Tuesday, October 21, 2008

"Righting what he's done wrong": Powell Endorses Obama

Colin-Barack.jpg


As others have pointed out, once again Neil Young comes away with being startling "prescient" with 2006's "Lookin for a Leader".

The song contains the lyrics:
"Maybe it's Obama, but he thinks he's too young
Maybe it's Colin Powell to right what he's done wrong"

And this weekend, former Joint Chief of Staff and Secretary of State Colin Powell tried to right what he'd done wrong by endorsing Obama.

Even the New York Times makes the connection:
Former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell’s endorsement of Senator Barack Obama on Sunday represented his own transformative moment in a lifelong journey through war and politics.

It was not only an embrace of a presidential candidate from the other party, but also an effort to reshape a legacy that he himself considers tainted by his service under President Bush.

The endorsement, which came after months of conversations between Mr. Powell and Mr. Obama on a wide range of foreign and domestic policy issues, made clear Mr. Powell’s dismay at the Republican Party. He said he felt that the party had become too conservative under Mr. Bush, and that Senator John McCain’s campaign was not good for the country or its reputation around the world.

(For our international readers, this may help to put the endorsement in context and it's importance to the U.S. political debate.)

hillary-clinton-barack-obama.jpg
Hillary Clinton & Barack Obama


Earlier this year, we had remarked on another cosmic convergence in the song "Lookin for a Leader".

For sometime now, Neil has been sending us postcards from the future.

But do we understand them? Apparently, not too well.

We've been long intrigued by these often cryptic messages which eventually resonate. Take the lines in the prophetic "After the Goldrush":
"Look at Mother Nature on the run in the 1970's"

We might not have really gripped what that was all about back in 1970 but we sure do today with the global environmental crisis finally beginning to make an impact upon business as usual.

And then of course there is our beloved -- yet widely maligned -- Greendale. We saw Greendale as an update on "After the Goldrush" and also remarkably prescient. It was, the inconvenient truth of Greendale.

So what will Neil's next postcard from the future be? Although the new songs like "Just Singin' A Song" are not exactly resonating with many, we think there's a lot to be found in the song. Clearly, the Linc-Volt effort is the literal interpretation of the song, but how all this plays out -- who knows.

ps - You may want to read this letter on neilyoung.com.

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33 Comments:

At 10/21/2008 05:56:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for this site, I wanted to learn more about Neil Young as I was considering going to an upcoming concert. Not anymore. I'm voting for McCain, and most likely will be shutting down our small construction business when this U.S.of A converts to Canadian and U.K. socialist style government. I will then thank Neil and Hollywood for supporting me, my education, and my healthcare as I most likely will be applying for welfare services. Spread the Wealth! Tax small business (4 or more employees) take away my guns, place restrictions on my property rights and do away with the constitution... Is that really what Neil stands for? I guess I didn't hear that in his music before, yet I'm very thankful for this blog for now I am informed. I'll skip the concert of Obamination. Thanks Bloggers
( Ted Nugent for President ) TW, Seattle Washington.

 
At 10/21/2008 07:48:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Stay home.....Your loss, buddy

 
At 10/21/2008 08:42:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey first poster troll guy. There's so many holes in the shit you spew you must have stolen Palin's brain, or whatever she has in there. Thanks for not tarnishing a prophet's concert by showing up, I'm sure he won't mind.

 
At 10/21/2008 09:48:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Heh, Obama's doing away with the constitution? "Patriot Act, all constitutional guarantees are in place." "A wiretap requires a court order." ~ Beloved President of the USA, George Bush

Let's impeach the president for spying
on citizens inside their own homes,
breaking every law in the country,
tapping our computers and telephones!

~Steel Madsen

 
At 10/21/2008 09:49:00 PM, Blogger RSS said...

personally i am here for the music and neil news. this type of thread is a bit troublesome to me. i dont mind the discourse, however, i question whether TW is the venue. i say this having contributed both money and content to the site. i would think that a link to another site or related blog is more appropriate.

all that said, I know thrasher is a committed individual and has his views both politically and musically. i respect both.

i'd ust keep the political down a bit.....but i will still come here for entertainment and relief from my day job world and will still listen to neil young music....and will go to more of his shows.....

cheers from europe....an american who has already voted by the way....

 
At 10/21/2008 10:35:00 PM, Anonymous Simpson said...

Really do agree with what RSS said above. I come here to learn about Neil Young...not politics.

Personally...if we're gonna post our political thoughts...here's my two cents. I was rather upset when I found out Powell switched sides to support Obama...when he was all for going into Iraq and one of Bush's top generals...and now he's with Obama...

