# Republican Fanboys and the Bands that Hate Them **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 17, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815 "2012-08-17T20:15:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/81 "2012-08-19T23:15:28Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’m a pretty hard-left atheist queer, but “Devil Went Down to Georgia” is a kick-ass song. The only thing surprising about Ryan’s musical tastes is that I didn’t realize there was any reason to like Rage Against the Machine _except_ their politics. Now, be nice. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Room](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_room/32/5069_2.png) [@Little\_Room](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Room)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/82 "2012-08-20T01:32:55Z")
Yeah, as another data point, I love NOFX, but I’m pretty sure they would kick my Christian, lukewarm-conservative, non-drug-using, middle American ass if I were to ever meet them for more than five minutes. And if I were running for office, and someone asked me my favorite music, I would make sure to throw them in there, just for the fun of watching everyone talk about it. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/83 "2012-08-20T01:44:03Z")
I can see Ryan saying that he has “Bulls on Parade” or “Sleep Now In The Fire” on his iPod during his P90X workouts. Those are killer riffs in those songs. If I was in the gym and needed someone to yell in my face figuratively, these songs would be on my playlist (along with Helmet’s “Unsung” and Prodigy’s “Firestarter”). But if he is in fact a fan, surely he saw the video for “Sleep Now In The Fire,” directed by and starring _Michael Moore._ Here’s WIkipedia’s description of the video: > [@](#): > > The music video for the song which was directed by Michael Moore with cinematography by Welles Hackett, features the band playing in front of the New York Stock Exchange, intercut with scenes from a satire of the popular television game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire which is named “Who Wants to Be Filthy F#&%ing Rich”. Quoted at the end of the song is Republican politician Gary Bauer stating that, “a band called ‘The Machine Rages On’ - er - ‘Rage Against the Machine’, that band is anti-family and it’s pro-terrorist”, following an incident outside of fellow Republican Alan Keyes’ 2000 primary campaign town hall event, where Keyes jumped into a mosh pit formed while Rage Against the Machine was playing. Actor Garrett Wang is briefly seen in the video enjoying the music. > The shoot for the music video on January 26, 2000, caused the doors of the New York Stock Exchange to be closed. In fact, the Stock Exchange locked its doors mid-day in response to fears of crowds gathering to watch the filming. This was not recorded as a closure as trading on the exchange floor continued uninterrupted. > “We decided to shoot this video in the belly of the beast”, said Moore, who was detained by police for an hour and threatened with arrest during the shooting of the video, as Moore had a permit to film on the steps of City Hall but not in the surrounding street. The band was escorted from the site by security, after band members attempted to gain entry into the Exchange. This is my favorite RATM song and one of the most popular… so I would imagine if Ryan is a fan he’s heard it and seen the video. No cognitive dissonance felt? I do kind of feel bad for the guy. Angst and fury are great musical ingredients… self-satisfaction and comfort, not so much. The roster of bands that have a leftist agenda and are angry are much more gnarly than that of those on the right (I guess they have Dave Mustaine now). Stratocaster’s right. This isn’t going to sway the election one way or the other, mainly because veeps don’t matter in the electoral contest, and it just isn’t that big of a deal. But it speaks to the rationalizations that Republicans tend to make about their influences. This guy likes RATM and Ayn Rand, both of whom have radically differing world views from his. And it’s not like one has to fall in lock step with your favorite author or musician politically, but if I were running for public office and you looked through my music… I think you’d find pretty good congruence between my politics and those of my favorite bands. Anyway, Ryan strikes me as a Nickelback fan. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/84 "2012-08-20T01:49:43Z")
I repeat- there are MILLIONS of people who love art that was inspired by ideologies or beliefs that they don’t share. Even a Daniel Dennett or Sam Harris can appreciate the artwork in the Sistine Chapel, and it would be STUPID for any Catholic to insist “You CAN’T love that art if you don’t embrace the religious spirit that inspired it, because Catholic faith is the whole POINT of that art!” It would be STUPID for JRR Tolkien’s heirs to rip the millions of people who’ve embraced _ **Lord of the Rings** _ without embracing the Catholic faith that inspired Tolkien to write it. And it’s STUPID to rip Paul Ryan for liking a metal band he has nothing in common with ideologically. Shoot, if I purged my iPod of every artist whose lifestyle or ideologies I hate, I wouldn’t have much left. ---
**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:** [August 20, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/85 "2012-08-20T01:52:37Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > So, a few weeks ago there was an article, I think in the NYTimes Weekly Magazine about how NJ Governor \*\*Chris Christie \*\*is a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE \*\*Bruce Springsteen \*\*fan. … Correction: NJ Governor \*\*Chris Christie \*\*is HUGE, HUGE, HUGE. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/86 "2012-08-20T02:27:39Z")
I don’t know if he’s a fan, but for a while there Rush Limbaugh was playing Todd Rundgren all the time. I mean, this is a guy who has a song with the chorus [“…fuck you Jesse Helmes”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7HqqrvMQjg) and [another that samples Dan Quayle](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gAPxcF6Rx0). ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/87 "2012-08-20T02:35:32Z")
