PJ and WM3

LeilaMoonTurtle
LeilaMoonTurtle Posts: 1,418
edited April 2008 in A Moving Train
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?
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Comments

  • macgyver06
    macgyver06 Posts: 2,500
    impact with their words?
  • SPEEDY MCCREADY
    SPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 26,947
    LeilaMoonTurtle wrote:
    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?
    i cant see too many people here actually taking pearl jam too seriously when it comes to their impact on public policy...

    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....
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Pacomc79
    Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    they're all entertainers.

    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.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • Kel Varnsen
    Kel Varnsen Posts: 1,952
    The thing I have never understood about this case is why does it get so much celebrity attention? I mean there are probably tons of people in the US and worldwide that are serving time for crimes that they didn't commit. There are probably even a bunch on death row for crimes that they didn't commit. So out of all those people, why do these guys get so much attention (when none of them were sentenced to death as far as I know)?
  • Gremmie95
    Gremmie95 Posts: 749
    eh, I don't mind it. I don't base any decision I make off of a bands opinion but I have been made aware of certain causes that I would not have known about otherwise.
  • Pacomc79
    Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    Kel Varnsen wrote:
    The thing I have never understood about this case is why does it get so much celebrity attention? I mean there are probably tons of people in the US and worldwide that are serving time for crimes that they didn't commit. There are probably even a bunch on death row for crimes that they didn't commit. So out of all those people, why do these guys get so much attention (when none of them were sentenced to death as far as I know)?


    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.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • slightofjeff
    slightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    Kel Varnsen wrote:
    The thing I have never understood about this case is why does it get so much celebrity attention? I mean there are probably tons of people in the US and worldwide that are serving time for crimes that they didn't commit. There are probably even a bunch on death row for crimes that they didn't commit. So out of all those people, why do these guys get so much attention (when none of them were sentenced to death as far as I know)?

    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.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
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  • tybird
    tybird Posts: 17,388
    We all have a voice and the right to use it to make an impact on our lives and the world around us. Pearl Jam's "job" grants them greater ability to use their voice...ability, in this case, is equal to a bigger and more far-reaching platform.
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • slightofjeff
    slightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    tybird wrote:
    We all have a voice and the right to use it to make an impact on our lives and the world around us. Pearl Jam's "job" grants them greater ability to use their voice...ability, in this case, is equal to a bigger and more far-reaching platform.

    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.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
  • tybird
    tybird Posts: 17,388
    slightofjeff wrote:
    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.
    If it crosses the fine line...then as an "employer" you can "fire'em." Stop buying tickets, albums and such.
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • slightofjeff
    slightofjeff Posts: 7,762
    tybird wrote:
    If it crosses the fine line...then as an "employer" you can "fire'em." Stop buying tickets, albums and such.

    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.
    everybody wants the most they can possibly get
    for the least they could possibly do
  • the wolf
    the wolf Posts: 7,027
    Kel Varnsen wrote:
    The thing I have never understood about this case is why does it get so much celebrity attention? I mean there are probably tons of people in the US and worldwide that are serving time for crimes that they didn't commit. There are probably even a bunch on death row for crimes that they didn't commit. So out of all those people, why do these guys get so much attention (when none of them were sentenced to death as far as I know)?

    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.
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  • Commy
    Commy Posts: 4,984
    tybird wrote:
    We all have a voice and the right to use it to make an impact on our lives and the world around us. Pearl Jam's "job" grants them greater ability to use their voice...ability, in this case, is equal to a bigger and more far-reaching platform.
    and with so many things wrong with this country- a responsibility.
  • tybird
    tybird Posts: 17,388
    Commy wrote:
    and with so many things wrong with this country- a responsibility.
    You can cross out the word "country" and write in "world." :D
    All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a thousand enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed.
  • Kann
    Kann Posts: 1,146
    LeilaMoonTurtle wrote:
    since they are not elected officials, should musicians be able impact public policy are they qualified?

    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.
    The thing I have never understood about this case is why does it get so much celebrity attention? I mean there are probably tons of people in the US and worldwide that are serving time for crimes that they didn't commit. There are probably even a bunch on death row for crimes that they didn't commit. So out of all those people, why do these guys get so much attention (when none of them were sentenced to death as far as I know)?
    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.
  • brainofPJ
    brainofPJ Posts: 2,361
    SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:
    i cant see too many people here actually taking pearl jam too seriously when it comes to their impact on public policy...

    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....


    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
  • pjalive21
    pjalive21 St. Louis, MO Posts: 2,818
    SPEEDY MCCREADY wrote:
    i cant see too many people here actually taking pearl jam too seriously when it comes to their impact on public policy...

    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....

    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

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