Imagine That -- I’m Still Anti-War

surfsprite2

Thank You Ed for reaching out. I too am beginning to despair over all the destructive behavior that is hurting Mankind, and all other sentient living beings. Including the rapid destruction and exploitation of our beautiful Mother Earth . Thank You Ed for sharing that You see Peace and kindness in many different People in all Your walks through life. Reading this gave me a glimpse into the hope for the "Humanity" in Humans and for Our collective potential to rise above.Thank You and Pearl Jam for being my Hero's once more:)! Sincerely from my heart ♥...

Spags

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. - EV

The 'Bring PJ to Israel' group will jump on this I expect and say why not join people together in peace at a concert in their country. Be interesting to see a poll of how many fans who did the recent Euro tour would have added an Israel show (time off and money permitting). I know they have that anti-missile system, but I'd have ducked that show personally for self preservation reasons. Does that make me an ignorant coward? Considering how much care Ed puts into the wellbeing of fans down the front at gigs, he really isn't going to encourage fans to come see PJ in a warzone no matter how powerful a statement of peace some may see it as...or maybe his words were clear enough this time.

igotid88

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11zlnmaIiF8

notforconsumption

I come from a country with an ongoing conflict, and living my whole life in peace but the kind of peace that's so fragile that every single time I wake up in the middle of the night from a loud thunder or bang my heart throbs in fear of an air invasion.

My dad was a prisoner of war and is one of those incredibly lucky people that managed to get out, alive.

To me war (and the possibility of it) is both real and unreal, all at the same time.

Eddies message, is one that we should all hold close to our hearts.

I'm a fan of this band because of the music and because of the set of people that forms it. The fact that Eddie and other like-minded public figures think they way they do, have a voice and understand that its important to use that voice, makes me feel both hopeful and calm.

Rock and Roll!

PorchgirlCO

Kudos to you, Ed! If we are hopeful and express our feelings, what is wrong with that?

"You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will be as one."

Peace...

Miss Terri

Heartfelt and simply stated. Thank you, Ed, for having the balls to (always) speak your mind and for encouraging others to do the same. Pearl Jam, for me, has been a spiritual awakening, through the lyrics/music. You guys inspire me every day to be the best possible version of myself, to never give up hope and to believe all things are possible. Keep on keeping on!!!

Windermere11

Kat said:

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

— Eddie Vedder

Personally, I feel our species isn't so remarkable... Imagine a world with only butterflies, kittens and rabbits with glasses... Now that would be fun!!!

boyo79

myoung321 said:

What amazes me is the backlash... Eddie has spoke out against war and guns for years.. Bushleager , Glorified G...hell lots of songs...?.... But now you're upset? I sense spin in the worse possible way... So people are upset about Eddie speaking out at a rock concert, but silent when people are being killed .... hmmmm I think those people that are upset should re-check priorities and remember People are DYING and your feelings are hurt from Eddie's words???? shame on you....

Keep talking Eddie. In Fact SHOUT... fuk'em

Completely agree. I really couldn't care which side is to blame in any conflict, I just wish war would stop.

barb

Yes. Just stop war. Any war. Now. Please.

rr165892

Windermere11 said:

Kat said:

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

— Eddie Vedder

Personally, I feel our species isn't so remarkable... Imagine a world with only butterflies, kittens and rabbits with glasses... Now that would be fun!!!

Don't forget Rainbows and Unicorns

pljam

In a sad world full of hatred,confusion,greed,anger and heartbreaking war.
One thing we are so lucky to share is not only the brilliant music PJ give us but the bond of strangers united at a Pearl Jam concert is one of greatest feelings I have experienced.
My son and I follow the tours when they come to Australia and if 10% of the togetherness and bonded feeling's from a show could go beyond the stadium walls,well what a much better place this world would be,so I suppose it is up to us on an individual level to do our little bit to change the ugliness so prevalent throughout the world.No we can't' stop a war but we can sit and reflect on what we have and how lucky we actually are especially comparing our lives with all the innocent caught up in wars they can't escape from.
Thanks PJ and Thanks EV ,it's bigger than the music,the millions in this PJ family are so lucky.
It is great to read the togetherness goes to the six on stage that provide it to us,not that I ever doubted it wouldn't .
WE'RE SAFE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

pdalowsky

Beautiful words by EV, and very well worded. I am anti war - imagine that.

