# I Pit the Concert for Valor **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 12, 2014, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396 "2014-11-12T01:26:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/1 "2014-11-12T01:26:10Z")
Is Valor hurting for money? Is Valor research underfunded? Is Valor being discriminated against? I dunno why for sure, but HBO’s “Concert for Valor” strikes me as an incredibly crass exercise in marketing manipulation. Ok, that’s it, I got nuttin’ else. Boo HBO, and Valor, I’m very disappointed in you – allowing yourself to get used like a rented mule. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/2 "2014-11-12T01:39:07Z")
I’m not a fan of any kind of emotional flogging of veterans/soldiers’ service for the masses. Not only is it crass, it’s puerile and saccharine and simplistic. It seems that if we post enough FB rah-rahs and have some concerts, everyone will ignore how badly returning vets are treated. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/3 "2014-11-12T01:49:11Z")
link? ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/4 "2014-11-12T01:49:39Z")
I’m all for treating veterans right, getting them all the health care they need, free tuition, whatever. But the soldier worship is getting out of hand. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/5 "2014-11-12T02:04:17Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’m all for treating veterans right, getting them all the health care they need, free tuition, whatever. But the soldier worship is getting out of hand. Yeah, it’s so freaking irritating. Especially on Veterans Day. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/6 "2014-11-12T02:16:20Z")
I don’t have a link. I’ve just seen ads for it for months, and I saw on the channel guide that it’s on tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/7 "2014-11-12T02:23:15Z")
I’m not sure how valor is being marketed. It’s HBO. They aren’t selling Super Bowl ads for a jillion dollars a minute. I don’t like the use of the word valor in the title, however. Service, as respectable and commendable as it is, simply isn’t the same as valor. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/8 "2014-11-12T03:28:04Z")
With a negative attitude like that, we’re never going to have a cure for valor. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/9 "2014-11-12T03:31:06Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > With a negative attitude like that, we’re never going to have a cure for valor. I nominate you for Valordictorian. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/10 "2014-11-12T07:32:30Z")
My opinion of this depends on if the setlist sucks. [Official website link](http://www.theconcertforvalor.com/). Hmm, I don’t feel better, but it could be worse I guess? I’d happily go if it were free… Heh. [They played Fortunate Son](http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/anti-military-anthem-played-concert-valor_818921.html). It’s patriotic, if you listen to the first half of the first verse. > [@GrumpyBunny](#): > > I’m not a fan of any kind of emotional flogging of veterans/soldiers’ service for the masses. Not only is it crass, it’s puerile and saccharine and simplistic. It seems that if we post enough FB rah-rahs and have some concerts, everyone will ignore how badly returning vets are treated. Okay, that’s it! You used up your adjective budget for the month. Also discriminatory against our allies, who can’t sufficiently demonstrate their “valour.” Jessie J (had to look up who that was) can’t live on “valor.” And not sure how Rihanna spells it. ---
**Author:** ![Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/section_maker_jupe/32/1424_2.png) [@Section\_Maker\_Jupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Section_Maker_Jupe)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/11 "2014-11-12T08:04:57Z")
I only saw a small part of it…just the weirdest thing. I turned on TV,and the Metallica set had just started, i had no intention of watching, but as soon as it started I couldnt look away !!..It reminded me of that Team America puppet movie with the…"America,Fuck Yeah!!"song/slogan… officers and enlisted guys and blond girls etc were doing t he heavy metal head throwing dance and giving hand signs…USA USA chant after each song …it was almost angry in a militaristic way (Metallica IS pretty gnarly adrenaline inducing music IMO) If I was a simple anti-USA/terrorist/whatever person somewhere and saw that video, with the thousands of people massed together, and the white house lit up in the distance, and the scene cuts to the Washington monument…that whole Great Satan thing might really make sense…but I would also think, “dont mess with these people, they are insane warriors”:eek: and then Bruce Springsteen came on and played some acoustic guitar and harmonica, and the moment was gone…weird. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/12 "2014-11-12T17:06:18Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I don’t like the use of the word valor in the title, however. Service, as respectable and commendable as it is, simply isn’t the same as valor. Correct. The word “valor” is generally included in citations for things like a Bronze or Silver Star or other high-ranking medal. Cleaning the shitters or serving chipped beef is not really valorous. ---
**Author:** ![theR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@theR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theR)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/13 "2014-11-12T17:32:19Z")
Just to answer some of the factual questions about the event, the event website states that “100% of the money raised for from this event will be donated to organizations that create positive, lasting changes for veterans and their families.” A number of those veterans support organizations were involved and are listed on the “support” page of the website. It did also have corporate sponsors like Chase and Starbucks. It’s not clear to me how they’re actually making money other than donations since tickets were free. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/14 "2014-11-12T18:04:07Z")
My wife’s guide dog is named Valor. He wanted to watch the concert, but we told him that there were virtually NO straight-ahead jazz artists on the bill. So he decided to blow it off. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/15 "2014-11-12T18:17:33Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’m all for treating veterans right, getting them all the health care they need, free tuition, whatever. But the soldier worship is getting out of hand. [Indeed.](http://www.salon.com/2014/11/09/you_dont_protect_my_freedom_our_childish_insistence_on_calling_soldiers_heroes_deadens_real_democracy/) ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/16 "2014-11-12T18:28:49Z")
> [@theR](#): > > It’s not clear to me how they’re actually making money other than donations since tickets were free. Presumably they took in more from sponsors than they spent on the concert. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/17 "2014-11-12T18:39:00Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [Indeed.](http://www.salon.com/2014/11/09/you_dont_protect_my_freedom_our_childish_insistence_on_calling_soldiers_heroes_deadens_real_democracy/) That is a magnificent article. ---
**Author:** ![Eddie\_F](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/22d042/32.png) [@Eddie\_F](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eddie_F)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/18 "2014-11-12T19:17:26Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Is Valor hurting for money? Is Valor research underfunded? Is Valor being discriminated against? > > I dunno why for sure, but HBO’s “Concert for Valor” strikes me as an incredibly crass exercise in marketing manipulation. > > Ok, that’s it, I got nuttin’ else. > > Boo HBO, and Valor, I’m very disappointed in you – allowing yourself to get used like a rented mule. Also, from what I saw of it, it was pretty damn lackluster, performance-wise. (The Black Keys were, predictably, the highlight of what I actually watched.) But yeah, it was - unsurprisingly - jingoistic in the extreme. I mean, at the beginning of the whole thing, Jamie Foxx (who I normally quite enjoy) actually lead the crowd in a “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” chant). ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/19 "2014-11-12T20:58:57Z")
And the Right is going ballistic over “Fortunate Son”. Predictably. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396/20 "2014-11-12T21:18:41Z")
I have a gripe with the Concert for Valor, purely because it blocked off almost the entirety of the National Mall yesterday. I live in Southwest DC, and had things to do in Northwest; couldn’t bike north without a very substantial detour. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-concert-for-valor/704396.md?page=2)