Further proof that most musicians are idiots when it comes to politics and world affairs. We've been through this before, but it's much worse when the babbling is going on outside of the music.
First, allow me to say I love Green Day and think they are just getting better. The blistering International Superhits collection hammers home how consistent they have been, and the latest studio recording, Warning, is their finest to date. Also, their performance of Ramones tunes at the last Rock Hall induction ceremony was a ripping, eye-opening success.
But now singer/guitarist/songwriter Billie Joe Armstrong, not content with being absolutely, 101% butt-slapping wrong about the US invasion of Afghanistan a year ago, is now agitating against war with Iraq - keep the string alive Bill!
In an audio message on the band's website, Armstrong says:
- "For those of you who are opposed to the war in Iraq, I want to set up a petition on greenday.net to send to George W. Bush strongly urging him to rethink his plans for a military invasion. This petition isn't only for people who live in America but people all over the world. So, even if you know someone at work or at school who doesn't even know what Green Day is, tell them to log on to greenday.net, type in their name, and where they're from. I want to get as many names as possible."
Why Bill?
"Cause war is bad for children and other living things and stuff."
Well, won't the people of Iraq be much better off after Saddam is removed from power, much like life improved in Afghanistan after the removal of the Taliban?
"Well maybe, but war is always bad and we shouldn't try to impose our will on other nations."
So Saddam should be allowed to continue to kill his own people, continue to develop weapons of mass destruction toward the goal of expanding his own fascist regime throughout the Middle East?
"Uhh, just sign my petition." [I made all of this up except the facts]
Besides being wrong and offering no rationale for his stance against an Iraq war, Armstrong also has totally missed the reality (ah yes, reality: that's what's missing from dilettante rock star policy babble) of the efficacy of email petitions: organizations, including the government have learned to discount mass email petitions. They're just too easy and don't mean much. "I want to get as many names as possible" just doesn't have much impact anymore.
After we assist Saddam from office and there is dancing in the streets a la Afghanistan, what cause will Billie Joe champion to continue his litany of error?
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Jim Carruthers
Eric, given what you've said, if you've ever had a moustache, you are supporting terror. If you've ever held a kegger with fratboys, you've supported fascism, and if you've ever listened to The Village People, you've commited a crime against humanity.
2 - Anne
On that note I shudder to think what the penalties would be for liking Air Supply or Kenny Loggins. Talk about violating basic human decency!
3 - Eric Olsen
Jim, I am confused by your comment - please elucidate.
4 - Mark Saleski
>Further proof that most musicians are idiots when it comes to politics and world affairs
no, proof that these musicians don't agree with your worldview. that's all.
5 - Eric Olsen
I don't care about agreement, I care about logic and providing coherent reasons for one's views other than the vaguest of generalities and knee-jerk reactions then foisted upon uninformed fans, who then take the view as gospel. That's why they should shut the fuck up.
6 - Mark Saleski
i have to agree that that petition is pretty weak...meaning more or less devoid of content.
but given the level of debate i've seen about the (probably) upcoming war, i seriously doubt ANY level of logic and detail will appease folks on the pro-war side.
7 - Jim Carruthers
Jim, I am confused by your comment - please elucidate.
Actually, I was just being an asshole. But then I read this transcript from CNN. Aside from the complete ignorance of Canada:
What really gets me is they keep calling people and nations (like Canada) "wienies", and this during a discussion which includes cock fighting (heh, heh, he said "cock fighting").
And then there is this: "Even the elves are fingerprinted and drug-tested."
My point? Oh, right; how about, nobody is qualified in the States to discuss the world outside.
8 - Eric Olsen
I do not doubt ignorance of the outside world within the US, but that is nothing compared to the ignorance OF the US BY the outside world.
9 - Scott Butki
I think comment #4 nailed it.
The fact he doesn't agree with you doesn't make him an idiot.
It just means you disagree. Why is that so bad?
