It’s actually pretty straightforward. Art and understanding of How Things Are go hand in hand; thus there is a large overlap between artists and liberals. Conservatism–rigidly self-imposed ignoranc–is far less compatible with art. Art is truth; conservatism is a lie.
Except, of course, that the definition of what’s liberal and conservative is pretty fluid over time. I don’t think that Wagner, J. S. Bach would be considered liberals today, nor would a highly influencial filmmaker who did most of her work while in the service of a rather infamous government.
On the subject of progressive country artists, I agree with everyone mentioned (except Barbara Mandrell, but that was a mistake).
Of course, people are complex and often hold conservative and progressive ideas at the same time. For example, a lot of country artists have been religiously conservative but socially liberal. Some other progressive, or at least arguably progressive, country artists include:
George Hamilton IV, Kris Kristofferson, Wanda Jackson, Jerry Jeff Walker, Tom T. Hall, Bobby Bare, Hoyt Axton, and Roger Miller.
John Mellencamp said in a recent newspaper article that he tried to enlist more country artists for his anti-Bush package tour, and was told by a number of them that they agreed with what he was doing but couldn’t participate out of commercial considerations.
Typically, conservatives are big fans of wars and are always ready to cheer one on, especially if a conservative president is involved. Bush and Cheney both ducked out of Vietnam, but have no qualms about sending others to get killed in Iraq. Chickenshit chickenhawks, like many, many, many, many conservatives.
And, of course, Clinton avoided service in Vietnam, yet got our troops involved in places like Somalia, Kosovo, etc, etc.
I remember seeing this one Republican punker on The Daily Show about a month or two ago. (“So then, aren’t you raging for the machine?”) Anyone remember his name or anything else about him?
[Moderator whistle] ::: TWEEET!!! :::: [/Moderator whistle]
Look, gang, the question of which artists, musicians, actors whatever are liberal, conservative, communist, fascist, or whatever… OK, I guess that’s a fair question for the Cafe Society. However, when it degenerates to name-calling and political bashing, then it goes to the Pit.
lissener, I’m blaming you for starting it. Consider yourself kicked in the shins, hard.
Let me be real clear: you want to discuss which bands are anti-this or anti-that, fine. But insults (like “rigidly self-imposed ignorance” or “Art is truth; conservatism is a lie.”) do NOT belong in this forum, they belong in the Pit. And political slurs, like commenting on hypocritical politicans, belong in Great Debates or the Pit.
Got it? We clear?
(The only politicians who aren’t hypocrites are the ones who have died, and can’t be hypocrites any more, God bless 'em.)
I’m assuming that it might have been Michale Graves, since I saw an article on the whole conservative punk thing in my local paper and the big photo was of Graves looking at a photo of Bono and Bush.
Quick google shows that Graves was indeed on The Daily Show.
Art isn’t truth, art is creation. Creation is seldom based in the realm of reality, nor should it be.
Look back at what conservatives in the U.S. thought of entering World War I and World War II, and you might reconsider that statement. You might also want to talk to Pat Buchanan.
Damn it, when a Moderator says “stay on topic”, he means “stay on topic.”
Elfkin, if you want to open a thread on “Art and Truth”, it belongs in Great Debates. Walloon, if you want to open a thread on “conservatives are war-mongers” or “liberals are wusses”, it belongs in the Pit.
This thread is now closed.