This is another spot-on article. Julie Roginsky is right about everything, especially this: "Perhaps they think that if they keep their heads down now and stay silent, they can ride this moment out. That is a profound misunderstanding of who Donald Trump is." The key word is "profound."
Maga will escalate actions to harm and humiliate legendary stars because doing so harms us. They want to see us publicly weeping like after the deaths of John in 1980 and Kurt in 1994.
I can attest to this fact given the Trumpy behavior of a family member, Bunker Hunt's son in law, who became a maga fat-cat Swift Boater, Bush Pioneer and a player in the culture wars. Our pain is their delicious high and ultimate turn-on.
Julie is correct that these great artists and performers must work together now to awaken and energize us, The Traumatized Giant.
I like your idea. I thought it would have been nice during Bernie and AOC’s rally tour, if noteworthy musicians toured along with them in support.
Times have changed a lot since the Dixie Chicks careers were nearly euthanized for speaking out against Bush’s war mongering policies. It would be great to see musicians organize against this corrupt Republican regime. It would be even better to see American citizens organize into a massive nationwide strike. The MSM isn’t giving the current loud protest efforts much attention, but maybe everyone staying home would inspire more of a reaction. The collective silence might just be deafening.
Interesting observation about the importance of "influencers" (I am so old, I really don't know what constitutes one; guess I'm just lucky). I recently sold my house in NJ and told the agent that she was fantastic. She asked me to write a review on Google. According to her, if the current generations need to buy toilet paper and there are no TP reviews, they don't buy toilet paper!
As for the silence of Millennials and Gen Z'ers (and they don't call them Generation Zero for nothing!), that doesn't surprise me at all. The older generation always looks disparagingly on the younger ones (the so-called Greatest hated the Boomers), but these two in particular are so brain-dead that they need someone to tell them to "inhale" and "exhale." Don't count on them for any support.
This is such a powerful message! How can we influence those superstars to follow your suggestion?? Surely someone can speak with Oprah to organize that kind of Live Aid televised concert.
@saltypolitics Please check out my last two or three Substack essays that speak to this exact issue and suggest solutions for rallying music artists and their fans around various causes, activating supportive politicians, and voting out the detractors. Let’s work together to implement this.
That is a GREAT idea Julie! I hope a huge big name concert is organized so we can protect democracy not only in the United States, but around the world. Fight fascism! Protect democracy!
I totally agree about Oprah where has she been lately ? and everybody else and frankly people like Bill Gates sure he’s been generous from time to time, but he has so much money it’s his DUTY to fight for democracy and famine around the world. Come on now put on your big girl panties everybody.
I suspect that effective anti-trump protest songs and other forms of protest art will originate with lesser known artists rather than from celebrities, perhaps from people whose lives are more profoundly affected by the current climate of fear and outrage.
It would be interesting to look into the emergence of the 60s protest songs and how well their authors were known when they wrote the songs. I don't recall that Barry McGuire was popular before "Eve of Destruction" became popular. I doubt many people know of this song now, although, it still rings true.
I have noticed, by and large, a definite dearth of star power speaking out against anything. Here and there, sporadically, especially when he attacks or insults someone. This is the time when the loudest voices in the room need to be heard. If you have any kind of push, pull, influence, say or opinion about what's happening to your country, now is when you stand up and be counted. Together.
First of all, shouldn’t the media have some serious concerns about the POTUS of the United States up half the night tweeting his hatred of various celebrities? Doesn’t he have anything better to do with his time? Cognitive decline maybe? None of these modern day celebrities are going to do more than sing a song at a campaign rally or offer an endorsement. Oprah is much too busy trying to land the next interview that will bring in millions. Taylor is always going to be tepid even though she has a legion of rabid fans who worship her. She’s also too busy making truck loads of money and partying with Travis. NY Magazine has to have something to gossip about. Springsteen is a boomer and boomers are the most politically active generation because they lived through Kent State, violent protests against the Vietnam War, political assassinations, the birth of the women’s movement, and on and on the list of social change when they were young goes. Of course Springsteen is going to speak his mind. He was a young man when all of this was going on. He understands protest. These other celebrities Trump is so jealous and fixated on are either too young to understand that time in our history or have gotten too rich to care.
What a great idea! Yes, it’s high time for something like that! We need one for aid to Gaza, one for Ukraine, and so many more. And of course one protesting against the MAGA/DOGE regime! I’m not being facetious. Every type of thing we can do, we should do! March! Sing! Scream!! Show up!!!
... and, our stars and celebrities, when you organize your concerts don't just talk about tRump's abuses in your performances. Initiate a global call to arms because these people - Putin, tRump, the feral Rat - they won't stop with just the U.S. This is a global coup. Thanks Julie
This is another spot-on article. Julie Roginsky is right about everything, especially this: "Perhaps they think that if they keep their heads down now and stay silent, they can ride this moment out. That is a profound misunderstanding of who Donald Trump is." The key word is "profound."
Maga will escalate actions to harm and humiliate legendary stars because doing so harms us. They want to see us publicly weeping like after the deaths of John in 1980 and Kurt in 1994.
