Bruce gets political

[Jason]

My contempt for him is the same as my contempt for, oh, only the last dozen or so administrations.

[William Bowe]

Liked this from the RS comments thread:

A Republican blasting a Liberal. As a Socialist, you cannot imagine the magnitude of the f**k I do not give.

[DonnyL]

The fact that this is controversial is the real problem.  If any of these things were said about Bush when he was president, it would go unnoticed!

Bruce is basically right on.  Bush and Obama are both different heads of the same 2-headed monster.  Romney is a creep.  It's not about parties anymore.

I think it's super cool to hear Bruce speak his mind this way and I'm with him.

(no offense to anyone here -- we're all entitled to our opinions.  I'll be voting for Ron Paul in the Republican Primary next month).

[Alex]

Bruce just doesn't want his taxes to go up because he won't be able to afford that diamond encrusted solid gold pair of short shorts he's had his eye on.  






Will Ralph Nader just throw his hat into the race already?!!!!!!!!

[Alex]

Regardless of politics, I think Bruce should just say "f***"  more often.

[Lonely Summer]

I won't comment on whether I agree with what he said or not, because what's the point?  I will say though, that I've always felt that politics and music don't mix.  Music, and in a larger way Art (ecompassing for instance, actors, entertainers, etc.) in my opinion is the closest connection we have to God, and politics are necessarily created by men to control other men.  So you're taking the greatest thing on earth (God given & inspired art) and using it to promote some of mankind's most corrupt and wicked behaviors.  (Again, I think politics are necessary, they just don't mix with art). 

I know a lot of people think though that art isn't good unless it pisses somebody off.  You're basically pissing off half your audience, though, so it really doesn't make any sense, whether it's Bruce, or George Clooney, or whoever on either side. 

I agree with this.  I have deep convictions about politics, but I try to keep that out of my music. It just polarizes the audience, when the point of music making IMHO is to bring people together. As Brian says "Music is God's voice".

[runnersdialzero]

edit: ARHG ;(

[runnersdialzero]

Finally saw the video. Kind of upsetting that a guy's idle talk can be captured and thrown on the internet and under the microscope nowadays. Certainly not the first instance of this, but c'mon - this is basically casual small talk going on, here. Bruce should be allowed to say something like this in a casual conversation without the world coming down on him for it. People are treating it as if he called together some kind of press conference and said "Obama's an asshole" or something.

Again, I really don't agree with the guy on this subject, but this just isn't very fair.

Also, his mention of Tip O'Neill alongside Reagan as well as disapproval for Romney shows that he isn't some Republican blowhard who blindly supports the political right no matter the circumstances. Speaking out against Obama doesn't mean you're a Republican, just as supporting him doesn't mean you're a Democrat - there's a middle ground, or at least, not everything is totally black or white when it comes to this sort of thing.

[William Bowe]

Regardless of politics, I think Bruce should just say "f*ck"  more often.

"I write the songs that make the whole word f*ck", type of thing?

[Cabinessenceking]

The Beach Boys have never been about politics, so political rant should be left out of conversation with fans or public setting.

This contrasts them to the likes of John Lennon who was a very outspoken person of strong opinions from the very beginning (as a European I find the public burning of albums in the southern states after the 'more popular than Jesus' comment to be utterly hilarious and an indicator of the general mood of the US).

Point is if someone as a public figure has shown his political ideology and support(or lack of) to a political figure then it is more acceptable to the fans.
No one would bash Lennon if he were alive today and said the Republican party has become a disaster (which he ofc would do, who are we kidding).

But Beach Boys should stay out of this.
I personally have no spiritual affiliation or religious conviction, but I still think its great when Brian talks about the spirituality of music! I love the new song 'TWGMTR' even though to my rational mind the song makes no sense whatsoever, but I understand what it wishes to say, and I find it beautiful.

[runnersdialzero]

I won't comment on whether I agree with what he said or not, because what's the point?  I will say though, that I've always felt that politics and music don't mix.  Music, and in a larger way Art (ecompassing for instance, actors, entertainers, etc.) in my opinion is the closest connection we have to God, and politics are necessarily created by men to control other men.  So you're taking the greatest thing on earth (God given & inspired art) and using it to promote some of mankind's most corrupt and wicked behaviors.  (Again, I think politics are necessary, they just don't mix with art). 

I know a lot of people think though that art isn't good unless it pisses somebody off.  You're basically pissing off half your audience, though, so it really doesn't make any sense, whether it's Bruce, or George Clooney, or whoever on either side. 

