Of course. I paid the steep price of a ticket to hear music not political commentary. How would you feel if you bought a ticket to go hear George Will speak and he broke out a ukelele... The problem is in the reasonable expection of entertainment and the subjection to commentary. I'm not saying that they should be arrested or have their citizenship revoked. I'm just saying that if I feel misled about the event for which I paid to gain entrance for the purpose of entertainment, I should have a right to have my money refunded. People have a right to their opinion; they just don't have a right to express it necessarily whenever and wherever they wish.
I couldn't disagree more. You pay your money... you take your chances. And people have the right to express their opinions in about any sort of non-violent way they choose in this country, if they're willing to take the consequences. Let's hope it stays that way.
giddyup, I would agree with you if they ONLY had the political commentary. They are still providing the music though. I certainly don't agree with PJ (I am not only in favor of this war, but also of expanding it), but I don't really care if they add political commentary in addition to their music. Now when Dave Matthews goes on Bill Maher's new show and only does political commentary, I feel ripped off.
One question: How much time did Pearl Jam actually devote to its anti-Bush symbolic actions? Somehow I think there was plenty of time for music. 2nd point - the real news is that anyone still cares about Pearl Jam in the first place.
I see your point here, but music (and the arts in general) have a long history of social commentary. If you're going to see a band like Pearl Jam, you should know that they will often speak about issues they believe in, etc. but I think its the fans responsibility to know something about the band they go see. If you don't like it, don't ever give them any money again. Most of the music that defined the 60's and early 70's was politically motivated and was a major part of the civil rights movement. I support the First Amendment and I support the consumers' right to turn off the TV or not pay someone who espouses ideas they do not agree with.
SpaceCity, I don't see any point in arguing with you on this but I felt like you have slandered my name here, bud. #1 - If you had been around this forum since August of 2001, you would know by now that I am one of the biggest music fans on this board and I have a WIDE variety of tastes. Grunge is one of my favorite types of rock music. I despise Creed and anything that is pop music (in general). So, PLEASE know what you are talking about before YOU state it as a fact, i.e. people that diss Pearl Jam now must *automatically* like Creed. LMAO #2 - That is your opinion that you think that PJ is still releasing good albums but sales don't tell the tale. 10 years from now, no one is going to talk about "Yield" and "No Code" or even "Vitalogy" when they talk about the great Pearl Jam albums. They are going to talk about "Ten". Period. End of story. #3 - I also resent your flippant tone about "if you had followed them since 1992, you would have known that Vedder does those things." Well, hello, maybe I thought that their music had gotten watered down and that Vedder was mumbling too much for my taste and that their music sucked now. So, I didn't buy any more PJ albums. But implying that because I quit buying their stuff means that I don't know anything about them anymore is an amusing conclusion on your part. #4 - Now is not the time, IMO, to be doing crazy type stuff. I wished, personally, that we didn't get in this war because I favor an isolationist foreign policy. However, we are in it and we need to support the troops over there. You can disagree with it but going to those extremes like Vedder did is the same type of grandstanding that Moore and these other celebrities did. So, we know that Ed Vedder doesn't agree that we should be in a war with Iraq. That is great but at the same time, I highly DOUBT the people that paid for this show wanted to see that temper tantrum of his. But it boils down to this one simple but great statement said by Castor: So it is ok for them to criticize the President but not ok for us to criticize their crappy music. You can't have it both ways, Space City. That is the problem with a lot of people today....they think that these celebrities can walk on water. If a celebrity that I like says something that I don't agree with, then I am sure as hell not going to defend them. And why should I?
Says who? The only other people doing that sort of thing are Arabs in the ME and I certainly wouldn't consider them exhibiting a symbolic gesture. They really want to do those things to our president if they had a chance. Maybe he should just stick to words of protest. I would love for someone to come to one of his shows with a head of him on a stick and bash it into the ground and stomp on it. Gee...I wonder if he would consider that symbolic or threatening? Pretty poor way for an American to protest the war. It seems like he came pretty close to crossing the line there...if he didn't cross it that is. I wish those people wouldn't have just walked out...I wish they would have rioted and ripped up all their gear in the process.
Wow. Unfortunate. I like Pearl Jam's Music. It reminds me of college...back when I was more idealistic and honestly childish. I am not suprised by their stance I am just suprised at their inability to look around and think before they spoke. Oh well. I was thinking about going to the CWM Pavillion season opener but now I damned sure will not.
Hell yeah. I wish he would have been the musical guest at the end, instead of the interview at the beginning. I can get mediocre political commentary (conservative or liberal) all the time, but really good music in a live setting is less available. It wasn't even like he was just part of the panel either, he had 10 minutes of the same rhetoric that is repeated ad nauseum on here. Bush is just in it for oil. We shouldn't be killing Iraqis. Meh. It wouldn't be so bad if he had brought a new perspective, I just think that it was a waste of an appearance. But, I am a fan, so I watch. I never really got the not supporting them because I disagree with them philosophy. That would cut me off from way too much music, movies, and television.
I'm glad that you mentioned this, Hydra because I feel like I need to clarify my feelings on that. I won't deny that it bothers me that I have CDs by artists that are against the war; however, it is childish on my part to get rid of those CDs just because REM, Pearl Jam, etc are against the war. However, when their actions cross the line, IMO, that is when I draw my line in the sand. REM, to my knowledge, has not placed a Dubya mask on a stick or anything like that. They have just spoken out against the war which is their right to do so. I respect that, but for God's sakes why do some of these people feel compelled to get that crazy and outrageous?? Maybe they really, really feel that their words is not enough, but it smacks, on the surface, of publicity seeking and grandstanding AND that is why I am posting in this thread. That type of stuff tears me up inside, but that is probably what they want...for people to get that angry. It reminds me of Internet trolls, the madder you get at them, the more they enjoy it.
I'll be there Sunday - if just for the entertainment that the banter b/w Vedder, & a bunch of drunkasses who will yell back at him, will provide. Anyway, who gives a **** what Vedder thinks? I don't like our current President, but I think the current war is justified. Do any of you give a rat's ass what I think? NO! So why do ya'll get worked up over what some musician thinks? He's expressing a political viewpoint. He's allowed to. If you disagree w/ his political opinion & can't separate his music from it - don't buy his albums. I love how people get worked up into a frenzy over trivial, stupid crap like this, yet when it comes to expressing an opinion about something important - like our failing health care system - it gets quieter than a freaking monestary. Mountains out of molehills...
damnation, I wish there was an edit function working... "Maybe they really, really feel that their words is not enough," is should be are...duh
maybe you can convince Eddie to let you open up for them... you can do your 'Bush, We Got Your Back' song!? If Eddie care's about free speech I'm sure he wouldn't mind letting you say your piece.
You know what would be fun? If you brought all those CD's with you to Houston next weekend. Then after the Rox game we could all go over to HP's and have the Smeggy World Tour CD Burning Bonfire.
Too funny. My song is more funny than political. For a guy that, according to some folks, is so stupid he couldn't pour piss out of a boot with the instructions on the heel he seems to be doing great and I am proud of my president and his morals. I want to do a PJ Parody now. FWIW I wish to all hell I had a sig approaching the coolness of DD's. Gives me the willies! I love it. PS-After Jeb finishes his second Presidential term in 2016 which of the hot little Bush Girls do you think will win the Presidency? First Female President! Woo-hoo!!!
