John Mellencamp blasts Bush in open letter

[laura888]

http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=214927


<snip>

John Mellencamp has lashed out at President George W. Bush and America's foreign policy. In an open letter he co-wrote with his wife Elaine, Mellencamp blasts the powers that be for demonizing as "anti-American and unpatriotic" anyone who questions the policies of the U.S. government and the war in Iraq.

</snip>

Another voice in the wilderness speaks up!

Go out and buy his new album, which includes the song "To Washington."

[Scairp]

1. I have loved him since he was

Johnny Cougar. This is great! I must have wonderful taste (and instincts) because two of my all-time favorite artists are Mellancamp and Springsteen, and we all know where he comes down on the liberal versus conservative fence.

[LWolf]

2. I'll look for the CD;

I have "To Washington;" I think he offered it as a free download for awhile last spring.

[livinontheedge]

3. Who cares what Mellencamp thinks?

Just like I don't listen to Dennis Miller when he talks down our candidates, I don't need Mellencamp or any other "celebrity" weighing in on politics. I don't know a single person who said "you know, I sure wish John Mellencamp would tell us what he thinks about Bush". All performers, right and left, should just stay out of politics. And that includes Arnold.

[SCDem]

4. So Bob Dylan, John Lennon and so many other great artists

should have stayed out of politics?


I don't think I agree.

[livinontheedge]

9. What do they have to offer?

Since when did a good singing voice increase one's qualifications to analyze foreign policy? Since when did the ability to act in B Grade terminator movies give Arnold the qualifications to govern California?

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Apples & Oranges

Having an opinion on world affairs, and having the hubris to shoot for the highest office in the largest state are not comparable.

Also, why should being a celebrity or singer invalidate one's right to express an opinion on gov't? Millions do it every day, but we're hearing about Mellencamp doing it because he's famous. He had the opinion first and anyway. The press is reporting it because he has huge name recognition.

What does he have to offer? An opinion! One that's guaranteed to him in the Constitution. Why would it bother you?

Lastly: Do you have any political or governmental issues on topics about which you are not an expert? I thought so.
The Professor

[greekspeak]

23. Since they wrote the constitution!

Who died and made you political participation czar? Did we not get enough of this kind of thought a few month ago from the right, bitching incessantly about celebrities needing to shut up on politics? You know, right before they threw their weight behind a celebrity to governor of California, and a few years after doing so for the presidency.

"Since when did a good singing voice increase one's qualifications to analyze foreign policy?" you say. Since when did raising peanuts? Since when did laying bricks? Being a tailor? All have been president, and have thus played a key role in foreign policy.

[magnolia]

53. What qualifies you....

...to analyze foreign policy???? If I had read the Mellencamp letter in my local newspaper and it was written by the neighborhood garbage collector it would be just as impressive and true.

So tell me...if you were to write a "letter to the editor" for your paper, do you think the editor would call you up and say "Mr. livinonthedge...what do you do for a living?...Well, sorry, that doesn't qualify you to have an opinion on foreign policy...get a degree in political science and we'll consider printing your letter!"

[HFishbine]

56. Art

You seem to assume that affecting the American community can only be accomplished through a narrow definition of what constitutes politics. Think again.

From Homer, to Shakespeare, to Steinbeck, to yes, Joplin and Lennon, and even Gary Tredeau, artists have always added their commentary to "politics" through their art.

Mellencamp's "Blood on the Scarecrow" was an extremely compelling commentary on a "political" issue. Art in any of its forms has a unique ability to bring insight into our poltical discussions. It adds emotion and and elevated undertanding that rises above common rhetoric.

True artists indeed have a role to play. Simple performers who engage in mimicry fall short however. While they have as much right to participate as any citizen, they fail to offer poetic enlightenment. That is why Arnold falls short.

[ShimokitaJer]

5. Maybe we should all just shut up too?

After all, we're not even famous. What right do we have to criticize the president?

I love hearing what people on this list have to say, and if I had a way to reach a larger audience with my disgust for Bush, I'd certainly take advantage of it.