Honestly, I think it's only because he's a fellow African American. I am not racist so nobody better flip on me for that...but I have way too many black friends who are voting for Obama just because he is black...and he's not even 100% black...but something tells me that isn't right.

And I'm sorry to talk about this Thrasher...and I know it's obvious both you and Neil support Obama...but unless you want to turn away many fans of Neil Young and Thrashers Wheat who are not huge fans of Obama...I suggest you have more solely "Neil-related" posts and not huge posts on only Obama and try to connect it with Neil's song. Yeah, that's cool to mention Neil's song...but the politics on this site are starting to lean a little too left for some...

 
At 10/21/2008 11:00:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh, boy, you guys are asking for it. The disciples will not stand for even the slightest whiff of dissatisfaction with anything to do with their "prophet". Better run for cover.

 
At 10/21/2008 11:46:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Simpson-

Did you watch Powell's endorsement? He explained, logically, why he's supporting Obama. It has nothing to do with race. "He's not even 100% black...I have way too many black friends?" Who are you trying to fool? This isn't about race (as much as you make yourself believe it is), it's about who has the intelligence to get us out of the mess we're in. I'll agree for the purposes of this site, a fan site, it might not be completely ideal to dive into politics too heavily, but Neil's a political person, always has been, it's part of who he is, and a part of what many of us love about him.

 
At 10/21/2008 11:58:00 PM, Anonymous horsewifnoname said...

Of course it's not about race, It's about Powell. He likes to be on the winning team, he did the same thing in 2000, endorsed Bush in the last few weeks when it was apparent Bush would beat McCain. This endorsement is not that big of a deal really.
I also come here for info on Neil and not politics, but I have no problem with anyone's point of view, free speech is a good thing, eh?

 
At 10/22/2008 02:43:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Americans, PLEASE vote in Obama, for the sake of the rest of the world. This is the only time I will ever post a comment about anything other than Neil / music news but I think it needs to be said. Seriously, how can anyone even contemplate the possibility of McCain getting into power? He himself isn’t up to the job so just imagine what will happen if Sarah Palin ends up in charge somehow!


And to the idiot that posted the first comment.. "take away my guns" yes that would be a good idea, guns are nothing but trouble you know.

 
At 10/22/2008 04:35:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Obama for president = the financial crisis will stop.
McCain for president = the financial crisis will continue.

 
At 10/22/2008 05:31:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

McCain for president = disaster

 
At 10/22/2008 06:28:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Has Neil come out and endorsed anyone yet. I do not think so!!! Obama has issues with America just look at he has associated with in the past (Wright,Reyzco,Ayers). We are not talking one vacation on turtle Island which only one person is standing up to talk about it so many years later(questionable) Politics is about history and looking at both men and their history, one seemed to serve its Country while the other was part of US hate mongering and playing with Mafiaso's. In office who ever wins will be surrounded by America's smart people but mistakes happen like Powell, did you see his catoon cariture of mobile mass weapons when trying to justify the Iraq war. Yeah right, I wouldn't push powell's endorsment.

Go McCain/Palin

 
At 10/22/2008 06:39:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

HOW CAN ANYONE VOTE FOR ANYONE WHO VOTED FOR THE BAILOUT ??? !!!
$ 800 BILLION DOLLARS OF OUR $ FOR THE BANKS AND WALL ST. !!
THEYRE BOTH BUMS.

VOTE RALPH NADER for HONESTY

 
At 10/22/2008 09:00:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Go McCain/Palin"

Yeah, go as far away from the White House as you possibly can.

 
At 10/22/2008 09:03:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

McCain would be a terrible choice for president, and Sarah Palin is just a psycho, just imagine what would happen if she was to gain any power!


America, please don’t vote for these two jokers.

 
At 10/22/2008 12:12:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"In tis world" sounds like a neil son!!!!!

There are people that facilitate and then there are those who just talk about it,

My freinds,

ITS TIME FOR FACILITATORS

Just to be a good talker (oBama And biDen) is not going to cut in todays climate.

Look at their historys if your not sure, its like adding 1+1 and you will come up with a MaCain Palin vote.

Don't waste your vote for a quick cosmetic fix. MaCain & Palin might not be as polished as the other two but they get things done.

The who said it;

Don't get fooled again!!!!!

 
At 10/22/2008 01:10:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Right!

Don't get fooled again!!!!!

Learn from the last eight years of White House mess.

 
At 10/22/2008 02:27:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

oBama And biDen same Washington retoric as the last 8 years.

McCain and Palin are misfits for Wahington. They don't fit the mold but oBama And biDen do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now who is the real change?

