In a recent radio interview Roger said: "I think this election is singularly the most important political event since the end of the second world war. I don't think one can overstress that point. This is a real watershed, you know, where the American voter gets to decide which road to take. There is a serious fork in the road here. Often American politics is a bit confused but I think the choice between the Republicans and the Democrats, between Bush and Kerry, at this point is a fundamental one that needs seriously addressing.
"Everybody vote for Kerry on November the 2nd! We gotta' get this madman out of the White House! You know, I'm happy to talk about my work, but it all pales into such insignificant nothingness by comparison with what's going on during this election. I feel that so powerfully.
"I think Kerry will make all kinds of correct decisions about how to deal with the problem of terrorism around the world and I think the incumbent President is making all the wrong decisions about it. That's my view. I think that George Bush makes a great show of strength but is actually weakness.
"That's my view and I hope desperately that everybody goes out and gets motivated and votes for Kerry in this Presidential election because my belief is that America has an opportunity to reclaim the high moral ground in it's standing in the world and the rest of the world needs leadership from this country. There is a humanity in the heart of the USA that was always admired greatly by the other countries in the world, and it's been diverted and the American people need to reclaim that essence of goodness, and I think John Kerry's a good man to make the first moves in that journey back towards America being the great country that it has been in the past and should be in the future.
"The Cheney-Bush philosophy can do nothing but widen the riffs between the peoples of the world, make America more unpopular, make America a less safe place to live in and generally provide us with retrograde moves. Absolutely the first thing is to get that team out of the White House and get a more reasoned less hysterical administration, and I pray for that."
This page is a consequence of complaints I have received by a few (primarily American) "Roger
Waters Fans" about "left wing" political views on a Roger Waters web site!
A few complaints suggested that some fans might misinterpret the political views of the REG
fanclub to be those of Roger Waters. I disagree. Though the political views of REG closely parallel
those publicly stated by Mr. Waters, I choose to believe, and hope, that people are
smart enough to know the difference. However, this page was created to ensure that
all fans understand that the political views expressed on the REG web site are solely
those of the REG fanclub and do not necessarily reflect the views of Roger Waters.
Some have complained that I should have no political opinions on a Roger Waters
site at all, and that it should be about Roger Waters alone. I would agree with this if
Roger Waters was a celebrity such as an actor or game show host, or even
some newby commercial pop icon. But this isn't the case. Roger's music is
legendary, and it is often chalked full of terse political statements, satire and inuendo.
I respect and understand that many Roger Waters fans may have different views and
opinions than I (or Roger for that matter). And I am sorry that they do not agree that war
is wrong, and that we must guard our liberty and freedom from "the powers that be" within
our own respective governments.
It is clear that many of the songs written by Roger Waters are political or social in nature.
In fact, during the 1970s, the music of Pink Floyd (and the lyrics of Roger Waters),
became anthems for the Youth and Peace movements.
Today, Roger Waters political views are widely known, and seem to be in
tandem with those that are displayed on the REG site. In fact, in a recent German
interview, Roger condemned President Bush, his administration and its policies, as
well as the Iraq war in quite strong language.
Because Roger's work has historically been so political, it is difficult to understand
why ANY Roger Waters fan would object to the same type of political sentiments being advocated on a Roger Waters
web site. It should be no surprise that Roger Waters' sites reflect like minded views.
I'm also a bit baffled as to how anyone can be a fan of Roger Waters and his music, and not
agree with the music's political content?
It is sad, and a shame that because of the small amount of political content on the REG website, some
Roger Waters or Pink Floyd "fans" will no longer be viewing our site.
But if you are one of these fans... as Roger put it in lyrics from the Pro's
and Cons of HitchHiking...
The tone of some of the complaints I've received seem
to suggest that objections would not have been made had the political opinions been
of the opposite spectrum, statements such as "Support our Troops" or "Kill Sadam" or "Nuke
Iraq" etc.
It is sentiments such as this which lead to logic such as George Bush's
pronouncement after 9/11 that "...if you're not with us, you're against us!"
This is the type of doctrine that goes totally against all precepts of what
Freedom is all about! It's the same as saying; "If you don't agree with US policy,
then you are the enemy," or; "I'm for free speech, as long as I agree with
what you say!" This type of thinking was a characteristic of Nazi Germany,
and is also typical of those who would save liberty by unthinkingly ending it!
It is this same ideology which espouses that patriots are only those who are in favor
of their governments policies, and those who are against them are traitors. The same ideology
which states: "America - Love it or Leave it!" or "My Country - Right or Wrong," and "Support Our Troops" (no
matter that they were sent to attack and invade another country which posed no
threat, in an illegal war)! This is the ideology that breeds Nationalism!
I think it is imperative at this juncture in time for everyone to, as David Crosby
put it, "...speak out against the madness." to "speak your mind... if you
dare..." for the darkest hour... is fast approaching as America
marches further toward fascism. "But you know... the darkest hour... is just before the
dawn." (And it seems to be a long... time... before the dawn.)
Sincerely,
Michael Simone"...did you understand the music Yoko, or was it all in vain?..."
President of REG
The International Roger Waters Fan Club
NO MORE KILLING
NO MORE WAR
BRING THE BOYS BACK HOME!
