Mike McCready comments on the AT&T censorship
my2hands
Posts: 17,117
Thoughts of an American.
I grew up in a democratic system of government. This is what was taught all through Kindergarten through College. Freedom of thought and expression were hallmarks of my early education. These concepts and theories integrated my belief in an American system of democracy. Consequently, I became a musician because of these inalienable rights. Make no mistake I am an artist and a capitalist because of this system that I believe in and our country. I don't however believe that a capitalist corporation such as AT&T has the right to subvert the first amendment of the constitution to which we all are accountable. This happened on the night we played Lollapalooza. I was dismayed to hear that the act of censoring free speech was used to edit our song Daughter for a webcast. Surely the American listening public can discern for themselves what they deem acceptable to hear. This is a hallmark of our American way!! The freedom to listen to what you want or don't want to. The American public was duped as was I in believing that I can speak freely without censorship.
I can only look to historical figures who are above reproach in my mind, such as Thomas Jefferson "I hope we shall crush...in it's birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country." I feel that corporations can still exist without worry of a few words at a rock concert and need not trample upon our constitution for the sake of profit.
Another example that I believe is relevant is a George Orwell quote from Animal Farm. "If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." Some people don't want to hear our political beliefs in a song but that too is the beauty of America. WE CAN DISAGREE and still function as a democracy. When one person or company decides what others can hear, that is totalitarian thinking! This runs contrary to America and threatens the core of our freedom. We can think for ourselves, AT&T. I had the great pleasure of seeing the Space Shuttle launch live in Florida today. This gave me a feeling of excitement and patriotism in my country today.It showed me a future of ingenuity and promise for a better America.
With that I will leave you with a last quote from the quintessential American "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." This is an example of my belief in what Ed was saying the night we were censored during Daughter. You can't get more American than Mark Twain!!! Say no to censorship, it leads to dictatorship!
Mike McCready
http://pearljam.com/news/index.php?what=News#197
FUCK YEAH MIKE!
I grew up in a democratic system of government. This is what was taught all through Kindergarten through College. Freedom of thought and expression were hallmarks of my early education. These concepts and theories integrated my belief in an American system of democracy. Consequently, I became a musician because of these inalienable rights. Make no mistake I am an artist and a capitalist because of this system that I believe in and our country. I don't however believe that a capitalist corporation such as AT&T has the right to subvert the first amendment of the constitution to which we all are accountable. This happened on the night we played Lollapalooza. I was dismayed to hear that the act of censoring free speech was used to edit our song Daughter for a webcast. Surely the American listening public can discern for themselves what they deem acceptable to hear. This is a hallmark of our American way!! The freedom to listen to what you want or don't want to. The American public was duped as was I in believing that I can speak freely without censorship.
I can only look to historical figures who are above reproach in my mind, such as Thomas Jefferson "I hope we shall crush...in it's birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country." I feel that corporations can still exist without worry of a few words at a rock concert and need not trample upon our constitution for the sake of profit.
Another example that I believe is relevant is a George Orwell quote from Animal Farm. "If liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." Some people don't want to hear our political beliefs in a song but that too is the beauty of America. WE CAN DISAGREE and still function as a democracy. When one person or company decides what others can hear, that is totalitarian thinking! This runs contrary to America and threatens the core of our freedom. We can think for ourselves, AT&T. I had the great pleasure of seeing the Space Shuttle launch live in Florida today. This gave me a feeling of excitement and patriotism in my country today.It showed me a future of ingenuity and promise for a better America.
With that I will leave you with a last quote from the quintessential American "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." This is an example of my belief in what Ed was saying the night we were censored during Daughter. You can't get more American than Mark Twain!!! Say no to censorship, it leads to dictatorship!
Mike McCready
http://pearljam.com/news/index.php?what=News#197
FUCK YEAH MIKE!
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
Nonetheless, while I support free speech, I do not believe that AT&T must support the speech of the performers that it allows on its webcast.
You can say what you'd like, but don't force me to enable your speech.
-Enoch Powell
That makes no sense whatsoever.
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I might have bought the "hired help with an itchy trigger finger" excuse if this were a one-time deal. Now that we know that it's happened at least two times in the past (and probably many more), that rings a little hollow to me.
Hey, if it were me running the show, I'd let Ed say whatever he wanted. Better to let the opposition voice their beliefs. I don't think Ed's words were very different from what the majority of the American people are probably thinking right now.
AT&T sucks though. Always has.
-Enoch Powell
absolute agreement.
if nothing else, one can only hope that this sends a clear message to corporate america.....and that in the future, companies not comfortable in FULLY allowing for 100% content broadcast....stays outta the game.
it HAS given ed's words a lot more airtime than it would've otherwise...so really.....kudos to AT&T for giving more air to ed's words.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
Anyway, I guess it kind of back fired on the people who censored it, right. I wouldn't have been a big deal, right?
Or is America really that uptight?
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Your post has made my post considerably redundant.
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"8/12/07 - hippiemom totally agrees with a post by CorporateWhore"
I'd be just as pissed off, btw, if some corporation censored Toby Keith's pro-Bush rant. Legal or not, it's just wrong. That's not the way we do things in this country.
Saying "Doh"...doesnt cut it when you're lying just to save face ($$$).
If nobody said anything about it, they wouldn't apologize for jack shit...don't kid yourself.
They would roll in it like pigs in shite...and still be laughing about it.
eyes open...remember?
and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
over specific principles, goals, and policies.
http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg
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( o.O)
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so NBC/CNN/ABC/etc can edit or censor the state of the union address if they dont approve of it, and that would be ok?
i think it is important to remember that major corporations will control nearly all information and content through media consolidation... the public being ok with them editing and censoring will only help them push that button in the future... the ywill take it as far as we let them... corporations such as AT&T survive onl becuase of public support and business...
we control them, not the other way around
i would love to see someone attack those 2 frauds...
Thanks, for posting.
No shit! Al Sharpton a moral compass? For fuck's sake!
But...I have no problem with them signing an agreement with these bands where they are allowed to censor. If both parties agree, then it's fine with me.
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
Kinda like Wilson...
WOODROW Wilson???
Mr. "white man's burden" himself. Said we should help our dark brothers.
THAT Wilson?
-Enoch Powell
no, the one that lived over the fence on Home Improvement