Thats McCain/Palin; Vote for them

"don't get fooled again".

 
At 10/22/2008 02:57:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

and again...

 
At 10/22/2008 03:09:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama says the country needs a leader who "understands the connection between our economy and our strength in the world," adding that rival John McCain's policies would continue to endanger the nation's economy and security.

He's right on this one!

 
At 10/22/2008 05:00:00 PM, Blogger Berry said...

If you vote for Obama, here is what you are voting for:

Over 1 trillion in new government spending and a higher national debt

Higher taxes for all

A weak military

Failure/retreat in Iraq

No new oil drilling for oil in American territories

Government sponsored health care

Supreme Court justices that make laws from the bench, rather than upholding the constitution

More people asking “how can the government help me” rather than asking “how can I help myself”

Is this good or bad – you decide.

 
At 10/22/2008 05:44:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Berry,

Can you provide some links to Obama's web campaign site that specifically lists these issues as part of his campaign platform?

Oh, you can't? Well, then I guess you're just wrong about Obama then. And spreading lies.

Obama/Biden '08

 
At 10/22/2008 05:55:00 PM, Anonymous horsewifnoname said...

you gotta be kidding me...
"Obama for president = the financial crisis will stop.
McCain for president = the financial crisis will continue."

Please, this is a ridiculous statement. No matter who is elected, the financial crisis will continue. I really don't understand why either of these guys would WANT to be president, there is a big mess to clean up.
Economic stimulus packages and bailouts are only going to postpone the crash, higher taxes will hasten it. Government needs to get out of the way and quit tinkering with stuff that they are gonna f*** up like the government is prone to do. Bigger government and more programs and more beauracracy is the last thing we need, but both of these guys seem likely to encourage that.
One more thing, higher taxes is the best way to ensure that the economy is slow to recover........
peace, y'all

 
At 10/22/2008 08:49:00 PM, Anonymous Simpson said...

Hate arguing about politics...but the last person that raised taxes during a recession was Hoover...and you all know how that turned out. Does nobody learn from history? "WE HAVE ALL BEEN HERE BEFORE!" JESUS!

Anyway...since this site is about Neil and politics...I found this on YouTube. There's a SUPER 8 PRO SHOT documentary film of Pearl Jam on their 2004 Vote for Change tour...yeah...you can all assume what that was about if you didn't know.

Well, Neil is in the documentary, which I want to find on DVD so bad, but the whole thing is on YouTube. I haven't watched it all yet...but I've seen two clips of Neil Young & Pearl Jam playing "All Along The Watchtower" and a rehearsal of "Cortez The Killer" in a hockey rink.

ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVAS8mYDB_E

CORTEZ THE KILLER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeFGs4BfNq8

Pretty amazing footage I had never seen before! Check it out!

 
At 10/22/2008 09:18:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So Simpson where do get that Obama will raise taxes???
90% of taxpayers will have a cut. So unless you're making more than 500K I wouldn't worry too much.

 
At 10/23/2008 02:27:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Didn’t McCain accuse Obama of supporting both teams in the world series? He’s getting a bit desperate now it seems, probably because he can sense that he aint winning this election.

 
At 10/23/2008 02:29:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Palin MUST be stopped. We can't let her anywhere near the White House.

 
At 10/23/2008 09:14:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

So someone doesn't think that Neil has taken a postion on the race?

It's pretty clear from the link above to the letter on Neil's site who he's not supporting. McCain's temper is too much of a danger.

I don't anyone with his temperment near the red button.

 
At 10/23/2008 11:50:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

powell f'upped the americans so bad when he put together that cartoon in regards to getting the US to go to war, that his party won't take him seriosly anymore. So what he does to get a job he jumps ship and Obama take him in. Obama does not take history seriosly or he would'nt put him is cabinet. He is the type "learn by my mistakes not history" The fact is that Obama thinks his shit smells different and it can't happen to him. The US can't take this chance.

Vote for McCain/Palin the better of 2 evils

 
At 10/23/2008 07:49:00 PM, Blogger Ben said...

Wait, are you saying Obama is putting Powell in his cabinet? At least learn what you're talking about before you form an opinion.

 
At 10/24/2008 02:47:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

How can anyone think McCain/Palin would be a good thing?? Go see a doctor you fools!

 
At 10/29/2008 11:43:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did anyone catch Bill Clinton tonight endorsing Obama as "the man to get us out of the ditch we are in." Is Bubba a fan of Neil? Must be. I post this as an true independent (albeit left leaning), who doesn't care/worry about politics most of the time.

 

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