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Five against one (Pearl Jam's Eddie Vetter slams President Bush in opening concert)
BSU DN ^
| 4.7.03
Posted on 04/07/2003 4:59:43 PM PDT by Enemy Of The State
Five against one
Pearl Jam lead singer's remarks draw fire, despite obvious media sensationalism
April 07, 2003
Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder spoke out against the war in Iraq and in support of troops during the band's North American tour opener in Denver, Col., last week.
Scripps Howard News Service reporter Mark Brown wrote on Wednesday that dozens of angry fans walked out.
The Daily News obtained an audio copy of the show to hear crowd reactions and verify Vedder's statements.
While Vedder related a conversation with a Vietnam veteran who had strong doubts about the war in Iraq, someone in the crowd (though it is not audible on the recording) yelled, "Shut up."
"Did someone just say shut up?" Vedder asked. Boos erupted.
"I don't know if you heard about this thing -- it's called freedom of speech, man. It's worth thinking about it because it's going away. In the last year of being able to use it, we're sure as [expletive] going to use it and I'm not going to apologize," Vedder said to cheers and applause.
During the encore, Vedder said, "Just to clarify ... we support the troops. We're just confused about how wanting to bring them back safely all of a sudden becomes non-support. ... They're not the ones who make the foreign policy. They're just doing their jobs." Again, cheers followed.
A few songs later, Vedder reportedly donned a President Bush mask and performed the anti-Bush song "Bushleaguer." According to Brown, Vedder then "impaled" (mounted) the mask on a microphone stand, swung the stand in the air, smashed it to the stage and stomped on it.
That did happen, but no boos are audible on the recording of the show. Sure, audio can be manipulated -- but quotes can be too.
Although Vedder's opinion and Pearl Jam's performance drew cheers from the crowd of 12,000, Brown chose to write about the angry fans who walked out during the encore, complaining that Vedder went too far.
The reporter managed to quote only two angry fans -- one of which, Keith Zimmerman, has been quoted ad nauseum throughout the media. Brown did not include quotes from fans who had no objections, which from the sound of it was the majority. The band responded promptly.
"There were close to 12,000 people at the April 1 Denver show. It's possible two dozen left during the encore, but it was not noticeable amongst the 11,976 who were loudly applauding and enjoying the evening's music," the band said in a published statement. "It just made a better headline to report otherwise."
Brown did not note that concert-goers often leave during encores just to beat traffic.
Pearl Jam has been political (and obviously liberal) since its debut. Vedder's actions are protected by the First Amendment, regardless of whether he was onstage or not, and regardless of who agrees. The least the reporter could do is be more accurate.
In the band's statement, Pearl Jam pointed out that Brown never mentioned the angry fans in his review of the concert for the Rocky Mountain News entitled "Pearl Jam Show Will Make a Great CD." Pearl Jam has been releasing "bootleg" CDs of every show on its tour.
So don't take our word for it.
If you believe Mr. Brown's story about a mass walkout, perhaps you'll believe his review of the show and listen for yourself.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Colorado; US: Indiana; War on Terror
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hey! hey! Another one bites the dust...
To: Enemy Of The State
"A few songs later, Vedder reportedly donned a President Bush mask and performed the anti-Bush song "Bushleaguer." According to Brown, Vedder then "impaled" (mounted) the mask on a microphone stand, swung the stand in the air, smashed it to the stage and stomped on it."
Total Disrespect!!
May Perl Jam enjoy its place along side the Dixie Chicks!!
2
posted on
04/07/2003 5:01:30 PM PDT
by
Enemy Of The State
(When in Rome do as the Romans but when in America, speak English damn it or go back home!)
To: Enemy Of The State
3
posted on
04/07/2003 5:02:24 PM PDT
by
MeekOneGOP
(Bu-bye Saddam! / Check out my Freeper site !: http://home.attbi.com/~freeper/wsb/index.html)
To: Enemy Of The State
He has freedome of speech.
He's also an idiot. (I have freedom of speech too)
4
posted on
04/07/2003 5:03:32 PM PDT
by
PokeyJoe
(BBQ Iraqi Pork Ribs for Dinner.)
To: PokeyJoe
"He has freedome of speech."
I completely agree. Now may he reap the fruits of exercising his rights in public. (just like the ditzy blix)
5
posted on
04/07/2003 5:10:44 PM PDT
by
Enemy Of The State
(When in Rome do as the Romans but when in America, speak English damn it or go back home!)