I agree with this.  I have deep convictions about politics, but I try to keep that out of my music. It just polarizes the audience, when the point of music making IMHO is to bring people together. As Brian says "Music is God's voice".

Avoiding writing about something you feel extremely passionate toward is a bit of a sellout, and boy, do I almost never use that word. I hate it and I hate people's constant accusations with their use of it, but it feels somewhat (not completely) appropriate, here.

I get that music is ultimately a spiritual thing. I agree with that, but I don't agree at all that specific topics or whatever should be considered "off-limits" for the sake of music being safe and easy for everyone to understand. Part of music is expression, after all. If you have a thought that might piss people off and you are an artist, your art being an extension of yourself, then chances are good that you're going to piss this person off or that person off sooner or later because, again, your art is an extension of yourself. That's their problem, not yours.

Politics are something I'd probably never write about due to the "spiritual" aspect of music, I can't think of much music I listen to that touches on the subject (although I can think of some), but applying those sorts of rules to art or setting those kinds of boundaries for art just isn't right, to me. Art is not about compromising yourself - quite the opposite, actually.

Also, consider that the Beach Boys did write a couple semi-political songs in their time, don't forget. "4th Of July", for instance. If we include songs that make more of a general social statement, then we can add a few more to that pile, too.

[stack-o-tracks]

Finally saw the video. Kind of upsetting that a guy's idle talk can be captured and thrown on the internet and under the microscope nowadays. Certainly not the first instance of this, but c'mon - this is basically casual small talk going on, here. Bruce should be allowed to say something like this in a casual conversation without the world coming down on him for it. People are treating it as if he called together some kind of press conference and said "Obama's an asshole" or something.

Again, I really don't agree with the guy on this subject, but this just isn't very fair.

Also, his mention of Tip O'Neill alongside Reagan as well as disapproval for Romney shows that he isn't some Republican blowhard who blindly supports the political right no matter the circumstances. Speaking out against Obama doesn't mean you're a Republican, just as supporting him doesn't mean you're a Democrat - there's a middle ground, or at least, not everything is totally black or white when it comes to this sort of thing.

Agreed, it wasn't just h8ing on Obamalamadingdong. He seemed disheartened with American politicians in general. As we all should be.  Fight the power, etc.

[stack-o-tracks]

I wonder what the rest of the video is like. There's no way it just happened to start & end at the moments he decided to voice a negative opinion about American political figureheads. I doubt context is important, but I'm curious what exactly brought up what it was the conversation was about.

[runnersdialzero]

I wonder what the rest of the video is like. There's no way it just happened to start & end at the moments he decided to voice a negative opinion about American political figureheads. I doubt context is important, but I'm curious what exactly brought up what it was the conversation was about.

"Hey Bruce, say Obama's an asshole!"

"But I don't really feel that way!"

"Come on. It'll be funny!"

"Oh fine. But only because I love the fans!"

*iPhone autotune camera activated*

[filledeplage]

Can a video of a conversation from a private source such as a iphone be called a 'statement'?

Excellent point.  

Good will come from this.  It will open up a dialogue, about what both parties are lacking in this country, and whether it is working in appropriate direction for its' citizens.  Not for nothing, these guys have really seen the world, doing concerts under all types of repressive military martial law type conditions, and seen their own band members deal with governmental issues, such as Carl's draft status for Vietnam, which makes them more informed than what everyone else gets through a very filtered media.  

It looks very much off-the-cuff, and, context is critical.  It may only represent 1/2 of a conversation.  

Lots of remarks in the comment posting section agreed with him, and it may represent an important voting segment during the election.  No doubt those who do polling want to know who they are and how best this segment can be swayed on Election Day.  If Europe is any indicator, of dissatisfaction, DC policymakers are already at work cleaning up their act.  Or, appearing to do so.

He was correct about Tip O'Neill and Reagan.  

[MBE]

I wouldn't quite put it the same way he did but I agree with the general sentiment. That being that many politicians in the US no longer seem to care about real people who usually aren't extreme one way or another but just want progress in general. The infighting and general bad feeling among the two parties have made that very difficult. I consider myself a patriot, I love my country but ego is bringing us down.

I hope this causes no offense but I want to make a statement that I have been afraid to talk about before. I don't care what people call themselves, I just want to someone for whom change means more than a catchy slogan to appeal to the masses. I had a wait and see attitude but he's already reneged on medical Marijuana which is far healthier than narcotic meds. My mother got addicted to those when she broke her hip and it led to brain damage. She got off them but never was the same and in light of her recent death I feel strongly that other methods such as marijuana, acupuncture, and infra red heat treatments need to be made mainstream. Being a childhood diabetic and suffering from kidney failure, I feel strongly that different treatment would have prolonged her life greatly. Both parties have a lot to answer for when it comes to the drug companies. All I know is that I have friends who are ill that benefit greatly from going off the beaten path and none of them have had side effects. Again sorry to be a bit controversial but with her dead I had to speak up here.

