Meat Loaf Endorses Mitt Romney For POTUS

[Dave]

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/10/meat-loaf-endorses-mitt-romney-in-rockers-first-political-endorsement-ever/


http://youtu.be/SR_r5HpeWpE

[Dave]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/meat-loaf-backs-romney-citing-candidate-backbone-024350047--election.html

[Dave]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1012/82911.html

[Julie in the rv mirror]

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/meat-loaf-backs-romney-citing-candidate-backbone-024350047--election.html

The aging rocker, perhaps best known for his 1994 hit "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)," performed a series of power ballads familiar only to the most devoted Meat Loaf fans. In between, he offered a meandering and sometimes slurred endorsement of the GOP nominee, explaining that he'd never before publicly backed a political candidate.

What did he sing?

I bet Romney doesn't have an awesome campaign song like Obama does. :))

[BostonAngel]

[QUOTE=Julie in the rv mirror;578962
.....I bet Romney doesn't have an awesome campaign song like Obama does. :))[/QUOTE]

I agree with you 100% on that one Julie!

[Julie in the rv mirror]

I agree with you 100% on that one Julie!

Forward! And away we go....:lol:

[Evil Ernie]

Mitt Romney is a horrible human being. After watching that youtube video I think the big guy is losing his wits with age. I would like to hear someone defend his singing in that clip, simply horrible.

http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh152/Roundpegbiz/roundpeg/head-in-sand.jpghttp://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OA_kdeGc4e0/Tzc4bVBtDpI/AAAAAAAADCI/GFEXjUNbFu4/s1600/495491-boy-with-fingers-inb-ears.jpg

[anotherday]

Ewwwwwwww. Why MITT

[Wario]

SITS was performed:

http://www.politico.com/multimedia/video/2012/10/meat-loaf-warms-up-for-romney.html

America The Beautiful:

Y7nVteJ8_8k

[Dave]

I am not voting for Mitt Romney... but I am very proud of Meat Loaf for using his "backbone" to finally stand up and endorse a candidate. It makes me proud to be a fan. There is nothing to defend...Meat Loaf is a big boy who made a decision, I don't necessarily agree with it, but will support him for doing it. He is making big time headlines with this public stance. I totally back his decision to stand up for Mitt.

[Dave]

Please refrain from using all caps...that is considered shouting and in very poor internet etiquette. Also, please attack words - not people...that is also in poor taste. It is one thing to say you disagree with Meat Loaf's choice of candidate, but to make judgement on him based on this decision is crossing the line.

Please - let's keep a sense of decorum and decency around here people.

[Mr. Happy]

And with that, I'm officially concerned how What Part of My Body and all the rest will sound if Meat ever works with Steinman again.

If you feel that way god riddance. Hes just having fun, wasnt really serious, and look, everyone loved it. Sure he wasnt 1987 Meat Loaf but who can ever be?

That wasn't even early 80s Meat Loaf.

I am not voting for Mitt Romney....Meat Loaf is a big boy who made a decision, I don't necessarily agree with it, but will support him for doing it.

I feel the same way, although I think Ernie summed up my view of Romney above :3

[Paul Richardson]

After watching that youtube video I think the big guy is losing his wits with age.

Sadly I think any casual observer would probably agree. I hate 'celebrities' endorsing political candidates, especially right wing ones, although on the strength of Meat's behaviour in this video I imagine it'll do more harm than good.

[Evil Ernie]

And with that, I'm officially concerned how What Part of My Body and all the rest will sound if Meat ever works with Steinman again.


Even though I don't support his political choices, I could get over that.

The singing was just... awful.

[Wario]

The singing was just... awful.

who cares????? In the live atmosphere its different. U just heard a raw board feed. terrible mix.

[LuuuuvMeat]

his vote will surely bring Mitt to the win.






LOL!!!!!!

[Paul Richardson]

who cares?????

You seriously don't mean that ? He's a singer, he's supposed to sing well, that's why we're all here ?

[Wario]

Meats version of what part of my body would sound fantastic. just the image of Paul's mix of that song makes me horny.

[Dave]

Just a suggestion for this thread... As with any talk of religion or politics.... might be best to type out your comments... count to 30 and take some deep breaths.... then revise and repeat until you are surely sure you want to post what is on your screen.

[Mr. Happy]

Meats version of what part of my body would sound fantastic. just the image of Paul's mix of that song makes me horny.