To: Enemy Of The State
I always hate it when singers/bands discuss politics. People go to a concert because they want to hear their favorite music, not because they want to think about politics. On the contrary, they go because it's a chance to forget about politics.
To: Enemy Of The State
what's news is that those retards draw 12,000
7
posted on
04/07/2003 5:18:38 PM PDT
by
try phecta tom
((Harvey RULES. Paul not the rabbit)
To: MeeknMing
LOL!
Do you have any Pearl Jam send-ups?
-Regards, T.
8
posted on
04/07/2003 5:19:50 PM PDT
by
T Lady
(.Freed From the Dimocratic Shackles since 1992)
To: T Lady
Thanks.
I don't have any Pearl Jam pics. I wish I did. Sorry . . .
9
posted on
04/07/2003 5:24:10 PM PDT
by
MeekOneGOP
(Bu-bye Saddam! / Check out my Freeper site !: http://home.attbi.com/~freeper/wsb/index.html)
To: Enemy Of The State
I said it once and I'll say it again, "Why ANYONE would spend hard earned money to go see this band, is beyond me".
To: Enemy Of The State
Another example of complete gross ignorance of one's fan base.
11
posted on
04/07/2003 5:32:05 PM PDT
by
Darksheare
(Nox aeternus en pax.)
To: Enemy Of The State
"I don't know if you heard about this thing -- it's called freedom of speech, man. It's worth thinking about it because it's going away. In the last year of being able to use it, we're sure as [expletive] going to use it and I'm not going to apologize," Vedder said to cheers and applause. This is some of the more stupid sh$t I have ever heard. The last year of being able to use your freedom of speech, Eddie? For crying out loud.
12
posted on
04/07/2003 5:35:36 PM PDT
by
KayEyeDoubleDee
(const vector<tags>& theTags)
To: Enemy Of The State
I guess Pearl Jam is trying to prove something. Like a little free publicity.
To: Enemy Of The State
Will these people ever learn that their fans paid to hear a concert, not a political lecture. Did he really think his fans paid money to hear his opinion on the Iraqi war?
Hey Vedder, shoot your heroin, hit the bong, play your music and save the political commentary for your guest slot on 'Face the Nation'.
To: Enemy Of The State
I hope somebody who saw this event has reported it to Secret Service people. To put the head of a current President on a stick and slam it on the stage - shows hostile intent towards the President, and usually requires a visit from SS. I certainly hope the idiot gets his stinking face on TV and says "I was a stupid idiot and I will never do this again". I don't care what your politics are. Even the "x42 haters" treated x42 like a joke - and we didn't put his head on a stick and slam it on a stage - at least I never heard of us doing anything similar.
This hatred of Bush is illogical - unrealistic!
15
posted on
04/07/2003 8:42:19 PM PDT
by
CyberAnt
To: CyberAnt
I know this is an old topic, but I was just sitting here listening to Pearl Jam, and thought why not do an Eddy Vedder Search.
Know wonder liberals think freeRepublic is populated by social nazis. Wow! Call in the secret service, for an entertainers public display of displeasure/disagreement with the president.
You really have no understanding of what freedom is do you?
I have been thinking of starting a "Support out Troops" thread, but with a spin, because I do not like the way this war in Iraq is progressing.
I picture it this way, Chenney on a cot with an IV, saying, "we're good, I'll be ready to roll in a minute". Rumsfeld at a wrestling match, almost pinned, "So much for shock and awe."
And the shocker of all...GW Bush trying to pull a soldier out from under a bus that has been blown apart...in the back ground NYPD and FDNY members, with a caption of "Dude you had us at, 'I hear you, the whole world hears you,' what happened?"
16
posted on
11/10/2005 10:49:51 PM PST
by
snodog
To: snodog
You're not big on spelling, no?
To: Enemy Of The State
Imagine all the intellectual capital at that concert.
18
posted on
11/10/2005 10:53:34 PM PST
by
Fruitbat
To: southern_living
Will these people ever learn that their fans paid to hear a concert, not a political lecture. Did he really think his fans paid money to hear his opinion on the Iraqi war? Hey Vedder, shoot your heroin, hit the bong, play your music and save the political commentary for your guest slot on 'Face the Nation'. Yeah, they ought to class action them. Heck, even if you enjoyed the concert, say ya didn't and get your money back.
19
posted on
11/10/2005 10:54:50 PM PST
by
Fruitbat
To: Enemy Of The State
So Mr.Vedder has a Pearl jam? Perhaps he and his boyfriend should see a proctologist.
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