Don’t look now, but rock musicians are calling the president an idiot again. Rolling Stone’s latest issue is completely obsessed with promoting Al Gore’s Live Earth concerts, and includes interviews with rockers predictably trashing wars for oil and hailing the Goracle. Roger Waters of Pink Floyd stood out with the Bush-bashing:
"It would help if we could divert some of our resources away from blowing each other to bits and toward think tanks. Something has gone wrong with the democratic process when you can get idiots rising to offices of extreme power, like the presidency of the United States of America. George Bush – you could not make a worse choice in someone to lead the most powerful nation in the free world."
The section in bold was highlighted in larger, bolder text by Rolling Stone.
But as much as Waters touted Gore’s film as "very impressive, very compelling viewing," he’s not exactly a leader himself. When asked if he’s changed anything in his daily life due to the "climate crisis," Waters admitted: "So far, very little. I find myself going to turn the lights off where I wouldn’t have before, not to save the few cents but because it seems like a good thing to do. And I drink warm beer, obviously, which helps."
Alicia Keys at least wondered if we were the idiots, and not President Bush: "Are we a bunch of idiots that we’ve seen Al Gore’s incredible documentary and we continue to kill the Earth? Maybe. Hopefully, people will go to Live Earth will come back and say ‘We know what’s going on, and we’re not going to sit back any longer.’
When asked if our leaders "don’t get it," Keys said it’s impossible our leaders are oblivious, that "it’s complete greed...How much are we going to take before we say ‘Your greed can’t lead us to hell’?"
Other sages on these Gore-boosting pages were Melissa Etheridge, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Ludacris, Chris Cornell, James Blunt, Mike D of the Beastie Boys, Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy, and Davey Havok of AFI, who touted being a vegan.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
What a maroon
June 19, 2007 - 05:57 ET by Tim GrahamThis is a little off the point, but add this to your Roger Waters "I'm Much Smarter Than That Idiot Bush" file. On his own website, he's interviewed about his forthcoming opera touting the idealistic part of the French Revolution (before it went a bit nasty):
George Bush is an idiot, but I have to look at picture books instead of read the hard books with all those words? And, ahem -- that author would be Thomas Carlyle, right? Not Robert, the actor who starred in The Full Monty?
"It would help if we cou
June 19, 2007 - 06:17 ET by OldSailor88"It would help if we could divert some of our resources away from blowing each other to bits and toward think tanks."
Wow. Let's sit in a circle around a fire and sing kumbaya. Then all the bad men will go away. Daddy Gore says so.
Why didn't they interview Ted Nugent?
Here's Gonzo Ted at his best!
"like the presidency of
June 19, 2007 - 06:34 ET by general company"like the presidency of the United States of America. George Bush – you could not make a worse choice in someone to lead the most powerful nation in the free world."
Sure we could, I suggest Gore and Kerry for examples
Oh let me get this straight?
June 19, 2007 - 06:43 ET by JWFOh let me get this straight? Bush is stupid? I am stupid for voting for Bush twice? I am stupid for voting for BushMcChimpyHitler after he started the war for oil?
Or ,are these people stupid for alienating half of their audience?
Newsflash! (this is includes Bill Maher and Hollywood at al) Bush will be gone in less than 2 years. He will be retired at his ranch still not caring about any of you. I, however, will stay around much longer, not buying your albums, or watching your movies and/or tv shows. I am not as forgiving as the boy president and I have a long long memory.
cc: Bill Maher c/o HBO
I agree JWF, I will never sp
June 19, 2007 - 07:00 ET by USA4freedomI agree JWF, I will never spend a penny to watch any of these people.