By the way... You know, I sure wish John Mellencamp would tell us what he thinks about Bush.

[Spazito]

6. He pays taxes, he has a voice, or......in a democratic country he would!

*

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

7. Anyone who has a loud public voice and a wide following

and is willing to stand up and say what should be said, has my attention. Don't be so fast to dismiss it because you don't listen to his music. Every little bit helps get the message out to a few more people!

Besides, he's a fellow Hoosier farm country boy, and a kick-ass singer...

[LWolf]

8. I'd like to recommend another to you:

John McCutcheon. Specifically, his song, "The List." Your post made me think of it. You can download it for free here:

http://www.folkmusic.com/f_mp3.htm

And here are the lyrics, also made available for free at the same site:

Clear Channel Communication
Sent a memo to their stations
Asking DJs to take care
With songs they play upon the air
That might upset, that might divide
That just might stem the growing tide
To send the country into war
Guess that’s what the media is for

To help the listeners of this nation
Clear Channel Communication
Made a list and sent it out
Of songs we should think twice about
One hundred sixty songs or so
To not hear on your radio
Mettalica, The Clash and Queen
AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen
Van Halen, Kansas, Jackson Browne
Dave Matthews, Pink Floyd, Three Doors Down
A huge and most impressive list
But as I read I said, “What’s this?”
Louis Armstrong’s on there too
Neil Diamond, him I always knew
Elvis, Peter, Paul & Mary
James Taylor, he was always scary
“Imagine,” “Peace Train,” “Get Together”
“He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother”
As I read this litany
One awful thought came clear to me

I didn’t make this list
Though I’ve worked my whole life long
Twenty five recordings
They can’t find one lousy song?
It’s a slap in the face, an awful disgrace
What do I have to do
To make the grade and not be played
Like Sinatra and U2?

“How many songs must a folksinger write
“Before they’re forever banned?”

“Imagine there’s no airplay
“It’s easy if you try…”

I’ve always disagreed with folks who’ve said
The world is saved by songs
One thing I’ve learned from all of this
Is that I must be wrong
Some people think it’s dangerous
These things we sing and write
The pen is mightier than the sword
And I’m wielding mine tonight

No, I didn’t make the list
Though I’m really not surprised
I guess that means I can resist
When they’ve silenced all these other guys
I’m taking it well, I’m giving ‘em hell
It’s the only sane solution
So here’s a song, now sing along
And join the revolution

“Come on, people, now smile on your brother
“Everybody get together and love one another right now”

[ShimokitaJer]

10. Anybody remember that WKRP episode?

Where a moral majority type was trying to keep certain songs from being played? On that episode, the song they wanted to ban that convinced them to kick the guy out was "Imagine."

I remember at the time thinking, "That could never happen. Who'd want to ban 'Imagine?'" Man, this is a sick world.

[LWolf]

12. It is.

Because "the list" is about something that really happened. Clear Channel didn't officially "ban" the songs. They just "recommended" that they not be played.

And there are some powerful songs on that list. Voices for truth, justice, etc., lifted in song.

[ShimokitaJer]

13. Clear Channel doesn't need to ban a song to kill it

When the boss makes a "suggestion," the employees know what to do.

Thanks for turning me on to the John McCutcheon site. He looks to be pretty interesting. And we don't need to worry about CCC putting any pressure on him. If you aren't getting any airtime anyway, it's kind of hard to take it away

[zbdent]

29. Clear channel was also funding the Dixie Chicks tour

so it was ironic that they refused to refund the ticket price for the sold-out concerts.

Not surprising, though. A lot of big corps are moral hypocrits.

[LWolf]

58. Your welcome.

McCutcheon has been around a long time; never big, just steady. I play a lot of his family stuff in my classroom.

[salin]

14. Mellencamp has a long tradition of dealing with social issues

through his music. Indeed he moved from popstar to something more back in 1984 with his tribute to the plight of American farmers in "Rain on the Scarecrow". For years he worked with a few other artists on Farm Aid - a benefit for family farmers.

