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Edwin Starr — War
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fitzworld
(The Big A)
Posted: May 10, 2013 - 12:17
 
As much as I believe music can be transformative, and Starr lays it all out in very simple terms with this song, we Americans just keep on keeping on with death and destruction. We are arguably the most violent nation on Earth and seem hopelessly stuck in our love affair with guns and violence.

When will calmer, more level heads prevail? Maybe not in time to save this experiment in democracy.

agracindo
(Rio de Janeiro - Brazil)
Posted: May 10, 2013 - 12:15
 
Funk and politics! m/

calispera
(Brussels)
Posted: Apr 09, 2013 - 08:27
 
I wish this song will one day really be heard. Intellectually nearly everybody agrees. But in fact, as we still remain belligerent in our hearts, war has still a bright future ahead of us.

Politicians cann't do anything to stop that.

zepher
Posted: Apr 09, 2013 - 08:16
 
I think Dali said it best —->

= Face of war


ProjectGemini07
(SC)
Posted: Apr 09, 2013 - 08:15
 
 norvell wrote:

Say it again
 
Good God, y'all!

Lazarus
(Bethany)
Posted: Mar 28, 2013 - 20:46
 

marvelous...  love it...

American Anniversaries from Hell



Lazarus
(Bethany)
Posted: Mar 08, 2013 - 20:34
 

Everybody in my church be dancing...  love it...
 

fitzworld
(The Big A)
Posted: Feb 25, 2013 - 10:03
 
Whenever I hear this song it reminds me of how easily Americans are bamboozled by our government. Obama is certainly better than McCain or Romney, but he's still essentially an establishment president who mostly supports the status quo when it comes to war and pushing our weight around the world. The Military Industrial Complex that Eisenhower warned us about still runs our foreign policy, and that's going to help accelerate the end to this little experiment in democracy.

norvell
(North TJ)
Posted: Feb 25, 2013 - 09:57
 
 d-don wrote:
Good God, y'all...
 
Say it again

JHZ
(between Clark and Hilldale)
Posted: Feb 05, 2013 - 12:59
 
 mandolin wrote:

...one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist...
rdo wrote:

Wrong - not if you believe in democracy.  To say one is a freedom fighter against a democracy is a contradiction in terms.
 
I don't see a contradiction in terms. Demos = the people, cratos = power/rule , so rule by the people. Even if you simply discuss its meaning today, rule based on the people as sovereign, this is not the same as freedom for everyone.
Don't get me wrong, I personally believe that a good basis for making a personal distinction between the two is the question of who they are fighting and whether the fighter is oppressed. It tends to be less likely that oppression on a large and serious scale occurs against a group of people in a democracy. However, it is first of all not a given and secondly, the affected group might still think differently, so what mandolin says to a degree would still apply. Two examples I can think of: the Palestinian fight agains Israel. Israel is a democracy, it does oppress Palestinians. I personally do not think Palestinian fighters should be considered freedom fighters because I don't believe that violence is the best way to achieve political goals. But I can definitely see why you could consider them freedom fighters. Another example, could be the Black Panther movement. There definitely was oppression there. Did they have other means besides violence? I definitely think so, but then again I was not the one oppressed.
So I guess its a value questions more than one based on a clear cut distinction. What irks me a bit about your comment here is that in other comments you suggest that you can spread peace by going to war. The suggestion seems to be that democracy can do that and go in and fight for the freedom of others. So every democrat fighting for freedom is a freedom fighter as long as he/she does not fight another democracy or what? What if two democracies fight each other?

Peace0fmind
Posted: Feb 05, 2013 - 12:50
 
CLASSIC{#Clap}

d-don
(Oregon)
Posted: Feb 05, 2013 - 12:41
 
Good God, y'all...

cShaggy
(..inna state of being..)
Posted: Jan 05, 2013 - 04:37
 
 bobzane wrote:
what is it good for
 



.."Absolutely..."..

martinc
(Ottawa Canada)
Posted: Nov 23, 2012 - 10:13
 
Remember this was released in 1969. A great year for music and another fine example

Highlowsel
(New York City)
Posted: Nov 23, 2012 - 10:12
 
Even (our) professional warriors know that you've failed if you have to go to War.  Something our Civilian Leadership oft-times fails to understand.

