An Open Letter to Pearl Jam: Get off the sidelines and join the political revolution!

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Comments

  • JimmyV
    JimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 19,598
    Maybe your assumption is correct, maybe it's not, but it is a HUGE assumption to make. We don't know. They might not know yet either.
    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • rr165892
    rr165892 Posts: 5,697
    BrokenGlass said:

    rr165892 said:

    I want my Favorite acts spewing there political rhetoric about as much as I want my politicians quoting the bible and sucking the religious rights dick.

    First, I understand that many fans are completely uninterested in hearing a band's political views during a show. That's absolutely legit and a matter of personal preference. But, here's my motivation for my original post:
    I want Bernie Sanders elected President and I fervently support the political revolution that it will take for him to be elected, for like-minded Congressional candidates to be elected, and for those policies to be implemented. It is no secret that for any of that to happen, a large segment of the non-voting population has to get energized and organized and motivated to go vote on election day. It is also no secret that a huge subset of the nonvoting population are young people who feel alienated and disenfranchised. I think many Pearl Jam fans fit that bill. Hence, I am urging Pearl Jam to use their cultural influence to spread the gospel of Bernie to folks who may otherwise not pay attention, assuming, of course, that they support Bernie. If that assumption is incorrect, at least I tried.
    Nothing new about any of this. Artists have shared their political views with their fans for centuries. I am sympathetic to your personal distaste for it, but I also am doing my best to help Sen. Sanders.
    it's great that your so passionate about the Bern.Good for you for at least being passionate.
    But many of us don't want him anywhere near the White House.He would do horrible damage to this country.Trust me I am not alone.And a lot of you starry eyed followers will realize that sometime in the future.
    When I go to a music show I want it to be a Fun relaxing festive evening.I don't want to be forced to listen to views I don't agree with.Remember I'm here to see the band,I'm not at a vote for choice special show.If that was the case,and I went,well tough shit on me.I don't want to listen to drunk obnoxious barley voting age twats spewing the political gospel.Dont I have the right to enjoy a non partisan,non political evening filled with nothing but a State Of Love And Trust?
    The voting booth or political rally's are the place for your euphoric Bernie worship.Leave it there.
  • rr165892
    rr165892 Posts: 5,697
    callen said:

    rr165892 said:

    I want my Favorite acts spewing there political rhetoric about as much as I want my politicians quoting the bible and sucking the religious rights dick.

    Cal, you passed judgement by a roadies shirt?Thats a bit weak.Would you not listen to a band who's singer wears a cross or star around their neck?
    See,you can't judge so quick.If you were tired or the music sucks that's one thing,But you assumed the music would be what?

    Reread last line of my post. acknowledge I didn't give it a shot.

    As time goes on I want less and less ed talking.
    Tex,I'm pretty sure I want to drink with one of these shows in the future.lol
    And I agree totally.
  • rgambs
    rgambs Posts: 13,576
    rr165892 said:

    BrokenGlass said:

    rr165892 said:

    I want my Favorite acts spewing there political rhetoric about as much as I want my politicians quoting the bible and sucking the religious rights dick.

    First, I understand that many fans are completely uninterested in hearing a band's political views during a show. That's absolutely legit and a matter of personal preference. But, here's my motivation for my original post:
    I want Bernie Sanders elected President and I fervently support the political revolution that it will take for him to be elected, for like-minded Congressional candidates to be elected, and for those policies to be implemented. It is no secret that for any of that to happen, a large segment of the non-voting population has to get energized and organized and motivated to go vote on election day. It is also no secret that a huge subset of the nonvoting population are young people who feel alienated and disenfranchised. I think many Pearl Jam fans fit that bill. Hence, I am urging Pearl Jam to use their cultural influence to spread the gospel of Bernie to folks who may otherwise not pay attention, assuming, of course, that they support Bernie. If that assumption is incorrect, at least I tried.
    Nothing new about any of this. Artists have shared their political views with their fans for centuries. I am sympathetic to your personal distaste for it, but I also am doing my best to help Sen. Sanders.
    it's great that your so passionate about the Bern.Good for you for at least being passionate.
    But many of us don't want him anywhere near the White House.He would do horrible damage to this country.Trust me I am not alone.And a lot of you starry eyed followers will realize that sometime in the future.
    When I go to a music show I want it to be a Fun relaxing festive evening.I don't want to be forced to listen to views I don't agree with.Remember I'm here to see the band,I'm not at a vote for choice special show.If that was the case,and I went,well tough shit on me.I don't want to listen to drunk obnoxious barley voting age twats spewing the political gospel.Dont I have the right to enjoy a non partisan,non political evening filled with nothing but a State Of Love And Trust?
    The voting booth or political rally's are the place for your euphoric Bernie worship.Leave it there.
    That is an opinion, and while it has a sound basis in logic, it has very little support in historic data.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • Free
    Free Posts: 3,562
    Note that the guy with the mic will say whatever he wants, when he wants.

    You don't like what the guy with the mic says? You can leave, I guess.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    I wonder how the average crowd would respond to Ed if he verbally showed support for Sanders at a show?
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • JimmyV
    JimmyV Boston's MetroWest Posts: 19,598
    brianlux said:

    I wonder how the average crowd would respond to Ed if he verbally showed support for Sanders at a show?

    Geography of where the show was may play a role in the reaction. Tampa would probably be different than Boston, for example. But the average crowd? Some cheers, some groans, some who are uncomfortable and many more who have no reaction. I think it would be the same for either a Sanders or a Clinton endorsement.