A better question would be: Why do we care what an actor - the Viggo thread - or Green Day - think about war? And the answer is as long as fans and critics (yes, you included, Eric) pay attention to his opinion he and others will continue to spout off.
It seems to me to be inconsistent to be leading this web site where you are asking people of all walks of life to share their opinions while making comments like this:
"But now singer/guitarist/songwriter Billy Joe Armstrong, not content with being absolutely, 101% butt-slapping wrong about the US invasion of Afghanistan a year ago, is now agitating against war with Iraq - keep the string alive Bill!"
Telling someone to shut the hell up reminds me more of Bill O'Reilly as he shouts down and kicks out anyone whose opinion he doesn't like, then it does a free speech advocate.
Why not just tune him out and/or not buy his albums instead of telling him to shut up?
Final thought: Would this be a good time for me to suggest a 10-part blog critic series about rock stars like Ted Nugent who are conservative and pro-war but are talking out of their butt and therefore I say (in just) they should shut the hell up too?
Or are you cool with that?
10 - Eric Olsen
Scott, I am cool with that too. But mainly I would remind you that this post was written almost three years ago in another lifetime
11 - Scott Butki
My bad. I was doing a search and it came up and I didn't realize the date.
And I was joking about the series idea.
12 - Eric Olsen
I have generally toned down my rhetoric a bit since then, but I reserve the right to snap at any moment
13 - Alyssa
YOU SPELLED HIS NAME WRONG!! Billie Joe Armstrong, not "Billy" I'm not gunna justify everything he said but I do know that if you are going to do a shitty article about somone you should get their name right!!!
14 - Alyssa
sorry about the second post, dunno how that happened
15 - Eric Olsen
see, the cool thing about the Internet is that you can fix mistakes like typos.
16 - Layla
I think you are just some red neck who is pro war. I know this article is old, but I wanted to tell you that you are [personal attack deleted] He thinks about the greater good of the world and all you think about is America. there are other countries and it seems the war is just killing fellow Americans. You will never get anywhere with that attitude and you have no right to tell people to shut up. You are just some shitty article author and Billie Joe Armstrong is one of the most famous people in the world right now. If you don't have a clue what you're talking about (which you don't) I advise that you shut up [personal attack deleted] !!!
17 - Alexandra L.
I think that it is great what billie joe armstrong is doing and i wish i knew how to sign that petition, i no the website, but i cant find the thing....... sorry billie.....i hope you arent mad at me.
18 - dabrina lissette romero
billie joe if you were to be a super hero who would you be
19 - Mariam
Is the petition still there?I wana sign it.
20 - sam
As far as I can tell, Green Day, and Billie Joe Armstrong specifically, have as much right to express their political opinions as you or I. That's the beauty of our country --the Land of the Free, remember? At the very least, they are inspiring young people to think about poltics and voice their opinions. I can't see how that is a bad thing. (Also, I can't resist pointing out how much "better" things have been for the people in Iraq since Saddam Hussein was done away with. Hhhhmmm...funny how time works on an issue, isn't it?)
21 - Christopher Rose
sam, unfortunately you don't live in the Land of the Free. you live in a country where somebody made up that slogan and an awful lot of good people sincerely believe it.
22 - Dave Nalle
I can't see how that is a bad thing. (Also, I can't resist pointing out how much "better" things have been for the people in Iraq since Saddam Hussein was done away with. Hhhhmmm...funny how time works on an issue, isn't it?)
Nice to see that someone has noticed the improvements in electricity and services and the lower level of random murder despite the efforts of terrorists. And Iraqis are no longer fleeing the country at a rate of 100.000 a year. That should tell you something.
Dave
23 - cc
i agree with everything what billie joe armstrong
says he is so hot i love him
24 - cc
I LOVE GREEN DAY MOSTLY BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG HE IS SO HOT I LOVE HIM SO MUCH HE IS MINE
25 - cc
I LOVE BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG CC ARMSTRONG THATS SEXY BILLIE JOE ARMSTRONG IS SO HOT I LOVE HIM