I would have said the same thing before I clicked on that video link above :shock:

[Paul Richardson]

just the image of Paul's mix of that song makes me horny

... whatever turns you on I guess ... but if it ever happens it'll be Steinman's production not Paul's surely ?

[Wario]

I would have said the same thing before I clicked on that video link above :shock:

Im surprised at you. I really am.

[Mr. Happy]

Im surprised at you. I really am.

Sorry :oops: All my dreams of a Steinman / Meat reunion just took a hit below the belt. I'm a little disappointed, to say the least.

I'm going to listen to Dave and leave this thread before I say anything else I might regret :(

[Evil Ernie]

who cares????? In the live atmosphere its different. U just heard a raw board feed. terrible mix.

You're a cool guy Wario, but like many people on this board ML could go on Country wide killing spree and you would find a way to defend it.

I'm going to pretend that this thread, that YT clip and ML endorsing a detestable human being never happened.

[Sebastian.]

http://i.imgur.com/TWuGq.gif

[Guy]

Oh dear. I dont like how this is going to end up. Think its a bad move.

[AndrewG]

I sense Springsteen's support for Obama is more strong and relevant really.

I don't think there is much weight in Meat's support if I'm honest. At the end of the day he has not really sung a lot of political songs unlike people like Dylan and Springsteen nor has he really made politically related statements at concerts before as far as I am aware. So why support? How is it related to Meat's music?

The singing in that video sounded awful by all of the guys. It looked like a drunk night out at a karaoke bar with Mitt the shit.

Mitt is a lemon who Meat Loaf shouldn't back.

[GDW]

After that spectacle do you think Meat and Jim will ever work together again?

[Evil One]

Do you think Meat and many other people will ever work together? :shock:

[GDW]

Yeah one other. Mitt Romney.

[lorenzoduke]

Politics and rock don't mix. Sad to see that Meat has abandoned this principle after standing by it for so long. I'd be saying that regardless of which candidate he endorsed. Music unites. Politics divides, and this is likely to divide his fanbase. A rock star telling people to get out and vote is one thing - a rock star telling people who they should vote for is quite another.

Meat's music has conveyed principles, emotions and values without relying on party politics the way many others have. I always considered that to be a great strength.

Meat Loaf, as a name, as a public person and as a performer, means something to the general public. I see no purpose to celebrity endorsement other than to make the traits associated with that celebrity associated with that particular political candidate. It ties them together, 'Think Meat Loaf, think Romney' or else what's the point?

Hell In A Handbasket proved Meat could convey his values without asking to pick sides. This just puts up a barrier between fans. At the risk of sounding rude, I'd wager that a ringing endorsement for one side or the other probably does more damage to Meat Loaf fandom than it does good for the candidate.

[chairboys]

Mitt is a lemon who Meat Loaf shouldn't back.

He certainly didn't endear himself with the British folk when he dropped a couple of clangers during his Olympic visit!

[razorball2002]

Politics and rock don't mix. Sad to see that Meat has abandoned this principle after standing by it for so long. I'd be saying that regardless of which candidate he endorsed. Music unites. Politics divides, and this is likely to divide his fanbase. A rock star telling people to get out and vote is one thing - a rock star telling people who they should vote for is quite another.

Meat's music has conveyed principles, emotions and values without relying on party politics the way many others have. I always considered that to be a great strength.

I feel fooled. Meat has disappointed me. With his performance, with what he said, and how he said it. I feel sad.

[AndrewG]

Politics and rock don't mix.

I very much disagree. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan? :roll:

Regardless of what happened here, I always knew Meat supported the republicans. As much as I disagree with their view points on many things it doesn't really change my opinion on Meat's music because as I said his music isn't political. This is different with the before mentioned artists.

[lorenzoduke]

I very much disagree. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan? :roll:

Regardless of what happened here, I always knew Meat supported the republicans. As much as I disagree with their view points on many things it doesn't really change my opinion on Meat's music because as I said his music isn't political. This is different with the before mentioned artists.

I made that exact point in my post.

'Meat's music has conveyed principles, emotions and values without relying on party politics the way many others have.'

[melon]

I just don't understand the hate towards Meat over this. Emotionally or in any other way his speaking out has not changed how I feel or think of him. Granted, I am not American, but I think that means diddly squat as far as how you treat a human who has voiced his opinion, respectfully at that.

