[kj] semi-OT: Music vs. Message

[Alex Smith]

I know it seems like I'm harping on this issue, but whilst perusing around the `Net this evening I found a interesting exchange on the Club Devo site in the letters column that mirrors a discussion we had here only a couple of weeks back regarding the arguable incongruity of being both a Killing Joke fan and Bush voter. I've always maintained that Killing Joke and Devo -- while musically not exactly simillar -- share a great deal in the conceptual/lyrical and philosophical department.  In any case, I found this interesting, so maybe y'all will too.  Read on, Spuds! - Alex "Duty Now for the Future" in NYC

posted 8/8/2004:
Subject: Just Wondering 

Q: Hi -- I'm a Devo fan from way back and I was really enjoying the NY show on HD Net just now.  However, I am also a Republican and I am wondering why there had to be negative jabs against Republicans.  In fact, I don't understand why there has to be any political commentary at all. 

Now don't freak out -- I am not an evil right winger denying you your right to free speech.  But I guess when I tune in to see you playing music at a concert -- that's what I am expecting:  you playing music at a concert.  I just don't really care what your political views are -- no matter what they are.  I mean I was just tuning in to see the concert and hear the music.  Isn't that why all those people were there for, too? 

Sincerely, 

Maureen Leader - maureen.leader at verizon.net 

A: It's amazing you can like a band that stands for justice and liberty and science and logic and still vote for an evil regime that wants to destroy what's left of democracy, destroy the separation of church and state, attack the bill of rights, eliminate a woman's right to choose, deny humane scientific research, steal from seniors, destroy the environment to keep oil cronies rich and in short institute a form of Christian fundamentalism that is only slightly less heinous than the authoritarian beliefs of the Taliban. Go ahead and vote for a dim-witted, mean spirited, menial son of a CIA man who is on the wrong side of every issue that matters to the future of humans on the planet earth. This isn't about democrats and republicans (there's really no difference there). This is about the end of humane values in our life time. Do you wear a backwards baseball cap and drive a Hummer 2? Remember! Freedom of choice is what you've got. Freedom from choice is what you want! -- Gerald V. Casale , Devo Inc.