Ring the Alarm: An Interview with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe

[babylonsister]

Ring the Alarm: An Interview with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe
Scott Thihll

Posted April 1, 2008 | 12:59 AM (EST)

snip//

But the times they are a-changing -- again. From the surprising rise of Barack Obama to the hopeful demise of George Bush, the dual energies of change and convention are supercharging the culture, and their battle is fierce. The global village, to say nothing of America, is at a crossroads unlike few others in its history, and one last fuckup could push us all past the tipping point. And judging by the sheer volume and urgency of Accelerate, R.E.M. seems determined to not let that happen on its watch. To mangle The Doors, they want another world and they want it now.

"Where's my jetpack?" Stipe laughs by phone, quoting artist Ryan McGuinness. "It's 2008, and the best we can do is the odd policeman on a Segway? We've had administration after administration pulling us back to the 1950s. I want progress, and I want progressive agendas. I fully expected that when I was 13 and taking an environmental science class that we'd have alternative energy by now. If you would have told me in 1973 that in 2008 a black man and a woman running for president would still be a big deal, I would have laughed at you."

Yet here we are. And for Stipe's tastes, at least, one of them has gone too negative to be considered a change agent.

"I'm for Barack Obama all the way. The Clinton campaign has took a desperate turn and has, I think, shown its true colors. How dare they use fear against Americans after these past seven years? I'm really tired of politicians telling me what to be afraid of. On the other hand, Obama is hopeful, grounded and clearly intelligent. He is, relatively, an outsider to the beholden D.C. club, and I think that is what America is calling out for; not a career politician but a true outsider candidate. He represents I think the true spirit of the beginning of the 21st century."

"Looking back," Stipe continues, "I feel like we've all had enough of the fear and the arrogance, and losing our place in the world. Our very big idea of a country and democracy has been brought to a near end by very small people."

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-thill/ring-the-alarm-an-interv_b_94387.html

[Cooley Hurd]

1. Welcome To the Occupation....

...hell, we even have Ann Coulter "exhuming McCarthy."

I'd say he was quite prophetic.;)

[C_U_L8R]

2. Right on.

it's good enough to repeat often:

"I'm for Barack Obama all the way. The Clinton campaign has took a desperate turn and has, I think, shown its true colors. How dare they use fear against Americans after these past seven years? I'm really tired of politicians telling me what to be afraid of. On the other hand, Obama is hopeful, grounded and clearly intelligent. He is, relatively, an outsider to the beholden D.C. club, and I think that is what America is calling out for; not a career politician but a true outsider candidate. He represents I think the true spirit of the beginning of the 21st century."

Thank you Michael Stipe !