The man stood up and voiced his opinion, which is something that's getting harder and harder to do without scrutiny these days. I applaud him for that, so many people sit back and keep quiet, then kick up the stink later down the track.

On Twitter I likened it to me hating my coach because he likes chocolate and maybe I like strawberry flavour... It is pointless. All this hate over something so petty.

Meat has Mitts back? I don't care, I have Meat's back regardless of who he supports. Personally I prefer Obama *shrugs* but Meat means more to me than some politician who has nawt to do with me. Especially seeing as even politics in my own country is something I don't care for.

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[AndrewG]

"Blind faith in your leaders, or in anything, will get you killed."

[lorenzoduke]

On Twitter I likened it to me hating my coach because he likes chocolate and maybe I like strawberry flavour... It is pointless. All this hate over something so petty.

I don't think anyone's expressed hate (unless I've missed it).

What if your coach told you to like chocolate flavour, that chocolate flavour was the right choice and that you should argue with anyone who says differently?

Most people hold matters such as human rights, wars, healthcare etc. closer to heart than that anyhow.

[AndrewG]

Chocolate trumps political views. :-P

[melon]

I don't think anyone's expressed hate (unless I've missed it).

What if your coach told you to like chocolate flavour, that chocolate flavour was the right choice and that you should argue with anyone who says differently?


Hating aplenty on his facebook, not here, sorry should have been specific.

As for your other point, I'd have to respectfully disagree and carry on supporting strawberry. Without abusing him and telling him I will no longer play in his team because he likes chocolate and I dont! Even though I love my team, love my sport and think he's a pretty awesome, experienced coach.... Because chocolate v strawberry is much more important than all that... "Grab yer pitchforks!" (for the record, I prefer chocolate!)

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[CarylB]

I don't think anyone's expressed hate (unless I've missed it).
.

Perhaps not here Michael, but elsewhere? Yes. Trolls abound. You said:
'Meat's music has conveyed principles, emotions and values without relying on party politics the way many others have.' This has not changed; it still does.

Would I vote Republican if I were an American? Absolutely not. Would I defend anyone's right to support whomever they choose? Yes .. that's what the "Freedom of speech" I see so frequently bandied about here and elsewhere on the internet is all about surely?

Meat is a fantastic performer, a lovely human being with real soul, who is kind and gracious with his fans. That's enough for me.

And I'd give you a hundred of the jackasses who don't even BOTHER to vote in our elections (particularly women who had to fight to even get the vote only a hundred years or so ago) for ONE man who cares enough to vote, and to put himself on the line.

Caryl

[allrevvedup]

Everything I've seen about Romney gives me the impression that he is willing to pat the lower-middle classes on the head, looking down his nose at them ,all the while helping out his friends and fellow millionaires.

The impression i get from Obama is that he's someone that has a better grasp of what it is like for lower-middle classes and is trying to change it.

I liken America to a heart attack patient at the moment; they had 8 years where so many things that can damage them were constantly piled on before the heart attack hit and now it's slowly trying to recover by making some strides but not overdoing things because all the problems could come back again and force another collapse.

As for that performance of America the beautiful, if Meat hadn't tried to be 'Meat Loaf' and just sang it, I doubt there'd be the reaction there has been.

Maybe he just got caught up in the moment but I doubt anyone not knowing who he was would've come away from watching that thinking 'Hey, I'd better get me some Meat Loaf albums'

Oh and just to add I don't care who supports what political party, we all have our reasons for doing so.

[lorenzoduke]

Hating aplenty on his facebook, not here, sorry should have been specific.

As for your other point, I'd have to respectfully disagree and carry on supporting strawberry. Without abusing him and telling him I will no longer play in his team because he likes chocolate and I dont! Even though I love my team, love my sport and think he's a pretty awesome, experienced coach.... Because chocolate v strawberry is much more important than all that... "Grab yer pitchforks!" (for the record, I prefer chocolate!)

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When all's said and done, 'I like chocolate more than strawberry' isn't going to cause offense, upset or alienation from people who disagree. 'I don't think you should have the right to do this or that' is, and when you endorse a political candidate you are also endorsing their often very divisive views.

The people on Facebook may well be thinking that by endorsing Mitt Romney, Meat has now publicly declared his views on all kinds of topics - women's rights, gay rights, military, taxes, healthcare and so on. I'd wager previously none of us really wondered about what Meat thought of those issues. Personally, I had no real desire to know and was happy that people from all walks of life could come together and enjoy the music without thinking about that.