The people I do not watch:
Alec Baldwin
Ani DiFranco
Barbra Streisand
Cher
Chrissie Hynde
Danny Glover
Dave Matthews
David Clennon
Dixie Chicks
Dustin Hoffman
Ed Asner
Ed Harris
Edward Norton
Eric Roberts
George Carlin
George Clooney
Gore Vidal
Harry Belafonte
Jane Fonda
Janeane Garofalo
Jennifer Aniston
Jessica Lange
John Cusack
Joy Behar
Julia Roberts
Larry Hagman
Madonna
Martin Scorsese
Martin Sheen
Michael Moore
Mike Farrell
Oliver Stone
Pearl Jam
Richard Gere
Robert Altman
Robin Williams
Sandra Bernhard
Sandy Duncan
Sean Penn
Spike Lee
Susan Sarandon
Tim Robbins
Viggo Mortensen
Whoopi Goldberg
Woody Harrelson
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Forgot one USA
June 19, 2007 - 07:02 ET by Cool ArrowWoody Allen - Honey, I Screwed the Kid
Good list --I have one ??
June 19, 2007 - 07:26 ET by misterbillGood list --I have one ?? George Carlin??? I have only heard him do a funny schtick about once a year.Is he a leftie or is it because he is so vulgar?
George Carlin, "And I certai
June 19, 2007 - 07:40 ET by USA4freedomGeorge Carlin,
"And I certainly would never wish a president any sort of harm …out loud. It’s not in my heart to do such a thing –to any human being. I wish all people only the best at all times …out loud. Especially the president. Because even though I disagree with his policies, and think he is a dangerous imbecile, he is, after all, the President of all of us, and he is a fellow human being, deserving of respect. (That was hard to say, but I wanted to keep the record straight.) "
I like Carlin in the past but the last few times I see him he just looks like a old bitter man. I even have a few of his old CD’s. His humor “had” a lot of thought to it but now, he just bitches and bitches and calls it humor. I watched his last show on HBO (before I canceled it) and it was just painful to watch. The audience looked like they just wasted what ever it cost to get in.
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Wow-- I missed all that--
June 19, 2007 - 07:52 ET by misterbillWow-- I missed all that-- what a shame--as vulgar as he is, he always made me laugh. Most of what I heard from him was non political. Even though I am a golfer, he broke me up with his Homeless solution which was to take all the golf courses and build apartment buildings on them. What a shame! I like you, do not watch shows or movies with the people you mentioned (as a rule), I may continue to watch if I start ato view without knowing they are in it. I instantly turn off any show with Jane Fonda. I am still disturbed that she was not charged with treason under the "lending succor to the enemy" part.
PS--due to the "immigration reform"---
June 19, 2007 - 07:54 ET by misterbillPS--due to the "immigration reform"---Bush is cramming down our throats, I wish he would resign or at least sit down, shut up and manage the Iraq war.
I know big guy! We need to st
June 19, 2007 - 07:38 ET by JWFI know big guy! We need to start a blog to keep track of all of them.
Don't forget Charlie Sheen "Call me silly and tickle my willy but those buildings came straight down into thier own footprint like some force was pulling them that way. We need a new theory about how everything seems to be pulled down. Let's call it Gravily."
And David Letterman. Here's a clue Dave, What was Johnny Carson's political affiliation? What? We don't know? How odd?
And John Johnny Cougar Mellencamp. Blood on the scarecrow, water on the brain.
I'm running out of steam... More on www.whydoeshollywoodhateme.com (proposed name only. don't click)
I pretty much concur with you
June 19, 2007 - 11:41 ET by TeamcheeserI pretty much concur with your list, however, I would still pay to see something with or by Mike Farrell, because although he is a raging Lunatic, he is at least honest about his views and open to discussion. He doesn't run and hide nearly as much as most lefties.
Of course, Farrell isn't doing much of anything anyway, so I guess it's a moot point.
Roger Waters
June 19, 2007 - 06:58 ET by Cool ArrowRoger, Roger, Roger
Why are you wasting your time in the doldrums, caught up in a cauldron of hate?
you could Open your door to your enemies and ask could we wipe the slate clean.
Just a thought
Alicia Keys, I wonder what
June 19, 2007 - 07:01 ET by USA4freedomAlicia Keys,
I wonder what classes she took in History, Government, Social Studies at the Professional Performing Arts School, a high school in Manhattan.
Roger Waters,
Cambridge County School for boys.
