Saturday
Dec102016
Rock Gets Political... And I Won't Offer An Opinion
Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 07:44AM Today's post is from our friend HIM.
I seem to have a fairly open yap when it comes to tossing about opinions on metal. It’s in my nature.
But I treat this site like my dinner table. I don’t talk politics or religion here. Well, actually, that isn’t entirely true. I am lucky enough to have family and friends with whom I can break bread and discuss both of those issues . . . even if we don’t come at either topic from the same angle. But at the cyber table that is BBG!? Nah. I pass. I cause enough consternation without it. And, if some of you can potentially divine my position on politics (or religion), fair enough.
The situation at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, where people are protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline has been in the news a lot as of late. I find the situation intriguing on a variety of levels. But this post is not about that. It is about how two well-known metalheads have decided to discuss that situation.
Case study one: Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe. He wrote a lengthy essay for Rolling Stone detailing his (and his friend’s) firsthand experience at the actual protest. Here is the link:
Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe shares what he witnessed at Standing Rock https://t.co/hNIWUZ59Ul pic.twitter.com/JrM5HnCKym
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) December 2, 2016
Case study two: Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider. He released a video for the song “So What” off his recent solo album, We Are The Ones. Here is the link:
Both artists are politically active. Both have no issue with stating their opinions on a range of other issues too. So what do you think of their “takes” on this issue? I know, I know. That might seem like a dinkus move on my part. But, sometimes, I simply want to report something I saw or heard and leave it to you to discuss. This is one of those times.
Reader Comments (16)
On a side note, Why can't they just re-route the pipeline around that area? You've already invested multi millions, and you know they're going to ultimately pass ALL the. costs of this project onto us consumers in some way.So tack another million or two on the total cost and reroute the God Famned thing already. (I bet they've paid 5 times that in lawyers fees already)
I am firmly not with the protestors. It's not about protecting the water.
I too love religious and political debate, with those who have perspective and respect the thoughts and views of others. When you engage with those that don't get personal and one let's LOGIC & REASON be the moderator, you can empathize and compromise. The old Yin & Yang my friends.
To provide a musical perspective; Billy Joel has some good thoughts: Amuse me if you will BBG'ers....
"And I believe there is a time for meditation in cathedrals of our own" & "For all our mutual experience, our separate conclusions are the same...."
https://youtu.be/ygNNpvzuNFA
Isn't it still political if you set the table with a politically loaded topic and then lean back in your chair at the head of said table with no opinion?
It's like being a conscientious objector of a war you're trying to start.
There are some topics where, to my mind, my opinion does matter. There are others where it doesn't. There are also topics where I care more about what others believe and would like to hear their thoughts. This is one of those times. Sometimes, the marketplace of ideas just needs a bit of a tug. This is my small attempt to do that, in a corner of said place, where I find the opinions interesting, varied, and, for the most part, respectful of differences (not a thing that actually is required in a MoI).
In this instance, I thought the fact that metal--of different sorts--was weighing in was more important than my two cents. But that doesn't mitigate against me wanting to hear what others on this site had to say. Why? Because I respect the site, respect the posters, and was interested.
Metalboy!, you know a bit more about me than some on here do. And, with that knowledge, I hope you can understand that, for me, starting--or continuing--discussions is in some cases more important than wedging my thoughts into the same. That isn't a cop-out. And, to your point, you are correct: my decision to not state where I stand is still political. But, given that, I am fine with taking some heat from a person, like you, whom I respect.
Appreciate all the responses. Though I won't frequently submit stories like this, I still will do so on occasion. I appreciate the fact that Allyson let me do so, posted her own thoughts, and has created a place where all of you can do the same. The marketplace theory isn't always held in high regard. Nor should it be. But Allyson allowed me this opportunity. I appreciate it.
And I still wonder: how do you feel about the different responses? That is probably less than the overall topic. But Snider and Blythe had my interests piqued.
I guess what got me interested in the first place was the fact that two very different artists were taking a stand on one side of the issue. Perhaps that is just me. I don't often think of Blythe and Snider at the same time. This topic, and their stance(s) on it, did. That was, at least in part, my thought process. Hope I answered your (implied) question, Metalboy!
Worth reading.
Also, right now, the state of Florida allowing a private business consortium to begin construction of a natural gas pipeline right through the largest natural water aquifers in the nation, not only threatening our natural resources but actually claiming imminent domain over any private land in their way.
Not only that, but it has recently been revealed the natural gas being delivered through the Florida pipeline isn't even intended for our consumption, but will be sold to foreign countries.
Do you really think we're going to be able to stop the "keep on drilling, keep on fracking mentality" of the big oil and natural gas industries, especially considering the new "priorities" of our nation?
As Allyson and Shawn more or less state, it's about the water, stupid!
In the words of the immortal JAILHOUSE, "We've got to stand up!"
I think the issue of water scarcity and the issue of how to treat it as a commodity are interesting items to ponder. Thank you Shawn and oper8n for discussing them (and thank you Metalboy! for mentioning the latest spill some miles down the road from the protest). Energy issues continue to increase in importance as we attempt to squeeze out the maximum amount we can from this marble we live on. Nothing political in stating that. The how of the squeezing will remain a matter of some discussion, and more discussion, as time goes by.
But, again, Metalboy!, I met you at your request. So meet mine: what do you think of the two artists and their approaches to the topic? Which one do you prefer? Why? Shed some light since you asked me to take a stand-ish on the issue(s) that originally led me to post. Notice that metal, as a framing device, can offer you a chance to delve into politics without having to sacrifice a right to abstain from the issue in question. It isn't the same as dealing with the issue. But it is an issue to be considered none the less (hence, my decision to engage you on it, and only it, because you asked).
Both Lamb of God AND Dee Snyder solo absolutely S*CK!!!
It's about your own opinion, regarding the construction of pipelines, both existing and proposed!
It would also be quite humorous to hear a song on the subject from professional comedian, Ted Nugent.
Any song by Ted Nugent that involved the term "pipeline" would likely lead to a series of double entendres, or some such monstrous mash-up/medley where Fred Bear has a Strangehold on his Pipeline.