"Chords for Change" OpEd by Bruce Springsteen in tomorrow's NYT

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/05/opinion/05bruce.html

Amazing...last four paragraphs below

I don't think John Kerry and John Edwards have all the answers. I do believe they are sincerely interested in asking the right questions and working their way toward honest solutions. They understand that we need an administration that places a priority on fairness, curiosity, openness, humility, concern for all America's citizens, courage and faith.

People have different notions of these values, and they live them out in different ways. I've tried to sing about some of them in my songs. But I have my own ideas about what they mean, too. That is why I plan to join with many fellow artists, including the Dave Matthews Band, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., the Dixie Chicks, Jurassic 5, James Taylor and Jackson Browne, in touring the country this October. We will be performing under the umbrella of a new group called Vote for Change. Our goal is to change the direction of the government and change the current administration come November.

Like many others, in the aftermath of 9/11, I felt the country's unity. I don't remember anything quite like it. I supported the decision to enter Afghanistan and I hoped that the seriousness of the times would bring forth strength, humility and wisdom in our leaders. Instead, we dived headlong into an unnecessary war in Iraq, offering up the lives of our young men and women under circumstances that are now discredited. We ran record deficits, while simultaneously cutting and squeezing services like afterschool programs. We granted tax cuts to the richest 1 percent (corporate bigwigs, well-to-do guitar players), increasing the division of wealth that threatens to destroy our social contract with one another and render mute the promise of "one nation indivisible."

It is through the truthful exercising of the best of human qualities - respect for others, honesty about ourselves, faith in our ideals - that we come to life in God's eyes. It is how our soul, as a nation and as individuals, is revealed. Our American government has strayed too far from American values. It is time to move forward. The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.

[gristy]

1. Anyone know where to get info on the tour?

Where and when are they playing? Where can I get tickets?!

[flpoljunkie]

3. Link to ACT and "Vote for Change" Tour information...

http://actforvictory.org/vote_for_change/index.php

[Cha]

2. This was my dream that "The Dixie Chicks" tour for the Dems &

this is Even Better!

[Cha]

4. This is what democrats.com has to say about

Springsteen ..
"After Giving Bush the Benefit of the Doubt in 2001, Springsteen Speaks Out against the Evil Empire
Right after 9/11, Bruce Springsteen got caught up, like so many, in the patriotic fever inspired by the tragedy and exploited to the hilt by the Bush administration. But now it's 2004 - two wars, tens of thousands of Afghan and Iraqi lives and hundreds of US soldiers lives later, and Springsteen has helped to form the Vote for Change coalition, dedicated to making sure G. W. Bush doesn't treat America to another four years of hell. "We're trying to put forward a group of progressive ideals and change the administration in the White House," Springsteen told The Associated Press in the most overtly political statements of his 30-year career. "That's the success or failure, very clear cut and very simple."Springsteen said he didn't fear any backlash over going public with his personal politics. "It's a pretty clear-cut decision in November," said Springsteen, whose songs have provided a backdrop for some Kerry events. "We're chipping in our two cents. That's all we're trying to do."

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. Bruce Springsteen is a REAL AMERICAN!

[vickie]

6. what a beautiful oped...

the soul of a working man's poet - that's Bruce for ya... he's amazing!

[Eric J in MN]

7. Thanks. Bruce Springsteen isn't just a good songwriter, he's a

good writer, period.

[HuckleB]

8. Bruu-uuce!

Great piece. Whether you like his music or not, you've got to respect him as a human being. Thank God and Greyhound he's here!

[DaveinMD]

9. I love Bruce

more and more every day. He's a great man. I hope the tour is really successful.

[sonias]

10. The country we carry in our hearts is waiting.

That's the truth Bruce. And we all have to get off our butts and help save it.


Sonia

[klook]

11. There's a brightness on the edge of town

and I feel it getting brighter.

"Some folks are born into a good life
Other folks get it anyway anyhow"

I'm glad to see John Fogerty, Bonnie Raitt, and James Taylor are on some of these tour dates, too!

Keep on chooglin'.

[Dudley_DUright]

12. Very powerful criticism

since he points out, like Clinton, that he is one of the 1% that has benefited financially from Bush's tax cuts.

(corporate bigwigs, well-to-do guitar players)

His true patriotism and love of country comes through both in this powerful op-ed as well as in his music. Time to enhance my collection of Sringsteen music.