October Ten Club Newsletter

lohad

Dear Ed, Mike, Jeff, Stone, and Matt,
I just got the October Ten Club newsletter; I always look forward to reading them, but I think this one will be my last.  I don't think you are the band you claim to be. 

I get it. I understand.  The Israel/Palestine conflict is complex and incendiary.  Facts can be spun and any statement one way or the other is a sure no win.  What happened this weekend, though, was an attack by a terrorist group on innocent people.  260 kiled attending a peace concert.  A concert for peace.  Tricked and trapped into a traffic jam and then shot at point blank range. Women brutally raped next to their friends' dead bodies, then they themselves killed.  Young people shot in the back as they were running for their lives.  Hundreds kidnapped from their homes. Children burned alive, babies decapitated.  The deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Can you imagine? Have you seen? 

Yet, no mention whatsoever in the Ten Club newsletter. Not. One. Word. We support your causes, and there are many. I thought you were the guys that called out injustice. Advocated for mental health, indigenous rights, suicide prevention, an EB cure, Maui fires.  Yet, here, a terrorist attack, a massacare of Jews, of Israelis, of the innocent, you remain silent. Why?

mickeyrat

25th anniversary of Lightning Bolt.....

gimmesometruth27

lohad said:

Dear Ed, Mike, Jeff, Stone, and Matt,
I just got the October Ten Club newsletter; I always look forward to reading them, but I think this one will be my last.  I don't think you are the band you claim to be. 

I get it. I understand.  The Israel/Palestine conflict is complex and incendiary.  Facts can be spun and any statement one way or the other is a sure no win.  What happened this weekend, though, was an attack by a terrorist group on innocent people.  260 kiled attending a peace concert.  A concert for peace.  Tricked and trapped into a traffic jam and then shot at point blank range. Women brutally raped next to their friends' dead bodies, then they themselves killed.  Young people shot in the back as they were running for their lives.  Hundreds kidnapped from their homes. Children burned alive, babies decapitated.  The deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Can you imagine? Have you seen? 

Yet, no mention whatsoever in the Ten Club newsletter. Not. One. Word. We support your causes, and there are many. I thought you were the guys that called out injustice. Advocated for mental health, indigenous rights, suicide prevention, an EB cure, Maui fires.  Yet, here, a terrorist attack, a massacare of Jews, of Israelis, of the innocent, you remain silent. Why?

i believe ed spoke out at a concert in london one time when things flared up in israel and got criticized for it. still, it is a shame nothing was mentioned this time.

brianlux

The letter was probably written before any of this happened.  And as much as we all respect that Pearl Jam as a band and it's individual members often do speak out about political, social, and environmental issues, that is not their job.  Even Neil Young once said (at a rally to support Native Americans) that his first job is as a musician.  Pearl Jam is a rock band, not a political action committee.
And perhaps take this into consideration:  Heather Cox-Richardson, who does write about current events almost every day of the week, made an attempt to write an unbiased letter about the events and received the greatest amount of hate mail she has ever had.  People are quick to judge anyway, and especially on these events.  I would give the band a break, or at least give them some time. 
This is a complex issue that is seen by many as problematic on both sides of the fence.  I would not want to be a public figure and take a stand on this one.  That does not mean that I or Pearl Jam or anyone else supports the Hamas, and of course we all (I hope) share disdain for the murder of innocents. But see, there's the problem, many people believe the blame comes from both sides, and innocent people are being killed in both Israel and Palestine.  That part is just a simple fact.

lastexitlondon

It's not for a music band to get involved in all or any political stance. Terrorism is awful we can all agree. It's very upsetting to see war and terror 

Go Beavers

I’m a much happier and less stressed person when I don’t demand responses from people in the general public. 

Gern Blansten

LOL...unbelievable

tempo_n_groove

lastexitlondon said:

It's not for a music band to get involved in all or any political stance. Terrorism is awful we can all agree. It's very upsetting to see war and terror 

Remember the London show Rob?

lastexitlondon

The trump balloon 

lastexitlondon

I'm not saying don't get involved in something if you are that strongly feeling you must but ALL . Come on how can they say and do the right thing by everyone . It's an impossible situation for a band to be in.  Maybe some of a group may feel different then what.