Mother Jones - Comments for "Henry Rollins: Post-Punk Pundit"

Re: Confirm your CNET account

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Rollins fan, here

I'm a 'fan' of Henry Rollins, and here's why: He's outspoken. He speaks his mind. He speaks out. He dares to have an opinion in what is arguably an increasingly sensitive and censored world. I like that. I respect that. I think it's an outstanding trait, and if we had more people like Mr. Rollins and less like the network sock-puppets, then maybe our news reporting would be of higher quality, and maybe more people would tune in and read. Another thing that Henry's good at is that he really puts himself into his storytelling. He can get people to laugh, and sometimes, that's really important, because a lot of the subject matter out there is nothing to laugh about. This interview talks about the war, a little, and I don't know about anyone else, but I'm also anti-war in that I think the Iraq invasion was unnecessary, and has more to do with money than it does anything else, war-dollars have certainly kept things rolling a long, promissory or otherwise, but they've also helped bring us to this new place, this sort of nebulous not-really-sure area where people are asking what some of our national values really are, and what we're willing or able to do to succeed. Our national mettle has been tested, and so far, we've emerged victorious by all accounts, but victories are also fleeting, short-lived, and dubious in value if achieved through means that are considered ignoble or have totalitarian leanings associated with them that are usually attributed to countries that have funny hats and lots of produce and maybe a couple of oil wells, but barring that have nothing going for them. In the interview, Henry talks about his D.C. origins. Talk about the heart of the beast, as it were, but he took off in his own direction to pursue music, and left all that behind. I think that's awesome, because it shows an independent spirit, and what better country for that outlook on life than the United States? I hope Mr. Rollins swings through our part of the country again, it was a real treat getting to attend a performance, I'm not sure what to make of 'FANATIC', but since I own it, and don't have to return it, maybe the second read will make more sense. Insofar as the military is concerned, we kind of have to have one. But, as described in the Constitution, it's also required to be 'well-regulated', meaning that the oversight and governance and authority used in the context of our military has to go through a lot of review and approval, to prevent its' misuse and abuse, as well as to give the People an opportunity to essentially 'vote' on the conduct of the military, either in wartime, or in peacetime. The military's role is maybe unenviable, to keep nose-to-grindstone, 24/7, and to be concerned with potential threats to our national future, either from outside our borders or within them, as they are an arm of the government that is charged with this responsibility. And, the military itself doesn't set national policy, that kind of duty is reserved to Congress and the Executive branch, and Henry was hardly alone, by any stretch of the imagination, in voicing criticism of the last administration. I think it's good that he clarified his support for our troops, because I met more than one that liked punk rock, and those that support liberty also tend to support the military that makes it possible for free speech and dissent and unfettered opinion to happen for everyone, and no one likes our country being run be greed or deceit, and that's what we just got done with 8 years of. Maybe our new president will invite Henry 'back home' to do an honorary 'gig' as White House Press Secretary For A Day, or something. That'd just be awesome. Klaatu marachas necktie

The intent of Freedom of Speech, and UN-"Educated" remarks

Ahh, slimy altruist blather rears its head! The person posting as "Educated" above states that a person should not vocally give their opinion if they have a more widely heard voice than other people. They should "self-censor" and not promote their own viewpoint (whose viewpoint should they promote? The views of socialist schoolmarms or news anchors, perhaps? ...Duuhhrr.) "Whether you agree or disagree with the personal politics of celebrities, they should not abuse their spotlight by pushing their own values. " Bullshit. If you've got a strong opinion, then speak. Let is suruve on its own merit or be ridiculed far and wide. ...That's the concept of free speech, and it belongs in America: for celebrities, for street sweepers, for children, for cops, and for drug dealers. For everyone. Urging anyone to censor the dissemination of their views and ideas is un-American, and stupid (because they won't listen). Moreover, believing that celebrities who take part in the media should self-censor is even more idiotic, because this "Educated" (mis-educated) person is then advocating that they take a self-imposed hit to their own pocket book. Why would anyone behave so irrationally? How doltish. How servile, "Educated" must be. Vote Libertarian, be libertarian. Win Freedom. http://www.fija.org -Knowing your power as a juror can set an innocent person free!

I am doing my History Fair project on Henry Rollins, he's my hero!

Opinion: Henry Rollins is a major douche-bag that plays in [deleted]ty bands.

