Springsteen's Magic: Darkness in the Center of Town

As I listened to Magic, the new (and maybe last?) album from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, I thought of a buddy and a movie.

A few days ago, a pal of mine, who had spent about a year in Iraq in a nonmilitary but intense position, told me about a recent episode. He had gone to a bar on a weekend night and had fallen into a dispute with a bouncer--a big bouncer. My friend, who's not that young and not that fit, surprised himself by becoming highly aggressive with the bouncer. He was ready for a fight--eager for it--knowing damn well that if one came his way, he would end up on the downside of the deal. Fortunate for him, the moment was defused, and he moved on intact. "That's not me," he told me. "That's Iraq. After being there, you feel you don't have to put up with anything here and what happens here is nothing compared to what happens there."

In Paul Haggis's new film, In the Valley of Elah, GIs come back from Iraq with a different attitude toward violence and death. The war has changed them--not by robbing them of limbs, but by stealing them of innocence (yes, a cliche) and, more important, by undermining their sense of decency. To say too much would be to give away the mystery in the movie. But Haggis's point is that besides the obvious impact of the war--the death count, the physical wounds, the mental injuries (such as post-traumatic stress disorder), there are other costs--subtle but deep--to turning young men and women into killers forced to make choices no one ought to have to face.

As Haggis's film and my friend's experience illustrate, there is a consequence of war that does not fit into the box scores of lives lost, troops hospitalized, and money spent. It's what warring turns us into. And that seems to have been on Springsteen's mind when he penned the foundational songs of Magic.

Much of the album is imbued with a melancholy and a sense of loss, even when Springsteen deploys the power chords, searing guitars, and cascading piano that once (oh so long ago) underscored themes of youthful exuberance, rebellion and escape. This loaded-with-hooks album has its obvious moments. On "Last To Die," Springsteen sings, "Who'll be the last to die for a mistake?" It's John Kerry's once-famous line rock-and-rollified. (In the last election, Springsteen campaigned with Kerry.) "The wise men were all fools," Springsteen wails, as drums pound. Neocons, take note.

But on other tracks, Springsteen eschews the big picture for the nitty-gritty, chronicling broken souls and detailing lovers lost in grief, all apparent victims of a faraway war. On the elegiac "Devil's Arcade," a gravely wounded soldier lies in bed at home and feels "the glorious kingdom of the sun" on his face, as the song's narrator--probably his wife--asks him to "just whisper the word 'tomorrow' in my ear." In the pop-infused (maybe too infused) "Livin' in the Future," a fellow who's received a letter saying "somethin' 'bout me and you never seein' one another again" feels untethered from the present moment. "My faith's been torn asunder," he says, "tell me is that rollin' thunder/Or just the sinkin' sound of somethin' righteous goin' under?"

Well, the answer is clear. The ship's gone down, and folks are left to deal with the wreckage on their own. And the grand sum of all these individual tragedies marks a societal demise. On the title track--a somber, violin-draped number--Springsteen sings of a magician who moves from making a coin disappear to sawing a volunteer into two. "I'll cut you in half," the sly trickster says, "while you're smiling ear to ear. And the freedom that you sought's driftin' like a ghost among the trees." As Springsteen has acknowledged, this song is about the Bush administration, and the Bush-Cheney magic act ends apocalyptically:

Now there's a fire down below
But it's comin' up here
So leave everything you know
And carry only what you fear
On the road the sun is sinkin' low
There's bodies hangin' in the trees
This is what will be, this is what will be.

There's a lot more than darkness on the edge of town. There's ruin. Yet overall the album's music does not match it's downhearted view. Springsteen creeps along a tight rope, balancing his musical brightness with his belief the nation has lost its soul at the hands of deceivers.

He ties it all together, though, in "Long Walk Home." Against Springsteen's long-perfected anthemic bar-band sound, he sings of returning--that is, trying to return--to his home town. But things ain't the same. The place is full of strangers. The veterans hall is closed: "The diner was shuttered and boarded/With a sign that just said 'gone.'" He recalls his father once telling him,

Son, we're luck in this town
It's a beautiful place to be born
it just wraps its arms around you
Nobody crowds you, nobody goes it alone.
That you know flag flying over the courthouse
Means certain things are set in stone
Who we are, what we'll do and what we won't.