I can attest to this fact given the Trumpy behavior of a family member, Bunker Hunt's son in law, who became a maga fat-cat Swift Boater, Bush Pioneer and a player in the culture wars. Our pain is their delicious high and ultimate turn-on.
Julie is correct that these great artists and performers must work together now to awaken and energize us, The Traumatized Giant.
Nicely stated. Thank you Julie.
Thought for the day:
When is tRump going to go after Disney for the Utmost DEI affront:
The "it's a small world" ride???
He can't leave it to DeSantis; that lackey made a total fiasco going after the Reedy Creek Development District.
Perhaps on June 14th during "No Kings Day"?
I like your idea. I thought it would have been nice during Bernie and AOC’s rally tour, if noteworthy musicians toured along with them in support.
Times have changed a lot since the Dixie Chicks careers were nearly euthanized for speaking out against Bush’s war mongering policies. It would be great to see musicians organize against this corrupt Republican regime. It would be even better to see American citizens organize into a massive nationwide strike. The MSM isn’t giving the current loud protest efforts much attention, but maybe everyone staying home would inspire more of a reaction. The collective silence might just be deafening.
Love it. Let's all keep calling for it. This is how they can contribute.
Interesting observation about the importance of "influencers" (I am so old, I really don't know what constitutes one; guess I'm just lucky). I recently sold my house in NJ and told the agent that she was fantastic. She asked me to write a review on Google. According to her, if the current generations need to buy toilet paper and there are no TP reviews, they don't buy toilet paper!
As for the silence of Millennials and Gen Z'ers (and they don't call them Generation Zero for nothing!), that doesn't surprise me at all. The older generation always looks disparagingly on the younger ones (the so-called Greatest hated the Boomers), but these two in particular are so brain-dead that they need someone to tell them to "inhale" and "exhale." Don't count on them for any support.
This is such a powerful message! How can we influence those superstars to follow your suggestion?? Surely someone can speak with Oprah to organize that kind of Live Aid televised concert.
Thank you for always telling the TRUTH!
Patsy Landy
@saltypolitics Please check out my last two or three Substack essays that speak to this exact issue and suggest solutions for rallying music artists and their fans around various causes, activating supportive politicians, and voting out the detractors. Let’s work together to implement this.
https://sociallydrivenmusic.substack.com/p/is-music-next-up-for-censorship-after?r=1twh8
https://open.substack.com/pub/sociallydrivenmusic/p/the-p-word-american-politics-and?r=1twh8&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
That is a GREAT idea Julie! I hope a huge big name concert is organized so we can protect democracy not only in the United States, but around the world. Fight fascism! Protect democracy!
I totally agree about Oprah where has she been lately ? and everybody else and frankly people like Bill Gates sure he’s been generous from time to time, but he has so much money it’s his DUTY to fight for democracy and famine around the world. Come on now put on your big girl panties everybody.
I suspect that effective anti-trump protest songs and other forms of protest art will originate with lesser known artists rather than from celebrities, perhaps from people whose lives are more profoundly affected by the current climate of fear and outrage.
It would be interesting to look into the emergence of the 60s protest songs and how well their authors were known when they wrote the songs. I don't recall that Barry McGuire was popular before "Eve of Destruction" became popular. I doubt many people know of this song now, although, it still rings true.
I have noticed, by and large, a definite dearth of star power speaking out against anything. Here and there, sporadically, especially when he attacks or insults someone. This is the time when the loudest voices in the room need to be heard. If you have any kind of push, pull, influence, say or opinion about what's happening to your country, now is when you stand up and be counted. Together.
First of all, shouldn’t the media have some serious concerns about the POTUS of the United States up half the night tweeting his hatred of various celebrities? Doesn’t he have anything better to do with his time? Cognitive decline maybe? None of these modern day celebrities are going to do more than sing a song at a campaign rally or offer an endorsement. Oprah is much too busy trying to land the next interview that will bring in millions. Taylor is always going to be tepid even though she has a legion of rabid fans who worship her. She’s also too busy making truck loads of money and partying with Travis. NY Magazine has to have something to gossip about. Springsteen is a boomer and boomers are the most politically active generation because they lived through Kent State, violent protests against the Vietnam War, political assassinations, the birth of the women’s movement, and on and on the list of social change when they were young goes. Of course Springsteen is going to speak his mind. He was a young man when all of this was going on. He understands protest. These other celebrities Trump is so jealous and fixated on are either too young to understand that time in our history or have gotten too rich to care.
What a great idea! Yes, it’s high time for something like that! We need one for aid to Gaza, one for Ukraine, and so many more. And of course one protesting against the MAGA/DOGE regime! I’m not being facetious. Every type of thing we can do, we should do! March! Sing! Scream!! Show up!!!
There are more of us than there are of them! We have to keep growing our community and spread the word.
... and, our stars and celebrities, when you organize your concerts don't just talk about tRump's abuses in your performances. Initiate a global call to arms because these people - Putin, tRump, the feral Rat - they won't stop with just the U.S. This is a global coup. Thanks Julie