Band 'Green Day' Makes Bold Statement About Their Homeland On 'American Idiot'

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Havent had a hit in 10 years.

Good way to start off a new album by creating *gasp* controversy.

And personally I think celebs who embrace issues like this are assclowns. Most of them lack the integrity and intelligence to even have half a clue.

Not to mention most of them are so busy they probably dont really know much except what their PR person tells them.

How are you any different? Instead of keeping your political opinions (and musical ones) to yourself, here you are shouting your opinions on this forum so everyone can be exposed to them. You're just like Green Day only on a smaller scale.

 

[Genx87]

Because I live in a world where I have to goto work 45 hours a week, worry about making a car and house payment, and when a president is elected, I actually have a vested interest in whether or not my taxes will be raised or lowered.

Green Day on the other hand probably spends 50% of their time on the road, has accountants pay for their expenses, and makes so much money it doesnt matter if they are paying 39 or 45% of their income in taxes.

Most of the celebs are so far removed from the real world I dont consider their opinions much more than dirt. And most of them cant realy debate anybody on the issues. They just say what their publicist told them to because this will generate more controversy and thus publicity and thus more money to pay those accountants and their posse.

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: Genx87
Because I live in a world where I have to goto work 45 hours a week, worry about making a car and house payment, and when a president is elected, I actually have a vested interest in whether or not my taxes will be raised or lowered.

Green Day on the other hand probably spends 50% of their time on the road, has accountants pay for their expenses, and makes so much money it doesnt matter if they are paying 39 or 45% of their income in taxes.

Most of the celebs are so far removed from the real world I dont consider their opinions much more than dirt. And most of them cant realy debate anybody on the issues. They just say what their publicist told them to because this will generate more controversy and thus publicity and thus more money to pay those accountants and their posse.

And of course that's just your opinion. Why don't you keep it to yourself? Who are you to broadcast your political opinions to the thousands (or millions) who will read it and possibly be influenced by it? Do you see the sort of argument you're making?

Furthermore, sweeping generalizations (i.e. your example above where you state that celeb's opinions aren't worth crap) don't make for a very insightful argument. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and neither is more relevant whether you're some guy on an Internet forum or whether you're a musician.

 

[Train]

I didnt bother to read this thread, but I found it funny that i saw it just after i heard on the radio that Green Day is releasing a new album.

Nice publicity stunt.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
And of course that's just your opinion. Why don't you keep it to yourself? Who are you to broadcast your political opinions to the thousands (or millions) who will read it and possibly be influenced by it? Do you see the sort of argument you're making?

Ofcourse Genx87 doesn't try to sell his politics as "music" or charge people admission to a show.

I could give a sh!t less if GD wants to sing their politics but it still doesn't mean anyone has to care - especially since they were marginal at best to begin with(IMO).

CkG

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
And of course that's just your opinion. Why don't you keep it to yourself? Who are you to broadcast your political opinions to the thousands (or millions) who will read it and possibly be influenced by it? Do you see the sort of argument you're making?

Ofcourse Genx87 doesn't try to sell his politics as "music" or charge people admission to a show.

I could give a sh!t less if GD wants to sing their politics but it still doesn't mean anyone has to care - especially since they were marginal at best to begin with(IMO).

CkG

Well Cad (glad to see you've left your shadowy realm and are posting again 😛), this thread was less about asking you to care about Green Day, and more about why there's this irrational need for some people to punish musicians/celebs who state their opinions.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
And of course that's just your opinion. Why don't you keep it to yourself? Who are you to broadcast your political opinions to the thousands (or millions) who will read it and possibly be influenced by it? Do you see the sort of argument you're making?

Ofcourse Genx87 doesn't try to sell his politics as "music" or charge people admission to a show.

I could give a sh!t less if GD wants to sing their politics but it still doesn't mean anyone has to care - especially since they were marginal at best to begin with(IMO).