Thus this is different than Dennis Miller suddenly getting a little free press.

Btw, Mellencamp and his wife have received very hostile reactions locally. This is not 'grandstanding for PR'. This is continuing his long tradition of social critique.

[phillybri]

16. Mellencamp has been a big voice for racial equality as well....

...why the hell should he shut up????

[kodi]

15. who else besides musicians should be disenfranchised from speaking?

bankers, cooks, indian chiefs?

in what way are the opinions of musicians and artists less important than anyone elses?

[ginantonic40]

18. Voices

I suppose Woodie Guthrie and Pete Seger should have just STFU too? Stienbeck shouldn't have bothered with social issues? Joe Blow should quit writing letters to the editor because who the hell cares what he thinks?

I'm curious -- just what exactly is it you feel qualifies someone to partake of public discourse?

[livinontheedge]

28. I guess I speak for the 99% of Americans who don't listen to Mellencamp.

He has no credibility with me. Dennis Miller has no credibility with me. Arnold Schwartzneger has no credibilty with me. If you guys wait around for your favorite "celebrity pundit" to provide you with their political insights, then God help you.

Dennis Miller, shut up! No one cares what you think. And that goes for you too John Cougar.

[salin]

31. then again...

If folks didn't care about what he has to say - then why has his wife been harassed over it on simple trips to town? Why has he received so much negative feedback from so many fans? Apparently some people, even if they do not agree with him, actually do care - or they wouldn't have cared enough to express such displeasure to him.

Wow - you represent 99% of America? How incredibly ... humble of you to make such a claim.

I, for one, would never claim to represent anyone but myself. But the reflexive approach to boxing all events into a singular situation (whenever a celebrity speaks out, for example), suggests the line of rather noncomplex thinking (as in all things are a or b with no variations) that makes such an assertion not terribly surprising.

[livinontheedge]

32. If Mellencamp has more than 2.7 million fans, then I'll kiss his ass.

I would be absolutely shocked if he has anywhere close to 2.7 million people who give a twit about his political views. No way he has that many fans.

I think the same thing about Dennis Miller. These celebrity pundits are making fools of themselves. I won't tell them how to sing if they will stop telling me how to think.

[salin]

33. When is expressing an opinion - telling you how to think?

and why are you ignoring the points that I raise about this being a part of his long-term career pattern - interms of addressing social/political issues through critiques through his music?

Sheez - think you have a bit of an anger issue over this and it doesn't matter who is saying what, you can only see it in a singular light. JM isn't telling you what to do. That is John Ashcroft.

[livinontheedge]

36. What makes him so self-important that he thinks we care what he thinks?

That is what upsets me the most with all these celebrity pundits, righties and lefties. For them to believe for one second that we give two shits about their political views is an exercise in fantasy. How delusional does a singer have to be to think that America cares in the slightest what that singer thinks politically? What's next? Football players giving political speeches at half-time? It's getting ridiculous. Too many celebrity pundits making fools of themselves.

[jafap]

38. American Fool sold over 5 million copies

Listen to it, or be it, and keep your lips warm.

What makes me so self-important that I think anybody cares what I think? Why do I bother writing letters to the editor, or posts on DU? Who the hell do I think I am - Zaphod Beeblebrox?

I do not remember if it was Julia Roberts or Pamela Anderson, but one celebrity said something like "I get so many microphones shoved in my face, I figure I ought take the opportunity to support a cause that I care about".

[salin]

39. much of the time - I would agree.

This - is a slightly different context. Follow me for a minute if you will.

First, Mellancamp - since his departure of straight popstar (early 80s) to artist/star (less formulamatic - more experimental (re - bringing bluegrass into rock) - more folk tradition in terms of social critique within the songs/messages)... remakes a folk classic that critiques washington. Puts a contemporary spin- but the song sound more folk (its roots) than attempt for top forty hit.

