Will the Boss perform at anti-Bush concert? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

vashti1999 · 06-23-2004, 10:22 PM

NEWARK, N.J. -- A concert promoter and Democratic activist is gathering signatures in an effort to draft Bruce Springsteen for a benefit concert to oppose President Bush's re-election bid.

Promoter Andrew Rasiej wants to hold the event at Giants Stadium on Sept. 1, during the Republican National Convention in New York, but said it's contingent on Springsteen's agreeing to be there, which he hopes would lead other artists to join in.

A Springsteen spokeswoman, however, said he will not play.

"Bruce Springsteen will not be performing at any events tied to the Republican or Democratic conventions," spokeswoman Marilyn Laverty said.

Rasiej, 46, founded the Irving Plaza concert hall in Manhattan and, among other political roles, served as technology adviser to former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean.

A Springsteen fan and fellow Jersey guy from Bogota, Rasiej has created a Web site, www.draftbruce.com, with a petition seeking electronic signatures from Springsteen fans or Bush foes imploring The Boss to oppose the president. On Wednesday afternoon the site stated it had collected nearly 11,000 signatures over the previous 24 hours.

"It's really not so much about Bruce," said Rasiej. "I'm viewing this effort as a barometer of public sentiment." He said 120,000 people had signed the petition by Wednesday afternoon.

A more conventional barometer, a Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday, found that New Jersey public sentiment is more against Bush than for him, giving Democrat John Kerry a 46 percent to 40 percent lead over the Republican president, with 7 percent favoring Ralph Nader.

The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points for the survey of 1,167 voters, taken June 15-20.

It is a much closer margin than the actual vote in New Jersey in 2000, when Bush lost to Al Gore by 16 points.

Springsteen has been openly critical of the Bush administration.

A May 26 speech by Gore criticizing Bush is reprinted on Springsteen's Web site, www.brucespringsteen.net, preceded by a message from The Boss.

"A few weeks ago at N.Y.U. Al Gore gave one of the most important speeches I've heard in a long time," Springsteen tells fans. "The issues it raises need to be considered by every American concerned with the direction our country is headed in. It's my pleasure to reprint it here for my fans."

The speech is then quoted: "George W. Bush promised us a foreign policy with humility. Instead, he has brought us humiliation in the eyes of the world."

Reacting to the poll, Brian Nelson, executive director of the New Jersey State Republican Party, said Kerry's narrow lead was a poor showing after Gore's lopsided state margin in 2000.

Of Springsteen's Web site, Nelson added, "The Boss should continue to focus on music, which is his strong suit, instead of politics."

Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press

Lee · 06-24-2004, 01:27 AM

It should not surprise me if Springsteen is on the bill-after all he
was the one who wrote and sang "American Skin(41 Shots)".

Lee · 06-24-2004, 01:28 AM

Edited to avoid any potential problems.

AKA · 06-24-2004, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by webwarrior762004
It should not surprise me if Springsteen is on the bill-after all he
was the one who wrote and sang "American Skin(41 Shots)".

Can you clarify? Do you defend the actions of the officers responsible for the incident the song refers to?

Lee · 06-24-2004, 01:42 AM

Originally posted by AKA:
Can you clarify? Do you defend the actions of the officers responsible for the incident the song refers to?

What I am saying is that the song is a direct shot across the bow
at Bush and at conservative politics in the United States.

AKA · 06-24-2004, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by webwarrior762004
What I am saying is that the song is a direct shot across the bow at Bush and at conservative politics in the United States.

Are we listening to the same song? It's about the 1999 incident in which four plain clothes white police offers approached an unarmed black man named Amadou Diallo and shot him 41 times.

Diallo, by the way, had no criminal record.

More generally speaking, the song is about injustices minorities face every day from law enforcement.

American Skin (41 Shots)
(Springsteen)

41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots
41 shots....
And we'll take that ride
'Cross this bloody river
To the other side
41 shots... cut through the night
You're kneeling over his body in the vestibule
Praying for his life

Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it a wallet, this is your life
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living
In your American skin

41 shots
Lena gets her son ready for school
She says "on these streets, Charles
You've got to understand the rules
If an officer stops you
Promise you'll always be polite,
That you'll never ever run away
Promise Mama you'll keep your hands in sight"

Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it a wallet, this is your life
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living
In your American skin

Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it in your heart, is it in your eyes
It ain't no secret

41 shots... and we'll take that ride
'Cross this bloody river
To the other side
41 shots... got my boots caked in this mud
We're baptized in these waters and in each other's blood

Is it a gun, is it a knife
Is it a wallet, this is your life
It ain't no secret
It ain't no secret
No secret my friend
You can get killed just for living
In your American skin

Lee · 06-24-2004, 02:58 AM

The Amadou Diallo shooting should not have happened, but in my
opinion it was not racially motivated and although Diallo was
unarmed, the NYPD officers who were dealing with him at that
moment did not know that. Diallo was told by these NYPD officers
to place his hands behind his head so that they could pat him
down for any weapons. Diallo proceeded to make a gesture
toward his waistband like he was reaching for a weapon and
the officers fired at Diallo in fear of their lives. I agree that 41
rounds was rather excessive and that the officers should have
probably stepped back and assessed the situation, but I might
have made that same mistake as a police officer.