It's no secret; he's talking not about a fine ol' town but about the romanticized American ideal. Whether it ever truly existed on the ground can be debated. (Remember "Born in the U.S.A"?) But what's for sure is that it's promise has been trampled by the current gang. And the war's one helluva tipping point. In this song, Springsteen's narrator sings, "Hey pretty Darling, don't wait up for me/Gonna be a long walk home."

Springsteen, whose last album was a romping collection of pumped-up versions of songs associated with Pete Seeger, is not wallowing in nostalgia. (Bodies hanging in the trees? We're way past nostalgia, he seems to be saying.) He's expressing a desire. Rock and roll has always been about yearning. In earlier days, it was about longing for sex, love, a fast car, flight. You know, "it's a death trap, it's a suicide rap," and so on. But as he surveys the horizon and sees a nation in trouble, that small town Springsteen wanted to flee as a young man doesn't look so bad now--that is, as a symbol of America's best values: community, compassion, the rule of law. So he's brought the band together and called upon the rock idiom he knows so well to share his present-day yearnings. At the age of 58, Springsteen knows that it's not about running away, it's about walking back. And though the music soars, his message is mired in realism: this walk is not going to be easy.

Comments (45)

1. mr. corn

   before i read this article,

   once again, congratulations.

   carry that flame, dude!

   Posted by frosty zoom at 10/02/2007 @ 1:58pm

2. well, i guess mr. springsteen won't be playing this year's STUPORBOWL XLII.

   they'll give his spot to the new PARIS HILTON BAND!

   "Jacques Ellul observes in Propaganda: When dialogue begins, propaganda ends. His theme, that propaganda is not this or that ideology but rather the action and coexistence of all media at once, explains why propaganda is environmental and invisible. The total life of any culture tends to be "propaganda", for this reason. It blankets perception and supresses awareness, making the counter environments created by the artist indispensible to survival and freedom."

   "The artist is the only person; his antennae pick up these messages before anybody. So he is always thought of as being way ahead of his time because he lives in the present." (1970)

   Marshall McLuhan

   Posted by frosty zoom at 10/02/2007 @ 2:05pm

3. The day after I saw Springsteen in 1981, I jumped off the catwalk to the factory floor, and I was Bruce jumping off that piano. He gave me dignity in my work, joy in the company of others and strength to be more than my surroundings wanted to tell me I was. We can beat these guys. We can fix the place. We just gotta get out in the street, talk the way we wanna talk and walk that way too. --Jim Caton

   Posted by ednahall at 10/02/2007 @ 2:40pm

4. Posted by FRANKGRITS 10/02/2007 @ 3:11pm

   dummocracy in action!

   Posted by frosty zoom at 10/02/2007 @ 3:14pm

5. "A plea to all Dittoheads and Wingnuts: Do your homework. Follow up on the things you hear Limbaugh say. Do some research and you'll find the lies. Do you like being lied to everyday?

   Posted by FRANKGRITS 10/02/2007 @ 3:16pm"

   Thanks - somebody had to say it. The dittoheads are just so sad listening to the bloviations of chickensh*t chickenhawks.

   Hard to say which is worse Rush or BO?

   Posted by CaptainKirk at 10/02/2007 @ 5:13pm

6. Do you like being lied to everyday?

   Posted by FRANKGRITS 10/02/2007 @ 3:16pm |

   Relax, Frank...Rush isn't running for office. Besides, you listen to WAY more Limbaugh then all the conservatives here combined. He's just another point of view. Dollars to donuts though says that Reid or Harkin, et al wouldn't bother to confront him personally or debate the issue.

   My brother-in-law has been a lifelong Springsteen fan since the 70's. Always had Springsteen playing either at home, in the car, etc. He finally got tired of his act a few years ago and quit buying his newer stuff. I imagine he's not alone. If Bruce were a rah-rah Bush guy on all his recordings, I would expect the drop in "listenership" to drop off just the same.

   If you really want your audience to think out reality, then give both viewpoints and leave it up to the listener to decide. After all...Bruce Springsteen has about as much combat experience as Katrina Vanden Heuvel.

