take their money and give it to democrats. i think he was pretty hungover, though.

    actually, that one was one of his funnier ones, because it was so blatantly antagonistic, but you could tell he was pissed.

    not to mention the "fuck em" response on Storytellers.

    I often don't feel like being nice either - coz I'm human. So what?

    'He can sing at shows, but he shouldn't speak'.

    Why don't you just go the whole hog and tell him to stop singing too?

    God Bless America! :lol:
    Post edited by Byrnzie on
  • Byrnzie wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    Byrnzie wrote:
    Strange, but I've never heard him say anything like that. Maybe my record's are all scratched?

    sure he does. on his earlier solo tour he said basically just that and didnt feel like being nice, then said he would take their money and give it to democrats. i think he was pretty hungover, though.

    actually, that one was one of his funnier ones, because it was so blatantly antagonistic, but you could tell he was pissed.

    not to mention the "fuck em" response on Storytellers.

    I often don't feel like being nice either - coz I'm human. So what?

    Why don't you just go the whole hog and tell him to stop singing too?

    'He can sing at shows, but he shouldn't speak'.

    God Bless America! :lol:
    its a free country, he can do what he wants.

    and as long as he promises never to sing No More again, or Speed of Sound for that matter, he can sing. i'll allow it.
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    Commy wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    drawing attention to West Memphis Three, some local issue or something people dont know about is one thing, but ranting about Iraq, not debating or having intelligent conversation, but using a bullhorn to shout at people, is utterly pointless. People don't like to be preached to. do you?

    who the fuck ever left a PJ show thinking "wow that rockstar is so right! i'm gonna oppose the war now!" it just hardens people to their own opinion. it has the opposite effect of getting people to oppose it. the choir eats it up, but again, that doesnt do anything.
    not ture at all.

    if we stay silent the issue is forgotten. we need to be constantly reminded of the importance of ending war, else we all go back to our lazy complacent lives. its a wake up call, call to arms, whatever. when people stop talking about it that's when they win. that's when murder becomes legal. and fuck that.

    id i had a microphone and 30,000 people in front of me i'd sure as hell bring it up too. change starts with information, and discussion, and i know its rock concert but people are dying, every day. its an urgent message and it needs to be relayed.

    good call, they've been reminding us since 2002 and clearly, it has changed everything!

    you people tha tthing activism and awareness is worth anything crack me up.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Commy wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    drawing attention to West Memphis Three, some local issue or something people dont know about is one thing, but ranting about Iraq, not debating or having intelligent conversation, but using a bullhorn to shout at people, is utterly pointless. People don't like to be preached to. do you?

    who the fuck ever left a PJ show thinking "wow that rockstar is so right! i'm gonna oppose the war now!" it just hardens people to their own opinion. it has the opposite effect of getting people to oppose it. the choir eats it up, but again, that doesnt do anything.
    not ture at all.

    if we stay silent the issue is forgotten. we need to be constantly reminded of the importance of ending war, else we all go back to our lazy complacent lives. its a wake up call, call to arms, whatever. when people stop talking about it that's when they win. that's when murder becomes legal. and fuck that.

    id i had a microphone and 30,000 people in front of me i'd sure as hell bring it up too. change starts with information, and discussion, and i know its rock concert but people are dying, every day. its an urgent message and it needs to be relayed.

    good call, they've been reminding us since 2002 and clearly, it has changed everything!

    you people tha tthing activism and awareness is worth anything crack me up.

    better than sitting on your arse doing nothing and crapping on that it wont change anything .
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    Commy wrote:
    not ture at all.

    if we stay silent the issue is forgotten. we need to be constantly reminded of the importance of ending war, else we all go back to our lazy complacent lives. its a wake up call, call to arms, whatever. when people stop talking about it that's when they win. that's when murder becomes legal. and fuck that.

    id i had a microphone and 30,000 people in front of me i'd sure as hell bring it up too. change starts with information, and discussion, and i know its rock concert but people are dying, every day. its an urgent message and it needs to be relayed.

    good call, they've been reminding us since 2002 and clearly, it has changed everything!

    you people tha tthing activism and awareness is worth anything crack me up.

    better than sitting on your arse doing nothing and crapping on that it wont change anything .

    the message is clear. the war hasn't stopped not becos americans have forgotten or aren't aware. it hasn't stopped becos we clearly don't give a flying fuck. it's sad, but thus is real life. welcome to reality.
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    you people tha tthing activism and awareness is worth anything crack me up.

