HooM! Point-Counterpoint: OBAMA'S AMERICA

POINT

BARACK OBAMA WILL BE OUR NEXT PRESIDENT

Phil Rind

Sacred Reich

It's over. The election has been decided. The American people have spoken loud and clear, and Barack Obama will be our next president. Many have waited eight long years for this day. We have suffered through two disappointing and suspicious elections. We have watched while Bush has made disastrous decisions, ruined the lives of millions of citizens, put our fighting men and women in harm's way over a lie, and tarnished the image of America around the world.

We do not know what the future holds. There is a steep uphill battle to be fought to right the wrongs of our recent presidential administration. But today we should be proud that a new spirit of hopefulness has replaced the cynicism of our recent history. We should move forward together and write a new page in the ever-changing landscape of America. 

COUNTERPOINT

THIS GREAT VICTORY FOR AMERICA IS SOMEHOW ABOUT MY RECORD PRODUCED BY TIMBALAND IN STORES NOW

Chris Cornell

Has black hair

I feel a huge sense of relief. I feel lucky to be alive to witness what has happened in the U.S. over the last several months. To witness what happened today. Historical. We needed this. I needed this. I need hope. I feel hope when I see good in human nature. I have seen it a lot lately. Out on tour doing in-store visits with Timbaland signing posters. Taking pictures. Playing live with his band to fans who were open to a collaboration that is truly unique. I don't care what anyone says. What we did together is different than anything that has been done before, and I saw goodness in the people that came to the events with the willingness to be open to something different than what they are used to. Great people. Great fans. The best fans!

INSIDE THE SACRED REICH

Everybody loves an election year, and as the rhetoric heats up it helps to remember the words of Kang and Kodos from The Simpsons. Impersonating Clinton and Dole during 1996's presidential campaign, the space aliens stated to Kent Brockman that "it doesn't matter which one of us you vote for; either way your planet is doomed. Doooooomed!" 

So true. But Arizona thrashers Sacred Reich want to help. And those guys always seemed pretty informed on political stuff. From a band statement via Blabbermouth:

We've created and posted new audio about the upcoming presidential election. We feel strongly that this is a pivotal election and that our country is at an important crossroad. 

These spots illuminate the differences between Barack Obama and John McCain in two defining areas of policy, the economy and energy. We feel that the two [issues] are linked. Only through a forward-looking energy plan that adresses renewables will we be able to create a new 'green' economy that will ensure the future for American workers and stem the tide of global warming that threatens or planet. 

Before the internet, bands like Sacred Reich, Metal Church, Metallica, Suicidal Tendencies ... ok pretty much all Thrash Metal bands could rail against oppression in their music; take it or leave it, at least there was Metal going on amid the discourse. Thanks to the internets, the means with which artists can market directly to their fanbase allows them to also raise social awareness bling bling blah. And it's hilariously ironic that internet-jockeys berate Dallas Coyle from God Forbid and every other musician with the stones to risk their precious sales by throwing in with the good guy; to them, it's go evil or spare us the "opinions". NewsFlash: McCain is a turdlet and everything on the internet is an opinion. Oh sorry I mean good morning. Yes I'm wearing this shirt again.