   Posted by Sliver at 10/02/2007 @ 6:04pm

7. There's the truthful lie and then there's the lieful lie; see both sides...

   Posted by hsuBfools at 10/02/2007 @ 6:38pm

8. If you really want your audience to think out reality, then give both viewpoints and leave it up to the listener to decide. After all...Bruce Springsteen has about as much combat experience as Katrina Vanden Heuvel.

   and rush and george bush have how much combat experience?

   Posted by pretzel at 10/02/2007 @ 6:49pm

9. and how much combat experience does cheney have? sean hannity?

   Posted by pretzel at 10/02/2007 @ 6:49pm

10. Posted by PRETZEL 10/02/2007 @ 6:49pm

    Let's see:

    Bush - Commander in Chief of US Armed Forces Cheney - "Vice" Commander in chief of US Armed Forces Rush Limbaugh - Political opinion commentator Sean Hannity - Political opinion commentator Bruce Springsteen - Aging pop star.

    Which one of these does not apply to the "I really want to hear your take on politics" category?

    Posted by Sliver at 10/02/2007 @ 7:16pm

11. Posted by FRANKGRITS 10/02/2007 @ 3:16pm

    FRANK, who's Jesse McBeth?

    Posted by Mask at 10/02/2007 @ 9:47pm

12. i like springsteen...but still trying to get "born in the usa" out of my head...

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 10/02/2007 @ 10:38pm

13. Americans can clearly see that Demoncrats are the real "Betrayus" of the members of our armed services!

    Posted by RIO BRAVO 10/02/2007 @ 11:44pm |

    well, i'm no fan of the democrats, but they didn't send your people to die in iraq for absolutely no reason except greed (or maybe some perverse mission to "save" the world)

    Posted by frosty zoom at 10/02/2007 @ 11:49pm

14. "and rush and george bush have how much combat experience?

    Posted by PRETZEL 10/02/2007 @ 6:49pm

    The same as Bill Clinton, actually Bush has some military experience, since he flew jets..

    I think the Senate looked foolish today and this will baclk fire on them..

    SOMEONE tell Frank, that if he could get his head out from under Hillarys skirt, he would find out that MEDIA MATTERS is a Hillary creation, and therfore not a credible source to quote when discussing any news event.

    Another question for the resident Rush addict,is How did he miss what RUSH really sdaid when he listens to him so much...Reid "franked up" here...

    Posted by john maasch at 10/03/2007 @ 03:56am

15. Back in the good ole days of the 90's, Bruce 'the Boss' left the stage long enough for Bruce 'the Seer' to pen 'The Ghost of Tom Joad'. These observations on NAFTA job loss, immigration problems, social change, and their impact on ordinary people were early warnings of things to come. If there is a more haunting song than the title tune, I can't think of it right now. But, nobody wants to listen to a scruffy old guy with a reconstituted rock band warning about what may come. Let's leave that up to the politicians and pundits. They are so much more insightful, fair and balanced, eloquent and upright. Let's show this 'phoney poet' that he's no, uh, can't be, uh, won't be, hm, never was, oh well, a prophet!

    Posted by Moderatus at 10/03/2007 @ 06:34am

16. Any possibility The Nation will put some intern on the task of editing its boards to ensure they remain on topic? All this web 2.0 stuff sucks when its just an opportunity for idiots to spout off about whatever whenever.

    Posted by threehegemons at 10/03/2007 @ 07:04am

17. Bush, Cheney, Hannity and Limbaugh are nothing more than phony patriots and chickenhawk cheerleaders for this immoral war. I for one am more interested in hearing from the "aging rock star". Springsteen is the only true patriot here.

    Posted by ChickenHawk at 10/03/2007 @ 07:44am

18. "MEDIA MATTERS is a Hillary creation"

    Um, that'd be Mr. David Brock - another ex-con(servative).

    But facts are elusive when the Reich-wingnuttia has their collective heads picking polyps, eh?

    Posted by CaptainKirk at 10/03/2007 @ 09:37am

19. " I for one am more interested in hearing from the "aging rock star". Springsteen is the only true patriot here.

