Kid Rock Breathes Red, White, and Stupid

News Type: Opinion — Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:20 PM EDT

entertainment, america, hypocrisy, patriotism, national-guard, kid-rock, celibrity

www.nationalguardwarrior.com

Celebrities and politics. God bless their bleeding little hearts. Republicans can't stand them, and Democrats are compared to them. They're rich, they're popular, they're idolized, and they use every moment they can in the spotlight to help ordinary average Americans get political.

Kid Rock, of course, being a notable and noble exception: A rock/rap bad-boy proud of his own political ignorance, and unwilling to discuss his own political interests, if indeed he has them.

Kid Rock, sometime last week:

I truly believe that people like myself, who are in a position of entertainers in the limelight, should keep their mouth shut on politics. SOURCE

Kid Rock goes on to imply that his own ignorance -- when it comes to political science -- means that all celebrities must also be ignorant and therefore, it's simply irresponsible that they insist upon using their position to influence sheep-like fans who, let's face it -- can't think on their own.

It is apparently okay if you're encouraging them to steal music and even gasoline [rollingstone.com] when major record labels are routinely suing consumers for thousands and thousands of dollars for stealing music. For Kid Rock, responsible advocacy apparently only applies to matters political.

Unless, of course, you're rockin' (!!!) about patriotism and the National Guard, in which case it's perfectly cromulent [the video, in all it's glory -- soldiersperspective.us] to provide insufferable commentary in the form of bad song-craft.

Lyrics from the soon-to-be-unveiled Kid Rock music video, to be played over and over in a theater near you:

So don't tell me who's wrong and right
When liberty starts slipping away
And if you ain't gonna fight
Get out of the way

'Cause freedom ain't so free
When you breathe red, white and blue
I'm giving all of myself
How 'bout you?

Last I checked, Kid Rock is not, in fact, a member of the National Guard.

And they call me warrior
They call me loyalty
And they call me ready to provide relief and help, I'm
Wherever you need me to be

It was less annoying when they called you Kid Rock. (But not much less annoying.)

I'm an American warrior
Oh
I'm an American warrior
Citizen Soldier

Ahhhhh Yeahhhhh!

Loose translation: "America! @!$%# Yeah!" [youtube.com]

I'll never leave another behind
I will never accept defeat
I'm a Soldier in war
Civilian in peace

And apparently a hypocrite in song.

Ahhhhh Yeahhhhh!

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5.7

{"commentId":2675630,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

My wife gets credit for both 1) pointing out the video and 2) the Team America reference.

{"commentId":2675630,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"brianford"}

4 votes

#1 - Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:22 PM EDT

{"commentId":2677036,"authorDomain":"justinpm"}

JustinPM

All I have to say is that it's Kid Rock. Anybody calling themselves "Kid" at 37 is going to be taken as seriously as such. Even Little Bow Wow (I can't believe I'm saying this) dropped the little. Dude is a goof, I've always seen him as such.

{"commentId":2677036,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"justinpm"}

1 vote

#2 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 2:05 AM EDT

{"commentId":2677796,"authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

Adam Hobson

I kinda feel that Kid Rock is making his own point in that self referential point of view…

{"commentId":2677796,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"thevineofhob"}

1 vote

#3 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 5:52 AM EDT

{"commentId":2681102,"authorDomain":"Bruner"}

Miles12287

Kid Rock was singing it as a tribute and a recruiting job for the National Guard. I don't think he has any dillusions that he is actually a Guard Member. I agree crappy song, but not one deserving of this ridicule. He does have a point, most singers and artists barely have a high school education yet they believe they have the authority to express their opinions on certain issues. Kid Rock is the only one who actually admits to being ignorant, while the others pretend they aren't.

{"commentId":2681102,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"Bruner"}

#4 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 1:58 PM EDT

{"commentId":2681319,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

Kid Rock's point seemed to be that entertainers shouldn't use their position as a pulpit to advocate, because it may influence fans.

How then can he justify a patriotic article about the national guard which is high on bravado and swagger, but low on reality about what you'll be doing as part of the national guard? He's advocating for service during an unpopular war.

He can't just pick and choose "which" political issues he'll support, and which everyone else should shut up about. If he *wants* to do that (advocate) he can. I have no problem with it. He should probably just shut his mouth about how other people shouldn't.

If Alec Baldwin came out with a PSA about not joining the military to protest the war -- would that *also* not count as a political statement?

{"commentId":2681319,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"brianford"}

2 votes

#4.1 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 2:12 PM EDT

{"commentId":2708465,"authorDomain":"origami-thoughts"}

origami thoughts

Amen. I suppose, however, that we're supposed to excuse his rampant hypocrisy because, hey -- he did say he was ignorant, right? /sarcasm.