So it goes.  (Great song regardless)

Highlow
American Net'Zen

BuddhaTrader
Posted: Nov 23, 2012 - 10:11
 
Compared to What into War....I cant write left handed MUST be next!

rdo
(DC)
Posted: Nov 03, 2012 - 12:53
 
 Balthazar wrote:

War doesn't spread democracy and never did. Spreading democracy with the means of war is pure propaganda. It's Orwellian newspeak, war is peace. For somebody living in europe, you sound like archetypal american who thinks that enslaving countries around the world and robbing them of their resources is spreading democracy. Well, looks like by spreading democracy around the world, US lost every bit of what was left of democracy and became a totalitarian superpower.
 
You know very well that this is not true.

bobzane
Posted: Nov 03, 2012 - 11:36
 
what is it good for

Balthazar
(Ljubljana, SI)
Posted: Oct 23, 2012 - 01:59
 
 rdo wrote:
My point is about the song, which I find stupid.  It implies people need to be reminded of how horrible war is.  I believe in spreading democracy by whatever means, including war, if and when it makes sense.  Of course I don't advocate foolish invasions like Iraq that will never work.  The point is about the foolishness and immorality of pacifism.   I am safe and free because of the sacrifices in war many others have made on my behalf. 
 
War doesn't spread democracy and never did. Spreading democracy with the means of war is pure propaganda. It's Orwellian newspeak, war is peace. For somebody living in europe, you sound like archetypal american who thinks that enslaving countries around the world and robbing them of their resources is spreading democracy. Well, looks like by spreading democracy around the world, US lost every bit of what was left of democracy and became a totalitarian superpower.

joelbb
Posted: Oct 23, 2012 - 01:51
 
This song is auto-parodic.  It's so over the top it's almost delightful.  All most.  We made incessant fun of this, even as we fought against the Viet Nam madness.  It's sucko-barfo in spite of its message.

lemmoth
(NYC)
Posted: Sep 21, 2012 - 13:26
 
 rdo wrote:
 

My point is about the song, which I find stupid.  It implies people need to be reminded of how horrible war is.  I believe in spreading democracy by whatever means, including war, if and when it makes sense.  Of course I don't advocate foolish invasions like Iraq that will never work.  The point is about the foolishness and immorality of pacifism.   I am safe and free because of the sacrifices in war many others have made on my behalf. 
 
People DO need to be reminded of how horrible war is.  It's easy for everyone in this country who didn't have to suffer one bit because of our wars in Iraq and Afganistan (we didn't even have to pay higher taxes) to lose sight of the horror of war.  It's good to remind those who don't have a loved one "over there" just what the folks on the ground are facing.

DD rabbi_phil
(beach)
Posted: Sep 21, 2012 - 13:25
 
 mandolin wrote:

...one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist...
 

ummmmmm.....nope!    I hate be the one to tell u this but...there's a humongous difference between political rebellion and butchering innocent women and children. if u want this to hit close to home reference ohhhh lets sayyy.....timothy mcveigh... i mean, that he actually was completely aware that there was a full day care center on the first floor kinda puts "freedom fighting' into perspective don'cha think

apd
(Toronto, On)
Posted: Sep 01, 2012 - 13:59
 
...y'know, some of us are trying to have a conversation about Seinfeld over here...

rdo
(DC)
Posted: Sep 01, 2012 - 13:51
 
 mandolin wrote:

...one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist...
 
Wrong - not if you believe in democracy.  To say one is a freedom fighter against a democracy is a contradiction in terms.

rdo
(DC)
Posted: Sep 01, 2012 - 13:40
 
 woodchuk wrote:

I think you underestimate the power of state control and propaganda.  You would not know you were living in a hell..you would think you are in the greatest country in the world!    Moreover, overthrowing a government by force or otherwise requires hard work and putting something workable in its place is even more challenging.  Do you think there is something special about you that would allow you to succeed where millions have failed before you?  Ask the Syrian and Libyan rebels how hard it is to overthrow a dictator.  It's more than just telling the world from the safety of your computer desk what a democratic patriot you are.... Those that talk too much often don't have the cojones for real action.