Upon its release there is a HUGE hoopla by the energized and hyper sensitive to any criticism rightwing that is given an echochamber effect through talk radio/talk tv. Unfortuante timing (shortly after the dixiechicks comments) lumps the events together.

Locally (he lives in my county) there were reports of harrassment of his wife by freeper-types, there were hostile letters to the paper, and a rather negative tone. The paper ran a brief response by him (interview) stating that he was upset essentially that people were harassing his wife over his song, that he didn't see the song itself as hard hitting criticism of the president as much as commentary on the current situation (and again - he updated an old folk song ). The hostility continued.

So he writes an open letter - that in part (according to the article in the local paper that accompanied the letter) was to explain his views to those who didn't understand his song 'On Washington.' Hard to do that - especially if one is used to making social criticism (through his music) - without laying out his criticism and feelings of concern about the current situation in Washington.

This wasn't an out of the blue statement "Hey everyone listent to me!" It was in response to the response to his song - which was done in the tradition of much of his music of the past 20 years (nearly every album has several songs with heavy social criticism embedded within they lyrics.)

[NicoleM]

41. I don't know if you noticed, but

California recently elected a celebrity to be its governor. It wasn't terribly long ago that we had a celebrity elected president of the United States. If that doesn't say that there are people who listen to celebrities' political views, I don't know what does.

[Bridget Burke]

44. You obviously care

If you didn't you'd just ignore him.

Also, why do you think WE should care about what YOU think?

[magnolia]

54. Thou doth protest too much!

Methinks you have severe celebrity envy...otherwise, why make such a big, f*cking deal over this! Why not let us one-percenters just enjoy and appreciate the letter! We care what he thinks, you don't...end of story!

[livinontheedge]

55. Okay, I'm reformed. I can't wait to hear from Ozzie Ozbourne.

From now on, I will listen intently when the singers start talking politics.

[HFishbine]

57. Oh, the irony

Right.. What makes him think that anybody cares what he thinks? Yet, here you sit type, type, typing away and have you asked the same question of yourself?

Maybe nobody cares about what you or Melencamp think. But you sure seem to appreciate being able to voice your opinions anyway.

[jafap]

34. if I tell you what I think

am I telling you how to think?

Do you think that just because I have a John Mellencamp's greatest hits CD, that I will agree with whatever he says? Actually, the last song of his that I heard was bashing "political correctness" as if hate speech is irrelevant.

It is nice when celebrities speak up for our side, because it is one of the only ways we get airtime. Probably it is airtime which can be dismissed since John Mellencamp, unlike, say George Will, William Safire or even Dennis Miller, does not have a reputation for scholarship or intelligence so he is not an effective remedy for rightwing shills.

[stickdog]

35. "Here's a story about Jack Shitian. A man who speaks ...

for all the heartland."

[RapidCreek]

45. Ah I see ....

It is not the messages credibility that you judge....but the individual who delivers it! What, in your opinion, are the qualifications which make a messenger credible? You must have some criteria, as you've stated that the logic and veracity upon which a deliverers message is based, lends no substance in that regard.

Do tell...

Then again....if I were to use the logic you have exhibited thus far....what you think or if you think, is inconsequential...correct?

RC

[Barad Simith]

51. And the correct answer is:

Being an entertainer makes one no more or less qualified to discuss political issues than being a cab driver, bartender or shipbuilder.

Would you have the nerve to say of a fellow liberal, "Who care what he thinks? He's only a cab driver."

The difference between a liberal cab driver and a liberal entertainer is this: The entertainer has access to the media.

Mellencamp and other liberal entertainers help to diffuse snot-nosed pricks like Dennis Miller. If the right uses entertainers to further their message, why shouldn't the left? Entertaining is an honest job, and entertainers have a right to voice their opinions.

[magnolia]

52. I care what he thinks.

I also care what Arnold thinks...besides being interested...it makes me laugh. I care what the check out girl at the super market thinks. We are all citizens...we all have a voice. Unfortunately we don't all have the microphone...so if we do, we have the right to use it. I particularily appreciate those, like Jane Fonda in the past, Sean Penn currently, who are willing to put their celebrity on the line. In their own way, they show courage.