    If there was ever a Republican endorsement the reaction would be utter shock. :lol:
    ___________________________________________

    "...I changed by not changing at all..."
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    JimmyV said:

    brianlux said:

    I wonder how the average crowd would respond to Ed if he verbally showed support for Sanders at a show?

    Geography of where the show was may play a role in the reaction. Tampa would probably be different than Boston, for example. But the average crowd? Some cheers, some groans, some who are uncomfortable and many more who have no reaction. I think it would be the same for either a Sanders or a Clinton endorsement.

    If there was ever a Republican endorsement the reaction would be utter shock. :lol:
    For sure, haha!
    Not all that long ago, Pearl Jam heartily supported a congressional candidate, Jon Tester, who became a senator in Montana. Ed supported Obama. I would think this election would elicit some kind of response from at least Ed, maybe some of the other guys.

    And if not, would this be an example that would support my supposition that is more often the young who invest their energy in change, especially progressive change?
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • Free
    Free Posts: 3,562
    Just listening to Pearl Jam radio, and Eddie said this at a new Orleans cancer in 2000:

    After "DTE," he mentions the Democratic convention: "I think Clinton was gonna speak tonight, and he was gonna say: 'My fellow Americans. Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit ...'" Mentions Bush being worse than that, and urges people to study the issues and to vote. Just vote whatever you think."
  • crazyivan
    crazyivan Posts: 9
    I couldn't agree more, with the original post. Though some may prefer their "rock bands" to just get up and play the hits, PJ has never been ones to sit on the sidelines. Activism has always been a part of the band, and I thank them for it. I hope to see both PJ and Bernie at Bonnaroo!
  • rr165892
    rr165892 Posts: 5,697
    Causes are fine to talk about.We can all get behind them.
    Political candidates pimping is divisive unless at an event supporting such.Which is fine.I would know in advance and could choose to be there or not based on my political leaning.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    I can sort of understand the resistance to musicians talking about their favorite cause or candidate but if I were up there, I would do the same. It would be like here, speaking ones mind only live and to a much bigger audience! The only difference for me would be that I might say, "OK, if you don't like what I have to say here, this might be a good time to take a pee break."
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • PJfanwillneverleave1
    PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    Too old and tired to stay behind this band to start a revolution.
    Not going to happen.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    Too old and tired to stay behind this band to start a revolution.
    Not going to happen.

    You're too old or they're too old?
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • PJfanwillneverleave1
    PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    brianlux said:

    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    Too old and tired to stay behind this band to start a revolution.
    Not going to happen.

    You're too old or they're too old?
    Me.
    and perhaps them too
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    brianlux said:

    PJfanwillneverleave1 said:

    Too old and tired to stay behind this band to start a revolution.
    Not going to happen.

    You're too old or they're too old?
    Me.
    and perhaps them too
    Nahhhh! Neither! (Unless you are a G.I. Generation dude like my Pop, He's 95. I'd give him a pass on being a rebel at this point in his life.)
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • crazyivan
    crazyivan Posts: 9
    Well, Ed backed Nader in 2000. Vedder also told MTV News that his support of Nader stemmed from his belief that the Green Party candidate offered the only real alternative to Gore or Bush, both of whom, he suggested, are controlled by the same overriding special interests. According to the Seattle Weekly Stone in 2007 said "We've got to get our shit together. I think Barack Obama is the way of the future. I'm just really thankful that he's running." And then of course Bu$hleaguer. I can't imagine they will just sit out 2016.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    Some good words from Mr. Flea here on concern for people and supporting Bernie. I especially found this well said. Good job, Flea!

    "The concept of politics itself is of absolutely no interest to me. The concept of human beings caring for one another holds great interest to me. I care about the welfare of people. I care about love and kindness and empathy and reaching out to those who are less fortunate and struggling to get by in a really difficult world. The candidate who actually represents the well-being of human beings in the United States and cares about people is Bernie Sanders, and that's why I stand by him."

    http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/flea-why-i-support-bernie-sanders-20160205
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

  • EdsonNascimento
    EdsonNascimento Posts: 5,531
    PJ_Soul said:

    Don't get me wrong. I think PJ is very socially responsible as bands go, and very generous (FTR, they donated the proceeds from that Oracle show). I just think they have largely abandoned their strong stance against mega corporations. And IMO it's pretty much because they didn't want to bother anymore, and also for business. It doesn't serve their business to stand against large corporations, and helps it to cooperate with them, which they now do. Show me the money.

    Or they simply grew up. It happens.
    Sorry. The world doesn't work the way you tell it to.
  • brianlux
    brianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 43,662
    EdsonNascimento said:

    PJ_Soul said:

    Don't get me wrong. I think PJ is very socially responsible as bands go, and very generous (FTR, they donated the proceeds from that Oracle show). I just think they have largely abandoned their strong stance against mega corporations. And IMO it's pretty much because they didn't want to bother anymore, and also for business. It doesn't serve their business to stand against large corporations, and helps it to cooperate with them, which they now do. Show me the money.

    Or they simply grew up. It happens.
    Do doubt (at least I hope) the guys have matured some but does becoming mature mean going soft on ones feelings about corporations running the show? Only if one believes it is in the best interests of the masses for corporations to run the show. I can't get my head around that idea.
    "It's a sad and beautiful world"
    -Roberto Benigni

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