Forum Post: Tom Morello Rages Against Paul Ryan
Posted 12 years ago on Aug. 17, 2012, 5:53 p.m. EST by VQkag2
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Tom Morello: 'Paul Ryan Is the Embodiment of the Machine Our Music Rages Against'
Rage Against the Machine's guitarist blasts Romney's VP pick and unlikely Rage fan.
By Tom Morello August 16, 2012 6:44 PM ET
Last week, Mitt Romney picked Paul Ryan, the Republican architect of Congress's radical right-wing budget plan, as his running mate. Ryan has previously cited Rage Against the Machine as one of his favorite bands. Rage guitarist Tom Morello responds in this exclusive op-ed.
Paul Ryan's love of Rage Against the Machine is amusing, because he is the embodiment of the machine that our music has been raging against for two decades. Charles Manson loved the Beatles but didn't understand them. Governor Chris Christie loves Bruce Springsteen but doesn't understand him. And Paul Ryan is clueless about his favorite band, Rage Against the Machine.
Ryan claims that he likes Rage's sound, but not the lyrics. Well, I don't care for Paul Ryan's sound or his lyrics. He can like whatever bands he wants, but his guiding vision of shifting revenue more radically to the one percent is antithetical to the message of Rage.
I wonder what Ryan's favorite Rage song is? Is it the one where we condemn the genocide of Native Americans? The one lambasting American imperialism? Our cover of "Fuck the Police"? Or is it the one where we call on the people to seize the means of production? So many excellent choices to jam out to at Young Republican meetings!
Don't mistake me, I clearly see that Ryan has a whole lotta "rage" in him: A rage against women, a rage against immigrants, a rage against workers, a rage against gays, a rage against the poor, a rage against the environment. Basically the only thing he's not raging against is the privileged elite he's groveling in front of for campaign contributions.
You see, the super rich must rationalize having more than they could ever spend while millions of children in the U.S. go to bed hungry every night. So, when they look themselves in the mirror, they convince themselves that "Those people are undeserving. They're . . . lesser." Some of these guys on the extreme right are more cynical than Paul Ryan, but he seems to really believe in this stuff. This unbridled rage against those who have the least is a cornerstone of the Romney-Ryan ticket.
But Rage's music affects people in different ways. Some tune out what the band stands for and concentrate on the moshing and throwing elbows in the pit. For others, Rage has changed their minds and their lives. Many activists around the world, including organizers of the global occupy movement, were radicalized by Rage Against the Machine and work tirelessly for a more humane and just planet. Perhaps Paul Ryan was moshing when he should have been listening.
My hope is that maybe Paul Ryan is a mole. Maybe Rage did plant some sensible ideas in this extreme fringe right wing nut job. Maybe if elected, he'll pardon Leonard Peltier. Maybe he'll throw U.S. military support behind the Zapatistas. Maybe he'll fill Guantanamo Bay with the corporate criminals that are funding his campaign – and then torture them with Rage music 24/7. That's one possibility. But I'm not betting on it.
Gorra <3 RATM !!! That Morello is one Top Cherry so Top Post !!
Hey Mods ... wanna thnk abt twinkles for forum-posts ?!
Or d'u lv tht to jst cmmnts ?
pax, amor et lux ...
RAGE!!!!
Against The ATM !!!
multum in parvo ...
Tom Morello and the Guitarmy rule! not enough musicians make the effort to support peoples movements. He channeled Woody Guthrie at May day March down 5th Ave.!
Motorhead!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/motorhead-mitt-romney-monster-lemmy-kilmister_n_2081646.html
Ummm....
It is over. We must focus on remaking thesystem, from the ground up, horizontally, w/ direct democracy. Do you know how that is progressing?
We must fight fpr the change that will help 3rd parties succeed. (movetoamend, nationalpopularvote, opendebates)
And we must agitate all pols for change the benefits the 99%.
The election is over! the 99% lost!
Ryan, RATM and rock music can go fly a kite.
You don't like 'Rage'? What is that about.?
Are you anti OWS too?
So called facts are fraud
They want us to allege and pledge
And bow down to their God
Lost the culture, the culture lost
Spun our minds and through time
Ignorance has taken over
Yo, we gotta take the power back!
Bam! Here's the plan
Motherfuck Uncle Sam
Step back, I know who I am
Raise up your ear, I'll drop the style and clear
It's the beats and the lyrics they fear
The rage is relentless
We need a movement with a quickness
You are the witness of change
And to counteract
We gotta take the power back
-Rage Against the Machine
take the power back!