Not surprised. I love Soviet music and the Beatles. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2012, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/88 "2012-08-20T02:57:09Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’m a pretty hard-left atheist queer, but “Devil Went Down to Georgia” is a kick-ass song. Yeah, but the song itself is not political. I mean, people are going to like what they like. It’s not really a big deal. I’m just surprised about this in the same way I’d be surprised if, say, Dan Cathy mentioned he really liked _American Idiot_. Kind of hard to ignore the politics when the song itself says “Well maybe I’m the faggot America/I’m not a part of a redneck agenda.” ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/89 "2012-08-22T16:06:08Z")
Paul Ryan is the right age to like RATM. I am conservative and like RATM. If he was merely trying to cater to voters you’d think he would pick a band thats more relevant right now. Just because you like the band doesn’t mean you live by the lyrics. RATM to me was mostly about the sound, the energy, well, the rage. If you learn a little about injustice while you’re at it, so be it, it never hurts to hear opposing viewpoints. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/90 "2012-08-22T16:16:25Z")
Dee Snyder of Twisted Sister has [rebuked](http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021175067) Paul Ryan for using their song ‘We’re Not Gonna Take It’ as an intro. Damn Paul, figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/91 "2012-08-22T16:30:20Z")
I wonder if Bocephus gets all chafed when Barbara Boxer uses _ **Honky Tonkin’** _ at her rallies. ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/92 "2012-08-22T16:42:54Z")
This is not just confined to Ryan and Christie, Obama was filmed singing a bit of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” at a campaign stop in Harlem. He must not have known that Al Green is an ordained minister and thus stands against Obama and his war on religion. Plus the song lyrics are obviously pro-family, supporting monogamy and undying commitment. It is strange that Obama who has done so much in the culture wars would sing a song that is so against everything he stands for. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/93 "2012-08-22T17:24:31Z")
Someone forgot to tell Al Green to be offended, and that Obama is leading a “War on Religion.” [Al Green: Obama Nailed “Let’s Stay Together.”](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57363074-10391698/al-green-president-obama-nailed-my-song/) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/94 "2012-08-22T17:38:33Z")
Wait, did a Republican just accuse Obama of being opposed to monogamy? The cognitive dissonance, it burns! ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/95 "2012-08-22T18:02:02Z")
I find it really strange that Todd Akin is a Juggalo. ---
**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:** [August 22, 2012, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/96 "2012-08-22T18:08:21Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > I find it really strange that Todd Akin is a Juggalo. I thought he was a gay country singer. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/97 "2012-08-22T18:22:21Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > This is not just confined to Ryan and Christie, Obama was filmed singing a bit of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” at a campaign stop in Harlem. He must not have known that Al Green is an ordained minister and thus stands against Obama and his war on religion. Plus the song lyrics are obviously pro-family, supporting monogamy and undying commitment. It is strange that Obama who has done so much in the culture wars would sing a song that is so against everything he stands for. This is a whoosh, right? We’re being whooshed here? Editor’s note: Firefox spell check totally recognizes “whooshed” as a word. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/98 "2012-08-22T19:17:26Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > This is not just confined to Ryan and Christie, Obama was filmed singing a bit of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” at a campaign stop in Harlem. He must not have known that Al Green is an ordained minister and thus stands against Obama and his war on religion. Plus the song lyrics are obviously pro-family, supporting monogamy and undying commitment. It is strange that Obama who has done so much in the culture wars would sing a song that is so against everything he stands for. 😕:dubious::rolleyes::smack: What “war on religion” are you talking about? Obama isn’t pro-family? The guy who’s been married to his only wife for 20 years and has 2 kids? He’s not monogamous? Cite? The stupid quotient of that post is off the charts. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/99 "2012-08-22T19:52:33Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > What boggles my mind more than what the guy said are the people defending this, and how completely they seem to not understand what’s being said. It seems they want to believe having any disagreement with the message of an artist is somehow the equivalent to a band that hates what you stand for so much that, **when they find out you like them, they put out a press release saying how much they don’t like you.** 😛 > [@astorian](#): > > Shoot, if I purged my iPod of every artist whose lifestyle or ideologies I hate, I wouldn’t have much left. What about the ones that _tell the press_ that they think you–yes, _you_, personally–are an asshole? Would you keep them in rotation? ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815/100 "2012-08-22T19:59:04Z")
Paul Ryan being a fan of ‘Rage Against the Machine’ is kinda like Dick Cheney being a fan of ‘Heart’. Stole that from someone on my Twitter feed [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/republican-fanboys-and-the-bands-that-hate-them/631815.md?page=6)