[Amy B.]

Gross.

What's gross to me is, there's like a half dozen posts on here about Bruce being a white guy.  Or an old guy.  Or a rich guy.  WTF peeps!?!  Damn!

Throughout history, bigots have never been able to resist revealing themselves.  No need to call them out.  Just put their hated "type" on display (and that includes the self-haters) and like fly on stink -- here they come.  That's so wrong.

And if I can't appeal to your heart...let me appeal to your gray matter.  Think about it.  Bruce was caught (more or less in a private conversation) disagreeing vehemently and frankly with some politician's policies.  And believing that politician therefore to be an donkey.  Strong language.  That's it.  So freakin' what -- he thinks Obama's a punk.  Disagree with him.  Man up.  He didn't hate on Obama for any other reason.  Just his actions, yo.  That's cool.

Some of you all need to get serious and chiggity check yoslef?

I think you're misinterpreting...at least what I was saying. The reason I pointed out that Bruce is a white male (I might have even pointed out that he was rich and raised with money) was to say that he is speaking from a position of privilege. That's it. That he's not taking the experiences of less privileged people into account. And the specific part of the video that caught my eye was when he said to his fans (paraphrasing), "Sure, support Obama if YOU want to lose all your money." You will only lose money under Obama's policies if you're wealthy. Very, very wealthy. I didn't see anyone on the board implying that Bruce is a bigot. Bruce never even mentioned that Obama is African American. He just doesn't like fiscal policy that doesn't skew things toward the rich (privileged).

So yeah, he was only disagreeing with Obama's views, which is fine. Except, he should have watched his language.

Oh, and he should get into the 21st century and realize that these days fans have a habit of videoing every celebrity encounter with their phones, and anything celebs say will be on the Internet in 30 seconds. It's Celebrity 101 these days.

[Jason]

I'm pretty sure Mike is a Republican, and Brian has leaned that way at times.  The band was a personal friend of the Reagans.  So, no surprise there.  But I'm pretty sure Al Jardine at least leans left, between his environmentalism and his expression of compassion for people of lesser means.  So, there's always Al for those of us who are, as some on this board call us, "libtards."  (Thanks, Rethuglicans.)

Conservatwats are just as bad as libtards. Libertarianism is where it's at.

[SamMcK]

I've got to say I don't care at all about mixing politics with musicians but I think Bruce should think about whats he's saying in light of the bands currently higher stature in risk of alienating fans.

[Jim V.]

Calling yourself a libertarian is just the new way of not having to call yourself a conservative, because everyone knows conservatism is lame.

On the other hand, I really do respect Ron Paul. But most of these new found "libertarians" are just Bush Republicans by another name.

[Heysaboda]

So nobody thinks going on (multiple) taxpayer funded multimillion dollar Hawaiian vacations while the economy is in shambles and thousands of families have lost their homes is something a selfish a******e would do?

Stop it. The man is from Hawaii. It's his home, the same way Texas is George W. Bush's (and taxpayers paid for his brush-clearing excursions there).

And that makes it right? There's a reason this country is so f****d and it's because the people let elected officials get away with whatever they want.

Seriously S-O-T, you must be aware that the US economy was losing, in the final months of 2008, between 200,000 - 300,000 jobs every month, that's EVERY MONTH.  But somehow BHO is responsible?  Your comments make no sense at all.  Put the pipe down.  You want BHO to vacation on the Moon perhaps?

Point out where I said he was responsible for the economic collapse? He's responsible for being irresponsible and frivolously spending taxpayer money at times when that money would be much better off being cycled back into the American economy. Yes, Bush also did the same thing.

What I'd like is for the president to not take any more vacations outside of the Washington, DC area, the place he currently calls home, until he can figure out a way to right the economy and cut government spending. Same goes for any president who comes after him, but unfortunately due to the ineptitude of the Republican party, we are stuck with a completely ineffective leader with absolutely NO creative solutions for ANY of our problems for another 4 years.

To me it has nothing to do with political affiliation. I'm sure McCain would be in the same spot Obama is currently in. And that spot is really not much better off than it was in 2008. Judging by the rest of the world, maybe it's worse?

It's a fact that the USA economy, now, in 2012, is improved from from where is was at the end of 2008.  Europe continues to struggle.  England is hitting a double dip recession.