    Sure, because the civil rights movement during the 60's, and other civil rights movements since, were all just a hopeless waste of time that achieved nothing, right?
  • CommyCommy Posts: 4,984
    Commy wrote:
    MrSmith wrote:
    drawing attention to West Memphis Three, some local issue or something people dont know about is one thing, but ranting about Iraq, not debating or having intelligent conversation, but using a bullhorn to shout at people, is utterly pointless. People don't like to be preached to. do you?

    who the fuck ever left a PJ show thinking "wow that rockstar is so right! i'm gonna oppose the war now!" it just hardens people to their own opinion. it has the opposite effect of getting people to oppose it. the choir eats it up, but again, that doesnt do anything.
    not ture at all.

    if we stay silent the issue is forgotten. we need to be constantly reminded of the importance of ending war, else we all go back to our lazy complacent lives. its a wake up call, call to arms, whatever. when people stop talking about it that's when they win. that's when murder becomes legal. and fuck that.

    id i had a microphone and 30,000 people in front of me i'd sure as hell bring it up too. change starts with information, and discussion, and i know its rock concert but people are dying, every day. its an urgent message and it needs to be relayed.

    good call, they've been reminding us since 2002 and clearly, it has changed everything!

    you people tha tthing activism and awareness is worth anything crack me up.

    yeah we should have done that in the 70's and let vietnam go on for a few more decades.
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    Byrnzie wrote:
    you people tha tthing activism and awareness is worth anything crack me up.

    Sure, because the civil rights movement during the 60's, and other civil rights movements since, were all just a hopeless waste of time that achieved nothing, right?

    no they weren't. but last i checked, a few rich rock stars preaching from their stage didnt have much to do with that. i'm not saying he souldnt say whatever the fuck he wants onstage, im just saying it's laughable to think eddie vedder's 15 second stage rants make a difference on anything. the work he does offstage matters far, far more in the grand scheme of things.
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    Commy wrote:
    Commy wrote:
    not ture at all.

    if we stay silent the issue is forgotten. we need to be constantly reminded of the importance of ending war, else we all go back to our lazy complacent lives. its a wake up call, call to arms, whatever. when people stop talking about it that's when they win. that's when murder becomes legal. and fuck that.

    id i had a microphone and 30,000 people in front of me i'd sure as hell bring it up too. change starts with information, and discussion, and i know its rock concert but people are dying, every day. its an urgent message and it needs to be relayed.

    good call, they've been reminding us since 2002 and clearly, it has changed everything!

    you people tha tthing activism and awareness is worth anything crack me up.

    yeah we should have done that in the 70's and let vietnam go on for a few more decades.

    given that is started under kennedy in the early 60s and ended when we left saigon in 75... it took a decade. and you're delusional if you think rock stars had anything to do with it.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    good call, they've been reminding us since 2002 and clearly, it has changed everything!

    you people tha tthing activism and awareness is worth anything crack me up.

    better than sitting on your arse doing nothing and crapping on that it wont change anything .

    the message is clear. the war hasn't stopped not becos americans have forgotten or aren't aware. it hasn't stopped becos we clearly don't give a flying fuck. it's sad, but thus is real life. welcome to reality.


    i have to question WHY you all dont give a fuck... flying or otherwise.
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    the message is clear. the war hasn't stopped not becos americans have forgotten or aren't aware. it hasn't stopped becos we clearly don't give a flying fuck. it's sad, but thus is real life. welcome to reality.

    i have to question WHY you all dont give a fuck... flying or otherwise.

    i wish i knew. the luxurious indifference of being rich and sheltered i suppose?
  • CommyCommy Posts: 4,984
    the message is clear. the war hasn't stopped not becos americans have forgotten or aren't aware. it hasn't stopped becos we clearly don't give a flying fuck. it's sad, but thus is real life. welcome to reality.

    i have to question WHY you all dont give a fuck... flying or otherwise.

    i wish i knew. the luxurious indifference of being rich and sheltered i suppose?
    indoctrinated? subjected to more propaganda than north korea maybe? i think so.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    the message is clear. the war hasn't stopped not becos americans have forgotten or aren't aware. it hasn't stopped becos we clearly don't give a flying fuck. it's sad, but thus is real life. welcome to reality.

    i have to question WHY you all dont give a fuck... flying or otherwise.

    i wish i knew. the luxurious indifference of being rich and sheltered i suppose?


    aah yes the decadent west. sux not to be us doesnt it?? ;)
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • soulsingingsoulsinging Posts: 13,202
    Commy wrote:
    i have to question WHY you all dont give a fuck... flying or otherwise.

    i wish i knew. the luxurious indifference of being rich and sheltered i suppose?
    indoctrinated? subjected to more propaganda than north korea maybe? i think so.

    i would never deny we're subject to plenty of indoctrination and propaganda (see me in the vet's day thread), but if you think we can even compete with north korea, you truly are delusional.
  • CommyCommy Posts: 4,984
    Commy wrote:
    i wish i knew. the luxurious indifference of being rich and sheltered i suppose?
    indoctrinated? subjected to more propaganda than north korea maybe? i think so.

    i would never deny we're subject to plenty of indoctrination and propaganda (see me in the vet's day thread), but if you think we can even compete with north korea, you truly are delusional.
    differnet kind of propaganda. much more advanced
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