Plus, personally, given all his mouthing off about how he doesn't like authority, why is he now advocating the military? I've got nothing at all against it, mind you, but does he realize that you are basically told when to eat sleep, work, and go to the bathroom?

It's just that some consistency would be nice, that's all. Maybe that should be the topic of his next "song." (I use the term very, very loosely!)

{"commentId":2708465,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"origami-thoughts"}

2 votes

#4.2 - Tue Sep 2, 2008 10:27 PM EDT

{"commentId":2682553,"authorDomain":"hemphill"}

hemphill

I really see no problem here. Supporting the military or even taking a contract from them, is not a political act.

{"commentId":2682553,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"hemphill"}

2 votes

#5 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 3:37 PM EDT

{"commentId":2682918,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

I'll defer to my last comment in answer to your query.

{"commentId":2682918,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"brianford"}

1 vote

#5.1 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 4:02 PM EDT

{"commentId":2687445,"authorDomain":"mrkleen73"}

MrKleen73

Supporting troops who are fighting in the name of the country is not political at all. Choosing not to support them because you don't agree with the political reasons they are there is. Bottom line they are there putting their lives in harms way for us, and deserve support regardless, because it is there intention to protect our country. It doesn't matter who sent them or why. They made an oath to serve their country with there life and that is honorable regardless. Trying to twist his support of the troops into being political is picking at straws. There is a reason we vote in private, and that is the point of his comment regarding influencing people in the way they vote. If the entertainers he was referring to were simply advocating getting out and voting and not who they were voting for I don't think he would have such issue with it. You are talking about a man who takes care of his children when the mother wouldn't. Is he a social misfit sure, man has a bad temper, but that doesn't make him unintelligent. As a matter of fact in order to compose songs one must have some intelligence. Nor do his statements imply he is ignorant of politics. Only that he chooses not to say who he supports in the election. Everyone is assuming that he is ignorant because he has long hair, sings rock and roll, and likes to party. This type of stereotyping is just as ignorant as racism.

{"commentId":2687445,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"mrkleen73"}

#6 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 10:09 PM EDT

{"commentId":2687656,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

Supporting troops who are fighting in the name of the country is not political at all.

True, but, let me know when Kid Rock puts out a video which simply supports the troops. This is a commercial for the National Guard, intended to inspire people to join. It uses language about patriotism that I find to be vaguely insulting:

And if you ain't gonna fight
Get out of the way

In particular. It reeks of "either you're with us, or you're against us" mentality, and the National Guard probaby ought to rethink their strategy in a time of War, when said War is highly unpopular. Instead of shaming people into joining, they might want to think about inspiring people into joining.

Perhaps by writing lyrics that aren't like a hammer to the intellect.

Either way, they can do what they like. I'm not saying they can't do it. I'm saying Kid Rock is a hypocritical blowhard who finds the sound of his own controversial voice to be more appealing than most other people find it to be.

If the entertainers he was referring to were simply advocating getting out and voting and not who they were voting for I don't think he would have such issue with it.

He shouldn't have an issue with it either way, as an American. Everyone has the right to stump for a candidate. Everyone.

but that doesn't make him unintelligent.

No, his apparent willful ignorance about politics makes him uninformed.

As a matter of fact in order to compose songs one must have some intelligence.

This song? We're going to have to agree to disagree. The lyrics are inane.

Everyone is assuming that he is ignorant because he has long hair, sings rock and roll, and likes to party. This type of stereotyping is just as ignorant as racism.

Yeah. I went to an art school. I *was* the guy with long hair and weird clothes. You're assuming an awful lot by assuming that I'm simply judging him on his appearance.

{"commentId":2687656,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"brianford"}

2 votes

#6.1 - Mon Sep 1, 2008 10:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":2700739,"authorDomain":"MRZK"}

MRZK.COM

I thought he was referring to a video game he was playing.

And now on a related subject...Daddy Yankee came to an Arizona school to endorse McCain and the news video told the tale. The kids were politely quiet while McCain babbled, then swarmed Daddy Yankee when he appeared, pushing old gray hair off to a corner to talk to himself.

Qualified or not, kids listen to these clowns.

{"commentId":2700739,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"MRZK"}

1 vote

#7 - Tue Sep 2, 2008 3:35 PM EDT

{"commentId":2901723,"authorDomain":"debiinmccall"}

Debi 72

I can't believe you people are wasting your time with something Kid Rock said.. The dude is all about the party.... I think some people out their need to get a life, and quit nitpicking everything someone famous says...

By the way Kid Rock puts on one hell of a concert.

