Neil Young - Living With War
By: Kent Knorr
I want to (sort of) apologize for language that may offend. But President Bush and our military machine really offend me. Sometimes the best way to express this frustration is by using ugly words... I recall sitting in an Italian Restaurant in Cleveland Ohio watching the first waves of Shock and Awe in Baghdad. I was shocked and awed that our democracy and government could commit a crime worse than 9-11 and do it with a smugness that should have frightened the sane. That day in March 2003, I was left feeling angry, saddened, and later embarrassed. I was embarrassed that all I did in protest was mumble to myself and a few others that would listen, that this was an awful mistake. But dark times were indeed upon us. Collectively, we as a nation stuck our heads in the sand and we refused to question. The counter culture went deeper under ground. The moderates and the left continued to mumble dissatisfaction, but we were unable to unseat a president that LIED about the above mentioned war. And the left is still scared and demoralized and unfocused. My theory is that the left knows that it is already the scape goat for the next terrorist attack. There will be more attacks because this is a war that is never won. At least not the way we fight. We (you and I) loose because we are not willing to invest the time or energy to learn to co-exist with our brothers in the middle east, or sisters that live in poverty, or show real compassion for those inflicted by diseases with ugly or scary names. Instead we put on the blinders, put our heads down, and go on mumbling, wishing, hoping, that the "other guy" will fix it. My frustration today is with the amazing lack of concern or resolve to change the direction or policies of the President. I do not free myself from this criticism. I have become lazy in my objection to George Bush and the war machine that he is driving over us. The collective (and I am part of this collective) are either too scared to call out our government for the mistakes made since 9-11 or simply apathetic. I believe that far too few voices have spoken out in opposition to this war. Occasionally, an artist has questioned this silly ass war, but usually this has resulted in threats of boycotts, record burnings, and blacklisting. (If you think I am being extreme, just ask the Dixie Chicks, John Mellencamp, and slews of other musicians that have had the "nerve" to question a war time president's policies). Big brother is not very forgiving. You sure don't hear airwaves full of musicians questioning this war or the treatment of fellow man. There is not at this time a movement by the MTV or the Radio Disney crowd to turn the tide in this war. I guess anti war protest songs don't fit into corporate radio's rotation. Especially when the FCC is so grossly controled by the congress and president. What radio executive or DJ wants to battle the pressures of being labeled unamerican because they choose to play an anti war song. What punishments await such a station? My guess is that few wish to find out. But leave it to a 60's rocker to record what may be one of the best anti war ALBUMS I've heard. Rocking like the mother f%!k#r that kicked out "Ohio" after Kent State, Neil Young has a new collections of songs you can hear FREE at Neilyoung.com. Written and recorded just last month, Neil has released these free via the net. They can be purchased starting tomorrow on Itunes and on CD very soon! This CD rocks like Crazy Horse albums "Rust Never Sleeps" and "Raged Glory". Sometimes the feedback shakes your molars. Other times the squeak in Neil's vocals shatters your eardrums, but this is, no question about it, is a protest album. He takes shots at George Bush and he calls for the president to be held accountable. He also share a real sorrow for lives lost and wasted. And it rocks. After hearing this album, I was left questioning what the f#@k I was doing (or not doing) to stop this war. Watching the names each week pile up as young Americans, Iraqis, and scores of others die for crimes that History will hold us accountable for, should be the wake up call for this country. But so often, mass media spins into oblivian, and we are left wondering what really matters. Well, Neil Young lays it out for the hand full that will take the time to listen. May Neil be the first of many. May the flood gates be opened. May I find my voice. May you find your voice. Let's get off our asses and say something. Here is what Neil has to say... NEIL YOUNG - Living With War "...this is about exchanging ideas... it's about getting a message out. It's about empowering people by giving them a voice. I know not everyone believes what I say is what they think. But like I said before.. ya know.. red and blue is not black and white. We're all together. It's a record about unification." -Neil Young (4/18/06) Peace, Kent |
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