Bill O'Reily salutes The Beach Boys :)

[Alex]

O'Reilley's an asshole ( the only conservative TV "pundit" I can really stomach is Stephen Colbert), but, as others have already said, at least he has a good taste in music. Personally, I'd be flattered if he called me a "pinhead".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BBfybCPkjA

You know Colbert is only pretending to be a conservative, right?

Yeah, I know. Should have put a couple  in my post.

[guitarfool2002]

Being around Christians The code word "Uplifting" in the Christian community is code word for music/movies that are "safe" for people and not considered "evil or blasphemy or antichristian". I'm not sure if that's why he said it but that's ONE possibilty of what he was saying since Christian conservatives typically watch Fox..

Yes, sometimes "uplifting" is used in that way...as in, family friendly. And it's just funny that sometimes people think of the BBs as being very clean cut, and therefore acceptable for conservative consumption.
But it's also possible that O'Reilly meant that the BBs music makes him happy. It's just that the way he emphasized it ("uplifting, UPLIFTING") on his conservative TV show, the meaning came off as "clean-cut and okay for the kiddies, unlike that dirty pop and hip-hop music that promotes drugs, sex and other unspeakables."  

If you're not sure what he was saying than it might be best not to bring that definition of the word uplift into the discussion.

I said uplifting as well to describe the band and the music, and I meant nothing relative to your definition.

Get all the audience members who witnessed Brian play "God Only Knows" in Boston during the first Smile tour, and ask them to define what happened after Brian played that specific song and the entire crowd erupted into a prolonged standing ovation that even Brian seemed amazed was happening. It's hard to define other than to say it was uplifting, and that term used that way for this event has nothing to do with whatever "code words" and other possibilities are being proposed.

I still don't understand why a commentary about the Beach Boys has to bring in all of the politics, it's f*cking sad that instead of seeing what people have in common with each other, many in this thread looked immediately to the politics and saw the negatives.

*That in itself is a disheartening commentary on the state of political discourse in 2012.*

If people can't put f*cking politics aside long enough to find even a slight connection through a shared enjoyment of music or a musical group, we're in sad shape. It shouldn't matter if it's Bill O'Reilly or anyone else if you agree with them, in this case praising the Beach Boys for what they do. Now the talk is "code words"? Sad.

Make sure to ask the people standing around you at the upcoming Beach Boys reunion shows what political party they support, so you can decide whether or not to share the good times with them. If they're not what you are or didn't vote for your side, democrat or republican or whatever, just tell them to f*ck off. That's what it could be heading for anyway if the reaction to a commentator calling the Beach Boys "uplifting" is any indication.

Seriously, is it too hard to put politics aside for something enjoyable that we can share with other people?

[guitarfool2002]

Edit Edit Edit Edit.  Yeah, George Shrub.  Dunno if he was even there, was he?

He was there. 

[theCOD]

It's always refreshing to read posts by rockandroll and guitarfool2002. I'd enjoy this place so much more if even half the people here put as much thought into their posts as you guys, instead of it being dominated by people like Mikie.

BTW, rockandroll, I'm still doing research for my response to you regarding the False Barnyard book. Expect my rebuttal within the year.

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Thanks for the kind words.

I would like to say though that I am a big fan of Mikie - not only has he come about as close as anyone could to the centre of the Beach Boys world back in the 70s (70s, right), but he was also one of the first people to respond to me in any real detail when I first got into The Beach Boys fandom world over ten years ago on the Cabinessence board.

[Mikie]

It's always refreshing to read posts by rockandroll and guitarfool2002. I'd enjoy this place so much more if even half the people here put as much thought into their posts as you guys, instead of it being dominated by people like Mikie.

Hey, gee, thanks a lot, CODger!  I'll be sure to remember that.

Rockandroll and I do go way back. He's educated, very articulate, and knowledgeable about music, politics, and religion and probably a lot of other things too. I remember (and learned from) many political conversations through the years between he and Bungalow Bill on that 'other' board. And we agree on quite a bit, especially stuff pertaining to The Beach Boys.

Are you still in Canada, Rockandroll?

[Amy B.]

If you're not sure what he was saying than it might be best not to bring that definition of the word uplift into the discussion.

I said uplifting as well to describe the band and the music, and I meant nothing relative to your definition.