Why does it matter what presidential candidate Meat supports? I don't know, ask him. He's the one who decided to make it a matter of public record.

Should it change the way his fans think or feel in any way? If not, then why bother doing it?

[Elijah's way]

Politics is NOT place for celebrities!!! I'm very disappointed that Meat would sink this low and endorse such a arrogant pompous sun of a bitch. Like Obama says "the last thing we need is to move backward, we need to move forward".

Does he actually think that Romney is gonna get more votes just becaues he is endorsing him? :roll: If he wins it's gonna be like having Bush back.

I stand firm with Obama!!!

[MarkS]

who cares????? In the live atmosphere its different. U just heard a raw board feed. terrible mix.

I could really give a crap what any celebrity political alignment is, It will have absolutely no bearing on how I vote.

But I'm sorry dude, there is no defending that vocal performance at all. That was one of the most atrocious things I have ever heard

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[Elijah's way]

Sorry but Meat made a fool out of himself and he'll never live it down. :oops:

[melon]

When all's said and done, 'I like chocolate more than strawberry' isn't going to cause offense, upset or alienation from people who disagree. 'I don't think you should have the right to do this or that' is, and when you endorse a political candidate you are also endorsing their often very divisive views.

The people on Facebook may well be thinking that by endorsing Mitt Romney, Meat has now publicly declared his views on all kinds of topics - women's rights, gay rights, military, taxes, healthcare and so on. I'd wager previously none of us really wondered about what Meat thought of those issues. Personally, I had no real desire to know and was happy that people from all walks of life could come together and enjoy the music without thinking about that.

Why does it matter what presidential candidate Meat supports? I don't know, ask him. He's the one who decided to make it a matter of public record.

Should it change the way his fans think or feel in any way? If not, then why bother doing it?

I did say, I'm not American, I have no idea what his policies are, nor do I care. I care about Meat, yes. I'm not trying to argue who is right and who is wrong, plus I have already mentioned how I sit with this.

Chocolate & strawberry was merely an example and the most simple thing I could think of (my coach over indulged in hot chocolates the other week, so it was relevant to me)

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[loaferman61]

Politics and rock don't mix. Sad to see that Meat has abandoned this principle after standing by it for so long. I'd be saying that regardless of which candidate he endorsed. Music unites. Politics divides, and this is likely to divide his fanbase. A rock star telling people to get out and vote is one thing - a rock star telling people who they should vote for is quite another.

Meat's music has conveyed principles, emotions and values without relying on party politics the way many others have. I always considered that to be a great strength.

Meat Loaf, as a name, as a public person and as a performer, means something to the general public. I see no purpose to celebrity endorsement other than to make the traits associated with that celebrity associated with that particular political candidate. It ties them together, 'Think Meat Loaf, think Romney' or else what's the point?

Hell In A Handbasket proved Meat could convey his values without asking to pick sides. This just puts up a barrier between fans. At the risk of sounding rude, I'd wager that a ringing endorsement for one side or the other probably does more damage to Meat Loaf fandom than it does good for the candidate.

Shall we list all the musicians who have openly supported Obama?

[loaferman61]

Everyone on here is always talking about Meat's "rights" and that he deserves "respect". Now we see people's true colors, you want to slag on him because he did not endorse the liberal. Meanwhile Katy Perry was endorsing Obama, joining Springsteen, etc. and not a whimper. People are hypocrites. You say Meat deserves our respect then respect his right to make his choice. He is a grown man and knows what he is doing. Go Meat! I support your right to endorse whomever you choose, even if you had picked the other guy.

[Dave]

Again - please, if you feel the need....attack words not people. Name calling and personal attacks do not help promote intelligence on your side of the argument.

[loaferman61]

Politics and rock don't mix. Sad to see that Meat has abandoned this principle after standing by it for so long. I'd be saying that regardless of which candidate he endorsed. Music unites. Politics divides, and this is likely to divide his fanbase. A rock star telling people to get out and vote is one thing - a rock star telling people who they should vote for is quite another.

Meat's music has conveyed principles, emotions and values without relying on party politics the way many others have. I always considered that to be a great strength.

Meat Loaf, as a name, as a public person and as a performer, means something to the general public. I see no purpose to celebrity endorsement other than to make the traits associated with that celebrity associated with that particular political candidate. It ties them together, 'Think Meat Loaf, think Romney' or else what's the point?

