Eddie Vedder: Imagine That -- I’m Still Anti-War.

[babylonsister]

http://pearljam.com/news

Imagine That -- I’m Still Anti-War.
July 16 2014


Most of us have heard John Lennon sing


“You may say I’m a dreamer,… but I’m not the only one.”

And some of us, after another morning dose of news coverage full of
death and destruction, feel the need to reach out to others to see if
we are not alone in our outrage. With about a dozen assorted
ongoing conflicts in the news everyday, and with the stories
becoming more horrific, the level of sadness becomes unbearable.
And what becomes of our planet when that sadness becomes apathy?
Because we feel helpless. And we turn our heads and turn the page.

Currently, I’m full of hope. That hope springs from the multitudes of
people that our band has been fortunate enough to play for night
after night here in Europe. To see flags of so many different nations,
and to have these huge crowds gathered peacefully and joyfully is
the exact inspiration behind the words I felt the need to emphatically relay.
When attempting to make a plea for more peace in the world at a rock concert,
we are reflecting the feelings of all those we have come in contact with
so we may all have a better understanding of each other.

That’s not something I’m going to stop anytime soon. Call me naïve.
I’d rather be naïve, heartfelt and hopeful than resigned to say
nothing for fear of misinterpretation and retribution.

The majority of humans on this planet are more consumed by the
pursuit of love, health, family, food and shelter than any kind of war.

War hurts. It hurts no matter which sides the bombs are falling on.

With all the global achievements in modern technology,
enhanced communication and information devices, cracking the
human genome, land rovers on Mars etc., do we really have to
resign ourselves to the devastating reality that conflict will be
resolved with bombs, murder and acts of barbarism?

We are such a remarkable species. Capable of creating beauty.
Capable of awe-inspiring advancements. We must be capable of
resolving conflicts without bloodshed.

I don’t know how to reconcile the peaceful rainbow of flags we see
each night at our concerts with the daily news of a dozen global
conflicts and their horrific consequences. I don’t know how to
process the feeling of guilt and complicity when I hear about the
deaths of a civilian family from a U.S. drone strike. But I know that
we can’t let the sadness turn into apathy. And I do know we are
better off when we reach out to each other.



“I hope someday you’ll join us,…”



Won’t you listen to what the man said.





— Eddie Vedder

[locks]

1. How beautiful

to know that there are still people left on our warring planet who say and sing out loud "all we are saying is give peace a chance". Some day we will realize that hate and violence never solved any of our problems and drown out all the warmongers and their bombs.

[babylonsister]

2. I don't think we will unfortunately, and I'm usually

an optimist; history repeats itself too often. But I do always love the message.

[malaise]

3. Thanks

I needed this tonight. Those four kids today were the last straw for me.

[babylonsister]

5. Aww, my friend.

There is no last straw; I pretty much figured that out between Iraq and the good old USA. Every day another GASP until I wonder if I'm wasting my breath.

[malaise]

6. You have a point

Every time we think they've reached a new low, they achieve nadir status.

[Violet_Crumble]

8. Here's something I saw posted in LBN where Eddie's saying some more...

It's from a few days ago. If yr not a fan and don't want to listen to 'Daughter', go to 4:14 where Eddie starts talking....

[malaise]

9. I'm going to listen to everything

Thanks V_C

[Puzzledtraveller]

4. It's how we got here.

We are a vicious species and always will be.

[Violet_Crumble]

7. I knew there was a reason I adore Eddie Vedder...

This bit in particular...

'That’s not something I’m going to stop anytime soon. Call me naïve. I’d rather be naïve, heartfelt and hopeful than resigned to say nothing for fear of misinterpretation and retribution. '