CkG

Well Cad (glad to see you've left your shadowy realm and are posting again 😛), this thread was less about asking you to care about Green Day, and more about why there's this irrational need for some people to punish musicians/celebs who state their opinions.

never heard of a entertainer being "punished" for speaking thier mind, care to link to an example?

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: Train
never heard of a entertainer being "punished" for speaking thier mind, care to link to an example?

There are plenty of examples lately of artists/musicians having boycotts/protests organized against them (or celebs being fired from jobs, etc.) over their political views. Plenty of average joes getting fired for speaking their mind too. Just troll through some of the recent threads here on P&N and you'll see what I mean.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
And of course that's just your opinion. Why don't you keep it to yourself? Who are you to broadcast your political opinions to the thousands (or millions) who will read it and possibly be influenced by it? Do you see the sort of argument you're making?

Ofcourse Genx87 doesn't try to sell his politics as "music" or charge people admission to a show.

I could give a sh!t less if GD wants to sing their politics but it still doesn't mean anyone has to care - especially since they were marginal at best to begin with(IMO).

CkG

Well Cad (glad to see you've left your shadowy realm and are posting again 😛), this thread was less about asking you to care about Green Day, and more about why there's this irrational need for some people to punish musicians/celebs who state their opinions.

"punish"? Don't you think that's a bit slanted? Don't the musicians have to EARN people's money by producing a product people enjoy for entertainment? Hmmm...
Seems to me that I don't enjoy their music or their politics - so I won't buy their crap. Same with others. I won't buy another PearlJam album nor anything else...not only because of Vedder's insanity but also because 'ten' was about the only decent thing they ever put out.

And actually, it's you that's been away - I've been posting quite regularly inspite of this busy season at work.

CkG

 

[nutxo]

I find it hilarious that they make statements about an agenda they dont agree with and then use racist statements without even realizing they are doing it.

Typical liberal trash. Still, I find thier music kinda of unoffensive, in the same vein as creed. More like ditties than real music.

We are all entitled to our opinions. We are all entitled to withhold our support when an entertainer or company supports a differing opinion or philosophy that differs from our own.

meh.

:beer:

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: nutxo
I find it hilarious that they make statements about an agenda they dont agree with and then use racist statements without even realizing they are doing it.

Care to point out what you mean? I fail to see how "redneck" is a racist term, even if it is a stereotypical one. Do you consider the black rappers who use the term "awesome dude" racist?

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: Train
never heard of a entertainer being "punished" for speaking thier mind, care to link to an example?

There are plenty of examples lately of artists/musicians having boycotts/protests organized against them (or celebs being fired from jobs, etc.) over their political views. Plenty of average joes getting fired for speaking their mind too. Just troll through some of the recent threads here on P&N and you'll see what I mean.

your stretching the definition, I know what you MEAN, and its not punishment, its the same "expressing views" the cleb themselves excercised. Now, if say one of these people was fined by a judge or put in jail for these views, then yes, that would be punishment, losing record sales because people dont like you anymore is not punishment.

 

[Train]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: nutxo
I find it hilarious that they make statements about an agenda they dont agree with and then use racist statements without even realizing they are doing it.

Care to point out what you mean? I fail to see how "redneck" is a racist term, even if it is a stereotypical one. Do you consider the black rappers who use the term "awesome dude" racist?

redneck is the only ethnic slur people can get away with, maybe because rednecks are conservatices and dont give a rats ass about political correctness?

 

[DealMonkey]

This happens in every single thread about this subject, so I'm going to elaborate my stance a bit:

1.) If you don't like what an artist/musician/actor stands for politically, you're well within your right to not patronize them in whatever way you normally would. That's fine and dandy, I don't have a problem with that.

2.) But, if you take it to the next level, and organize a boycott, try to stop the product from retail channels, organize efforts to get said artist/musician/actor fired from spokesperson jobs or concert gigs, then you've gone too far. Now, you're quite effectively attempting to suppress their opinions. Beyond that, you're now attempting to censor them by not allowing others who may agree with them to have access to that point of view.