    Posted by CHICKENHAWK 10/03/2007 @ 07:44am

    Then pony up the $ 300+ and go to his concerts..

    Posted by john maasch at 10/03/2007 @ 09:40am

20. ""MEDIA MATTERS is a Hillary creation"

    Um, that'd be Mr. David Brock - another ex-con(servative).

    But facts are elusive when the Reich-wingnuttia has their collective heads picking polyps, eh?

    Posted by CAPTAINKIRK 10/03/2007 @ 09:37am

    So what? It is still a Hillary creation...think she didn't know about it? or do you think she was surprised that someone started a political web site for the Clintons? This from the only attorney on the planet who couldn't find billing records? or remember how $1000 became $100k without ever making a single trade herself for cattle futures?

    Please...speaking of polyps,eh?

    Posted by john maasch at 10/03/2007 @ 09:45am

21. " I for one am more interested in hearing from the "aging rock star". Springsteen is the only true patriot here.

    Posted by CHICKENHAWK 10/03/2007 @ 07:44am Good!! Maybe you will learn a little something from Springsteen on how to set up a profitable corporation, earn millions by your own creation, set up tax shelters and deduct expenses while collection in excess of $ 500k a night at concerts, not counting mega millions on Cds, hats, T-shirts, and posters....I hope you do learn something from a patritiot....as he hums all the way to the bank...all of which I whole heartedly support.

    Posted by john maasch at 10/03/2007 @ 09:49am

22. All apologists for Rush are PHONEY PATRIOTS and pathetic chickenhawks.

    Rush is a victim? How pathetic.

    Posted by CaptainKirk at 10/03/2007 @ 09:59am

23. actually Bush has some military experience, since he flew jets..

    Posted by JOHN MAASCH 10/03/2007 @ 03:56am

    mission accomplished!

    Posted by frosty zoom at 10/03/2007 @ 10:05am

24. Bruce is my hero. What's wrong with him expressing his opinions through his songs? Isn't that what artists do -- create from their view of the world?

    As for Limbaugh and the rest of the far right wingers, why aren't they held accountable for what they spew? It seems like no matter what they say, they just keep repeating the same lies and the majority of the people who hear them, believe them. No accountability.

    Posted by soccermom at 10/03/2007 @ 10:06am

25. Any possibility The Nation will put some intern on the task of editing its boards to ensure they remain on topic? All this web 2.0 stuff sucks when its just an opportunity for idiots to spout off about whatever whenever.

    Posted by THREEHEGEMONS 10/03/2007 @ 07:04am

    your request is off-topic.

    each thread grows very organically.

    sometimes for the worse, but usually for the better.

    editing would only stifle debate, however noble the goal of keeping it relevant may be.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 10/03/2007 @ 10:09am

26. Purple Heart Recipient Stands Up to Limbaugh's Vicious Attacks [alternet.org]

    All Rush had to do was apologize for the comments and explain his position.

    I wouldn't listen to his show but I am curious how an anal cyst keeps him out of the military BUTT he can sit on it while insulting all vets (in and out of uniform).

    Inquiring minds want to know.

    Posted by CaptainKirk at 10/03/2007 @ 10:35am

27. Inquiring minds want to know.

    Posted by CAPTAINKIRK 10/03/2007 @ 10:35am |

    unfortunately, inquiring minds don't listen to his show.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 10/03/2007 @ 11:11am

28. Hmmmm, Bush - Liar. Cheney - Pathological Liar. Rush Limbaugh - Hateful liar. Sean Hannity - Self-absorbed liar. Bruce Springsteen - Highly successful musician/singer/songwriter whose recordings have frequently made incisive commentary about America, its citizens, and our role in the wider world over the past 35 years.

    Yeah, I trust Bruce a great deal more than those other guys.

