Memories:
"In 2000, Americans were reminded that electoral votes select presidents. In 2004, Democrats were reminded that Bruce Springsteen does not."
I guess the Boss doesn't read George Will.
His concert at the Hartford (Conn.) Civic Center last night wasn't just an evening of classic tunes mixed with an introduction to his new album. He must have memorized some kind of script, because the following (from the Hartford Courant's review) was similar to the screed he gave when he performed live for the "Today" show last week:
It's a different world now from when Springsteen wrote those early songs, and he talked frankly at times about the differences. He decried "illegal wiretapping, rendition, black sites, an attack on the Constitution" before playing "Livin' in the Future," and introduced new song "Magic" as an allegory about an "Orwellian moment when what's true can be made to seem like a lie and what's a lie can be made to seem true, and we've witnessed the consequences over the past six years."
Amazing, isn't it, how time seems to stand still when rock stars are involved. Back in 2003, Springsteen was (allegedly) calling for Bush's impeachment:
"It's time to impeach the president and get a man in there to get us out of this mess."
And yet here we are, four years later, with Bush still in office and Springsteen still free to whine. It may be a different world from when Springsteen started his career, but for some, it's been at a standstill for nearly a decade.
I'm looking forward to the next Vote for Change tour. How about you?
