Neil Young News: Just Writing a Blog Won't Change The World

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Just Writing a Blog Won't Change The World

Neil's comment earlier this year that "Music Can't Change World" prompted a massive world-wide reaction. And in reaction, Neil wrote a new song called "Just Singing A Song Won't Change The World" which has also been the subject of a great deal of commentary.

And by the same token, just writing a blog won't change the world either. But we wanted to take a moment to point out a change over there in the right sidebar. We've been pondering the implications of making such an overt political statement here on Thrasher's Wheat for quite some time now.

We realize that the intersection of politics and music makes many folks uncomfortable. Yet, politics is an unavoidable fact of life with which we can choose to engage in order to try and make the world a better place or ignore at our own peril.

So we didn't take the decision to add the Obama widget to the sidebar lightly. However, we felt that we could not continue without showing our support for the politics of hope and change.

After watching Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin at the Republican convention last week, we feel the time has come take a stand. Here's some things we know about John McCain's running mate:

- supports censoring library books
- advocates drilling for oil in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge
- denies global warming is caused by man
- does not believe in evolution

It is these types of positions that we find so repugnant that we feel we have little choice but to try and make a small difference in this race. Palin is the true face of the Republican Party and voters should not be fooled by McCain's "I was a POW so vote for me" campaign. The Palin selection signifies a continuation Rove-style wedge politics and another battle front of the culture wars. And we certainly don't need another neocon who wants to start a war in Iran.

No more suspension of habeas corpus. No more extraordinary rendition. No more warrantless wiretapping. No more torture. Don't need no more lies.

"Lookin' for a Leader" Or Show Me The Way and I'll Follow You Someday.

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32 Comments:

At 9/07/2008 09:44:00 PM, Tom Frost said...: Good on ya, Thrasher! I'm not an American citizen, but for the sake of the world I hope Obama gets elected. He could do diddly-squat for the next four years and he'd still be a better pick than John McCain!

We Canucks have an election coming up as well. I hope my fellow Canadians will wake up, smarten up, and vote Stephen Harper and the Conservatives out of power. They've been nothing but puppets of the Bush administration for as long as they've had control of parliament.
At 9/07/2008 11:05:00 PM, Keith said...: It should be pointed out that we would go a long way toward getting rid of the illegal wiretapping if we took complacent democrats like Obama to task for endorsing the bill that granted immunity to the communications companies complicit in George Bush's crimes. This is after he stated he wouldn't allow that, of course.
Where's the hope for change when so-called progressives don't even challenge Obama on this criminal decision?
Keith
At 9/07/2008 11:20:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Don't even know who I'm voting for, but I know I'm done with this blog.

I read it every day, but I will not give my support (via hit count) to any partisanship shown on a completely inappropriate site.

I'll scrap together Neil news elsewhere.
At 9/08/2008 01:31:00 AM, Drew said...: Good move. Hope it helps sway someone out there.
At 9/08/2008 03:52:00 AM, Anonymous said...: only an ignorant can think that global warming is caused by man
At 9/08/2008 06:45:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Good to see that the Neil Young sycophants, especially the morons who run this web site are as open minded, fair, and well informed as they've always been.
At 9/08/2008 08:58:00 AM, Anonymous said...: So, you support "hope and change"? Well, when your candidate of "change" gets in and the so-called "fairness doctrine" is passed, guess what? It doesn't stop with talk radio. It will also affect every website including yours.

Be careful what you wish for.
At 9/08/2008 09:32:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I am an American citizen, work for a living, and pay taxes so I'd like to think my opinion counts. I also respect other people's political opinions but also feel there is a time and a place for it. A Neil Young blog is not that place. There are a lot of us who couldn't disagree more with Neil when it comes to politics. However, all of us have one thing in common: a love for his music. Let's concentrate on that and leave the politics for other venues ok?
At 9/08/2008 10:26:00 AM, Anonymous said...: "only an ignorant can think that global warming is caused by man"

Who the hell do you think causes it?

Why all the negative reaction to this post? Some very uptight Americans on here! Obama is the right choice, anyone that doesn't realise that is a fool. Surely no McCain supporter can be a NY fan?
At 9/08/2008 11:00:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I am a McCain supporter and like Neil Young. It is interesting to see which supporters resort to name calling (see above). Not everyone subscribes to the religion of global warming either.
At 9/08/2008 11:57:00 AM, Greg McGarvey said...: "Good to see that the Neil Young sycophants, especially the morons who run this web site are as open minded, fair, and well informed as they've always been."