Czas na Zywiec · 06-24-2004, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by webwarrior762004
The Amadou Diallo shooting should not have happened, but in my
opinion it was not racially motivated and although Diallo was
unarmed, the NYPD officers who were dealing with him at that
moment did not know that. Diallo was told by these NYPD officers
to place his hands behind his head so that they could pat him
down for any weapons. Diallo proceeded to make a gesture
toward his waistband like he was reaching for a weapon and
the officers fired at Diallo in fear of their lives. I agree that 41
rounds was rather excessive and that the officers should have
probably stepped back and assessed the situation, but I might
have made that same mistake as a police officer.

Even if he was white?

dlemond · 06-24-2004, 02:24 PM

I find any "anti" motive instead of a "pro" motive just a tad offensive.

In a sense I get the feeling that if it was Howard Dean or John Edwards it would all be the same- it is against Bush.

And if you hate Bush that much and think he is wrong for our country that is fine and dandy and your right.
But be sure in your mind you actually think John Kerry can do the job.

And before you say, "how can he be any worse than Bush?" I think you should consult history and take things a little more seriously than your personal outrage about certain issues.

Anyway, I'm a big Bruce fan, and yes the incident with Amadou Diallo is ridiculous.

But we don't live in a vaccuum and I don't think a few fools should ruin what the NYPD has done in positive terms in face of what they have to deal with everyday. You ever been to NYC? You also remember 9/11?

Dean Winchester · 06-24-2004, 02:32 PM

it sucks that people have to give Springsteen hell for even being considered for an anti-Bush concert. Remember how Ricky Martin's career was immediately flushed down the toilet when he performed for Bush's inauguration? His Hispanic and gay fans both saw him as an Uncle Tom and he went from being the next Michael Jackson to the next Vanilla Ice because two of his biggest fanbases saw him performing for Bush as "spitting on them".

Believe it or not... some of us don't like Bush, and we have valid reasons not to. People disliking Bush in 2004 is no more wrong than everyone who hated Clinton in 1998... remember that?

AKA · 06-24-2004, 04:16 PM

No matter which side you lean politically, let's remember that so far, Bruce has declined to participate.

AKA · 06-24-2004, 05:30 PM

Besides...

Anyone who says anything bad about Bruce has to deal with Silvio here.

Sterling Holobyte · 06-24-2004, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond
But be sure in your mind you actually think John Kerry can do the job.

They're not thinking. That's the problem.
"Anyone but Bush" remember? They would vote for a mannequin if they could, and with Kerry, that's what they'll get! Someone who will say whatever they want to hear in order to get elected. No substance whatsoever.
But at least it won't be Bush.
What a good reason to vote for someone!

vashti1999 · 06-24-2004, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dlemond
I find any "anti" motive instead of a "pro" motive just a tad offensive.

Okay, so I won't say I'm anti-Bush. I'm pro voting his ass out!!

Lee · 06-24-2004, 09:43 PM

Originally posted by Czas na Zywiec:
Even if he was white?

Yes.

As I said, race is not important when a police officer is dealing
with a violent subject. It does not matter one bit to me if that
person is black or white or latin or asian or any other background.

