Springsteen Ready for Criticism over "Magic" Words

[Hissyspit]

Source: Reuters

Springsteen ready for criticism over "Magic" words
By Christian Wiessner

- snip -

"I believe every citizen has a stake in the course, direction of their country. That's why we vote. It's unpatriotic at any given moment to sit back and let things pass that are damaging to some place that you love so dearly and that has given me so much," Springsteen says in an interview on the CBS news show "60 Minutes" to air on Sunday night.

- snip -

Rolling Stone Executive Editor Joe Levy said those lyrics are unlikely to hurt concert ticket or album sales. "His audience is not going to desert him, nor should (they) be the least bit surprised by how he feels, especially three years after the 'Vote For Change' tour," Levy said.

Levy was referring to the concerts staged by MoveOn.org, the liberal political group behind concerts in 2004 aimed at unseating Bush. Springsteen also performed at several campaign stops for Bush's 2004 Democratic opponent, Sen. John Kerry.

However, Levy said Springsteen will likely be grist for the mill among conservative radio and talk show hosts who will likely rail against the record and its message. "You're talking about a right-wing media machine that can manage to make a war hero like John Kerry look like a faker. These people are not burdened by reality," he said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071007/us_nm/springsteen_dc

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Click here for a history of Springsteen's activism during the Bush maladministration: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1994458

[peacebird]

1. "These people are not burdened by reality" ... Great quote!

[HughMoran]

7. So true

There are times when I wonder how much longer I can even associate with RWers.

[silverojo]

19. You associate with right-wingers?

I'd be afraid of catching their insanity. :scared:

[xxqqqzme]

15. agree - excellent quote....gotta save that one in the gray

matter for future use.

Today performance

'I know it's early but it's late.'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5lyNdAjDyE

'Livin' in the future and none of this has happened yet'

Oh, if it were true.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Great news! Love the ending of the article:

His huge 1984 hit "Born in the U.S.A." told the story of a Vietnam veteran forced into combat to avoid jail, go to "kill the yellow man," only to return home and be denied work.

The song was widely misinterpreted as an uplifting work of unabashed patriotism.

Former President Ronald Reagan, on his way to a landslide 1984 re-election, said at a New Jersey campaign speech: "America's future rests in a thousand dreams inside your hearts; it rests in the message of hope in songs of a man so many young Americans admire: New Jersey's own Bruce Springsteen."

Springsteen and his E Street Band are on the road promoting "Magic" and the 58-year-old's comments before playing "Livin' in the Future" are far from ambiguous.

"In the past six years we've had to add to the American picture rendition, illegal wiretapping, voter suppression, no habeas corpus, the neglect of our great city of New Orleans and her people, an attack on the Constitution and the loss of our best young men and women in a tragic war," he said before performing the song on NBC's "Today" show.

"This is a song about things that shouldn't happen here happening here."
(snip/)

[Triana]

11. Gotcha head screwed on straight, & heart in the right place - love on ya, Bruce (n/t)

[dickbearton]

12. Poor Uncle Ronnie, the guy was just plain stupid...

The only ones stupider, then the Criminal Reagan, were his
supporters. A landslide victory for Reagan is a case in point,
Stupid Americans.  Really, Americans are a lot more ignorant
and stupid then we care to admit. How else can you explain,
the people who voted twice for the traitor, war criminal Bush.
Well, because of ignorant and/or stupid Americans, things that
shouldn't happen here are happening here. 

[crikkett]

13. maybe work on your stupid vocabulary

[cutlassmama]

17. fixed voting machines voted him in, not the people

[beltanefauve]

22. Not just the stupid

The willfully ignorant of this country are a big part of the picture. Y'know, the ones who want their news spoon-fed to them, the ones who do not question authority and want to leave government up to the "experts" instead of understanding that the experts are public servants and that government is a function of "We the People", the ones who are consumers rather than citizens and simply want to be comfortable. These people are not necessarily lacking in intelligence and/or education, rather, they are just lazy, compliant sheep who are all about maintaining the status quo.

[Demit]

3. Just to repeat what Springsteen said to the Today show audience before playing

—because it's so good to hear it said out loud:

"In the past six years we've had to add to the American picture rendition, illegal wiretapping, voter suppression, no habeas corpus, the neglect of our great city of New Orleans and her people, an attack on the Constitution and the loss of our best young men and women in a tragic war," he said before performing the song on NBC's "Today" show. "This is a song about things that shouldn't happen here happening here."

[liberal renegade]

4. I bet Scott Pelley doesn't have

the balls to interview him....

[babylonsister]

5. Thanks! I'll be watching Bruce. nt

[sarcasmo]

6. Kick, the BOSS sounded good live on the Today show.

I never DVR that show but new the BOSS would be on, rock on Bruce.

[Hissyspit]

8. 60 Minutes at 7:30 p.m. ET or whenever the gootball coverage ends. n/t

[ProudDad]

9. It's not a WAR!!!

It's a fucking illegal invasion and occupation.

Calling it a "war" is bullshit on the face of it...

You Go, Bruce!!!

-------------

"His huge 1984 hit "Born in the U.S.A." told the story of a Vietnam veteran forced into combat to avoid jail, go to "kill the yellow man," only to return home and be denied work.

The song was widely misinterpreted as an uplifting work of unabashed patriotism."


FINALLY!!!!!!

[graywarrior]

10. Thank you!

[dickbearton]

14. Exactly, K&R.

[saigon68]

18. The War promoted by Cheney's "sockpuppet" the chimp

[gratuitous]

16. Picking on people who can fight back isn't the RW style

They prefer their victims to be marginalized and as helpless as possible. That's why the slurs went out against the Dixie Chicks (women), Rosie O'Donnell (Two-fer! Female and lesbian), and Michael Moore (fat). But Bruce Springsteen has been a popular media hero since his first album, and he doesn't appear to be the kind of target the Right Wing likes: He's been consistent, he has a lot of money, and people all over the country and all over the world love him. They'll leave Springsteen alone, and hope he goes away. The less attention paid, the better.

[ProudDad]

20. Saw the show tonight

I was disappointed that 60 minutes didn't air some of Springsteen's more provocative (and true) comments that were in the article.

I also don't think he really gives a shit what the RW spin machine says...

[Chemical Bill]

21. Did Bruce say "please" again?

What a moran. He'll never get the respect of right-wingnuts like that. :sarcasm:

Bill

[question everything]

23. Glad that there is finally a discussin about him

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1944348

[KamaAina]

24. Snarf! I've been looking for a new sig line!

Oh yes, BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!!