Oh no, you forgot to sign your real name! I can't BELIEVE it! ;)
At 9/08/2008 02:34:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Thrasher,
I am going to vote for McCain/Palin but in the spirit of free speech those that are livid about your comments probably don't belong on the blog anyhow. If Neil takes it upon himself to make political statements here and there why shouldn't you have that right on your excellent blog? Yes, its more fun to debate all things Neil than politics but extreme times for call for extreme measures and most of us can agree that the upcoming election is a pivitol point in our nation's history. The nake calling and negativity though is dissapointing ... I hope the name callers either shape up or walk on ...

I hear some people
been talkin' me down,
Bring up my name,
pass it 'round.
They don't mention
happy times
They do their thing,
I'll do mine.

Ooh baby,
that's hard to change
I can't tell them
how to feel.
Some get stoned,
some get strange,
But sooner or later
it all gets real.

Walk on, walk on,
Walk on, walk on.

Dan
At 9/08/2008 04:36:00 PM, Simpson said...: McCain/Palin supporter here but still love Neil's music...whether I agree with him or not...it's still great!
At 9/08/2008 05:17:00 PM, Martin Lav said...: Come on Thrasher!
Why the position now?
Seems to me that this Neil Young website should remain forever anonymous and have no opinions on outside matters.
Neil Young 24/7 would suffice, but putting a Obama tracker on here is over the top.
Leave the politics to the posters like Cold Bowel of Chili and others and stick to reporting the NY Times.
At 9/08/2008 06:23:00 PM, Jason said...: C'mon Thrasher. Just the music please. I can read about politics everywhere else. This is my sanctuary and escape.
At 9/08/2008 07:37:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Glad to see it Thrasher...I'm sure Neil would be too.
At 9/08/2008 08:18:00 PM, Anonymous said...: These are pretty pathetic reasons why not to like Palin. GET A BRAIN folks - think for yourselves and do some research - there is NO global warming. Scientists are divided on what the data means. Would you want the FDA to release to the public a drug that half of them were "unsure" of what the data on the rats meant? If you don't want drilling for oil, RIDE A BIKE, but my guess is that Neil's fans drive to work (car, bus) like the rest of us. Add to your list that you are "hypocrites" and then maybe you would earn some respect. I have no beef against liberals OR conservatives - but to support some claims without merit, is like burning the witches at the stake - in Salem. Or do you not want to remember what happened there?
At 9/09/2008 05:03:00 AM, RSS said...: Ok, so if TW was out in public wearing an Obama Button would you all feel he was over the top. I really dont care there is an Obama widget on the right. Cool Colors and all. I expect 75% of NY fans are Obama supporters and 25% are for others. All in all this is a great site, great resource and in an election year with so much going on I would expect this site, Thrasher as an individual and millions of others to express their opinions......thats what free speech is about. In the end if you dont like the widgit dont look at it or click on it.

Choice my friends, thats what makes the free world great.......oh and some good music......and cold beer.....and.......and....

Peace
At 9/09/2008 08:41:00 AM, Will Kouf said...: I'm a supporter of Obama so I am glad that you have put it up. Considering how I would feel if you had put up a McCain ad, well I would be frustrated that you were a supporter but this is AMERICA and we have free speech, so there would be no valid reason to oppose it. People are just too sensitive. It's a jpg on the side of a website for god's sake.
At 9/09/2008 12:40:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Ok...to anonymous who thinks that the scientific community is split on global warming...you have been listening to too much Rush and Hannity. The is a consensus amongst those in the community. One would have to read scientific journals and talk to experts to get that info, but those are the facts. Sure, someone like Hannity can trot out a few so-called "experts" (who are oftentimes paid by the anti-environmentalist community) to say something different, but the FACTS are that there is global warming, and it is man-made.

Just using common sense can be quite helpful as well...we burn coal or oil...it produces a bunch of foul smelling shit that gives people cancer and clouds our cities...but it won't have an effect on the planet?? Seriously, if you have other reasons for voting for McCain, that's fine, but please do not use this twisted logic to defend your actions.
At 9/09/2008 06:41:00 PM, horsewifnoanme said...: as for global warming..... I don't know. Hasn't been proved or disproved. I remember something in college about science, not much, but I do remember that hypotheses are proven by using the scientific method, not consensus....
Anyway, Drive on Thrasher! My politics are irrelevent, this is a great site devoted to a great artist.
Peace, Y'all........
At 9/10/2008 05:58:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Good for you for taking a stand, regardless if I agree or not. Politics is not just for politicians and TV, it's every and each one of us!!