Hell In A Handbasket proved Meat could convey his values without asking to pick sides. This just puts up a barrier between fans. At the risk of sounding rude, I'd wager that a ringing endorsement for one side or the other probably does more damage to Meat Loaf fandom than it does good for the candidate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Barack_Obama_presidential_campaign_endorsements,_2012#Musician s

[loaferman61]

Maybe people outside the US may not understand but it is in no way "cool" for a celebrity to endorse a conservative. It can cost them work because the entertainment industry with the possible exception of country music is almost entirely liberal. Meat has even mentioned this before. What Meat did was brave and he exercised his right and that should be IMO respected.

[razorball2002]

Shall we list all the musicians who have openly supported Obama?

At least they have taste!

[loaferman61]

At least they have taste!

I rest my case.

[Dave]

Maybe people outside the US may not understand but it is in no way "cool" for a celebrity to endorse a conservative. It can cost them work because the entertainment industry with the possible exception of country music is almost entirely liberal. Meat has even mentioned this before. What Meat did was brave and he exercised his right and that should be IMO respected.

I totally agree with this statement. I am not only an American, but also live in the battleground swing state of Ohio, so trust me...I get it. Let me point you to an article on HuffPo about this very topic:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/05/republican-hollywood-celebrities-voting-for-mitt-romney-november-_n_1858468.html

The Huffington Post is not conservative or Republican, and even they will openly state things are much more difficult for conservative people in the entertainment industry.

[lorenzoduke]

Shall we list all the musicians who have openly supported Obama?

If you feel like there's any point, knock yourself out. Last I checked, this is a Meat Loaf forum.

If 'other people use their celebrity to tell people how to vote so Meat Loaf should too' is your justification, I must say I find it to be a pretty weak one. Other celebrities go on Celebrity Big Brother too. Other celebrities mime to backing tapes in their concerts. Other celebrities don't attract a mixed audience of young and old and men and women to the degree that Meat Loaf does. Other celebrities don't put as much effort into their shows as Meat Loaf does, and few attract such fanatical devotion from their audience.

I don't think there's anything brave or admirable about telling people how they should vote or acting like your status in music, TV, movies or anything else should sway them to your opinion. I find that to be pompous and ridiculous, whoever does it.

[Dant27]

I wonder how the decision to perform at the rally sat with the rest of the band. We know Meat is a republican but having the full band there performing may have been a bit awkward for any of the members that don't share his views.

[Jayd]

Cant stand that Mitt fella, seems a right clueless individual, Obama seems the right guy to carry on taking the US forward, but who ever Meat decides to back is his own decision, just wish back in 2010 just over half of the UK wasn't fooled by Clegg and Cameron, now that is a total mess

[Dave]

I wonder how the decision to perform at the rally sat with the rest of the band. We know Meat is a republican but having the full band there performing may have been a bit awkward for any of the members that don't share his views.

Why? It is a job, nothing more/nothing less. Back when I was in high school, we were required as part of band class to perform at rallies for both Democrat and Republican candidates. You go, you play...it is an honor no matter who the candidate is. You can perform without endorsing.

[Jayd]

http://news.sky.com/story/1002978/meat-loaf-rock-star-in-defiance-for-romney

some sky news stuff

[anotherday]

I may not AGREE with Meats choice of endorsement....BUT That does NOT mean I stop supporting him as an ARTIST! He is still a kind, gentle, and very talented man. And no "endorsement" he makes will EVER change that!

[loaferman61]

I wonder if Gene Simmons is catching :shit: over on the KISS board for endorsing Romney? I wonder if any Obama endorsers fans are giving them :shit: on their boards?

[loaferman61]

I may not AGREE with Meats choice of endorsement....BUT That does NOT mean I stop supporting him as an ARTIST! He is still a kind, gentle, and very talented man. And no "endorsement" he makes will EVER change that!

Exactly, I'm still a Springsteen fan. Who he chooses to endorse does not bother me at all.

[lorenzoduke]

I wonder if Gene Simmons is catching :shit: over on the KISS board for endorsing Romney? I wonder if any Obama endorsers fans are giving them :shit: on their boards?

If you care, go find out. This isn't a KISS forum.

I don't know why you keep bringing up that other artist's have endorsed candidates as if it hasn't already been addressed multiple times in this thread.

