John Mellencamp Attacks President Bush In Open Letter

[Spazito]

John Mellencamp has lashed out at President George W. Bush and America's foreign policy. In an open letter he co-wrote with his wife Elaine, Mellencamp blasts the powers that be for demonizing as "anti-American and unpatriotic" anyone who questions the policies of the U.S. government and the war in Iraq (news - web sites). Mellencamp uses words and phrases like "systematically lied to," "the political 'hijacking' of Iraq," "this misadventure," and "the globe's leading bully. Arrogant and thoughtless" to describe the current situation, before writing, "Now, each day, as the dust settles and the truth slowly surfaces, more and more people come to the inevitable conclusion of what a debacle this whole war was."



Mellencamp adds, "The word 'Democracy' means literally 'by the people.' This is the basis of our government and society. It is what this country was founded upon and what makes us American. It is not just our 'right' but also our duty to speak out and voice our thoughts and opinions. How, then, was it possible that, in the land of freedom, those who opposed the common opinion were called...'un-American?' Resentfully, we wonder...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."

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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1499&e=2&u=/launch/214927

[NashVegas]

1. The Horse's Mouth

http://www.mellencamp.com/peacefulworld/index2.html

AN OPEN LETTER FROM JOHN & ELAINE MELLENCAMP

As the echo of the war drums fades away and the angry masses calling for blood slowly disperse, we, as a nation must now confront the truth. We face the unpleasant reality of an uncertain future, compromised safety, a failing economy, and the question of how a society of otherwise reasonable citizens was systematically lied to and manipulated into backing the political “hijacking” of Iraq.

[robbob]

2. Great letter!

Make sure to give the story a high rating!

[proud patriot]

3. Rate it

Good for Them :bounce:

[Pale_Rider]

4. I did ...

... bring it up to a rating of 4.33 with 144 votes!

[Wickerman]

5. Rated and a nod to John and Elaine

Mellencamp has taken some hits over in the lounge in the past, but his heart is pure and Dem ethic is solid - lets see a lot more of this from other celebs. Take a stand.

great letter.

[NashVegas]

13. I Think it was the 1996 Convention

When Indiana was called on for its delegate votes, the speaker did the usual 'why my state is best' chest-beating and included something along the lines of "the salt of the earth that is John Mellencamp."

[Wickerman]

17. nicely put eom

[Beetwasher]

6. Ain't That America!

For you and me!

Yeah, let them try to "Dixie Chick" Mellencamp. Think about it, this guy changed his name to Mellencamp and got away w/ it. You've GOT to be talented to pull that one off!

[RandomKoolzip]

8. No, he changed it FROM "Cougar" back to Mellencamp

which was his family's name.

As for the letter, let me quote the title of his best album: "Uh-huh."

[Beetwasher]

9. That's what I meant...

I was aware of that...Still, to pull it off, I mean, Mellencamp?

[PROGRESSIVE1]

7. This is true patriotism! It's not all about waving the flag....

and saying that one loves their country and blindly supporting the pResident: such is the case in the Country Music establishment which since has become a GOP Radio with the propagandistic, xenophobic, bigoted, ignorant nationalism of Toby Keith, Darryl Worley, Charlie Daniels and a host of other "Hee-Haws"!!!

We on the the Progressive side of the aisle want to find the problems and fix them! We have no problem critisizing the problems with our great nation because we want to FIX THEM! We want this country to be strong and just and a model for the world to follow!
Mr. Mellencamp has my respect!!! Thank you sir!

[onehandle]

10. I'm buying his entire catalog....

Thanks, John!

[progressiverealist]

20. good move, regardless of politics

You won't be sorry. Excellent songwriter!

[tlcandie]

11. Little pink houses for you and me!!!

:loveya: Yay Mellencamp!! :bounce:

[cliss]

12. John should write a song

next. That would have an even greater impact. He's an awesome song writer, the 'salt of the earth', Americana. He'd be able to pull it off.

What's Bruce Springsteen's position on the war? I know he just released an album about 9/11, but I don't think he was critical of the Bushmeisters. I think it was more a sympathy CD.

[Beetwasher]

14. The Boss Was Bush Bashing During His Sold Out Tour!

The Boss is decidely anti-Bush!

[JitterbugPerfume]

16. now aint that America

you and me

aint that America land of the free

little pink houses for you and me

my sister taught his two little boys in school in Bloomington Indiana she said Elaine is very beautiful and John is really nice and drop dead handsome

[stevebreeze]

22. he has it was on his last album

The corp media has not been playing Meloncamp though. He wrote new lyrics for the song "To Washington". I think it's a great album.
:kick:

[DemonFighterLives]

15. Rain 0n the scarecrow, blood on the plow

You tell em John. This man is a true blue american.

[salin]

25. this was, imo, his breakthrough album/song

went from being a rising pop/rock star... to a man with a message (and some chutzpah- this was taking on the damage wraught in the heartland by the reagonfolks)... with some fine artistry.

He has done some great work. Blends blues, rock, and edgy folk.

[fishnfla]

18. I've been a JCM fan for 20+ years

He's great!

[progressiverealist]

19. yups. He's great... me too.

By the way go flyin' fish! Beat 'dem Yankees!

(from a Brewers fan)

[argyl]

21. Why don't these traitors leave policy to the "grownups" around Smirk?

Seriously, our right wing controlled media isn't so far gone that they won't continue to print what our celebrities have to say. Maybe they consider it entertainment but these articulate messages still find their way to the public,regardless of the motive.

Here's to the Mellencamps,Dixie Chicks,Steve Earles,Springsteens,Garafalos,Baldwins,Julia Robertses,and the many more who speak what we believe to an audience we individually will never have.I've left out many;bless them too.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

23. Excellent letter!!!!!!!!!!!

[Myra]

24. Thanks John & Ben for using your celebrity to try to make the world better

You're real deal.

Good week for outspoken celebrities.
Thanks to Ben Affleck too.

It takes guts to speak out and risk
punitive blacklisting and loss of income
from the 'Mercan fascist party.
You both got guts.

[wherewingstakedream]

26. Wow Great Great Letter

Eloquent, thoughtful, and so true!!! It makes Arnold , Dennis Miller and Whistle Ass look so pathetic!!! Love you John. I am so proud to be of your generation.. I am so glad you wrote this. It needs to be read by every American.. You are a true patriot!!

[Yavin4]

27. Can't We Run Him For Something

Geez Louise! If they can run Ahnold, why can't we run him?

Mellencamp for Senate!!!

[ConcernedCanuk]

28. Great letter, now THERE'S what America needs more of in the WH !!!

. . Story presently rated - " Avg Rating: 4.00, 329 votes "

. . RATE HERE
at bottom of article

and WELL worth the read while you are at it !!

[Red_Storm]

29. Great letter ...........

wish more artists besides Springteen and Mellencamp would speak out in public against Bush..........

[bushisanidiot]

30. Yeah, Baby! The Tide is Turning! EVERYONE HATES AWOL!

his 9/11 five minutes are OVAH!!