Get all the audience members who witnessed Brian play "God Only Knows" in Boston during the first Smile tour, and ask them to define what happened after Brian played that specific song and the entire crowd erupted into a prolonged standing ovation that even Brian seemed amazed was happening. It's hard to define other than to say it was uplifting, and that term used that way for this event has nothing to do with whatever "code words" and other possibilities are being proposed.

I still don't understand why a commentary about the Beach Boys has to bring in all of the politics, it's f*cking sad that instead of seeing what people have in common with each other, many in this thread looked immediately to the politics and saw the negatives.

*That in itself is a disheartening commentary on the state of political discourse in 2012.*

If people can't put f*cking politics aside long enough to find even a slight connection through a shared enjoyment of music or a musical group, we're in sad shape. It shouldn't matter if it's Bill O'Reilly or anyone else if you agree with them, in this case praising the Beach Boys for what they do. Now the talk is "code words"? Sad.

Make sure to ask the people standing around you at the upcoming Beach Boys reunion shows what political party they support, so you can decide whether or not to share the good times with them. If they're not what you are or didn't vote for your side, democrat or republican or whatever, just tell them to f*ck off. That's what it could be heading for anyway if the reaction to a commentator calling the Beach Boys "uplifting" is any indication.

Seriously, is it too hard to put politics aside for something enjoyable that we can share with other people?

You're not sure what he was saying either. No one is, except him. We're interpreting his meaning. So if you would kindly put aside the condescension, I'd appreciate it.
99 percent of the content of this forum is NOT political, so saying, "I still don't understand why a commentary about the Beach Boys has to bring in all of the politics" doesn't really make sense. Bill O'Reilly's show is a political show, and he used it as a platform to talk about the Beach Boys. It makes sense that some people might think that his politics might play a role in his BB-related comments, just as his politics play a role in his other comments on that show. But if you go back in the thread, you'll see I was one of the people who said it was NICE that O'Reilly said something nice about the BBs. It's great that people from many different backgrounds and with many different believes all love the BBs. (And yes, I get that the music is, in the purest sense, uplifting and moving, or I wouldn't be a member of this board.) I was just speculating as to whether there is sometimes another agenda behind referring to some music as uplifting, just as there is sometimes an agenda behind referring to other types of music as demoralizing or destructive. Not really a big deal, though.
O'Reilly likes the Beach Boys. Great. I'll leave it at that.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Bill O'Reily - what a twerp. But hey, Regan liked the Beach Boys too. So did Charles Manson (for a period). And i know this guy called Keith who also likes 'em and he's a total arse. Thankfully, none of which in any way disuades me from liking their uplifting - UPLIFTING - music.

[Mikie]

It's always refreshing to read posts by rockandroll and guitarfool2002. I'd enjoy this place so much more if even half the people here put as much thought into their posts as you guys, instead of it being dominated by people like Mikie.

It's funny you should say that, Cod, because I don't post on that many threads! Don't have the time nor energy to read every thread and address every topic and provide lengthy input and unsolicited responses to everything being said here. There are quite a bit of other people who post here on a daily/weekly basis on many different threads. I don't.

[Menace Wilson]

LOUD NOISES!

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Are you still in Canada, Rockandroll?

Sure am!

[filledeplage]

Being around Christians The code word "Uplifting" in the Christian community is code word for music/movies that are "safe" for people and not considered "evil or blasphemy or antichristian". I'm not sure if that's why he said it but that's ONE possibilty of what he was saying since Christian conservatives typically watch Fox..

Yes, sometimes "uplifting" is used in that way...as in, family friendly. And it's just funny that sometimes people think of the BBs as being very clean cut, and therefore acceptable for conservative consumption.
But it's also possible that O'Reilly meant that the BBs music makes him happy. It's just that the way he emphasized it ("uplifting, UPLIFTING") on his conservative TV show, the meaning came off as "clean-cut and okay for the kiddies, unlike that dirty pop and hip-hop music that promotes drugs, sex and other unspeakables."  

If you're not sure what he was saying than it might be best not to bring that definition of the word uplift into the discussion.

I said uplifting as well to describe the band and the music, and I meant nothing relative to your definition.

