»

[nullmouse]

A friend pointed out this Conservative Punk website which is apparently aimed at redressing the balance between left field radical punk and conservatism in today's youth.

Thoughts? (Requires reading, but I found it... interesting).

[lepeep]

I read about that in the times...

pro-bush punks...

now, that's where the use of the word "punk" is an oxymoron.
only the yanks can do an oxymoron well...

"friendly fire" being the best example.

Read about it elsewhere.
My view? Conservative politics run contrary to punk's basic tenet. Leftist opinion has always been central to its cause. Conservative opinion seeks to protect and preserve the status quo. Punk however has sought to fuck with the system. So, conservative punk? It's just a nonsense.

[nullmouse]

Originally Posted by lepeep

I read about that in the times...

pro-bush punks...

now, that's where the use of the word "punk" is an oxymoron.
only the yanks can do an oxymoron well...

"friendly fire" being the best example.

"military intelligence"

[Lawy Lawson:Attorney]

Intresting. They claim that one of their aims is to get people to vote and become engaged in politics (which is always good) and to get people and to "draw their own conclusions". Those are inital aims I find very hard to argue with. Many young people really don't care about politics or voting, and many people take what NOFX and Michael Moore tell them at face value, even if I do believe they are the "good guys".

I also think the following statement, is in many cases true:

"Punk music has been, and still is, one of the most heavy-handed genres of music there is. Unfortunately the topics of such heavy-handed songs are almost always seeped in left wing propaganda, bumper sticker rallying calls and oversimplifications of otherwise complex topics. Unfortunately the websites established by such bands to further their political views don't offer much more by way of information and truth than the music does."

See, not thinking about things and having an unswerving allegiance to any one side of the political spectrum can lead to Kitten from BB style slapability, posting heavy handed, ugly posters with George Bush with demon horns kissing Ronald McDonald or something and generally growing bored and growing up to drive an SUV. So I think encouraging people to learn and draw their own conclusions with the raw material provided to them as a starting point by bands, be it the Dead Kennedys or NOFX is a good thing.

BUT,

The notion of Conservative punk is pretty screwy, but who are we to impose rules on anything? If a group of youths were disatissfied with the left and wanted to write songs in favour of the right, then let 'em, although I'm pretty certain they wouldn't have me in their audience.

I notice Michale Graves (ex-Misfits) is a supporter of the site.

Anyway, simplified conclusion:

Providing an alternative, encouraging people to think rather than just spout slogans: GOOD

Being Conservatives: NOT SO GOOD

Originally Posted by Lawy Lawson:Attorney

Intresting. They claim that one of their aims is to get people to vote and become engaged in politics (which is always good) and to get people and to "draw their own conclusions". Those are inital aims I find very hard to argue with. Many young people really don't care about politics or voting, and many people take what NOFX and Michael Moore tell them at face value, even if I do believe they are the "good guys".

I also think the following statement, is in many cases true:

"Punk music has been, and still is, one of the most heavy-handed genres of music there is. Unfortunately the topics of such heavy-handed songs are almost always seeped in left wing propaganda, bumper sticker rallying calls and oversimplifications of otherwise complex topics. Unfortunately the websites established by such bands to further their political views don't offer much more by way of information and truth than the music does."

See, not thinking about things and having an unswerving allegiance to any one side of the political spectrum can lead to Kitten from BB style slapability, posting heavy handed, ugly posters with George Bush with demon horns kissing Ronald McDonald or something and generally growing bored and growing up to drive an SUV. So I think encouraging people to learn and draw their own conclusions with the raw material provided to them as a starting point by bands, be it the Dead Kennedys or NOFX is a good thing.

BUT,

The notion of Conservative punk is pretty screwy, but who are we to impose rules on anything? If a group of youths were disatissfied with the left and wanted to write songs in favour of the right, then let 'em, although I'm pretty certain they wouldn't have me in their audience.

I notice Michale Graves (ex-Misfits) is a supporter of the site.

Anyway, simplified conclusion:

Providing an alternative, encouraging people to think rather than just spout slogans: GOOD

Being Conservatives: NOT SO GOOD

I would agree that many punk outfits do indeed oversimplify issues of political concern, possibly lacking a greater understanding of said issues. However this cannot be said of all. Many many do demonstrate an intelligence and crucial grasp of these topics. Jello and co were but one example. Crass another.

[Lawy Lawson:Attorney]

Originally Posted by allsystemsfail

I would agree that many punk outfits do indeed oversimplify issues of political concern, possibly lacking a greater understanding of said issues. However this cannot be said of all. Many many do demonstrate an intelligence and crucial grasp of these topics. Jello and co were but one example. Crass another.

Totally. DK are one band who inspire me to look into what they sing about, and do it with just the right amount of humour so they don't sound like Modern Studies teachers. I've never actully heard Crass, must remedy that. Anyway, I agree there ARE bands who sing with a lot of depth.

the conservative punk site was set up to rival punkvoter.com, set up by Fat Mike.

punkvoter.com isn't trying to sway people's opinion on who do vote for, which the conservative punk site kinda is. it's just an outlet for news that the media would rather you didn't see. Fat Mike has said many times that his political standpoint is that he dosen't have one.

[betamax]

punk is irrelevant now

shit like this proves it beyond doubt

the music and ideology has been hi jacked and mis used / abused by wankers

so punk is dead

pointless genre

someone should invent a new one

hooray tra la la la

"Punk however has sought to fuck with the system."

Let's start by destroying the benefit state.