John Mellencamp Attacks President Bush In Open Letter

Launch.Yahoo.com ^ | 10/21/03

[Grampa Dave]

He is probably low on funds and has a crashing career.

A friend who traveled in Europe and the Far East a lot before 9/11 would see various losers in our entertainment world trashing President Bush on the local tv talk shows over there.

He said that everyone had a crashing career, money problems and pulled this I hate America and President Bush to sell their films or records in the foriegn countries. It is a marketing gimic to sell their stuff over seas.

[Fledermaus]

Looks like his album sales are down again.

[greydog]

I think that was by David Bowie.

Well on second thought Bowie sang "I'm afraid of Americans".

[suzyq5558]

I stopped buying his music after his big daddy album .it's been nothing but enviro crap and political blah blah blah since that album and it totally turned me off. i like music without the PC messages thanks. I went to his concerts back in the 80's and really liked him, but he changed and not for the better.
I dont need the mellencamps of the world carping at me or my President.
Iam sick of the constent bombbardment, its getting out of hand and all of us should stop giving these loons a soapbox.

[Republican Red]

Bashing the US is now agents' preferred PR stunt for no talent has been liberals

I really think this is what is happening. I don't even think it needs to be "liberals" just has-beens.

I firmly believe Madonna made Anti-American/pro-French comments just for the publicity. She saw the Dixie Chicks getting press and wanted some herself. That way she could blame her next failure on censorship.

Don't be surprised if Mellencamp writes another little ditty so as to take advantage of the press this will generate.

[HanneyBean]

Until Duran Duran, Bryan Adams and Flock of Seagulls weighs in, I can't really decide what I think of John's stand on this issue....
...Oh, and Adam Ant, too...

[Paul Atreides]

In an open letter he co-wrote with his wife Elaine,

Remind me, which wife is this one, his seventh?

I guess he has to do something, since Madonna beat him to Fr*nching Britney on live television.

[suzyq5558]

Dont forget Joan Jett:)

[fat city]

"The song 'To Washington' was met with criticism and was labeled an anti-war song..."

Now, was that according to the "newspapers"(the source of "many" folksongs) or the "wide array of common people" (the source of Cougar's "democracy")? Trying to figure out the source of these guys' (celebrity/"artists") idealism is impossible. Its not even populism.

[darkwing104]

Just another has-been needing publicity

[irishtenor]

"As the echo of the war drums fades away and the angry masses calling for blood slowly disperse, we as a nation must now confront the truth. We face the unpleasant reality of an uncertain future, compromised safety, a failing economy, and the question of how a society of otherwise reasonable citizens was systematically lied to and manipulated into backing the political 'hijacking' of Iraq.

*** Note to John: we are still at war. the future is ALWAYS uncertain, safety was compromised in the 90's, the economy is finally growing from the disasterous 90's, and we haven't been lied to.***

"Before a single bomb was ever dropped, some of us, formerly called the 'anti-American and unpatriotic,' have questioned or opposed this war. Now, each day, as the dust settles and the truth slowly surfaces, more and more people come to the inevitable conclusion of what a debacle this whole war was.

*** As the truth slowly comes to the surface, it is appearent that MILLIONS of formerly captive Iraqis are now free. ***

"Thirty-nine-thousand bombs later, no weapons of mass destruction uncovered, no dangerous dictators captured, no connection to September 11th. What have we gained but relentless media coverage of a fallen statue and some stolen oil fields--the spoils of this misadventure. Not to mention lucrative corporate payoffs and an enormous price tag of over $80 Billion...some tax cut.

*** Stolen oil fields? Where? Does that mean our oil prices will go down? Get real. It wasn't about oil, it was about doing the right thing. ***

"But what have we lost? We have lost the lives of over 300 Americans. Approximately two U.S. troop deaths each day, 193 deaths since the war was declared over. In total, an estimated 20,000 people have died, thus far, in this conflict.

***What have we gained? Our self respect, lost in the 90's. We have lost 300 troops, but if you remember, we lost 3000 innocent people in one lousy day. We didn't start this thing, they did.***

"In addition to the lives given for this effort, our nation has suffered the loss of respect within the world community, particularly the United Nations. We have managed to squander any goodwill we once had to now succeed in solidifying our image as the globe's leading bully. Arrogant and thoughtless.

***We didn't have respect in this world. Clinton made us a laughing stock throughout the entire world. Third world countries laughed at us.***

"The word Democracy means literally 'by the people.' This is the basis of our government and society. It is what this country was founded upon and what makes us American. It is not just our 'right' but also our duty to speak out and voice our thoughts and opinions. How, then, was it possible that, in the land of freedom, those who opposed the common opinion were called...'un-American?' Resentfully, we wonder.