[spooky3]

11. If we are living in a culture where celebrities are greatly admired

and the media refuse to do their job to present the news fairly, and criticize public officials where warranted, then I hope that responsible and intelligent celebrities WILL speak out to help fill the void and get the message to people who aren't paying much attention.

If I don't like what a celebrity says or thinks, I can ignore him/her.

[piece sine]

17. Unless and until he runs for office...

and puts his beliefs on the line, he'll get nothing but ONE BIG YAWN from me. I am sooooooooooooo fed-up with mouthy lefties who spout-off and then run back to their fame and their glitzy lives, leaving the field open (and unchallenged) for GOP celebrity idiots to win time after time. If Repubs can run for office and win, why can't celebrity Dems? Let John Mellencamp run in southern state, where we could use some real help expanding the base.

You know, I suspect this is nothing but a publicity stunt by him to shore-up his fan-base and keep his name in the news. Since he has no intention of running for office, I find him as phony as a three-dollar bill!

STOP SWOONING OF STARS who only talk a good game!! At least Vanessa Redgrave ran for Parliament!

[NicoleM]

19. John Mellencamp

has done a lot for rural America, for a long time. More than a whole lot of politicians have. That matters to some people. There are probably rural people who will listen to what John Mellencamp has to say just because they trust him and believe him. Which in this case is a good thing, IMO, because he's saying what a lot people haven't heard yet.

[Rich Hunt]

26. Indiana

He is much admired in Indiana, too, and it's good to see a voice coming out of Indiana that isn't right wing.

I'm glad he speaks up because he doesn't fit with people's stereotypes about liberals.

[spooky3]

42. he's one of the stalwarts of Farm Aid

and he's sincere. Look at where he's chosen to live all his life, versus moving to where it would be easier for him to maintain his career and $. He's also given a lot of his $ to other causes, including Indiana University, a beautiful place where liberal ideas flourish.

[SeattleRob]

21. Huh?

Should we should leave all the political discourse to Pundits?
Melencamp's letter is a very reasoned arguement. His background in activism with Farm Aid shows that he has a political conscience. Or maybe you think Farm Aid was a "publicity stunt"?

[piece sine]

25. Sure...

exposure from Farm-Aid probably helped sagging record sales. made him look earthy; helped to shed that tacky Johnny Cougar personna after record sales under that identity faltered. Stop falling for what people in public SAY; watch what they DO. I'm angry and embarrassed to progressive celebrity -- not one -- believes enough in our values to run for office on them.

[salin]

30. read below

this was written after his song - from which he has received negative reaction from his "fan base" - and local harassment for he and his wife.

This does nothing to 'shore up his fan base.' Sometimes our inherent bias completely blinds us from understanding contextual situations. His fans are not the progressive rock/progresive politics folks. Much more 'heartland' and beerguzzling rocknrollers.

His songs have LONG had political messages - at least since the acclaimed Scare Crow album. His song - which garnered such negative outrage - is consistent with most of his career - not a sudden move to 'shore up his fan base'. His letter - pushes him further in conflict with many of his fans. That is more about convictions in face of a possible negative bashlash rather than the otherway around.

[spooky3]

43. I agree.

He doesn't do things to "look earthy." He IS earthy.

I'm not the biggest fan of his music but I think he does things he believes in. I agree I'd like to see some left celebs take on the tough job of political office but I won't condemn those who won't but are willing speak out AND do things in support of values we hold. They are far better than celebs who simply take the money and run, or worse, take the money and preach wingnut ideas.

[NicoleM]

37. I don't want celebrities running for office.

I want serious people with ideas and the know-how to implement them. That's not to say that there are no celebrities who are capable of that. But just because somebody is a left-leaning celebrity doesn't mean they would make a good public servant.

Furthermore, there are a lot of ways to be political besides running for office.