06-23-2004, 10:22 PM	#1
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Will the Boss perform at anti-Bush concert? NEWARK, N.J. -- A concert promoter and Democratic activist is gathering signatures in an effort to draft Bruce Springsteen for a benefit concert to oppose President Bush's re-election bid. Promoter Andrew Rasiej wants to hold the event at Giants Stadium on Sept. 1, during the Republican National Convention in New York, but said it's contingent on Springsteen's agreeing to be there, which he hopes would lead other artists to join in. A Springsteen spokeswoman, however, said he will not play. "Bruce Springsteen will not be performing at any events tied to the Republican or Democratic conventions," spokeswoman Marilyn Laverty said. Rasiej, 46, founded the Irving Plaza concert hall in Manhattan and, among other political roles, served as technology adviser to former Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean. A Springsteen fan and fellow Jersey guy from Bogota, Rasiej has created a Web site, www.draftbruce.com, with a petition seeking electronic signatures from Springsteen fans or Bush foes imploring The Boss to oppose the president. On Wednesday afternoon the site stated it had collected nearly 11,000 signatures over the previous 24 hours. "It's really not so much about Bruce," said Rasiej. "I'm viewing this effort as a barometer of public sentiment." He said 120,000 people had signed the petition by Wednesday afternoon. A more conventional barometer, a Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday, found that New Jersey public sentiment is more against Bush than for him, giving Democrat John Kerry a 46 percent to 40 percent lead over the Republican president, with 7 percent favoring Ralph Nader. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3 percentage points for the survey of 1,167 voters, taken June 15-20. It is a much closer margin than the actual vote in New Jersey in 2000, when Bush lost to Al Gore by 16 points. Springsteen has been openly critical of the Bush administration. A May 26 speech by Gore criticizing Bush is reprinted on Springsteen's Web site, www.brucespringsteen.net, preceded by a message from The Boss. "A few weeks ago at N.Y.U. Al Gore gave one of the most important speeches I've heard in a long time," Springsteen tells fans. "The issues it raises need to be considered by every American concerned with the direction our country is headed in. It's my pleasure to reprint it here for my fans." The speech is then quoted: "George W. Bush promised us a foreign policy with humility. Instead, he has brought us humiliation in the eyes of the world." Reacting to the poll, Brian Nelson, executive director of the New Jersey State Republican Party, said Kerry's narrow lead was a poor showing after Gore's lopsided state margin in 2000. Of Springsteen's Web site, Nelson added, "The Boss should continue to focus on music, which is his strong suit, instead of politics." Copyright © 2004, The Associated Press
	__________________ .

06-24-2004, 01:28 AM	#3
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,766	Edited to avoid any potential problems.
	Last edited by Brian; 06-24-2004 at 01:47 AM.

06-24-2004, 01:27 AM	#2
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,766	It should not surprise me if Springsteen is on the bill-after all he was the one who wrote and sang "American Skin(41 Shots)".

06-24-2004, 01:42 AM	#5
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,766	Originally posted by AKA: Can you clarify? Do you defend the actions of the officers responsible for the incident the song refers to? What I am saying is that the song is a direct shot across the bow at Bush and at conservative politics in the United States.

06-24-2004, 02:58 AM	#7
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,766	The Amadou Diallo shooting should not have happened, but in my opinion it was not racially motivated and although Diallo was unarmed, the NYPD officers who were dealing with him at that moment did not know that. Diallo was told by these NYPD officers to place his hands behind his head so that they could pat him down for any weapons. Diallo proceeded to make a gesture toward his waistband like he was reaching for a weapon and the officers fired at Diallo in fear of their lives. I agree that 41 rounds was rather excessive and that the officers should have probably stepped back and assessed the situation, but I might have made that same mistake as a police officer.

06-24-2004, 02:24 PM	#9
dlemond Hey, I know you. Moderator Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 03, 2001 Location: New Jersey Posts: 6,751	I find any "anti" motive instead of a "pro" motive just a tad offensive. In a sense I get the feeling that if it was Howard Dean or John Edwards it would all be the same- it is against Bush. And if you hate Bush that much and think he is wrong for our country that is fine and dandy and your right. But be sure in your mind you actually think John Kerry can do the job. And before you say, "how can he be any worse than Bush?" I think you should consult history and take things a little more seriously than your personal outrage about certain issues. Anyway, I'm a big Bruce fan, and yes the incident with Amadou Diallo is ridiculous. But we don't live in a vaccuum and I don't think a few fools should ruin what the NYPD has done in positive terms in face of what they have to deal with everyday. You ever been to NYC? You also remember 9/11?

06-24-2004, 02:32 PM	#10
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	it sucks that people have to give Springsteen hell for even being considered for an anti-Bush concert. Remember how Ricky Martin's career was immediately flushed down the toilet when he performed for Bush's inauguration? His Hispanic and gay fans both saw him as an Uncle Tom and he went from being the next Michael Jackson to the next Vanilla Ice because two of his biggest fanbases saw him performing for Bush as "spitting on them". Believe it or not... some of us don't like Bush, and we have valid reasons not to. People disliking Bush in 2004 is no more wrong than everyone who hated Clinton in 1998... remember that?

06-24-2004, 04:16 PM	#11
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	No matter which side you lean politically, let's remember that so far, Bruce has declined to participate.

06-24-2004, 05:30 PM	#12
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Besides... Anyone who says anything bad about Bruce has to deal with Silvio here.

06-24-2004, 09:43 PM	#15
Lee veteran member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 23, 2001 Location: Pulaski, Tennessee Posts: 4,766	Originally posted by Czas na Zywiec: Even if he was white? Yes. As I said, race is not important when a police officer is dealing with a violent subject. It does not matter one bit to me if that person is black or white or latin or asian or any other background.