Get all the audience members who witnessed Brian play "God Only Knows" in Boston during the first Smile tour, and ask them to define what happened after Brian played that specific song and the entire crowd erupted into a prolonged standing ovation that even Brian seemed amazed was happening. It's hard to define other than to say it was uplifting, and that term used that way for this event has nothing to do with whatever "code words" and other possibilities are being proposed.

I still don't understand why a commentary about the Beach Boys has to bring in all of the politics, it's f*cking sad that instead of seeing what people have in common with each other, many in this thread looked immediately to the politics and saw the negatives.

*That in itself is a disheartening commentary on the state of political discourse in 2012.*

If people can't put f*cking politics aside long enough to find even a slight connection through a shared enjoyment of music or a musical group, we're in sad shape. It shouldn't matter if it's Bill O'Reilly or anyone else if you agree with them, in this case praising the Beach Boys for what they do. Now the talk is "code words"? Sad.

Make sure to ask the people standing around you at the upcoming Beach Boys reunion shows what political party they support, so you can decide whether or not to share the good times with them. If they're not what you are or didn't vote for your side, democrat or republican or whatever, just tell them to f*ck off. That's what it could be heading for anyway if the reaction to a commentator calling the Beach Boys "uplifting" is any indication.

Seriously, is it too hard to put politics aside for something enjoyable that we can share with other people?

Guitarman, you are correct about the GOK response by that audience.  And you are also correct about the connotation of neutrality of "uplifting." When I read the wiki blurb on Bill, and he worked a while in Boston, he was just another pretty face in the media who was on the move up to the big networks,  I cracked up reading that he had 12+ years of Catholic school education and can only imagine that he spent a more than few minutes in the detention room.  A place I know well!  

That said, having had a similar background, although he has some years on me, his formation, was likely very "ecumenical" and open minded, which required a strong background in as well as New Testament study.  It was a strong Judeo-Christian curriculum.  He went to post secondary at Marist before BU and Harvard.  He was likely schooled in Latin, as a requirement, as well as at least one other language.  

Whatever views Bill espouses, via the network he works for, or even personal views, have nothing to do with being a Boys fan.  Nor a "generic" religiously neutral term such as "uplifting."   I find it a bizarre stretch of the imagination.  

One would hope that their music is a "safe haven" for all who would be listeners and fans.  It is a place of humanity, not one of religiosity.  Brian and Mike (and others) found that happy haven, excitement haven, and soulful haven (as one of the Bee Gees refered to the music) which can be "uplifting" to the human spirit.

Let's not forget the effect and influence of Eastern religious figures such as the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, alongside the Beatles, a divergent point of view was introduced to their fans, enlarging the horizon of that era.

Carl Wilson often referred to their music as being "spiritual."  (See Endless Harmony DVD.) Did Carl mean the American political religious" right?" Not on your life!

[guitarfool2002]

If you're not sure what he was saying than it might be best not to bring that definition of the word uplift into the discussion.

I said uplifting as well to describe the band and the music, and I meant nothing relative to your definition.

Get all the audience members who witnessed Brian play "God Only Knows" in Boston during the first Smile tour, and ask them to define what happened after Brian played that specific song and the entire crowd erupted into a prolonged standing ovation that even Brian seemed amazed was happening. It's hard to define other than to say it was uplifting, and that term used that way for this event has nothing to do with whatever "code words" and other possibilities are being proposed.

I still don't understand why a commentary about the Beach Boys has to bring in all of the politics, it's f*cking sad that instead of seeing what people have in common with each other, many in this thread looked immediately to the politics and saw the negatives.

*That in itself is a disheartening commentary on the state of political discourse in 2012.*

If people can't put f*cking politics aside long enough to find even a slight connection through a shared enjoyment of music or a musical group, we're in sad shape. It shouldn't matter if it's Bill O'Reilly or anyone else if you agree with them, in this case praising the Beach Boys for what they do. Now the talk is "code words"? Sad.

Make sure to ask the people standing around you at the upcoming Beach Boys reunion shows what political party they support, so you can decide whether or not to share the good times with them. If they're not what you are or didn't vote for your side, democrat or republican or whatever, just tell them to f*ck off. That's what it could be heading for anyway if the reaction to a commentator calling the Beach Boys "uplifting" is any indication.

Seriously, is it too hard to put politics aside for something enjoyable that we can share with other people?