It pains me to see so many people, almost, frightful of a political debate. Arguements don't have to lead to insulting, fighting and name calling.
At 9/10/2008 08:41:00 AM, Anonymous said...: I am not an American, I am British a country which foolishly followed America into Iraq, for reasons we can not now rationally explain, even with hindsight.
I have to give you an external viewpoint. The world looks to America for leadership and guidance in regard to ethics, values, economics, environment and religion. The world lost faith in America during the Bush years. We see Obama as a breath of fresh air. His values and vision remind us of the American history we were taught in schools. One of tollerance, one which embraced difference and modernity. McCain is also a step in the right direction. A moderate, rational man.
However, Palin is America's dark side. Her opinions are mis guided, unethical, uneducated but most of all dangerous. Anyone who justifies a war by saying it is a "task that is from God" is far too extreme in their views to be able to make friends in the modern world. This extremist behaviour will destroy America and therefore the world.
I think this is the most important time in Americas history. The American people must reflect on the last 8 years and decide if they want to continue on this path or create the next phase of the countries evolution.
Web sites like this must have an opinion, you can not sit on the fence anymore. It has gone too far. Palin is a puppet to get the extremists vote. But the worrying thing is that you could end up with an extremist Vice President behind a president who to put it bluntly has greater risk of health issues because of his age. This would mean the moderate president is not in power, but the extremist Palin.
America was made on the principles that your leaders learnt from watching the mistakes of Europe. Now you must look at your own mistakes and move on. This will take great courage. Stand up and be counted.
At 9/10/2008 08:47:00 AM, Anonymous said...: come on 'Living With War' is the most political album of the last 20 years and people are saying a site dedicated to the author of that work can not have a political opinion. I welcome any site that puts its political heart on its sleeve and encourages its readers to take an interest in politics. Well done Thrasher!
At 9/10/2008 10:57:00 AM, Anonymous said...: Neil Young has been a special figure to me for 30 of my 45 years. Obama is an arrogant, lying, egomaniac, who will twist the truth anyway he can to get to the White House. I don't appreciate having to see his face when checking on the latest Neil Young news.

David from Virginia
At 9/10/2008 07:27:00 PM, Anonymous said...: You cannot be a Neil Young fan and support the war, the Republicans and John McCain/Sarah Palin-- if you are, you are a clueless moron and Neil Young certainly does not need or, I would venture to say, want your support.

I love how supposed "fans" get incensed when the artists they supposedly love take a stand politically! Look at all the right-wing Bruce fans angry at him... their blue-collar boss just happens to believe in blue-collar politics, and no John McCain with his 7, or 10, houses is ever gonna get Bruce's support!

Good riddance to any "fan" of Neil's who expresses such outrage and declares they will boycott the site. You obviously have never grasped the meaning of Neil's work over 40 years. You right-wingers are going down the toilet with Bush and Cheney and the rest of the war-criminals and right-wing hypocrits! Just look at Sarah "family values" Palin--a son who's a major druggie, a pregnant daughter-- you are so good at telling others how to live, but people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Glad to see the Obama info and once again, send the right-wingers and their moronic brains over to Toby Keith or Heidi Montag's websites!
At 9/10/2008 07:29:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Please remove the Bullshit Obama image from the NEIL YOUNG site. It pisses me off everytime I see it. I'm gonna check back in a few days and if it's still there I'm outta here!

David in VA
At 9/10/2008 07:42:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Bye, Dave, I hear Heidi Montag has some really good songs and she's a McCain supporter!
At 9/10/2008 09:17:00 PM, Anonymous said...: Courage Thrasher, courage.

Dave
At 9/13/2008 12:16:00 AM, Mason Flint said...: Free speech is cool. I happent to agree with Thrasher but even if I didn't I'd be ok with it. Hell, it's his blog.

PS. McCain is a former cool man who sold his sole to try to win the presidency. Sort of sad when you think about it.
At 9/13/2008 12:32:00 AM, Mason Flint said...: PS. He sold his "soul", not his "sole." :)
At 2/18/2009 09:32:00 AM, the campaigner said...: na, you were right the first time Mason....you just left out the "are" in front of sole.