{"commentId":2901723,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"debiinmccall"}

#8 - Fri Sep 12, 2008 3:03 PM EDT

{"commentId":2903232,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

Yeah. It's lame that I'm nitpicking Kid Rock.

Though, on the other hand...

The fact that you are now here to nitpick my decision to nitpick Kid Rock is thus far *more* lame.

Thanks for being lower on the ladder. It makes me feel good.

{"commentId":2903232,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"brianford"}

1 vote

#8.1 - Fri Sep 12, 2008 4:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":2920148,"authorDomain":"fastestxc"}

EG-524237

Brian,

I'm only 14 and I don't have a degree from some *art* school like you but you wrote your article and had a chance to fit all the info you wanted in your post so why do you have to comment on your own article?

Oh, and my opinion, Kid rock does not have to be in the National Guard to sing this song... Plus, I don't think he is singing the song talking about himself.... i think he is talking about how the people in the military feel. In fact, I have already had two people who are special forces in the US Army tell me that thats exactly how they feel.

There is nothing political about this song but I'm sure you could write a non biased article about many left-wing other artists who do sing about politics. O wait I forgot US media is completely left-wing biased.

I guess unless it talks about President Bush and his politics its not good...

But hey what do i know I'm only 14 and like I said I don't have a degree like you.

{"commentId":2920148,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"fastestxc"}

#9 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 10:47 PM EDT

{"commentId":2921676,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

Hello, Mr. 14.

You're right. You don't have to agree with me.

Thank you for stopping by!

FWIW, I saw the ad for the first time in its intended setting today. We went out and saw Burn After Reading (it's an *art* film, so you might not like it) and "Warrior" was played in all its patriotic chest-thumping glory on the big screen.

It was even more stupid at that size. Something I forgot to mention: Why are there a bunch of Nascar clips thrown into the video? It doesn't even make any sense.

There is nothing political about this song but I'm sure you could write a non biased article about many left-wing other artists who do sing about politics.

You might try reading more closely. At what point in this article do I deny that? However, if you can find me some "left-wing" artists who speak out on politics but then tell *other* artists to keep their mouth shut about politics, perhaps we'll find some common ground.

But hey what do i know...

Good question. You know very little about me, probably haven't read anything else I've written, and you think you can sum up my views.

Guess again.

{"commentId":2921676,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"brianford"}

1 vote

#9.1 - Sun Sep 14, 2008 12:49 AM EDT

{"commentId":2920275,"authorDomain":"mattneedham"}

guillotinearm

When I took my 11 year-old son to see "Dark Knight," I caught a little snippet of Kid Rock's genius oeuvre out in the lobby of the theater, so I had an idea of what was coming when the ad cranked up inside the theater. I leaned over and told my son to watch this ad carefully, and tell me what it was about when it was over. He watched the ad, and when it was over he said, "They're using rap and NASCAR to get people to sign up for the army." As I mentioned, this kid is 11. The target market for the ad is something like six years older. The selection of mouthpiece (c'mon, kid rock did not write this song; some army PR pukes did) is telling when one considers what audience the client wants to reach. They're scraping the bottom of the barrel now.

It's disappointing but somehow not surprising that people have become a commodity -- put flesh and a trigger finger together and you have a desirable product, and what better recruiting ground for an unpopular adventure than a trailer park? Okay, okay, now come you republicans and say that I'm elitist. I say simply, "Wow." You figure the top brass at the Pentagon are big kid rock fans? They think he's a good role model for the kids? Their teenage sons turned them on to the righteous downbeat rhymes of this funky exurban cowboy/citizen soldier? No. They picked kid rock because he reaches the market they want to appeal to now. Right there, the elitism charge goes right out the door; the Pentagon made that calculation, all I'm doing is calling them on it.

I don't know what to think anymore. We've surpassed anything Orwell could have dreamed up during a weeklong meth binge, and there's no end in sight.

{"commentId":2920275,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"mattneedham"}

1 vote

#10 - Sat Sep 13, 2008 11:01 PM EDT

{"commentId":2921729,"authorDomain":"brianford"}

Brian Ford

Sounds like you're raising a smart and intuitive 11-year-old.

As I mention in my last comment, I don't even understand the Nascar aspect. It's as though some corporate brass flack thought:

"Kid Rock just isn't enough. Throw in some Nascar to really drive home the idea that this is about America!"

Sadly, no one thought to tell this guy that it doesn't make any real sense in the context of the video.

{"commentId":2921729,"threadId":"345153","contentId":"1810577","authorDomain":"brianford"}

1 vote

#10.1 - Sun Sep 14, 2008 12:54 AM EDT

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"345153","isPrivate":false}

BRIAN FORD

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