Melissa Etheridge,
Quit Berkley College of Music in Boston
Dave Matthews,
St Stihians College High School
Chris Cornell,
Dropped out of parochial school at 15.
Davey Hovok,
Davey attended Catholic school in Ukiah Cal. until the eighth grade.
Patrick Stump,
Could not find school,(I wonder why) but did find his Horoscope..
Michael D,
He attended Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York for six months. It is rumored that he was expelled after throwing a beer keg from the ninth floor of a residence hall.
Bush,
MBA Harvard University
Just shut up and sing.
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Rockers
June 19, 2007 - 07:01 ET by seejayI was the biggest Pink Floyd fan there was growing up. I thought they were geniuses!
Of course, I was 15 years old.
Now I see that they're just some guys running out of money. Poor old Roger Waters! After sending Syd to the looney bin he decided to continue with Pink Floyd, even though it was Syd's band. He made millions and then said he was done. The rest of Pink Floyd however, wanted to keep playing. Roger took his ball and went home - There's no PF without HIM! But the band sued him and won, and continued playing as PF without Mr. Important for a decade.
But the market for music-to-drop-acid-to has declined of late. I still like all my old PF but I'm the first to admit they haven't had a fresh idea in 30 years! So why are they making news today?
'Cause that's the deal today. You want an old media company to invest in your future? You better consider what the old media company wants from you! And today it's BDS! "Sure, we'll spend money promoting a '70s band, as long as you insult America and her leaders in our newspaper-TV show-movie-album-book etc.
No insult - No promo! That's our enemedia!
So Pink Floyd hasn't had any
June 19, 2007 - 09:00 ET by Chidi NwachukhuSo Pink Floyd hasn't had any good ideas since Animals? Hmm, I think the Wall was pretty good. Also, mental illness sent Syd to the hospital, not RW. Finally, Syd stopped showing up to rehearsals in 1967. It was Syd's band for a glorius 12-18 months until he checked out.
Roger Waters
June 19, 2007 - 09:26 ET by seejayChidi.
Although you switched your words for mine in your opening: "good" for "fresh", I'll accept your argument. The Wail, as I like to call it, was all Roger. All introspective and snivelling. And what did he call David G.? "....a third rate guitarist.....? Yeah, nice guy. Real Genius.
No, this is exactly the type of flaky behavior that women and lefties adore. And yes, it was Syd's band for only a short time, but there would have been no band without him.
No Pink Floyd without Roger W
June 19, 2007 - 09:05 ET by LeonNo Pink Floyd without Roger Waters?
Have you seen Pulse?
Arguably one of the greatest concerts ever. Definitely one of the top 5 concert DVDs ever.
Booooooring.PF is no good wit
June 19, 2007 - 12:03 ET by Roger the ShrubberBooooooring.
PF is no good without Water and Gilmour together. Nothing post-"The Wall" is worthwhile.
Even Gilmour's latest solo album blows.
I'm really impressed that Wat
June 19, 2007 - 07:10 ET by Seabeach4348I'm really impressed that Waters turns off the lights and drinks warm beer. I feel safer already. And whenever I need advice about who to vote for or to learn the truth about something, yep, RollingStoned is the first place to go!
As far as "we know what's going on, and we're not going to sit back any longer." I think that the great unwashed of Waters' audience will be so stoned they won't know the difference between Algore and the Goodyear blimp.
And, yeah I agree, why didn't they interview Ted Nugent?
I Love this so much, I'll post it twice!!
June 19, 2007 - 07:31 ET by OldSailor88Gonzo Ted RULES!!
Actually, I'm kind of amused
June 19, 2007 - 08:31 ET by winston smithActually, I'm kind of amused when the rockers come out for a cause. They usually wind up doing more to undermine an issue than strengthen it. Recall Sheryl Crow and the toilet paper controversey. The left is spending millions on pushing GW propaganda and then the stoners come out in force, call Bush an idiot and then they will go on to make idiots of themselves at the big GW concert. Suddenly the issue isn't serious anymore--- we are engrossed by images of the stoners pracing around a stage shouting out insults, profanity oh, and of course vital information about the coming geological doom. Really, what more could the GW skeptic ask for? It doesn't cost us a thing , they foot the bill, we sit back and chuckle and by morning GW is no longer a serious issue. Kind of like what Sharpton has done for civil rights. And remember LiveAid. No more starving Africans, right?
