Imagine That -- I’m Still Anti-War

Kat

Imagine That -- I’m Still Anti-War.
July 16 2014

Most of us have heard John Lennon sing

“You may say I’m a dreamer,… but I’m not the only one.”

And some of us, after another morning dose of news coverage full of
death and destruction, feel the need to reach out to others to see if
we are not alone in our outrage. With about a dozen assorted
ongoing conflicts in the news everyday, and with the stories
becoming more horrific, the level of sadness becomes unbearable.
And what becomes of our planet when that sadness becomes apathy?
Because we feel helpless. And we turn our heads and turn the page.

Currently, I’m full of hope. That hope springs from the multitudes of
people that our band has been fortunate enough to play for night
after night here in Europe. To see flags of so many different nations,
and to have these huge crowds gathered peacefully and joyfully is
the exact inspiration behind the words I felt the need to emphatically relay.
When attempting to make a plea for more peace in the world at a rock concert,
we are reflecting the feelings of all those we have come in contact with
so we may all have a better understanding of each other.

That’s not something I’m going to stop anytime soon. Call me naïve.
I’d rather be naïve, heartfelt and hopeful than resigned to say
nothing for fear of misinterpretation and retribution.

The majority of humans on this planet are more consumed by the
pursuit of love, health, family, food and shelter than any kind of war.

War hurts. It hurts no matter which sides the bombs are falling on.

With all the global achievements in modern technology,
enhanced communication and information devices, cracking the
human genome, land rovers on Mars etc., do we really have to
resign ourselves to the devastating reality that conflict will be
resolved with bombs, murder and acts of barbarism?

We are such a remarkable species. Capable of creating beauty.
Capable of awe-inspiring advancements. We must be capable of
resolving conflicts without bloodshed.

I don’t know how to reconcile the peaceful rainbow of flags we see
each night at our concerts with the daily news of a dozen global
conflicts and their horrific consequences. I don’t know how to
process the feeling of guilt and complicity when I hear about the
deaths of a civilian family from a U.S. drone strike. But I know that
we can’t let the sadness turn into apathy. And I do know we are
better off when we reach out to each other.

“I hope someday you’ll join us,…”

Won’t you listen to what the man said.

— Eddie Vedder

http://pearljam.com/activism/news/1/22386/imagine_that_--_i’m_still_anti-war

cacarr1

Well said!

PJammer4life

Eddie is a good man..someone's gotta take the torch from John Lennon....

elwayvedder

Thanks Kat. I needed to hear something from the one front man I have put my faith in for over 20 years and the one singer who has brought so much to my life and to countless others. I'm glad he said something and didn't stay silent. Thank you Kat for sharing.
-EV

derbydave

WE MUST!!!

JimmyV

Imagine that. After all the anti-Israel vitriol, after all the pro-Palestinian controversy, after all the nonsense on both sides...after all that it remains an anti-war speech.

RiotZact

The title is awesome.

mrluthor9

And the World Will Live As One... BRAVO EV!

PJammer4life

JimmyV said:

Imagine that. After all the anti-Israel vitriol, after all the pro-Palestinian controversy, after all the nonsense on both sides...after all that it remains an anti-war speech.

Truth..
"With about a DOZEN assorted ongoing conflicts in the news everyday, and with the stories
becoming more horrific, the level of sadness becomes unbearable."
"War hurts. It hurts no matter which sides the bombs are falling on."

mallalieu

One Love!!!!

boyo79

JimmyV said:

Imagine that. After all the anti-Israel vitriol, after all the pro-Palestinian controversy, after all the nonsense on both sides...after all that it remains an anti-war speech.

Indeed.

dimitrispearljam

Eddie,this flag already Joined You....

Thanks for the invitation...Peace

Dimitris

quimby20

Just one question, I agree with anything but why does he not call out Obama for Drone Strikes. Shouldn't he be asking him to put a stop to it??? If this was Bush he would call him by name.

Abe Froman

Thanks for posting this. I couldn't agree more.

djklambake

Kudos, Eddie.

Just love.

Black Diamond

Very eloquent and I think what we all needed to see at this juncture..

Thanks

PJ_Soul

This is amazing Eddie. Thank you for posting this, and thank you for saying what you did on stage. I hope now everyone finally understands, and if they don't, that they will someday soon. I'm so happy that you won't be deterred from spreading your message of peace and fighting apathy (not that I ever thought you would be). :x

jimed14

quimby20 said:

Just one question, I agree with anything but why does he not call out Obama for Drone Strikes. Shouldn't he be asking him to put a stop to it??? If this was Bush he would call him by name.

No point in having this particular message turned into something divisive, as politics always does, when all the man wants is some peace.

ed243421

Thanks, Ed


Love this:

"That’s not something I’m going to stop anytime soon. Call me naïve.
I’d rather be naïve, heartfelt and hopeful than resigned to say
nothing for fear of misinterpretation and retribution.

The majority of humans on this planet are more consumed by the
pursuit of love, health, family, food and shelter than any kind of war."



Mr. Zinn would be very proud

PJ_Soul

jimed14 said:

quimby20 said:

Just one question, I agree with anything but why does he not call out Obama for Drone Strikes. Shouldn't he be asking him to put a stop to it??? If this was Bush he would call him by name.

No point in having this particular message turned into something divisive, as politics always does, when all the man wants is some peace.

And for the record, I have heard Ed specifically speaking against Obama's drone strikes at shows. He hates that violence too. Of course.

mfc2006

Well said!