American Idiot?

GhostOfAMemory · **Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:11 am American Idiot?**

So I'm listening to this new Green Day song and thinking... why the heck does everyone have this big problem with America? What is so bad or wrong about America that everyone keeps trashing it? If there's some big secret out there, would those of you who know what it is care to let the rest of us in on it?

Defiant · **Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:13 am**

Heh, Green Day is bashing the way America is run currently. Their entire album has numerous political hidden messages. Its crazy.

Oliver · **Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:15 am**

It's called freedom of speech. Everyone is allowed to say what they want, even if it's trashing someone's country.

GhostOfAMemory · **Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:16 am**

I'm not talking only of the song though, it just made me think about all the times I've heard America bashed in one way or another. Is it that somepeople think there's something inherently wrong with America, or that other countries are jsut better or what? I personally have no problems with my country or the way it's run for the most part. I will certainly have a lot more problems with the beliefs of the people running it if Kerry is elected

*edit*

Yup, I am completely 100% for freedom of speech, and I am not in any way insulting Green Day or anyone else. I'm just curious.

Defiant · **Wed Sep 15, 2004 3:32 am**

It was hilarious. When I originally posted, I was coincidentally listening to American Idiot.

I think most of the song is talking about the medias role in American lives...

Captain Skyline · Vice Admiral Joined: 09 Aug 2001 Posts: 6646 Location: UK

Just Listen to Marilyn Mansons, Holy Wood Album, Its a stab at America.

"The album Holy Wood is a declaration of war. In a way, I am declaring war on the United States. I am attacking the shallowness of the entertainment industry, their self-congratulatory attitude, their beliefs that they can never do wrong, that they're always right, that they're the center of the universe. - Marilyn Manson

Captain Dappet · **Wed Sep 15, 2004 9:00 am**

Precisely. As a far, far left-winger, the way America and other right-wing countries is run to me is just...wrong. And unfair. And the Entertainment Industry...Blegh! Don't even get me started. One of the things I dislike the most in the world is MTV, which is American, like most other things that are entertainment.
The reality shows, everything.

It just seems to me that something is terribly wrong with the U.S. I don't have the exact statistics here, but I think it was barely one hundred people murdered with firearms in Canada, America's closest neighbour. And in the U.S, it was 16,000, or something. Maybe not that much, but it was very, very much if you compare with other places. Places that are very close to America, geographically, such as Canada.

And I'm not alone to think this. It's a quite common view.

What I do think is wrong, however, is people disliking America just because. They don't even know what it is they dislike, they just do, because so many other people do. And thats just stupid.

Ronevick · **Wed Sep 15, 2004 4:35 pm**

I live in America and I feel exactly the same way Toby does. Very annoying, this country. It's no suprise that a lot of artists take stabs at it.

Arellia · **Wed Sep 15, 2004 4:52 pm**

...annoying? How?

What's wrong with a country that gives the majority of the power to the people, sets limits on the governement to protect our rights, and allows people to do and be whatever the heck they want (Job-wise and lifestyle choices, I mean), if they just decide to take the oppurtunity? I'm not saying America doesn't have problems, but do consider: Our constitution has lasted longer than any consitution in any other country. Doesn't that count for something? If people want a different America, simple. Replace the senators, the house reps, and the president. That's it. If people REALLY had a problem with the government, they can change it. The power in the government is in its people, through America's system.

borgslayer · **Wed Sep 15, 2004 4:55 pm**

Speaking of toby keith he was singing about America kicking the booth in someones ass lol. "Red White and Blue Song"

GhostOfAMemory · **Thu Sep 16, 2004 4:27 pm**

I don't like the entertainment industry, either. The onyl reality show I watch it American Idol *this is not just an American thing seeing as it started as a british thing and there are Idols all over the world* And I absolutely do not watch MTV unless they're playing music videos. However I think the government is one of the best there is, if not the best. And there's a difference between having a problem with the way someone runs things in a country or the entire country.