Fact: He is one of the most intolerant celebrities of other people's opinions. He openly mocks and attacks other celebrities who have a different viewpoint but are expressing it openly to the public IN THE EXACT MANNER THAT HE DOES. The only difference is that the people he attacks allow him to have his opinion and don't sink to his level by openly criticizing the person holding the viewpoint.

Opinion: Whether you agree or disagree with the personal politics of celebrities, they should not abuse their spotlight by pushing their own values. The tendency is to support celebrities that we agree with, when the fact of the matter is, their opinion is no more important than anyone elses and treating it so silences our own voices. True supporters of power to the people should understand that status should treated with caution.

I dont know about you but I'm always down to hear old punk rockers keep it real about the media. Henry Rollins is going to be hosting this I'll webshow called "meet the bloggers" this Friday. It's live 10am pacific/1pm Eastern. He'll be talking about the corrupt media with Jon Kim from fox attacks, Liliana Segura from Alternet and Paul Waldman from Media Matters. Should make for some interesting conversation.
The show is cool because there is a live blog going on as the show happens where you can talk about the issues along with the guests.

Check it out.

Meetthebloggers.org

Ps. (last week Micheal Moore was on. It was hilarious)

his music and writing are embarrassingly bad, but I can't get enough of the guy. there is absolutely no bull[deleted] with rollins. i love his work ethic and he inspires me to do what i do.

Rollins is great. He strikes me as an individualist with a backbone, and he seems to be figuring things out more quickly than the other punks. He also doesn't have the stink of enforced altruism on him, like Biafra does.

I'm interested to know if Rollins has read the following books/sources, which are real American individualist books. If he has not, or any part of his landscape is incomplete, then perhaps he might want to investigate my sources and then talk to me.
First and most important:

http://www.fija.org
"If we reinstate the practice of informing the jury of their right to veto bad laws, and thus prevent unjust punishments, we thereby protect every individual right."
http://isil.org/resources/lit/history-jury-null.html
http://isil.org/resources/lit/new-hope-fija.html
http://www.lysanderspooner.org
http://www.blackmanwithagun.com
http://www.innocentsbetrayed.com
objectivism:
http://www.optimal.org/peter
http://www.objectivistcenter.org
http://www.aynrand.org
books:
"The New Prohibition" ed Bill Masters
"The Creature From Jekyll Island" G Edward Griffin
"The Ominous Parallels" Leonard Peikoff
"Why Government Doesn't Work" Harry Browne
"How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World" Harry Browne
"You Can Profit From a Monetary Crisis" Harry Browne
"Atlas Shrugged" Ayn Rand -fic/philosophy
"The Fountainhead" Ayn Rand -fic/philosophy
"The Virtue of Selfishness" Ayn Rand
"Unintended Consequences" -John Ross (Accurate Press)
http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills

I own a few Rollins albums (end of silence, Black Flag damaged). I like them.

I am somewhat upset by the fact that there are not more political individualists in punk rock. Perhaps FEAR comes the closest to anarcho-capitalist and very well educated. It amazes me the servility of punk since Jello Biafra defined (too many) punks' politics.
http://jcwitmer.blogspot.com

I'm still waiting in Utica. Perhaps he will play the 4H club in Albany or the Rotary in New Rochelle?

Sincerest regards,
Estelle Pearl Schmenky
(nee McGillicuddy)

Rollins 4 Prez
Gale Call me
4807734061

Thank you Henry Rollins for YOUR comments.I was instantly drawn to your early work in music and have continued to be interested in just about everything you do.You are such a character! Thank you thank you thank you for your honesty and shining light in dark corners where sneaky cheaters like to do their dirty work. Please by all means continue to speak your mind.

I HAVE BEEN A ROLLINS FAN SINCE READING HIS BOOK "BODY BAG" YEARS AGO. I ADORE HIS WRITING MORE AND MORE AS THE YEARS GO BY. THANKS HANK! KEEP IT UP!

Did someone mention my name?

I LOVE Henry Rollins. He's my idea of the perfect hero- he's real, he makes mistakes, but he doesn't compromise his ideals and he doesn't buy into anyone else's idea of what he SHOULD think and say. Thoughtful dissent combined with real actions- it's the epitome of what our nation was founded on. I'm gushing aren't I? VIVA Henry!

henry was born henry garfield and changed his last name to distance himself from the father he hated. get yr facts straight.