I
call on you to mobilize the forces.
IS
AMERICA REALLY HEALTHY?
IS
GEORGE BUSH A FASCIST?
What
are you going to do about it?
Ever
since the fall of the Soviet Union there has been a lack of a
balance of power. This lacking has created an environment whereas
any American president - or "two" presidents with the same
name - could impose
their will globally and unilaterally, for a number of reasons:
anti-terror (defense spending), democracy (oil). Democracy,
democracy, oil, oil, oil "All
we need is oil/da, da, da, da, da."
The
initial argument for war in Iraq was to rid the region of weapons of
mass destruction and remove Saddam from power, making the region and
the world safe from a maniacal dictator. Somehow the motive has
blurred into something completely different altogether: "A free
and democratic society for the people of Iraq," most of whom
don't want what we're selling them, and never will.
And
then there's the Patriot Act whose name couldn't be more misleading
or closer to the antithesis, and would never have been passed had it
not been for the fall-out factor of 9/11, and the fact that the Bush
administration was playing off every American's fears of one
another. They didn't take away our civil liberties, we allowed them
to be taken away! But what are we going to do about it now!!
What
does this election all mean to us? To you? To me? I believe this
goes back to the foundation of ideals that this country was founded
on - those God-given inalienable rights: life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness. And
brothers and sisters: with civil liberties under attack and
censorship abound, I implore you to make a choice for freedom. A
freedom for youth. Freedom
of youth is the freedom of the future.
Twelve
years ago, as an artist I felt a freedom to express my ideals,
thoughts, and hopes, even those that were not consistent with what
was considered politically correct or deemed in line with current
patriotic values. But all that has changed. Censorship has reared
its ugly head. Not since the days of "McCarthyism" in the
50's has their been an actual public fear of persecution that was
based in reality. Since I started this last album - the creative
process, press, video, lyrics, album art, website art I have been
up against an unseen enemy that has been put in place by this
current "fascist-like" regime: censorship, and the
persecution that comes with it.
Ever
since our media blitz in Hollywood (we did a free show in front of
3,000 kids), I have been speaking out candidly about these issues.
Now, in the middle of an American tour, the frequency of which I'm
selected for "Special Security Screening" at airports has
jumped from about 30% to 80-90%. Once again I say to you; it's not
whether we're moving in the direction of a fascist state, it's
whether or not you want it that way. Do you?
I
remember the weeks following 9/11. The tragedy, the sadness, and
that overwhelming feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop;
then something else happened. America came together and rose out of
the ashes like a Phoenix for the first time in my life. The ideals,
hopes, and common bonds that once were the bedrock of this nation
rose again to the surface and we let the world see what we were made
of - our unity, brotherly love, and honor, even if brought together
by tragedy.
I
feel that George Bush took advantage of us. Took advantage of our
loss. Took advantage of our pain. Took advantage of our grief, and
used it for his own selfish designs. The question is not whether or
not this happened, but if we're going to do something to change it.
Please make a vote that shows America does not belong to George
Bush. That the White House is not an heirloom of the Bush Dynasty.
Place a vote to restore honor and pride back to America and the
presidency. Vote for John Kerry.
If
you're asking, "Why did you post this now? The day of?"
It's because I want it to be the last thing on your mind before you
hit that booth!
-
Scott R. Weiland