What I want to know is why a lot of people bash America without even having a reason. They're like "Uh, America sucks!" "Why?" "Uhh... 'CAUSE IT DOES, SHUT UP YOU STUPID AMERICAN!" Okay, slight exageration, but you get my point.

Puck · The Texan Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596

I found the song purely insulting.

Sam Kenobi · **Thu Sep 16, 2004 6:13 pm**

I have no problem with the entertainment industry, I'm not involved in it, so it doesn't involve me. I like to watch movies and that's about all it effects me.

Nor do I have a problem with the United States government as it is. I'm just a dumb college freshman, not out in the world yet, so who's to say that I won't change my mind once I get out in the world.

My junior year chemistry teacher, who was one of the biggest inspirations in my life once said "Democracy is the best of the worst forms of government." As in all of the current forms of government suck, but a democracy is just the best of the worst (the worst being all) (if that makes any sense).

I'm inclined to agree with Syd, though. If you (Americans) really have a problem with it, go out and change it instead of bottling up your rage at a nerdy Star Trek Forum

. Get out there and try to do something about it.

I guess one good things I see in all these anti-American songs is that. That at least people are trying to make a difference by letting their opinion known. But if you ask me, I think it's bull that people act like that, if they've got that big of a problem, they can move somewhere else. (I'm quite partial to France myself, if I wasn't happy here... sit around smoking and drinking all day in the cafes? ah, oui.)

Valathous · **Thu Sep 16, 2004 7:32 pm**

Heh. I like that song

. Not as an insult to Americans, but as one to Bush..... plus I think it's just a catchy tune.

But I've been a Green Day fan for like 7 years...

I saw another controversial video..... In the background of the song, is a stockmarket screen (the stockmarket is crashing) and for a split second, it says.

"In Guns We Trust"

^Amazing song though! ( "Getting Away With Murder" - Papa Roach)

Republican_Man · **Thu Sep 16, 2004 10:06 pm**

Puck · The Texan Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Posts: 5596

Even though I don't like the lyrics, thanks to Dan, I have listened to the song. Even though me and these people are on completely opposite sides of the issue, I like listening to it...I have to admit it.

Defiant · **Thu Sep 16, 2004 11:06 pm**

I dont care what message they send. I love Green Day. I love American Idiot, and im gonna buy the album.

Valathous · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 9:56 pm**

Here are the lyrics to the famous song!

Don't wanna be an American idiot.
Don't want a nation that under the new media.
And can you hear the sound of hysteria?
The subliminal mindf*** America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
Convincing them to walk you.

Well maybe I'm the f****t America.
I'm not a part of a redneck agenda.
Now everybody do the propaganda.
And sing along in the age of paranoia.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
Convincing them to walk you.

Don't wanna be an American idiot.
One nation controlled by the media.
Information nation of hysteria.
It's going out to idiot America.

Welcome to a new kind of tension.
All across the alien nation.
Everything isn't meant to be okay.
Television dreams of tomorrow.
We're not the ones who're meant to follow.
Convincing them to walk you.

Republican_Man · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 10:40 pm**

My God! That song is HORRIBLE! How could you like it! Damn it!

Defiant · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 10:50 pm**

Its good music. Silly Dan, making me get the lyrics for him. *slap*

Arellia · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 10:50 pm**

I'm inclined to agree with RM. I can't stand songs with bad lyrics, and that DEFINITELY constitutes bad lyrics in my mind. >.<

Defiant · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 10:50 pm**

Its catchy.

Republican_Man · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 10:54 pm**

Defiant · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 10:57 pm**

No, I hate the US. *beep* us all.

Hey, dont knock it til you try it fool. Listen to the song.

Republican_Man · **Fri Sep 17, 2004 11:01 pm**

^I'm not going to listen to a song that DEMINES the US! For cripes' sake! Gosh! You may not give a damn about that and just care about the damn beat, but the CONTENT is what matters.