    Posted by borealis at 10/03/2007 @ 11:16am

29. http://www.snopes.com/military/limbaugh.asp

    Posted by CaptainKirk at 10/03/2007 @ 12:58pm

30. i've only heard the album a few times so far, and haven't dissected the lyrics.

    but one thing corn conveniently ignores is the catholic imagery. amazing how leftists/progressives try to write jesus out of the picture, when jeshua was more radical, more political, more subversive, than they could ever dream of being, even in their most wet dream of political fantasies. sad, really, the way the left has allowed moral majority fascists to co-opt the Lord.

    and not just 'sad' either. it's cynical, shallow, anti-intellectual, dishonest, cowardly, and has allowed the right wing apocalypts to take over not only the religious debate in this country, but the actual levers of governmental power, so they can wield their plans for armageddon.

    the sooner the left wakes up to this fact, the closer we can all get to reaching that ol' promised land which bruce & i know we can reclaim and make our own and that will take us to where we all want to go.

    otherwise, corn, you & i both live in these badlands, but 'you got to live it every day', and keep on findin' that reason to believe.

    Posted by Scrub at 10/03/2007 @ 3:55pm

31. "Let's see:

    "Bush - Commander in Chief of US Armed Forces Cheney - "Vice" Commander in chief of US Armed Forces Rush Limbaugh - Political opinion commentator Sean Hannity - Political opinion commentator Bruce Springsteen - Aging pop star.

    "Which one of these does not apply to the "I really want to hear your take on politics" category?"

    ----------------------------------- Sliver, it would appear you don't appreciate the role of a folk singer or artist, for that matter. Springsteen has long written about people's lives and society, in fact, that is what his music is largely famous for. He has long championed political causes as well.

    So, while you might rather listen to people you agree with like Bush/Cheney or Limbaugh/Hannity, Springsteen has attracted a popular following based on people who not only like his melodies but respond to his stories and his message.

    After all, isn't that what artists do? Especially someone like Springsteen who, you might remember, released an album of Pete Seager songs that he covered.

    Posted by hhemwm at 10/03/2007 @ 6:58pm

32. "MEDIA MATTERS is a Hillary creation" Um, that'd be Mr. David Brock - another ex-con(servative). But facts are elusive when the Reich-wingnuttia has their collective heads picking polyps, eh? Posted by CAPTAINKIRK 10/03/2007 @ 09:37am | ignore this person

    "I for one am more interested in hearing from the "aging rock star". Springsteen is the only true patriot here. Posted by CHICKENHAWK 10/03/2007 @ 07:44am Then pony up the $ 300+ and go to his concerts.. Posted by JOHN MAASCH 10/03/2007 @ 09:40am | ignore this person

    Maasch. Facts, try them sometime. Springteen charges $75 for every ticket in the house.

    ig nore ant

    Posted by NeilSagan at 10/03/2007 @ 10:52pm

33. "MEDIA MATTERS is a Hillary creation" Um, that'd be Mr. David Brock - another ex-con(servative). But facts are elusive when the Reich-wingnuttia has their collective heads picking polyps, eh? Posted by CAPTAINKIRK 10/03/2007 @ 09:37am

    So what? It is still a Hillary creation...think she didn't know about it? Posted by JOHN MAASCH 10/03/2007 @ 09:45am | ignore this person

    ig nore ant

    Posted by NeilSagan at 10/03/2007 @ 10:55pm

34. Rush is a blowhard. His daily talk show rhetoric is contemptuous of the americans on the other end of the politcal spectrum. Rush does not debate issues, he delivers the red meat and poisons political discourse.

    As long as someone wants to put Rush on the air with their FCC-granted public service license, it's their right, subject to FCC standards.

    Armed Services Radio may toss him off the lineup and that would be up to Armed Servcie Radio.

    Rush used to argue rich white illegal drug users should receive long sentances just like poor black illegal drug users do. This is consistent with the personal responsibility value conservatives espouse for other people. That argument ended in 2003 when it was Rush's oxycontin addiction became public news.

    Rush used to espouse abstinence until marriage. Last summer he violated his parole by possessing someone else's Viagra prescription. His is three times divorced and was single at the time.

    Conservatives don't choose authoritative leaders who practice what they preach, they choose leaders who speak forcefully and project power. Apparently, for conservative, that is enough.

    I'll leave you with this:

    Limbaugh called the uproar over the Miers nomination "a debate of ideas." He said, "The debate of ideas is occurring on the right. The left doesn't have the guts to tell us what they believe. They don't have the courage to be honest about it... We're not afraid to be who we are. We're proud to admit it, flex our muscles. We're proud to be conservatives."