You're not sure what he was saying either. No one is, except him. We're interpreting his meaning. So if you would kindly put aside the condescension, I'd appreciate it.
99 percent of the content of this forum is NOT political, so saying, "I still don't understand why a commentary about the Beach Boys has to bring in all of the politics" doesn't really make sense. Bill O'Reilly's show is a political show, and he used it as a platform to talk about the Beach Boys. It makes sense that some people might think that his politics might play a role in his BB-related comments, just as his politics play a role in his other comments on that show. But if you go back in the thread, you'll see I was one of the people who said it was NICE that O'Reilly said something nice about the BBs. It's great that people from many different backgrounds and with many different believes all love the BBs. (And yes, I get that the music is, in the purest sense, uplifting and moving, or I wouldn't be a member of this board.) I was just speculating as to whether there is sometimes another agenda behind referring to some music as uplifting, just as there is sometimes an agenda behind referring to other types of music as demoralizing or destructive. Not really a big deal, though.
O'Reilly likes the Beach Boys. Great. I'll leave it at that.

The left versus right battle rages enough as it is in too many facets of daily life. It's not condescending to suggest taking that commentary posted here from O'Reilly at face value without searching for a hidden meaning, a hidden agenda, or something else to suggest a commentator is trying to express anything beyond his admiration for the Beach Boys. It's an admiration shared by nearly everyone on this board, and I know if I sat down with some members I've communicated with for years in person, our politics may differ and we may disagree on political philosophy but that wouldn't interfere with the things we have in common, namely music and the music of the Beach Boys. I don't like to see that deteriorate into name calling and left vs. right debates as it did here, but that's just me.

The shared interest in music is what brings people together, and when all is said and done, isn't it better to look for those things that connect us rather than searching for an ulterior motive if the person is left or right and you're not? It just seems like there is too much of this political good vs. bad, left vs. right disagreement going on in society that we can't see what is directly in front of us, as a common interest between people no matter what ideology they put forth and whether you agree with their politics.

I'm utopian that way, in thinking a shared love of music can connect people no matter what they believe politically. It's at least something to strive for to connect rather than separate based on political beliefs.

[Heysaboda]

BTW

Nice pics, GF!  thanks!

[Amy B.]

The left versus right battle rages enough as it is in too many facets of daily life. It's not condescending to suggest taking that commentary posted here from O'Reilly at face value without searching for a hidden meaning, a hidden agenda, or something else to suggest a commentator is trying to express anything beyond his admiration for the Beach Boys. It's an admiration shared by nearly everyone on this board, and I know if I sat down with some members I've communicated with for years in person, our politics may differ and we may disagree on political philosophy but that wouldn't interfere with the things we have in common, namely music and the music of the Beach Boys. I don't like to see that deteriorate into name calling and left vs. right debates as it did here, but that's just me.

The shared interest in music is what brings people together, and when all is said and done, isn't it better to look for those things that connect us rather than searching for an ulterior motive if the person is left or right and you're not? It just seems like there is too much of this political good vs. bad, left vs. right disagreement going on in society that we can't see what is directly in front of us, as a common interest between people no matter what ideology they put forth and whether you agree with their politics.

I'm utopian that way, in thinking a shared love of music can connect people no matter what they believe politically. It's at least something to strive for to connect rather than separate based on political beliefs.

I think you're taking my posts on this thread too seriously. I was only expressing a view about the way people sometimes twist  or use language. It's all over the place, and I've become sensitive to it, which I think is important when you're watching a commentator. But I didn't mean to imply that O'Reilly was necessarily doing that. Again, I'll say I'm believe he's really a fan, and I'm pleased that he is, all politics aside. I think you'll find I agree with you when you say it's good when music can bring people together. Obviously there's a wide range of political beliefs on this board, but we all share a love of the BBs. So let's just talk about the music, okay?

[Wilson Love]

At least he's on FoxNews where he belongs... not a lot of serious journalism happening there.