Trust Tom Morello of Rage against the machine. "Ryan (& republicans) are the embodiment of the machine he has been raging against for 2 decades".
I've been listening to rage since I was 12
they have a lot to do with my inspiration to rage against the machine.
they have a lot to do with my protest of the wars.
Fist in the air in the land of hypocrisy
awesome speech by zach - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsvYboieNaM
Excellent. They represent real progressive ideals. Tom Morello channelled Woody Guthrie when We marched down Fifth Ave.
They understand that republicans ARE the problem. He supports progressive solutions.
Trust Tom Morello, He was right when you were 12. He is right now.
Rage does not support war by anyone
watch this video too - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZyULqmtO6o
I am anti war! I am against the phony war on terror, and the related drone assassinations! I am against the oil wars!
So there. I say it proudly and with no reservations. HA!
Good! That's a great way to be!
peace is the answer
"Morello endorses Obama".
Did you see that news story?
I don't have to agree with someone on everything to respect them.
Nope. Of course not. But you gotta admit Pres Obama is the best candidate that can be elected right?
BTW. I voted with my daughter & we both voted 3rd party down the line!!
But don't tell no one?
Nope.
And Cool!
I voted for a friend against every unopposed candidate. I voted against all the current judges. I voted against giving state legislatures a raise and extending term limits.
Who is a better candidate that CAN be elected? Romney.?
Are you finally coming out of the repub closet?
Anyone can be elected. People just have to vote for them.
You still living in the conspiracy world about me?
Oh anyone? What about you? Can you be elected?
Nope. You can be elected as easily as Johnson or Stein. Because we have not done the difficult work of reforming election/campaign law.
Movetoamend.com, nationalpopularvote.com, opendebates.com And more.
These things MUST happen to achieve what you claim you want.
http://pro.stansberryresearch.com/1210THIRDLIA/LPSINB33/
"All we are sayin'" man. "If everyone demanded peace instead of a tv, we'de have peace" Lennon.
Ever since Tom fully embraced the OWS movement, my respect for him has grown immensely. Obviously, Ryan was planning on confusing young folks about his persona when he said he enjoys RATM, but Tom shot back very quickly to expose once again the ill inspired hypocrisy of Ryan. Nice shot Tom, I am proud to have you along side of us fighting to move this planet in the right direction. We have fight back against the deceptions of all the "Ryans" in the world swaying people into their camp by feeding them myths. Following Ryan we would have to forget that July was the absolute hottest month on record in America since records were kept hundreds of years ago. He doesn't believe Global Warming exists, so why would he fix it. And, this only where it starts with him. Personally I don't think there is anything I agree with him on.
Can anyone here give their best shot to tell one outstanding good thing he will do for any of us? And plz don't repeat that lying propaganda being spread around, name your fact and source. It must be checked.
If we agree truth is the most important thing for all of us, and one of the biggest truths is LOVE. Then we are of like mind, so do this, take action, AND-------------------------------------------------->
Come Together NOW
PS----------> Thanks Tom, your a good honest person who cares......
Thats better.
Whats better?
It has a who, what, why. It's about issues and does not have the primary goal of alienating by labels. It may be uncomfortable for some if they support Ryan but that is the nature of discussing the issues.
Are the labels what bother you?
Pretty sure I made that abundantly clear already.
Sometimes you are so intelligent, and other times.... Yes
Is that a derogatory comment about my intelligence?
Which labels is it that bothers you.?
Hackles up!
Nah. no hackles up just tired of this guys constant insults.
If it's ok for him to suggest I'm stupid, I suppose I'm allowed to call him out on it.
I advise you to develop a thicker skin.Let people insult and attack you because it shows everyone their modus operendi and they will often accidentally expose what lies beneath their internet persona-providing you and everyone else a valuable insight.
Trust Tom Morello. He knows better 'cause he has been raging against the PTB for decades.
I will never allow insults to go by without calling it out. Not because my feelins are hurt and my skin ain't thick. But for the reason you allude to. People WILL see their insults and maybe my calling them out.
We should all call every single insult out. Not because we are hurt, but because it is the best way to stop these schoolyard bullying tactics.
Listen I grew up in the projects of Bklyn. I can be merciless with these amateurs. Not the way. It's what they want. What they don't want. What gets them turned inside out is calling them out in a respectful way.
My skin is thick just fine. Doesn't mean I gotta let these insults pass without callin them out.
"It's the only way to be sure"
Now you're being an ass.
Please refrain from the obscene name calling!