It happened with the Dixie Chicks, it happened with Whoopi Goldberg, it happened recently with Bruce Springstein, it happened when a graphic designer was fired for voicing his opinion at a Bush rally, it happened with Fareinheit 9/11 when conservatives tried to get theaters to not show the movie, it happened when those same conservatives forced CBS not to air "The Regans," it happens when Christian groups try to force certain music/books/magazines out of Wal-Mart and out of retail channels, etc., etc.

And so now you (hopefully) see the difference. This particular thread about Green Day was somewhat tongue-in-cheek as there really is no boycott -- I was just poking fun at the whole concept that there might be.

So yes, feel free to express your own distaste by not buying or patronizing an artist that you don't agree with politically, but don't take it to the next level and attempt to silence dissent, censor artistic works or deny others the right to enjoy works they happen to agree with.

 

[Mockery]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: nutxo
I find it hilarious that they make statements about an agenda they dont agree with and then use racist statements without even realizing they are doing it.

Care to point out what you mean? I fail to see how "redneck" is a racist term, even if it is a stereotypical one. Do you consider the black rappers who use the term "awesome dude" racist?

I do see a double standard....either these terms are taboo or they are not. Allowing one group of people to freely say it, while telling another they can't, is disingenuous in my opinion.

 

[Mockery]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey
So yes, feel free to express your own distaste by not buying or patronizing an artist that you don't agree with politically, but don't take it to the next level and attempt to silence dissent, censor artistic works or deny others the right to enjoy works they happen to agree with.

I fully agree with that.....

Sadly this has been happening consistently with the cheerleaders of both political parties it seems.

(Paul O?Neil?s book, Fox News etc)

People have the right to personally not contribute towards the entities that they disagree with, or simply do not like, but they do not have the right to silence them completely IMO.

Everyone should have the right to speak their mind in this country.

 

[maddogchen]

Boycotts are good. People have the right to boycott anything they want. Its just people with the same opinions of something getting together to express their opinion and try to get others to agree.

Like that rapper a few years back that came out with that cop killer song. I boycotted that and would do it again too.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: Mockery

I do see a double standard....either these terms are taboo or they are not. Allowing one group of people to freely say it, while telling another they can't, is disingenuous in my opinion.

I just don't think "redneck" is an ethnic slur, especially when it comes from another white person. It is a stereotypical, negative term I don't generally use (though there are plenty of folks who clearly fall into that category IMO), but I think only the hypersensitive would consider it racist.

By way of illustration, when Chris Rock does his bit comparing black people and "nig6ers," is that racist? I don't think so. By the same token, I'm white, and when I think of, say, a Klansman, I consider that person a redneck (just as Chris considers some black people "nig6ers"). I don't think I'm being racist in that situation.

 

[Mockery]

Originally posted by: maddogchen
Boycotts are good. People have the right to boycott anything they want. Its just people with the same opinions of something getting together to express their opinion and try to get others to agree.

Like that rapper a few years back that came out with that cop killer song. I boycotted that and would do it again too.

I have no real problems with boycotts either. If people want to get together and show their resentment for something that should also be tolerated.

It's just problematic to me when the choices of a few starts influencing others (as in the majority) from watching, listening, or possessing something they actually want to have.

It's the maniacal behind the scenes blackballing that gets to me after a while.

The only exception to this is when the boycott gets so severe that they go bankrupt from so many being against them. In which case, I guess, supply and demand illustrates that that artist, business, etc, had it coming to them.

 

[Mockery]

Originally posted by: DonVito
I just don't think "redneck" is an ethnic slur, especially when it comes from another white person.

How about the ?n? word then?

It too is in numerous rap songs?..

It is a stereotypical, negative term I don't generally use (though there are plenty of folks who clearly fall into that category IMO), but I think only the hypersensitive would consider it racist.

As Train said earlier?.is this because the term is any less racist, or is it because the people that it is directed at are usually more tolerable of such prejudice?

By way of illustration, when Chris Rock does his bit comparing black people and "nig6ers," is that racist? I don't think so.

