Mellencamp: It's Time to Take Back Our Country

argentine soccer fan · Oct 28, 2003

Originally posted by Mel Brennan
Here:

...The song "To Washington" was met with criticism and was labeled an anti-war song. That was not at all the case or intention; it was merely a report of the political climate, in the age-old tradition of the troubadour spreading the news through song and story. Professionally, we, the Mellencamps, have the opportunity to travel extensively, and we take full advantage of that by talking to, listening to, and experiencing the diversity our vast country has to offer. The lyrics of "To Washington" are not just a personal opinion, but also the view from a very wide horizon.

Who is to say what is or isn't "patriotic?" Do the flags that wave from every minivan really offer any support? Where is the support for the thousands of service men and women who return to the states to see their benefits cut, their health problems ignored, their jobs gone and their families living in poverty? How are they repaid for their efforts; for risking or losing their lives? So far, dismally.

This nation was founded to enable freedom and diversity of opinion, and many lives have been lost to secure that liberty. Paradoxically, some still resist the open mindedness that is the very foundation of this country.

The Governor of California was removed from office based on finance troubles. And yet George W Bush has lied to us, failed to keep our own borders secure, entered a war under false pretense, endangered lives, and created financial chaos. How is it that he hasn't been recalled? Perhaps this time we could even have a real election . . . but that wouldn't fit the Bush administration's "take what you want and fire people later" policy. Take an election; take an oil field; take advantage of your own people -- a game of political Three-Card Monte.

The fight for freedom in this country has been long, painful, and ongoing. It is time to take back our country. Take it back from political agendas, corporate greed and overall manipulation. It is time to take action here in our land, in our own schools, neighborhoods, farms, and businesses. We have been lied to and terrorized by our own government, and it is time to take action. Now is the time to come together.
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Here are the lyrics that he is defending:

Eight years of peace and prosperity
Scandal in the White House
An election is what we need
From coast-to-coast to Washington

So America voted on a president
No one kept count
On how the election went
From Florida to Washington

Goddamn said one side
And the other said the same
Both looked pretty guilty
But no one took the blame
From coast-to-coast to Washington

So a new man in the White House
With a familiar name
Said he had some fresh ideas
But it's worse now since he came
From Texas to Washington

And he wants to fight with many
And he says it's not for oil
He sent out the National Guard
To police the world
From Baghdad to Washington

What is the thought process
To take a human's life
What would be the reason
To think that this is right
from heaven to Washington
from Jesus Christ to Washington

This guy obviously does not have the clever subtlety of a Bob Dylan when writing protest songs. I don't know which is more pathetic, his song or his explanation.

Anyway, I give him credit for one thing. Although he was once a great rocker in the mold of Springsteen and Bob Seger, I doubt any one of us has even thought about John (Cougar) Mellencamp, let alone listen to his music, in at least over a decade. But now we are suddenly discussing him, so maybe he is not as stupid as he appears to be.

Clever marketing. Go check his anti-Bush political statement and get a link to purchase his new album. I love free enterprise. Is this a great country or what?

afgrijselijkheid · Oct 28, 2003

maybe when you marry a fine model chick your songwriting skills deteriorate