Actually, that's pretty much the only place there IS any serious journalism going on (unless of course you mean "journalism" that  merely parrots the entrenched liberal talking points while acting as the press room for the current administration). It's one of the few places you can get any honest challenge to the prevailing dishonest whitewash by the left-leaning media of current events, particularly the stories they refuse to cover at all because they are contrary to their own political views.  You obviously really don't know the reputations and pedigrees of the large majority of the Fox news staff and anchors.  If you don't like the views of their conservative commentators, fine, those are commentators, but remember Fox is just about the only news channel that consistently offers viewpoints from commentators across the political spectrum.  You will not find that on a lot if any of the other stations - they generally offer one side, the liberal one, and if you don't like it, "tough.  We're smarter than you and our view is the only one you need".  And O'Reilly is not an entertainer - he is a serious reporter with an MA from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard who covers stories that people need to hear, no matter which side of the spectrum they fall on. He holds people accountable for their actions and their words, which is something the libs don't like, so they refuse to participate in the debate (and then claim Fox is "biased" when they're the ones refusing to take part.)

Well said, and right the f*** on!

[hypehat]

Well, we tried..... 

[the captain]

I don't really want to talk politics on the music forum, but I will just offer this and then butt out:

My conservative family and friends believe the media as a whole has a liberal bias. My liberal friends believe the media has a conservative bias. And obviously depending on where you fit in the spectrum, you could see it either way. (If I stand to your left, you're on my right. That doesn't put you on THE right, just mine.) It seems the most realistic perspective to me that mainstream media is dominated by huge businesses whose interests don't lie so much in political philosophy of either side, but rather of profit for their own industry. At times that's liberal and at times it's conservative, but mostly it's just selfish.

[donald]

America's Band.  That would include all of us!  Make the Celebration for everybody!  Wrote WOTS on the death of JFK.  Rescued from James Watt by Ronald Reagon.  Loved by all.

[Newguy562]

i heard a few times that the beach boys are america's greatest band ..without being bias do any of you agree?

[Disney Boy (1985)]

Scientists in America recently did some research in which they said they'd scientifically proven that right-wing people are less intelligent than left-wing people.

Of course being a bunch of science-hating, climate change-denying, evolution-questioning simpletons, the right-wingers instantly came out with a load of ill-thought-out theories as to why this couldn't possibly be the case, thus inadvertently proving the scientists right.

[Menace Wilson]

Scientists in America recently did some research in which they said they'd scientifically proven that right-wing people are less intelligent than left-wing people.

Of course being a bunch of science-hating, climate change-denying, evolution-questioning simpletons, the right-wingers instantly came out with a load of ill-thought-out theories as to why this couldn't possibly be the case, thus inadvertently proving the scientists right.

What does this even mean?  A pro-lifer is generally stupider than a pro-choicer?  A pro-small government type is generally stupider than a pro-big government type?   

Would love to see a link to the test and it's criteria, and also the "ill-thought-out theories" that "proved the scientists right."   

[Chocolate Shake Man]

Scientists in America recently did some research in which they said they'd scientifically proven that right-wing people are less intelligent than left-wing people.

Of course being a bunch of science-hating, climate change-denying, evolution-questioning simpletons, the right-wingers instantly came out with a load of ill-thought-out theories as to why this couldn't possibly be the case, thus inadvertently proving the scientists right.

What does this even mean?  A pro-lifer is generally stupider than a pro-choicer?  A pro-small government type is generally stupider than a pro-big government type?    

Would love to see a link to the test and it's criteria, and also the "ill-thought-out theories" that "proved the scientists right."    

I don't think there's anything particularly legitimate about that so-called "study" but I will say that pro-life/pro-choice is not a left-right issue. You find plenty of mix on that issue on both sides of the political spectrum. And furthermore, size of government has very little to do with left-right too. You'll find many factions on the right (the Republican party in the US, for instance) who are in favor of an extremely large government. On the other hand the further to the left you go, the smaller government gets, at least as it currently operates in industrialized countries. But theoretically, you could have small governments on both sides of the spectrum, although it's only on the left where you can literally have an organized system that is run with no political power.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

I was quoting it in good humour.

(T'was a real test though - sure there's info online

[Dr. Tim]

Surprised this has gone so many pages.  I have more pressing business than to get upset over Rock 'n' Roll Republicans liking the BB.  Bill O can dig 'em, and we'll argue about the rest.

Anyone remember Morton Downey Jr.?  Another NY-based right winger TV show host, came up around the same time as Limbaugh.  Downey was a big Beatles and John Lennon fan, and one night (actually maybe two nights) he tore apart Albert Goldman's trash-talk bio of Lennon.   Downey had done his homework and it was a good watch.  Too bad the ciggies got him.