Is this why the US is in the shape it is today?

[cynatnite]

Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow sang a duet at the rally. It bugged me and I couldn't figure out why until I read the lyrics. It struck me as being very self-defeating and an excuse for not doing anything. Maybe the US's problems is that many of us feel powerless because problems are overwhelming. Maybe many of us have grown too accepting of our powerlessness and are now unwilling to change that.

Here are the lyrics that bothered me...

I hear screaming on the left, yelling on the right,
I’m sitting in the middle trying to live my life.
Because I can’t stop the war, shelter homeless, feed the poor.
I can’t walk on water, can’t save your sons and daughters.
I can’t change the world and make things better.
But the least that I can do… is care.

*******

Am I seeing this wrong?

[virgogal]

1. Nope,you are right. Caring is wonderful but doesn't put food on

the table.

The lyrics are a real downer.

[MedicalAdmin]

12. It's endemic and it's a right wing meme.

I read an editorial in the local fish wrap where this retired white rw gas bag talked about disabled veterans and right after suggesting that all readers spend a little time atthe local VA he went on to say that the best thing anyone could do for the disabled veterans was ... ( not fund support, expand needed mental health services, support vet families, or even bring the damn troops home) was to honor and respect them.

And this rw meme is e erywhere these days. Screw giving vets enough funding for care, or free education. No what veterans need is honor and respect.

Hey every one - go put a ribbon sticker on you SUV. But don't slow down for the homeless guy. It'll only encourage him.


It makes me want to puke.

[PDJane]

2. No. You aren't.

It's a very catchy tune, but it's defeatist......and more of the same old brainwashing.

[xor]

3. More likely erosion and tectonic plate stuff shaped it.

Ahem. In all seriousness, don't people from all time and all places ask similar questions about their current predicament? Us normal people always have been fairly powerless in the grand scheme of things. At least now technology seems to make things a little less bleak, no? Then again, a 200 years ago I probably could have just packed up my stuff and head west if I felt like things were bad... I also wouldn't have huge quantities of information about the US government slaughtering native Americans either, thus making me feel like I should be doing something to stop it, but unable. Blah. I don't know, I'm just rambling and talking nonsense, huh?

[snagglepuss]

9. Technology may have contributed to a sense that problems are overwhelming.

Technology is a two edged sword. If settlers saw HD photos of their potential living conditions would so many have made the trip? We no longer have the bliss of ignorance.


Welcome to DU. :hi:

[RZM]

4. I'm not sure they necessarily have an obligation to do a whole lot or encourage people to do things

I guess I have a different take on it than you. Not better or worse, just different. The lyrics are supposed to reflect a certain feeling I guess and I don't necessarily expect musicians to have any certain type of message in their lyrics.

All of this reminded me of this clip, which I'm surprised was easily found. It's the fourth video from the top on the page.

http://clutch.mtv.com/2010/10/04/6-amazing-videos-of-odb-from-the-mtv-archives/

[cynatnite]

5. I think I was looking for something more empowering from the rally...

rather than a big finger wag at the media. Your comments made me realize this.

[RZM]

7. I was watching for the entertainment and out of curiousity

Not saying that's the only way people should have approached it, but that's how I see Stewart and Colbert in general. I did most of my Daily Show watching in the Kilborn/early Stewart years, so I wasn't really there as the show shifted more into seriousness and actual importance. I thought it was lots of fun and I did like Stewart's comments at the end. I was also curious how DU would react, since the 'finger wag' was also I think directed at people who genuinely despise their opponents, not just the media (of course not everyone here despises the right -- but a lot do I think). It was interesting that the reaction at first seemed quite positive, but as time as passed and people like Bill Maher and KO have taken issue with his comments, it seems that much of the initial euphoria has worn off.

[blue sky at night]

6. what a load of shit...

not true, whiney fucks.

[Hannah Bell]

8. yeah, it's crap. caring about things you're powerless over is a fast ticket to crazy street.

however, we're not powerless, & kid rock & sheryl "one piece of toilet paper" crow could do a hell of a lot more than they do. gag, they make me sick. the musicians in my neighborhood sing better than they do.

[TheKentuckian]

10. I think too much is being asked from the musicians

I don't subscribe to the fatalism but that doesn't mean they shouldn't express what seems to be a common, if not dominate feeling among people.

Sometimes you gotta cry it out before you can see a path forward.

It is music...

I think the medium is under no obligation to lead and inspire though I appreciate it when it does.

[cynatnite]

13. I felt the song was a reflection of the American mentality as a whole. n/t

[RainDog]

11. LOL! what a worthless piece of tripe!!!

I wasn't at the rally and I didn't hear this. I started watching the rally and didn't watch all of it because, after a while, it seemed sort of worthless to me.

this song, tho... this song is the PERFECT song for people who are comfortable in their own life and don't want to have to give a shit or work to change anything.

it's the PERFECT DISCONNECTED FROM REALITY privileged American song.

"I'm sitting here in the middle trying to live my life." ROCK STARS are the middle? The wealthy are the middle? Or, rather, those who lives are so easy they don't want to have to listen to others who have issues that need to be addressed. Or those who want to remain uninformed b/c it's easier? that's not caring.

that's not giving a shit and pretending you do.

[southernyankeebelle]

14. This isn't the can do spirit of the liberal america I know. We may be alittle down but

give us alittle time and we will come back fighting to put WE THE PEOPLE first. Don't know how but I have trust my fellow libs.