PJ and WM3
LeilaMoonTurtle
Posts: 1,418
Sooo I'm not sure if I'm bothered by the talk about WM3 at shows or on the site but do they have a moral obligation to use their celebrity status as a platform to advocate for worthy causes?
since they are not elected officials, should musicians be able impact public policy are they qualified?
since they are not elected officials, should musicians be able impact public policy are they qualified?
http://s278.photobucket.com/albums/kk103/Moonturltemoon/PJ MSG 6-24-08/
Mihi cura futuri.
The elements they speak to me.
http://espn.go.com/espnradiostations/NewYork1050/gallery/35218855.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL3gQO1WxUk
so cute they are
Mihi cura futuri.
The elements they speak to me.
http://espn.go.com/espnradiostations/NewYork1050/gallery/35218855.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL3gQO1WxUkso cute they are
Post edited by Unknown User on
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nor do i see people taking pearl jam too seriously when it comes to them asking fans to donate their hard earned money to help 3 child murderers....
Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
The vast majority of our politicians are completely full of shit and largely most of thier public appearances are completely made to get votes or make themselves look good or to retain power not to do anything that might be for the public good. Furthermore the government is not in the business of watching out for bad things done by government so someones got to do it. If private citizens want to use whatever platform they have to infuence public policy that's fantastic.. It's kind of at the root of the first amendment.
The freedom to stand up for what you believe and speak on it. People can boo too if they want. That's kind of freedom of speech at it's core. If you don't want to use it... that's a you problem.
Morals are generally personal, so I don't pretend to really know what they are for each member of Pearl Jam, but since they have done a great amount of research on the WM3 and don't think they are guilty of the crimes they are charged of or at least think there are many many poor actions by the government officials in this case that led to thier conviction and imprisonment yeah I think If I knew some people in prison I felt were innocent, I think I'd do whatever I could to try to get them freed as well.
The freedom of speech essentially qualifies/ begs everyone in America to make statements regarding public policy... even if they are stupid wrong or inaccurate... or dead on accurate. Plenty of stupid unqualified and or no account people are elected all the time. The word of a life long politican is far worse than a passionate informed musician anyway. That musician is going to tell you what they think... it's up to you to research it. The politician may have researched it, found that it will debilitate them politically and will lie to their grave to defend their political position.
good question. I thought the same thing about Mumia Abu Jamal. I'd say some of it comes from books, or mutual friends, literature etc. and the belief in whomevers side of the story.
I think Ed is probably drawn to this case more than others because the WM3 were "allegedly" fingered in part because of the type of music they listened to. They were outcasts because of their lifestyle, which included musical preference, and I think Ed probably related to that in some way.
for the least they could possibly do
To me, there is definitely a fine line.
I appreciate their activism. And they have definitely turned me on to some causes that I wouldn't have known about otherwise. And even if I don't wind up agreeing with their stances on those causes ... at least I became aware of them.
However, I can definitely see how this stuff can get wearisome at a rock show ... if it's too much, too often. I also don't know how I feel about a giant-ass Obama banner hanging behind ed, either, but it's something I can live with. It's not hurting anybody.
for the least they could possibly do
That's definitely true, and believe me, I'm not one of these "shut up and sing" types.
In fact, I don't think I've ever been to a show where Ed has gone on a long diatribe or anything (in fact, I think the frequency of those have been overexaggerated for the most part).
But I do think at some point, it can be counterproductive. You're just preaching to the choir. At what point is that, I don't know. I guess it's different for all people.
For me, even with all the boots I listen to, I've never heard anything that makes me think, "I can never listen to this band again." But I have thought to myself, "Alright. Cool. We get it. Bush sucks. Now let's move on ... " It's more of a minor annoyance at times than something that pisses you off.
Anyway, this post has rambled enough, and I don't feel like going back and fixing it, so it will end with the period at the end of this sentence.
for the least they could possibly do
alot of artists have said what drew them to the case, was because the WM3 were initally investigated because of the music they were into. that it became a witch hunt.
and Damien Echols is sitting on death row. so, one out of the three were sentenced to death.
"To question your government is not unpatriotic --
to not question your government is unpatriotic."
-- Sen. Chuck Hagel
As citizens they have a right to voice their opinions. And since they have microphones their voices just hits more people than yours or mine.
I don't think anyone is stupid enough to think they can right all of the justice's wrongs. But sometimes I guess some artists are just touched by a story and want to do something rather than nothing just because there are shitload of judicial errors. Look and Dylan and Hurricane Carter for instance.
hey, hey, hey....3 'convicted' child murderers....
anyway, i listen to most of the music and that is it.
i tune everything else out.
Esther's here and she's sick?
hi Esther, now we are all going to be sick, thanks
you know how many people i come across who disrespect Pearl Jam for defending these murderers?
i cant blame them, this is Pearl Jam's worst cause to date