Great song, by the way...
  

My point is about the song, which I find stupid.  It implies people need to be reminded of how horrible war is.  I believe in spreading democracy by whatever means, including war, if and when it makes sense.  Of course I don't advocate foolish invasions like Iraq that will never work.  The point is about the foolishness and immorality of pacifism.   I am safe and free because of the sacrifices in war many others have made on my behalf. 

jaydee
Posted: Sep 01, 2012 - 13:17
 
  Art_Carnage wrote:
Few people know it, but "War: What is it Good For" was the original title of "War & Peace".
 

Wrong again Elaine, you've gotta stop believing everything Jerry tells you.

LizK
(Houston, Texas)
Posted: Sep 01, 2012 - 13:17
 
 rdo wrote:

I'll say it over and over again, and you will never, ever convince me otherwise.  If I was a citizen of North Korea, or Cuba, or Syria, I would be actively plotting to overthrow the brutal, sadistic dictators and actively seeking out US assistance for liberation via war.  I would risk anything, my life, everything.  I would rather die than live in such a Hell.
 

 
Picked up a book about living in, and escaping from, North Korea.  They KNOW this is hell. After all, the rabbits were eaten long ago, the berry crop was eaten before they could drop seedlings for next year, and the uppers in the capital were heavier and happier than any peasant.   5'2" is a towering height. Forget rebellion, think, fording the river to China. And maybe, if it works, get your mother out too.

apd
(Toronto, On)
Posted: Sep 01, 2012 - 13:13
 
 Art_Carnage wrote:
Few people know it, but "War: What is it Good For" was the original title of "War & Peace".
 
Thankfully, Tolstoy's mistress talked him out of it.



gypsyman
(just passing through....)
Posted: Sep 01, 2012 - 13:13
 
 fitzworld wrote:
What the hell is wrong with us that we've allowed our government to continue killing people in Afghanistan, supposedly in the name of national security, when we all know it's about war profiteering by Corporate America?
 
How trite. Vote for Obama again, knothead.

Art_Carnage
(DeepintheheartofTexas)
Posted: Jul 20, 2012 - 15:55
 
Few people know it, but "War: What is it Good For" was the original title of "War & Peace".

woodchuk
(Lunar Lagrange point L1)
Posted: May 18, 2012 - 08:37
 
 rdo wrote:

I'll say it over and over again, and you will never, ever convince me otherwise.  If I was a citizen of North Korea, or Cuba, or Syria, I would be actively plotting to overthrow the brutal, sadistic dictators and actively seeking out US assistance for liberation via war.  I would risk anything, my life, everything.  I would rather die than live in such a Hell.
 

 
I think you underestimate the power of state control and propaganda.  You would not know you were living in a hell..you would think you are in the greatest country in the world!    Moreover, overthrowing a government by force or otherwise requires hard work and putting something workable in its place is even more challenging.  Do you think there is something special about you that would allow you to succeed where millions have failed before you?  Ask the Syrian and Libyan rebels how hard it is to overthrow a dictator.  It's more than just telling the world from the safety of your computer desk what a democratic patriot you are.... Those that talk too much often don't have the cojones for real action.

Great song, by the way...

sirdroseph
(Yes)
Posted: May 18, 2012 - 08:32
 
 djblitz wrote:
The 15 "1" votes....

1) Are chickenhawk POS draft dodgers.
2) Trolls.
3) Clueless about how the world truly works.

*drops mic* 
 

Ummmmmm this is an anti-war song, it would seem to me that only a war lover would not like the message. Now we all know that those who push for wars i.e. our lawmakers have much personal stake sitting behind their desk in Washington as they order our young people off to their possible demise and would never dodge the draft if they ever had to. Which of course, they never will.

aelfheld
Posted: Apr 16, 2012 - 15:12
 
 djblitz wrote:
The 15 "1" votes....

1) Are chickenhawk POS draft dodgers.
2) Trolls.
3) Clueless about how the world truly works.