Trust the left wing RATM member Tom Morello. Vote out right wing wacko Ryan/Romney and all their republican conservative 1% plutocrat puppets.
Those labels ok?
Another insult!. You have nothing but insults. If you can't contribute to this site with respectful civil discourse you are an obstacle.
Please refrain from the constant insults.
What labels bother you. I don't like when people call me an ass, or make slurs regarding my intelligence, or suggest I am a fraud but offer no evidence, Or spread lies that I am trying to destroy OWS, then offer no proof. Just so you know that's what I don't like.
What labels bother you.?
He's jabbing at you to get an effect. As he states below, he's gaming.
Most people play games because their bored. He's egging you on just to liven up his day a little. Frankly, I don't care for these types of exchanges myself. It's like the bully in the playground pushing everyone around and when someone gets rattled, the tactic bears the fruit intended.
Or, from another point of view, words here are demeaned and thrown around like play things. As we all from time to time give into peer pressure they begin to seem to not as insulting anymore. So some here see their belittling as completely harmless since they been conditioned to accepting them as part of the discourse.
All this said, it just makes us suffer from a total lack of respect. It's the division we now have in politics where everyone gets even more entrenched. And, what happens, absolutlely nothing. Compromise has become a thing of the past of the past.
Our current has done the least of any. Think about it. This forum is like that congress sowing more division and finally culminating into hate.
Sadly, many here are adults. But for many here you wouldn't know that by the way write and insult others as if it's JUST A GAME. The one with the most insults wins.
My life is not game, and I take it seriously.
So, at this rate, we WILL NEVER----------------------------->
Come Together NOW
Hang in there VQ. We've all been there. It drives many who come here away. We'll never know how many thoughtful posters have been run off. Probably the best, since people of good sound character don't put up with the obnoxious insulting 24/7. But they may have good ideas to share. That we'll never know. For me, I have get out of here for a while. We are ALL human after all. We want to be treated with respect. Hard to find it here. The constant beating takes a toll. It's a shame really. It holds the forum back from it really could be.
Just my opinion. Now who wants bash me? I didn't cuss anyone out. Insulted no one. I'm only responding to what I see. I've been here long enough to see the pattern clearly.
Have a nice day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thx. They don't really bother me, I've just decided they need to told everytime they spew disrespectful, insults. It IS rooted in our culture/politics of personal destruction that has poisoned/infected our national discourse and prevented real compromise & progress.
Let them continue. Their motives will become clear and the will be ignored.
I want to take action that might have a positive affect on the lives of the 99%! I don't come here to play games with these offensive partisans.
Peace, Solidarity.
That is exactly how I've handled these "knife jabs" myself. To maintain your own dignity I think it's must to call it out when it clearly is there for all to see as the written word. At face value it's like looking down a dirty stinky sewer pipe. If you don't call it, &condone it, it has more power, almost as if the receiver of such immaturity accepts it since it's not addressed in further conversation. This is never the case of course and most of us know that those attack and insult lose creditably quickly. I don't trust opinions from those who don't have enough class to control their own behavior. I'm always looking at the whole package. Say what you mean, but don't be mean when you say it. But if it's there staring us right in face ignoring is not the best option.
Peace to you brother, too!
Some of us stand strong and every day we get stronger. My life has definite purpose and I am fulfilling it everyday. I'm happy. I ask for no more. Thankful for what I got. Mostly my good health. For the rest of humanity I relentlessly want JUSTICE. Just the way MLK put it. I seek the truth in all things, not with faith, but rather reason based on evidence. What I often call here, the evident truth.
I like your style VQkag2, you have earned my respect many times over. and I'm glad to see your posts here. It has always mattered and always will. Your doing your part very well. Good Luck!!!
Come Together NOW
Good to hear. I see you the same way.
Good soldier for the 99%.
Solidarity
You got the point. I'm not interested in this game anymore.
RAAAAAAGE against the right wing wackos who have turned our govt over to the 1% plutocrats.
Elect progressives, vote out anti OWS republicans
What game. Where you insult me constantly and contribute nothing of substance? I have no idea what you have against me but you did say you are my enemy. WHY?
I am not YOUR enemy.
that budget intro was intentionally confusing
Trust Morello! replace conservatives w/ progressives
budget intro? Whet budget intro?
I saw a pdf file from Pall Rand
Pail rain?
Arf, Arf, he goes a merry sight
How exciting for you. Who is Pall Rand? And was the pdf you saw? And is it related somehow to the budget intro you mentioned?
indeed, it was pail rain's budget I beehive
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