***Just as when we were shouted down because of OUR beliefs? Remember the phrase "Right Wing Radical"? How is it possible, in this land of freedom, that God-fearing people are afraid to pray in public, in fact are told they cannot pray in public.***

The song 'To Washington' was met with criticism and was labeled an anti-war song. That was not at all the case or intention--it was merely a report of the political climate, in the age-old tradition of the troubadour spreading the news through song and story. Professionally, we, the Mellencamps, have the opportunity to travel extensively, and we take full advantage of that by talking to, listening to, and experiencing the diversity our vast country has to offer. The lyrics of 'To Washington' are not just a personal opinion, but also the view from a very wide horizon.

*** Your song suck, get over it.***

Who is to say what is or isn't 'patriotic?' Do the flags that wave from every minivan really offer any support? Where is the support for the thousands of servicemen and women who return to the states to see their benefits cut, their health problems ignored, their jobs gone, and their families living in poverty? How are they repaid for their efforts, for risking or losing their lives? So far, dismally.

***Right, and when our Presedent wanted to change what the previous administration did, he was met with shouts of dismay from the liberals who don't like the military and don't want it funded.***

"This nation was founded to enable freedom and diversity of opinion, and many lives have been lost to secure that liberty. Paradoxically, some still resist the open mindedness that is the very foundation of this country.

***We tried your openmindedness, it has lead to debauchery, lust and filth on the TV and in the movies. The music is unlistenable due to the lyrics. ***

"The Governor of California was removed from office based on finance troubles. And yet George W. Bush has lied to us, failed to keep our own borders secure, entered a war under false pretense, endangered lives, and created financial chaos. How is it that he hasn't been recalled? Perhaps this time we could even have a real election...but that wouldn't fit the Bush administration's 'take what you want and fire people later' policy. Take an election; take an oil field; take advantage of your own people--a game of political Three-Card Monte.

*** Arnold won, get over it. Bush won, praise the Lord. Bush hasn't taken anything, and for the first time, I recieved a check from the government. Shut up. ***

"The fight for freedom in this country has been long, painful, and ongoing. It is time to take back our country. Take it back from political agendas, corporate greed, and overall manipulation. It is time to take action here in our land, in our own schools, neighborhoods, farms, and businesses. We have been lied to and terrorized by our own government, and it is time to take action. Now is the time to come together."

*** This is what we have been saying for 40 years or more. Now we have taken it back for you and your kind. Stand back and let us work. ***

[SquirrelKing]

Seems this is the latest career boosting move - other than running for Governor of california.

"Not being a liberal, I have very little grasp of things that I know nothing about." - P.J. O'Rourke

[SquirrelKing]

Seems this is the latest career boosting move - other than running for Governor of california.

"Not being a liberal, I have very little grasp of things that I know nothing about." - P.J. O'Rourke

[GSWarrior]

Where does cantaloupe spend the summer?

At the John Cougar Melon Camp.

[steve8714]

He used to be somebody. I hear Murray Head is coming out against the war. Did John's wife write this for him? I notice he uses the word diversity That's a big word.

[pogo101]

And yet George W. Bush has lied to us, failed to keep our own borders secure, entered a war under false pretense, endangered lives, and created financial chaos. How is it that he hasn't been recalled?

Well, two things, Melonhead.

First, your premises are BS. He hasn't lied to us. If he's "failed to keep our borders secure," I'd like to know how; if you're referring to 9/11, I'd like to know what you think the President could have done -- AND that Congress would have OK'd, prior to 9/11 -- that supposedly would have prevented the tragedy. Endangered lives? Yes, but the RIGHT lives: the bad guys'. Created financial chaos? So that means that Bush is responsible for the post-dot-com recession now?

Second, he hasn't been recalled because there's no legal provision for recalling a president. There IS one for recalling a California governor. Read much, Opie?

[irishtenor]

Bottom line should have said "from you and your kind". Not "for".

[anklebyter]

LOL! Good One!

[Grampa Dave]

This great.

"Not being a liberal, I have very little grasp of things that I know nothing about." - P.J. O'Rourke

My DIL gave me a collection of his sayings if a book. Whenever things are dull on tv and Free Republic. I often will break out the book and drive my poor wife out of the family room laughing while reading his sayings.

[Ol' Sparky]

Some pinko thoughts from the man that brought us the song, Pink Houses....