Carpetblogger: Shut Up and Sing... for Kerry, Hurricane Causes Boredom

September 5, 2004

Shut Up and Sing... for Kerry, Hurricane Causes Boredom

There's been a lot of talk recently about what performers feel about polticians. We've seen the Dixie Chicks crucified for opposing the President. We've seen Ahnold elected Governor. We have MoveOn sponsoring a tour with the Boss. We have Foghat scream over being labelled as Republicans. As we've had Ron Silver argue policy with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. But ultimately...why do we care?

Why is it important what famous people think? Well - it's not. But, it's a beautiful thing to see musicians, specifically, standing up and encouraging their audiences to vote. One of the most eloquent voices I've heard yet is Maynard James Keenan from Tool and A Perfect Circle. During their recent show here in Orlando, he made an impassioned plea for the crowd not just to vote - but to be involved in the process.

At the Kerry office, we received a little memo that had a listing of various actors and musicians interested in making appearances for Kerry. I don't remember all of them offhand - Wilco was the one that stuck out, as previously mentioned. But all of these listed have probably been told to cram their opinion by some NeoCon at some point (Probably Laura Ingram (Sp?))

And yet this Shut Up and Sing crowd says nothing about celebrities preaching for the right. Furthermore, they say absolutely nothing about the Falwells and the Robertsons who are prosecuting a culture war against entertainers. Where's the outcry over a couple of evangelists professing their opinions about politics - after all, what makes them more qualified to speak their mind than the Dixie Chicks?

The reason I discuss this now is twofold - one was Laura Ingram. I think she's the worst of the pretty neo-con women because she's not as hysterical. Her tone is reasonable - it's what coming out of her mouth that is ridiculous. I am starting to think that Ann Coulter exists to make Laura Ingram look reasonable (I loved how Faux News titled Ann Coulter as a "Constitutional Attorney" not a "Columnist".) Laura Ingram has been the biggest voice in the "Shut Up and Sing" crowd - and I've been seeing her on television a lot more recently.

The second reason I discuss this now is much more positive. I responded to the e-mail I got about the Failure CD (listed below) saying "I'm so happy! To show my gratitude I'm going to get us a new President!". Ken e-mailed me back today - "Thanks. We need one." So Ken - I've just outed you as a Democrat. Is that ok?

So I suppose I don't mind if you Shut Up and Sing... most of you are doing it for Kerry.

Technically there's a hurricane hitting us right now. But you'd never tell if you were here - it's more like an extra windy rain storm. I'm ready for this to be over now.

Posted by MikeSager at September 5, 2004 2:44 PM

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