*drops mic* 
 
And you are . . . what?

A Cheetos®-covered occupant of your mother's basement?

A loudmouthed fool who thinks the world works as you wish?

A parasite who wants demands all the benefits of civilisation without believing yourself duty bound to defend it?
 

Addendum: conscription ended in 1973.  Moron.

mandolin
(...drifting...)
Posted: Apr 16, 2012 - 15:02
 
 rdo wrote:
I'll say it over and over again, and you will never, ever convince me otherwise.  If I was a citizen of North Korea, or Cuba, or Syria, I would be actively plotting to overthrow the brutal, sadistic dictators and actively seeking out US assistance for liberation via war.  I would risk anything, my life, everything.  I would rather die than live in such a Hell.
 
...one man's freedom fighter is another man's terrorist...

lemmoth
(NYC)
Posted: Mar 27, 2012 - 08:13
 
 More_Cowbell wrote:
 

Ah  sorry...That was Levi Stubb's (Four Tops lead singer) voice behind the man eating plant, not Edwin Starr.

rdo
(DC)
Posted: Feb 24, 2012 - 15:26
 
 Shimmer wrote:

That is a dangerous fantasy. Collateral damage is not avoidable. The very term "collateral damage" is an insult to humanity. As though destruction is an unfortunate side-effect of war.

Also, keep in mind that thousands of mostly-innocent soldiers will die in your "humanitarian invasion" even if there is no so-called collateral damage.

 
I'll say it over and over again, and you will never, ever convince me otherwise.  If I was a citizen of North Korea, or Cuba, or Syria, I would be actively plotting to overthrow the brutal, sadistic dictators and actively seeking out US assistance for liberation via war.  I would risk anything, my life, everything.  I would rather die than live in such a Hell.
 


kingart
(Brooklyn NY)
Posted: Feb 24, 2012 - 15:23
 
That man can SING!  It was one of the essential songs of the Vietnam era. Only one problem with the song: it's too short by half! 
Springsteen does a good cover of this.  

fitzworld
(The Big A)
Posted: Jan 12, 2012 - 10:12
 
What the hell is wrong with us that we've allowed our government to continue killing people in Afghanistan, supposedly in the name of national security, when we all know it's about war profiteering by Corporate America?

djblitz
(Boston, MA)
Posted: Jan 12, 2012 - 10:08
 
The 15 "1" votes....

1) Are chickenhawk POS draft dodgers.
2) Trolls.
3) Clueless about how the world truly works.

*drops mic* 

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: Jan 12, 2012 - 10:07
 


We be dancing...  love it...

 

coding_to_music
(Beantown)
Posted: Jan 12, 2012 - 10:07
 
 More_Cowbell wrote:
 

Ha

albertgf
(BARCELONA)
Posted: Dec 23, 2011 - 04:37
 
War  ,  Que coño !!


SpamNRice
(Northern, Italy)
Posted: Dec 23, 2011 - 04:36
 
"Aaa...bsolutely NUTHIN' "

Amen brother!


oldsaxon
(United Kingdom)
Posted: Dec 11, 2011 - 14:48
 
 Businessgypsy wrote:
Same as it ever was...
 
this would be too funny if it wasn't so true. plus ça change...

MiracleDrug
(Earth)
Posted: Nov 21, 2011 - 11:05
 
 shakitten wrote:
Forty-two years old and STILL KICKS ASS!
Good gawd, y'all..,

{#Yes} 



dpvest
(northern cali)
Posted: Nov 21, 2011 - 11:03
 
Good gawd ya'll!

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: Nov 09, 2011 - 21:49
 

Everybody in my hotel room loves this song...




shakitten
Posted: Oct 20, 2011 - 20:50
 
Forty-two years old and STILL KICKS ASS!
Good gawd, y'all..,

(former member)
(hotel in Las Vegas)
Posted: Oct 20, 2011 - 20:46
 


I love this classic that is still soooo pertinent...


 

dkwalika
(Upper Midwest)
Posted: Oct 09, 2011 - 09:10
 
Okay, I'm back in high school, and this song said it all.