http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005 by the authors Mon, 17 Apr 2006 17:17:49 EDT http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-352953 Hey Mike, you are dead on about Dave A. being the key to Pearl Jam's success and then failure. Those poseurs thought Dave was so uncool for being happy that the band became successful. Well, they got their wish: they quickly faded into oblivion, starting the moment Dave was kicked out of the band. 352953@blogcritics.org Mon, 17 Apr 2006 17:17:49 EDT http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28122 Ironically, I suspect that these gun fetishists are actually more responsible gun owners than the average person who buys a gun for self-defense. My problem with the marketing and proliferation of guns is that I think many people aren't getting the result they expect. A lot of people seem to think they can just buy a gun and they'll automatically be able to defend themselves against attackers. It doesn't seem to occur to people that an attacker may know a lot more about how to use the gun then the owner does. Likewise with SUVs. I always hear people say, "I have an SUV, so I can drive in the snow." Yet in a month or so, we're going to get our first snow and I'm going to see a bunch of SUVs in ditches along the road on my way to work. Never fails. 28122@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 16:38:06 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28121 "The rumor about this song is that the lyrics were written after a conversation with their soon-to-be-fired drummer Dave Abruzzese. So imagine having a song written about your lack of enlightenment, then playing it on tour for a year and then getting your ass kicked out of the band." And then watch the band's sales go in the tank because it was your drumming that transformed the band from good to great, and because you were the only one who was nice to fans and spent hours autographing CDs and talking with them instead of staring at your navel all day and abusing your followers and refusing to tour. 28121@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 16:25:18 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28110 I agree that the fetishization of guns is very grim, unhealthy and symptomatic of some deeper issues 28110@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 15:20:55 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28095 Reminds me of Spin Magazine's prediction that Eddy Vedder would climb into the scaffolding at Lollapaloza and disappear. But what do I know, I'm just a half-assed monkey boy. 28095@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 14:12:46 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28094 The rumor about this song is that the lyrics were written after a conversation with their soon-to-be-fired drummer Dave Abruzzese. So imagine having a song written about your lack of enlightenment, then playing it on tour for a year and then getting your ass kicked out of the band. 28094@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 14:10:05 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28091 Pearl Jam has a way of making even gun affection seem all artsy and weird. 28091@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 14:05:55 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28087 Pearl Jam have a nice take on it as well. "Got a gun, fact I got two That's OK man, cause I love God Glorified version of a pellet gun Feel so manly, when armed" 28087@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 13:52:48 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28081 There really is a difference between being an afficianado and being a psycho. I just wish the gun nuts could figure out the difference. Cars are reasonable things to fawn over. They provide transportation and help you in moving objects from one place to the other. Now, unless that man is evading the police, raping you, or otherwise denying you of your personal rights in your own home - guns are merely a tool for protection - and a dangerous one that need not be glorified, but rather respected and kept safe from morons. Lynyrd Skynyrd says it best: "Hand guns are made for killin' Ain't no good for nothin' else And if you like your whiskey You might even shoot yourself So why don't we dump 'em people To the bottom of the sea Before some fool come around here Wanna shoot either you or me" 28081@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 13:32:41 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28080 "take a long, hard look" Maybe a short, soft glance. hehe Sorry for the Beavis and Butthead moment, but this can also be extended past guns and include cars. Especially the big huge gas-guzzling variety like the Escalade, and the appropriately named Hummer. 28080@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 13:17:35 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/11/103002.php#comment-28075 Wow, you've come dangerously close to endorsing "Bowling for Columbine". It reminds me of the army chant, however: "This is my rifle, this is my gun / one is for killing, the other's for fun" 28075@blogcritics.org Tue, 11 Nov 2003 12:37:53 EST