I just find it a shame there was such a bullshit backlash in the first place that made him feel compelled to write this. His sentiments are I like to think within us all, he just used his platform to convey them in a moment of passionate outburst, yes they are perhaps overtly simple and unrealistic in todays world, but they are perfect nonetheless.....No more war. Nothing more nothing less.

If someone wants to take from what he said their own meaning, and get all pissy about something they interpret that was directed at their government and not their people, then that is rather sad.

but then, we live in a world where everything is about 'me'. perhaps that's why things will never change

lemming

It's time to call off the Obama administration
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/23/obama-drone-program-anniversary_n_4654825.html

Sonja_S

Classy response, as sad as it is that it still seems to be necessary to explain why someone is anti-war.

It's interesting how quickly people jump to conclusions after a general statement (even the taking land comment fits several of the current conflicts). The iceberg principle is alive and well.

All of you who are directly affected, wherever you are: I hope you and your loved ones stay safe and there will soon be an end to the fighting.

boyo79

"Don't see some men as half empty
See them half full of shit
Thinking that we're all but slaves

Won't someone save?
Won't someone save
The world?"

Never has this been more true. The world needs saving from the corporations and governments ruining our world with war, money and greed.

aennil

Very, very well said, thank you Eddie!

Irenka

I dream with you and hope some day....

PhillyCrownOfThorns

Let's try today. Please people... Take your feelings of the conflict out (hard to do... I know).

Eddie has long called his communication with his fans "a dialogue". A-two way street... It is one of the reasons I have continued to enjoy PJ. There were a group of fans upset about the meaning of his words. The reaction actually caused Eddie to think and draft a response that did nothing to quell the outrage... Only pissed on the audacity of fans to actually question our fearless rock god!

So I ask again... Why not address those people specifically who were outraged? It is possible to support the suffrage of the Palestinian and Israeli population while denouncing war by Israel and Hamas. These two are absolutely mutually exclusive in the context of peace and love... One world... Flags flying in unison at shows... No war!

Eddie- sorry but this is some weak ass sauce that you brought to the table. Seems to me that you can't condemn a government like Hamas or Israel (by name) because you are actually too afraid to offend all of your liberal "peace-loving" buddies.

Drop Rodger's leash!

Note- just because some of my comments were answered and taken to another level. Eddie is a loving guy with a huge heart. I aspire to help as many people as he has in his life, and have done some pretty good work at the age of 40. He is not anti-Semitic as some would lead you to believe or some want to paint me as believing.

I just think his spin is bullshit and no different then we hear from our governments.

marilor

Well said Eddie !
It is so incredible and seems to be so stupid to have to fight to explain an idea about peace !
I'm totally agree with you.
How can we listen to Pearl Jam Music, love this music and this band and be disagree ?
Music and words form a whole. This is an art, and as an art, freedom and self expression are the law.
I think people's inconsistency is a source of war...
Your constancy is one of the reasons I love Pearl Jam for more than 20 years.
If the fighting against wars were about to succeed, I would understand your silence after all those years. But it's definitely not the case and I'm glad (and grateful !) you come down in favour of peace. I didn't expect less from you !

Peace ...and Love
And take care...we need you so much !

FrankieG

rollings said:

Ed Vedder said:

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.

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.
.

This is so simplisticly true

but what do we do?

how do we re-arrange what most countries have assimilated to be, building armies, guarding borders, us vs. them, the love of your country's flag ignites pride of what is "yours" and a skeptic guarded eye towards "outsiders"

Maybe one shouldn't fly his or her own country's flag, but instead another country's flag.

War Is probably the pinnacle of egotism.

We need a world flag.

.......or doily