I agree with the post by Eric. I've thought this for so long. I can see how using their famous status to help promote something important like environmental issues (i.e. Bonnie Raitt) might be okay, but I've assumed that she would have researched her topic extensively before doing that. Aside from that, I think most of them use their status to promote themselves first, in a place where they know they will be listened to, and secondly to promote their own view which they may or may not know anything about. My best example of misuse of artist status is Ronald Reagan becoming president. Just how dumb are the voters to have gone for that one? And what happens behind the scenes in that particular case is that the real people who know what they are doing prop the guy up (even in his later demented years). Other examples are less obvious but no less important in the long run. I could go on, as could have Eric, but the point is that it's about time this dialogue goes higher than this, which I'm not sure how many people read. I've seen it come up here and there from time to time, but the big papers need to Op-Ed it, hopefully bringing out some thoughtful responses from the public.

Patty,

I know I'm opening a huge hornets' nest by posting this, but check out Reagan, In His Own Hand, edited by Kiron K. Skinner. When Bonnie Rait, Springsteen, David Draiman, et al are willing to stop performing, and then produce a body of essays and speeches on political topics equal to in quantity, if not quality of that material, then we'll talk.

In the meantime, I agree, artists are best left performing, rather than preaching.

Ed

Now that you've mentioned that book, I suppose I should review my well-read copy. As soon as I finish Fast Food Nation, I promise!

Short review: Ed is right, Reagan - agree or disagree - was a thinker and a principled man, not at all on par with David Draiman or Bonnie Raitt. Great book, even the parts with which I strenuously disagree.

That's a very good idea Patty - this should get more widespread and specific attention. i am somewhere between the three of you regarding Reagan, but he clearly thought about things in a real world context and developed his ideas over time - he also was propped up of course - but he wasn't just a puppet either.

But this whole theme needs to be developed further, if for no other reason than the fact that kids listen to what entertainers have to say on whatever they choose to blather about, and a high percentage of it is total horseshit.

For all you people out there preaching this stuff to everyone about how entertainers are not educated....FYI...David Draiman graduated Loyola University triple major in Philosophy, Business management, and Political Science. I could be mistaken but in my book that makes him very inteligent. I believe what he is saying is that he thinks it is horrendous that people are making money off of the deaths of so many of our brothers and sisters by charging in order to see the enormity of what happened on 9/11. I agree with David that it is disgusting how people line the streets in NY to sell pictures of the falling Trade Centers. It is all about making money to them. They need to donate that money to the families of the victims.
Also; rarely do you ever hear (or see in print) an interview from David Draiman when he talks about his band if he is interviewing about something political or environmental. He talks about the issue. Not himself or the band.

YOU'RE A F------ M----

LISTEN TO WHAT JENNIFER LAPORTE SAID(the comments above). . . David draiman has always spoken his mind and done his homework as well. . . Do your homework on Draiman before you disrespect him because he is a successful musician. . . You want to talk about IDIOTS OF MUSIC. Go listen to rap. . . Now they don't know shit about anything but hos and bling. . .

I agree With david draiman people hve made the hole 911 thing In to sales. People really dont stop to think about the thousands of people that lost there loved ones that day. Stop trying to make money uless It is going to those familys. I think that anyone should be able to go see the trade centers sight. With out having to pay. Maybe if some thing were to happen to some of these people then they would understand that Its not a profit.

I've never met david draiman in person but i know someone who has and they say he's pretty smart, I think it's sad that people want to sell pictures what is this world coming to.

Has it occurred to anyone to research where those couple bucks they are charging goes? Is it for insurance? Is it for charity?

David seems to be yet another moron. He's not upset for WHY money is being exchanged but rather the fact that money is being exchanged at all since he does not reference disappointment for the reason of the exchange. What a dope...

Oh so that pretty much makes him anti-Capitalist Socialist dumb ass. I think he might have spent just a few too many hours on college campus.