About those Celebrities having voices

[Begin Rant] So, you’re sick of hearing “Liberal” celebrities voice their political opinion??  Really???  Bite Me!!! Celebrities have been doing it for a very long time – speaking out for the pale and downtrodden of society. They are the voice people need because sometimes those in power don’t listen to voices like mine or yours.

They have been doing this for ages. But everyone seems to be focused on “Hollywood” and actors and actresses speaking out. This goes far beyond the stars in the tiny hamlet adjacent to Los Angeles.

It goes to our music as well. Rock and Roll and Rap/Hop-Hop have always had a social and political conscience. They talk about subjects you don’t hear in Country Music since that genre is so wrapped up in a god and country, it only knows one type of value – there’s not many socially aware country songs.

Frank Sinatra was at the forefront of racial integration. He was for Civil Rights. He was for school integration.

Artists of the 1960’s came of age in the Vietnam era writing about the perils of the nation at war and songs of peace. Some were even big enough to voice opposition to elected leaders.

Music was a vehicle to voice a political opinion, but people tend to forget about that. It has weaved into the fabric of society. Many just hear a good beat or guitar riff, but rarely hear the words.

The 1970’s saw the birth of progressive rock and longer songs, but the messages were still there. You just had to know where to look. They were subtle, but still there.

Skip to the 80’s – songs took on the cold war, the environment (acid rain come to mind?), consumerism… The list goes on and on.

But don’t tell me it’s just “Hollywood.”

What is sad is you have “Conservative” celebrities sitting in the shadows, thinking they might get picked on or lose roles for their political leanings. That’s bullshit. They are cowards – they meet in Secret (Friends of Abe). The most vocal people they have are all nuts (see: Ted Nugent).

So, next time you want to talk about celebrities voicing their opinions, you might want to shut off your radio – you might be hearing a song by someone who has an opinion. {End Rant]

Ted Cruz is a Panderer!!!!

[Begin Rant] Expanding on a status I put up earlier: "I'm sorry Canada Cruz, but there could be 100 9-11 attacks and I still wouldn't give up Rock music for Country. That is all!"

What was said by Ted Cruz:

"Music is interesting," he said. "I grew up listening to classic rock, and I'll tell you sort of an odd story: My music taste changed on 9/11. And it's very strange. I actually intellectually find this very curious. But on 9/11, I didn't like how rock music responded. And country music collectively, the way they responded, it resonated with me.

"And I have to say, it just is a gut-level. I had an emotional reaction that says, these are my people," Cruz said of country artists. "So ever since 2001, I listen to country music. But I'm an odd country music fan, because I didn't listen to it prior to 2001." {quote via: http://www.rollingstone.com/…/ted-cruz-on-9-11-i-didnt-like…}

And here's where I call BULLSHIT!!!!

Rock music did indeed respond to 9/11. Rock music responded in many ways and by many artists. Cruz might be educated, but he's a goddamned idiot to not see it. He is within a few years of me in age, so I can honestly say many of the bands we grew up listening to aren't around anymore, so suffice to say, his "Classic Rock" line could, in theory, be true, but to say there wasn't a response by the Rock genre is a load of shit. Doing a Simple Google search of "rock songs about 9/11" gives you "About 4,260,000 results".

Now, onto this Country Music nonsense. I'm not knocking you personally if you listen to this genre (but I can say you can really do better, but I digress). To say that Country Music responded better than Rock is absurd, to say the least. Sure, there might have been a quicker response from the artist because they have songwriting teams like they did in the golden age of rock at the Brill Building, churning out songs that were ready to go for whoever was in a studio at any given moment. I've seen songwriting credits on many country albums and there are so many co-writers for songs, unlike a majority of Rock bands who write within the band (or write individually and present to the band). Add to this, Country artists release a couple albums a year, then put out a Greatest Hits after three albums with a new song to soak the rubes who already have the last three discs. So, in essence, it takes time to write a song.

Ted Cruz can shove his nonsense up his ass. Country and Rock (and other genres) artists came together on September 21, 2011 at Madison Square Garden for the America: A Tribute to Heroes concert.

Via Wikipedia:
"Over 35 network and cable outlets simultaneously broadcast America: A Tribute to Heroes, including: ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, A&E, BET, Country Music Television, Comedy Central, Court TV, Discovery Channel, E!, Fox Family, Fox Sports Net, FX, Galavision, Hallmark Channel, HBO, Lifetime, MTV, Oxygen, PAX, PBS, Sci-Fi, Showtime, Sundance Channel, Telemundo, TLC, TNN, TNT, The WB, Turner South, Univision, UPN, USA Network and VH1.

America: A Tribute to Heroes was simulcast on the Internet at www.tributetoheroes.org and at America Online, as well as on more than 8,000 radio outlets around the country, including Westwood One, Clear Channel Communications and ABC Radio affiliates in major markets.

Internationally, America: A Tribute to Heroes was distributed to broadcasters in more than 210 countries around the world including BBC One in the United Kingdom. Further, the American Forces Network carried the program live on radio and television to American soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines in over 175 countries around the world"

In closing, FUCK YOU, TED CRUZ!!! I HOPE YOU FUCKING LOSE. YOU'RE A GODDAMNED PANDERING PIECE OF SHIT AND YOUR CRAZY FATHER SHOULD HAVE PULLED OUT!!! [End Rant]

I miss the 80's

I grew up in the 80's. I miss the music, and yes, even the clothes and hair. What I don't miss is the Tipper Gore of the 80's. I would have to say she is the catalyst of my interest in politics. Here are two vids about the PMRC (EVIL!!!). They are of a 20/20 segment talking about Metal music... Note how young Barbara Walters and Sone Phillips look - even Tipper Gore.

Clip #1



Clip #2