Question
June 19, 2007 - 10:44 ET by UnsaneDoes anyone here know what caused the famine that necessitated Live Aid 22 years ago?
MAKE WAY FOR THE SAN ANTONIO SPURS!!! THE 1999, 2003, 2005, AND 2007 NBA CHAMPIONS!!!!
George Bush, Dick Cheney, and
June 19, 2007 - 11:55 ET by Roger the ShrubberGeorge Bush, Dick Cheney, and Halliburton, working alongside the Carlysle Group, The Bilderbergs, and the Illuminati?
Yes, unsane
June 19, 2007 - 11:58 ET by Cool ArrowIt was all the warfare leading to great fear in the hearts of farmers. Not to mention the landmines making the Oxen either skiddish or hamburger.
Global Warming
June 19, 2007 - 12:00 ET by LionKingAfter the Ice Age of the 70's, Global Warming started promptly in 1980. All of the ills and world problems are a direct result fo this...that's a FACT !!!
He dont need no edukayshonO
June 19, 2007 - 07:20 ET by Jack BauerOkay, he does really.
edukayshun
June 19, 2007 - 07:26 ET by Cool ArrowHow can you pack any pudding if you don't eat your meat?
Note, however, that Bob Dylan
June 19, 2007 - 09:02 ET by Michael ChapmanNote, however, that Bob Dylan trashed the global warming hysteria in Rolling Stone last month, and The Who's Roger Daltry has trashed Gore's "Live Earth" concert plans. A lot of rockers are knee-jerk liberal-heads, but every once in awhile one of them reveals he has a brain and can think critically.
"and The Who's Roger D
June 19, 2007 - 15:35 ET by ckc1227"and The Who's Roger Daltry has trashed Gore's "Live Earth" concert plans."
But, not because he denies the existence of the global warming disaster. I think he did it because he thought it was a waste of time, or hypocritical, or something like that. He was clear, however, that he believes we are in for an environmental meltdown.
After catching the last 10 mi
June 19, 2007 - 09:42 ET by NCConservativeAfter catching the last 10 minutes of "Inside the Actors Studio" this weekend, I would have to add Kyra Sedgwick to the list of loud mouth libs in Hollywood. This disappoints me as I thought she and Kevin Bacon were fairly "normal" for a Hollywood couple.
For anyone who might watch this show regularly, they know that at the end of each show, the host goes down a list of questions on lighter subjects like what's your favorite word, what's your favorite sound, if you weren't an actor what would you be, etc.
Well, when asked her least favorite sound Sedgwick decided to go political and answered with "the sound of George W. Bush's voice."
Clever, Kyra. How long did it take you to come up with that answer?
"For some reason the pre
June 19, 2007 - 11:24 ET by mattm"For some reason the press and people seem to think that performers have the answers to the problems of society. I mean, what can you say to something like that? It's absurd, really." - Bob Dylan
I love Pink Floyd. All of t
June 19, 2007 - 12:28 ET by Phan of TruthI love Pink Floyd. All of their phases--the Syd years, the great years, the Waters years. But it was Waters who ultimately broke up the band and who is despised by the other members after the lawsuit, who reunited without him to have some very good years and albums. With Waters as the front, things got darker and stranger, more political and polarizing to Floyd fans. He is a gifted musician, but listening to his lyrics, not the most stable individual.
Nor the brightest picture boo
June 19, 2007 - 12:33 ET by florida_chadNor the brightest picture book viewer...............
Celebs dissed
June 19, 2007 - 12:35 ET by NortoBelieve
Steve Martin is off my list too.
You could have said "som
June 19, 2007 - 13:10 ET by mvfreemanYou could have said "some rock musicians". And I wouldn't call half of the people mentioned "rock" in any way, shape, or form.
Not all rock musicians are blithering liberal idiots.