Re: pete's quote on GWBush

[John Hughes <john@pureneasy.fsnet.co.uk>]

Lela, re

> >> Kevin...I agree, I usually just read the posts but I had to respond 
> >> to this. I am sick of the Bush bashing. He is doing great with all 
> >> thats going on and Pete better keep his mouth shut. I LOVE The Who 
> >> but too much opinion is going to get him in trouble....Sandy
> >
> >  This comment was made over a year ago, immediately after the 
> >  election, and during a live show.  Taken out of context, there's 
> >  nothing about it to indicate tone.  Therefore, it can't be 
> >  interpreted to be either positive or negative, and can't be taken 
> >  as any sort of Townshend political opinion. It's Mark's politics 
> >  you're responding to, not Pete's.
>
>    As I recall there was some basis for Pete to be irritated.  The 
>    Republicans played WGFA at their nationally broadcast function 
>    (victory party?), altered the song, and neither asked permission >    nor credited Pete. I doubt if they paid any royalties for the 
>    broadcast, either. It might help if they coughed up a little dough 
>    for the RIAA.

I was at that concert in Birmingham and the whole tone of the comment
was indeed, a touch of residual left wing socialist political leaning by
Pete, and much more than a touch of "where are my royalties":-)

There always has been an element of self conscious politicking in
British rock musicians, often extending into areas of real concern (rock
against racism, environmental concerns, cruelty to animals, etc), but
also often jarring with the wealth and privilege rock and indeed any
successful musician acquires. 

Indeed, I'm sure most rock musicians will admit that their political
sensibilities clash with their lifestyle and in fairness some do find it
difficult to be a rock "star" one day and sharing in the excesses they
decried when they weren't stars. (see the Specials article in Mojo last
month)

The caring ones will tend not to rant about things, but get on with
their own assistance and support in the background. The perfect example
lies here; I don't think you can doubt Pete's, or Roger's socialist
background, and their own (highly) visible (to us) charitable donations
of time and money.

Insofar as American politics is concerned, I really think Americans on
this list should accept that we - and our rock musicians - know little
about American politics, and anything said about Bush (I or II), Clinton
and Reagan especially by British rock stars has about as much worth as
anything you guys might say about Bliar, John Major or Margaret
Thatcher.

Whilst it's appropriate for Mark to use Pete's quote as a signature
because we know Mark's views on Bush, you should accept that Pete
probably had no more understanding of Bush's politics - at the time he
said it - than I did. 

Sorry for the rambling, but I think you're reading too much into it.

John