Now what if a black person used the term ?redneck,? or a white person using Chris Rocks "nig6ers" skit. Would that be problematic?

To me it wouldn?t be?but to society it is for some reason (which I?m hoping someone can explain)

By the same token, I'm white, and when I think of, say, a Klansman, I consider that person a redneck (just as Chris considers some black people "nig6ers"). I don't think I'm being racist in that situation.

Neither do I?.I?ve never understood political correctness to be honest. I?m just asking questions that I?ve had a lifetime worth of troubles understanding.

I don?t really care either way about the term. I know I won?t shed any tears over it.
I?m just trying to obtain some sort of a grasp behind why these things are the way they currently are.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Originally posted by: loki8481
I love Green Day.

but I hate it when celebrities talk politics.

Yeah I know . . . Reagan, S. Bono, Ventura, Schwarzenegger . . . mediocre in multiple disciplines.

 

[shiner]

As long as we are posting what Musicisans think.....something Gene Simmons said a few weeks ago.....

"My stance has always been the same. I am no one's mouthpiece and I have no political agenda. I was a big fan of Pres Clinton and I support Pres Bush's foreign policy. I may not agree with all of the stances our President takes (disagree on Stem Cell research, separation of Church and State, Environmental issues, and Abortion). However, this is a time of war. I can worry about the other issues next year.

Politics are very self serving. We all know the same thing....which is to say, a Terrorist doesn't really hate Democrats or Republicans. He hates AMERICANS. All this infighting within the political parties is giving aid and comfort to the enemy.
We need to shut up and get rid of the worldwide menace.
Then we can turn on each other and fight all the petty, non-life threatening political battles.

And finally and for the record, if Mr. Kerry is elected President I will certainly support him. I also believe his foreign policy wouldn't be all that different from Mr. Bush's. The troops must finish the job. NOW. And, they will.

 

[IndieSnob]

Originally posted by: DonVito

Originally posted by: Ethex

I tried to explain to my cousin (just out of high school) that it wasn't real punk music, he didn't get it. Bring back MinorThreat, The Circle Jerks, T.S.O.L, and even The DeadKennedy's. Music and movies is the one place politics should be inserted. Then we can decide if we want to hear it, as oppossed to inserted in the news where i just want to know the events of the day.

Yeah, I happened to be a teenager in the '80s, in a city (Minneapolis) with a vibrant music community. I saw the DKs, Black Flag, Minor Threat, The Misfits, Samhain, Husker Du, the Meatmen, Bad Brains, SOA, Saccharine Trust, The Exploited, Subs UK, Suicidal Tendencies, DOA, Naked Raygun, Big Black, Die Kreuzen, the Butthole Surfers, the Big Boys, the Descendents, and dozens of other seminal punk/hardcore bands several times each when I was in high school (First Avenue, the club where Prince performs in Purple Rain, had all-ages shows for a $3-5 cover, and there were a lot of other venues as well).

I actually really like some of Green Day's music (Hitchin' a Ride is one of my all-time favorite pop-punk tunes), but if anything I've always felt their disconnect from the roots of punk music made them too apolitical to be relevant. Their last album was nothing to write home about IMO, but I wish them well and will buy this record if it's well-reviewed.

I really can't tell you how jealous I am of you, you bastard
😉

I always wished I could have been a teenager during the 80's DIY music times, not only for the music, but to observe first hand how they changed the way that people could do their own music and have their own scene without corporate hands in the pot. I also admired alot of those guys for their political views during those times, they spoke out alot louder then the 60's generation with alot more venom to it. Those must have been some great times to have back then.

 

[feralkid]

Originally posted by: maddogchen
Boycotts are good. People have the right to boycott anything they want. Its just people with the same opinions of something getting together to express their opinion and try to get others to agree.

Like that rapper a few years back that came out with that cop killer song. I boycotted that and would do it again too.

I'm curious. Do you mean to say that you were all ready to buy it, but changed your mind due to those lyrics?

Or would you never have bought it anyway, in which case it's not really boycotting.