Are you SERIOUS about Obama not going on vacation?  When we had the BP oil spill in the Gulf, did you think Obama should have swum to the bottom of the Gulf can capped it off with his super powers?  Like Aquaman?

The money that taxpayers pay to send presidents on vacation is just chump change compared to the money wasted on the military industrial complex and Corporate Welfare.  Get over it.

 

[Heysaboda]

Personally, I think where Bruce crossed the line was in using the "a-hole" term. Regardless of one's political leanings, and mine are about as far away from Bruce's as one's can be, there's a difference between simple policy or ideological disagreement and totally disrespecting the office of President.

It never ceases to amaze me how far we've fallen as a society in recent years in terms of discourse. Free speech is one thing. Acting like a crass, pumped-up, senile idiot is another. Call our Presidents bumblers, incompetent or even flat-out wrong if it suits you, but always respect the office and the enormity of the job. I doubt most of us here would be able to handle it. Referring to OUR President as an a**hole just makes us look like a country of myopic, slack-jawed simpletons.

I think the USA is a country composed mostly of chuckleheaded Goobers and slack-jawed yokels.  Just call me Cletus!

Yup.

 

[joshferrell]

Personally, I think where Bruce crossed the line was in using the "a-hole" term. Regardless of one's political leanings, and mine are about as far away from Bruce's as one's can be, there's a difference between simple policy or ideological disagreement and totally disrespecting the office of President.

It never ceases to amaze me how far we've fallen as a society in recent years in terms of discourse. Free speech is one thing. Acting like a crass, pumped-up, senile idiot is another. Call our Presidents bumblers, incompetent or even flat-out wrong if it suits you, but always respect the office and the enormity of the job. I doubt most of us here would be able to handle it. Referring to OUR President as an a**hole just makes us look like a country of myopic, slack-jawed simpletons.

I think the USA is a country composed mostly of chuckleheaded Goobers and slack-jawed yokels.  Just call me Cletus!

Yup.

 

You've been watching too much Jerry springer..lol...

[b00ts]

I won't comment on whether I agree with what he said or not, because what's the point?  I will say though, that I've always felt that politics and music don't mix.  Music, and in a larger way Art (ecompassing for instance, actors, entertainers, etc.) in my opinion is the closest connection we have to God, and politics are necessarily created by men to control other men.  So you're taking the greatest thing on earth (God given & inspired art) and using it to promote some of mankind's most corrupt and wicked behaviors.  (Again, I think politics are necessary, they just don't mix with art). 

I know a lot of people think though that art isn't good unless it pisses somebody off.  You're basically pissing off half your audience, though, so it really doesn't make any sense, whether it's Bruce, or George Clooney, or whoever on either side. 

I agree with this.  I have deep convictions about politics, but I try to keep that out of my music. It just polarizes the audience, when the point of music making IMHO is to bring people together. As Brian says "Music is God's voice".

Avoiding writing about something you feel extremely passionate toward is a bit of a sellout, and boy, do I almost never use that word. I hate it and I hate people's constant accusations with their use of it, but it feels somewhat (not completely) appropriate, here.

I get that music is ultimately a spiritual thing. I agree with that, but I don't agree at all that specific topics or whatever should be considered "off-limits" for the sake of music being safe and easy for everyone to understand. Part of music is expression, after all. If you have a thought that might piss people off and you are an artist, your art being an extension of yourself, then chances are good that you're going to piss this person off or that person off sooner or later because, again, your art is an extension of yourself. That's their problem, not yours.

Politics are something I'd probably never write about due to the "spiritual" aspect of music, I can't think of much music I listen to that touches on the subject (although I can think of some), but applying those sorts of rules to art or setting those kinds of boundaries for art just isn't right, to me. Art is not about compromising yourself - quite the opposite, actually.

Also, consider that the Beach Boys did write a couple semi-political songs in their time, don't forget. "4th Of July", for instance. If we include songs that make more of a general social statement, then we can add a few more to that pile, too.

This is an excellent post, and should be considered the final word on the matter, at least for me. Offense is never given, it is taken.

[Disney Boy (1985)]

I wonder what the rest of the video is like. There's no way it just happened to start & end at the moments he decided to voice a negative opinion about American political figureheads. I doubt context is important, but I'm curious what exactly brought up what it was the conversation was about.

"Hey Bruce, say Obama's an asshole!"

"But I don't really feel that way!"

"Come on. It'll be funny!"

"Oh fine. But only because I love the fans!"

*iPhone autotune camera activated*

This is serious wishful-thinking. Bruce: 'But i don't really feel that way!'? Er no. He does feel that way, hence why he said it.