    Comment: Then why didn't Rush allow Alan Colmes to share the interview?

    Posted by NeilSagan at 10/03/2007 @ 11:36pm

35. Posted by RIO BRAVO 10/03/2007 @ 10:59pm | ignore this person

    Soccermom is not advocating silencing Limbaugh, she is advocating that he "and the rest of the far right wingers" be held accountable "for what they spew." She doesn't say how they could be held accountable but she also doesn;t say they should be silenced.

    Oh, you have to be an Artist to freely express yourself, I forgot! Hope that makes it clear for you! Posted by RIO BRAVO 10/03/2007 @ 11:10pm | ignore this person

    Soccermom didn't say only artists can freely express themselves, she said "What's wrong with him expressing his opinions through his songs? Isn't that what artists do"

    I think you've got your panties in a twist. Your argument is based on misrepresenting her comment in an absurb representation and then taking issue with it as if she said it. It's transparently foolish. Come back and post when you have something worth saying.

    Posted by NeilSagan at 10/03/2007 @ 11:51pm

36. "Oh, you have to be an Artist to freely express yourself, I forgot!"

    Yeah, and Rush can call anybody in or out of uniform a "Phoney Soldier" - no problem, eh?

    You build a logic trap when you try to think.

    Posted by CaptainKirk at 10/04/2007 @ 09:42am

37. That was very demeaning and sexist of you to think soccermom requires you as her interpretor! Arrogance must be your special gift, but don't worry its not one that is from God!

    Posted by RIO BRAVO 10/04/2007 @ 12:32am | ignore this person

    This is a blog RB. You don't get to have a personal tet-a-tet with soccermom to the exclusion of all other commenters. Soccermom can speak for herself and so can I. The question is whether you can speak for yourself without being transparently foolish.

    Posted by NeilSagan at 10/04/2007 @ 10:01am

38. For me, Springsteen was an acquired taste. I was not in the crowd that thought Bruce and the East Street Band played the anthem of my life. While others put their speakers in the dorm windows and cranked up Born to Run, I listened to a CORNacopia of music that including old favorites like Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Cream and new sounds like The Clash, Police, The Specials, the Ramones, Eric Clapton and Otis Day and the Knights... from Animal House.

    What I heard in Bruce's music was the elevation of commonplace values and that was a big turnoff for me. I couldn't imagine what so great about New Jersey culture that made it was worth singing about nevermind elevating.

    Bruce has gotten more mature and more circumspect and so have I. All of the music Bruce made in the early 80's sounds much different to me now. I enjoy it. Listening to his music is a thrill. Bruce's catalog of music is amazing and he continues to write and release music that is relevant, keenly observant, interesting and enjoyable... but that's just me.

    Posted by NeilSagan at 10/04/2007 @ 10:30am

39. Anybody seen O'Reilly? Kirk, have you seen O'Reilly?

    Posted by NeilSagan at 10/04/2007 @ 10:31am

40. Oh, you have to be an Artist to freely express yourself, I forgot! Posted by RIO BRAVO 10/03/2007 @ 11:01pm

    Rio -- The difference between Bruce and Rush is that Bruce acknowledges these are his beliefs/opinions while Rush presents his information as fact.

    Posted by soccermom at 10/04/2007 @ 11:18am

41. 'Phony soldier' comments continue to roil Iraq war debate

    Comments by conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh that troops who oppose the Iraq war are "phony soldiers" are still stinging more than a week after he made them. The controversy comes only a week after the liberal group Moveon.org ran an ad in The New York Times calling US Army Gen. David H. Petraeus "General Betray Us." That event drew similar criticism, and some observers speculate that liberals are focusing on Mr. Limbaugh now to draw attention away from the ad incident. The continuing fallout has prompted some observers to remark that politicians who have pounced on the comments and the ad are both eager to sound off before the elections and unable to take a firm stance of their own on the war.