[piece sine]

46. Fair enough....BUT

why aren't more left-wing celebrities not following the lead of right-wingers, risking it all, and running for office based on inplementing the beliefs they so easily profess? A LOT of the schmucks running around Congress can't possinly be smarter that Sarandon or Penn.

[SeattleRob]

50. according to you...

people shouldn't speak out, unless they run for office? We all have a right to opinions, even celebritiies. The sad reality of present day America is the voice of the progressive left has been shut out from mainstream media. I would prefer seeing Howard Zinn or Noam Chomsky over Mike Farrell or Sean Penn covered in the media, but in our corporate controlled media, they cannot get access. Celebrities, like it or not, get access to the media. I am thankful that someone is speaking up.

As for self-promotion and opportunism, the only celebrities I've seen doing this are on the other side - Dennis Miller and Toby Keith. Celebrities who came out against the war took a beating from the press for being unpatriotic.

[salin]

27. Shore up his fan base? Not a chance

This is a local celebrity - so we get periodic items regarding Mellencamp. Since his song came out - his wife has been harassed when just driving into town. He has received a huge outcry (upset) from his "fans". They have been vilified in letters to the paper by "fans".

Somewhere he acknowledged that more than 50% of all responses he has received have been negative (often hostile).

This letter came out AFTER that response. This was about speaking out. Not about a publicity stunt to increase his fan base. puhleeze.

[piece sine]

48. and after he speaks out.?

I am incurably cynical about celebrities who are full lof sound and fury, signifying nothing. (with kudos to Shakespeare.) And i'm bitter seeing the Sonny Bonos and Ronald Reagans and Fred Thompson cakewalk into power positions while celebrites whose public views I admire and hit-and-run. In Mellencamp is serious, he should run for office. Springsteen too! Look at the all the power Ahnold just incurred. Making excuses for the lack of firepower on our side won't win us electionsm which is the only way to broaden our base. The Mellencamp letter will be on the bottom of a birdcage tomorrow while friggin' Ahnold selects his cabinet. Puhleeze, you're enabling our loses!

[salin]

49. tell you what

why don't you develop your talents, become a star, on the course to doing so work for good causes and raise tons of money for those in need, then go run for office. We'll support you.

[Bridget Burke]

47. We arent' swooning.

In fact, I've never particularly been a fan. However, he's got a right to speak out, just like every other American. Go ahead & express your displeasure by burning your Mellencamp CD's (or whatever)--just don't tell him to shut up.

Also, I doubt he'd run in a Southern state, since he's from Indiana.

(By the way--your avatar is not a Red Rose, it's an Opium Poppy!)

[Hammie]

22. Rant

I made the mistake of reading that letter from beginning to end. Except for the part where he digresses into a diatribe against those that don't like his latest song, it could have been written as well by pretty much anyone on DU.

[gmaki]

24. John Cougar

His first hit song from sometime back in the 80's. If I recall he penned this partly as retaliation for the record company forcing him to change his name from Mellencamp to Cougar.

(the guy was ahead of his time, and he's got balls)

Well, the record company's goin' out of business
They price the records too damn high
And the boys in the band could use some assistance
Well, the record company's goin' out of business
They price the records too damn high
And the boys in the band could use some assistance
Get a daytime job just to get by
Well, the P.D.'s, they won't play the record
They're too worried about that book
And the D.J.'s, they all hate the song
But they're in love with the hook
CHORUS
So na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
I bet you've heard this song before
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na
Take your cocaine and hit the door
Well, folk rock, punk rock, power pop music
Turned out to be the latest trends
And there ain't no more progressive music
The business has put it to an end
Ol' _Rolling Stone_ has gathered some moss
No, they ain't what they used to be
They try to look like _Look_ with their political pages
And advertising all over TV
CHORUS

[MissMillie]

40. I'll financially support him....

if he keeps vocal about how miserable this administration is, I'm happy to patronize his musical projects.

[Woodstock]

59. So I guess Bush won't be using "Little Pink Houses"

as his campaign song :)

(remember the Born in the USA fiasco with Reagan totally not getting it?)