I really resent the presumption that I'm going there to play to right-wing Nazi jews [sic]. If Elvis-f-ing-Costello wants to pull out of a gig in Israel because he's suddenly got this compassion for Palestinians, then good on him. But I have absolutely one rule, right? Until I see an Arab country, a Muslim country, with a democracy, I won't understand how anyone can have a problem with how they're treated.Now, I'm not going to defend the logic here -- it's punk logic! -- but I think the gist and the underlying instincts are dead right. And predictably, the left apparently has its knickers in a twist about it, as John might say: "The British blogosphere and commentaries in the Guardian are packed full of hysterical tirades against Rotten". So you see the main thing that's changed? It's the identity of the Man, who's morphed from your parents into those guardians of the cultural gates, those bien pensant chattering classes, the liberal-left culterati themselves, most of whom, comically, remain frozen in attitudes they formed during their extended adolescence, as self-righteous outsiders fighting an endless battle against now phantom parents.
Not John, though -- he's grown.
Now, I'm not going to defend the logic here -- it's punk logic! -- but I think the gist and the underlying instincts are dead right. And predictably, the left apparently has its knickers in a twist about it, as John might say...
ReplyDeleteYes and no. Rockers--even punk rockers--have to make a living--and Lydon's done better than many musicians (including serious jazz-classical types). I am sure the british Left will get their panties in a collective wad--he's a bloody zionist-capitalist wanker-- but the rightist Tory types most likely do the same hearing that Elvis Costello or whoever boycotted Israel.
There were leftist punks--the Clash for one (at least when Joe Strummer was around), but I would not call most of 'em leftist as in marxist, per se--more anarchistic, and they were certainly willing to sell out- Lydon's old manager McLaren was a hustler from day one.
The political implications of a rock star's or entertainer's decision to boycott Israel or not don't seem that important--even some old jazzers played in vichy France (including Duke Ellington,I believe )--interesting, but not exactly a conviction.
I wager Lydon won't be discussing say Israeli bombing of the Hamas or westbank or other controversial topics, however. How's that for punk logic.
J: The political implications of a rock star's or entertainer's decision to boycott Israel or not don't seem that important
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree -- this was just for fun. In particular, my schadenfreudian fun at seeing an aging punker turning his anarchistic contempt back on the herd of leftist sheep and their bleeting orthodoxies. Tomorrow, no doubt, there'll be a different focus.
Yes. It's quite amazing to hear some effete British leftist academics defend the likes of the Taliban, saudi royals or ottoman turks--and call all who oppose muslim encroachment (including Lydon) capitalists, nazis, honkays, etc. El Viejo Trotsky himself did not go so far.
ReplyDeleteThere appears to be a Stalinist nostalgia craze happening in the EU, helped by the likes of Zizek and his cronies--and Stalin had no problem allowing religious fundamentalism, both chrisian and muslim. At times even ChairDame Pelosi seems to wax slightly...stalinist.