    The controversy started on the Sept. 26 edition of Limbaugh's radio program, The Rush Limbaugh Show, when he spoke with a caller about antiwar protesters. The caller lamented that, "what's really funny is they [activists] never talk to real soldiers. They pull these soldiers that come up out of the blue and spout to the media." At which point, Limbaugh interjected, "The phony soldiers." The caller agreed, and after finishing that particular discussion, Rush summarized a news item from one of his earlier shows.

    More HERE [csmonitor.com]

    *****end of clip*****

    Maybe the CSM is more believable? Surely no neoconman could confuse himself into thinking HRC controls or owns the CSM, or am I giving too much credit?

    capt

    PS - no O'Reilly blog or TV. UGH.

    Posted by CaptainKirk at 10/04/2007 @ 1:35pm

42. It took a long time for me to actually be able to understand a single word that Bruce Springsteen was saying. Because they tend to mumble a bit, both he and Bob Dylan are hard for me to pick up sometimes.

    But you know something, whenever I do finally understand what they're saying, they're saying something important. That's what I'd like to see more of in music. While we as Americans tend not to read the newspaper (unless it's the National Enquirer), we do all listen to music.

    I'm glad that someone like Bruce Springsteen, a guy that's got enough money to buy his own island in the Pacific and retire there with his wife and kids, has chosen to continue to try and make us think about things.

    But what else would I expect? He's from Jersey. Despite the fun that most folks make of us Jersey natives, we're always trying to make you think on some level.

    Also Rese, while I appreciate the service that you're trying to perform, I would think that the fact that everyone complains about your internet cut-and-paste diatribes would give you a hint. Take it.

    Posted by edwriter at 10/04/2007 @ 1:37pm

43. To clarify my lack of communication skills and my inability to complete a thought:

    I am sad to say I have not seen a post on AR456 from O'Reilly lately - conversely - I am happy (sorry I had to) to never see Bill O on my TV (not allowed).

    Posted by CaptainKirk at 10/04/2007 @ 1:48pm

44. The REAL "phony soldier" had a REAL agenda...and looks to me, the Left once again, bought it hook, line and sinker....From today:

    BEGIN TRANSCRIPT

    RUSH: I kind of glossed over this, but the phony soldier being discussed on this program since last Wednesday, Jesse MacBeth, was born as Jesse Al-Zaid in 1984. Now, he did something interesting in January of 2006. After he told all of these lies, after he lied about his Purple Heart -- the guy never got out of boot camp. He washed out after 44 days. He was never a Green Beret, Special Ops, never anything, never went to Iraq. The whole thing was manufactured. Obviously, he had to do this on purpose with the intent of discrediting the US military. Now, these are the people, before they learn the truth, the Democrat Party embraces, sad to say. So he tells all these lies about all these soldiers that he saw hanging innocent civilians from the rafters of mosques and all this.

    His words were spread all over the world on the Internet, they were translated into Arabic, and I'm assuming here that Al-Zaid is an Arabic name. So what we have here in the case of Jesse MacBeth, who, by the way, was originally embraced, he was like a hero to the anti-war left. They loved spreading the lies. Are there any retractions coming from them now? No. And there won't be. The truth is inconvenient. It is fiction that propels the anti-war movement, ladies and gentlemen. But in January of 2006, he joined Iraq Veterans Against the War, and he was welcomed into this group. It should raise questions about the mission. The Jesse Al-Zaids of the world do not represent most vets and those serving now. So he joins this group, and they welcome him. I don't know that he will ever be denounced by these guys.

    END TRANSCRIPT

    Posted by Happy at 10/05/2007 @ 12:06am

45. corn, scrub was too hard on u about the 'catholic imagery' and such. yea, there's some, particularly on a song or two, but the overall tone of the album is one of haunted occupation, and futures not bright. yea, still, the music uplifts, and live these songs are going to go off the roof. even clarence sounds like he has his pipes back...at least maybe some old age health has done him good. the best song on the album of course - along with 'radio nowhere' & 'long walk home' - is 'girls in their summer clothes', perfect pop as its known, and around here in 'diego the beach boy 'rif comes off well, and summer extends into october, and sometimes into the deserts too. that's where the badlands are but they don't talk about 'em much 'cept to say 'there's a bad moon risin'' and our hungry hearts shall one day be satisfied.

    Posted by Taboo at 10/07/2007 @ 07:10am