[loaferman61]

If you care, go find out. This isn't a KISS forum.

I realize that subtlety probably goes over your head, but I was pointing out about an artist catching crap from his own fans about a personal choice they have a right to do is somewhat amusing. I'm making a point about Meat Loaf fans on a Meat Loaf forum, sorry I was expecting not to have to hit anyone over the head with a hammer to make a point. Obviously that was wrong around here.

[lorenzoduke]

I realize that subtlety probably goes over your head, but I was pointing out about an artist catching crap from his own fans about a personal choice they have a right to is somewhat amusing. I'm making a point about Meat Loaf fans on a Meat Loaf forum, sorry I was expecting not to have to hit anyone over the head with a hammer to make a point. Obviously that was wrong around here.

A point that you'd already made about 3 times and had already been responded to. Meat Loaf has a history of doing things differently than other artists. He has a history of not using his fame for political motives. This has changed, he has publicly endorsed a candidate and publicly endorsed the views that go along with that, and so people feel it is worthy of comment. Posting links to Wikipedia lists of other celebrities who have endorsed other candidates is redundant. Resorting to weak insults doesn't help either.

If Meat decided to release his own range of condoms and coffins and do his own scripted fly-on-the-wall reality show you could say 'Gene Simmons did that too, I wonder if Gene Simmons gets crap from KISS fans because blah blah blah...'

Your point seems to be 'other people do it, so it's okay for Meat Loaf to do it'. Well, it doesn't mean that he should, it doesn't mean that we shouldn't feel it's a bad decision and it doesn't mean that we can't have an opinion when he changes the way he's been handling his politics for 40 years.

[loaferman61]

A point that you'd already made about 3 times and had already been responded to. Meat Loaf has a history of doing things differently than other artists. He has a history of not using his fame for political motives. This has changed, he has publicly endorsed a candidate and publicly endorsed the views that go along with that, and so people feel it is worthy of comment. Posting links to Wikipedia lists of other celebrities who have endorsed other candidates is redundant. Resorting to weak insults doesn't help either.


Weak insults, like implying I did not know this was a Meat Loaf forum? As far as a point being responded to, how do we engage in a discussion if we can not answer once something has been responded to (often weakly). You don't like the wikipedia link don't read it, knock yourself out.

[lorenzoduke]

Weak insults, like implying I did not know this was a Meat Loaf forum?

Pointing out that 'I wonder what Gene Simmons fans say about Gene Simmons on KISS forums' is not a relevant post for a Meat Loaf forum isn't an insult, it's common sense.


As far as a point being responded to, how do we engage in a discussion if we can not answer once something has been responded to (often weakly). You don't like the wikipedia link don't read it, knock yourself out.

You posted a link to politician-endorsing celebrities. I explained why I didn't feel like it was relevant. You ignored that, didn't respond to any of it and instead pointed out another politician-endorsing celebrity (Simmons) and then another one (Springsteen). That's not a response, it's ignoring what was said and just repeating yourself.

[loaferman61]

Pointing out that 'I wonder what Gene Simmons fans say about Gene Simmons on KISS forums' is not a relevant post for a Meat Loaf forum isn't an insult, it's common sense.



You posted a link to politician-endorsing celebrities. I explained why I didn't feel like it was relevant. You ignored that, didn't respond to any of it and instead pointed out another politician-endorsing celebrity (Simmons) and then another one (Springsteen). That's not a response, it's ignoring what was said and just repeating yourself.

It wasn't your post I posted it about. I just learned that I have a Hurricane to be concerned about (went from yellow advisory, to orange) so I will bid adieu. Best wishes to all East Coast loafers.

[lorenzoduke]

It wasn't your post I posted it about. I just learned that I have a Hurricane to be concerned about (went from yellow advisory, to orange) so I will bid adieu. Best wishes to all East Coast loafers.

Stay safe.

[GDW]

Forget the politics of it all. One thing that stands out from this clip is that Meat Loaf's vocals are bad. Even the most die hard Meat Loaf fan would have to realise this and I'm one of them.

[anotherday]

Forget the politics of it all. One thing that stands out from this clip is that Meat Loaf's vocals are bad. Even the most die hard Meat Loaf fan would have to realise this and I'm one of them.

It looks like he wasn't "mic"d up. Or whatever the things in your ears are. They were nowhere near what tehy were last week, I'll put it THAT way.

[AndrewG]

It looks like he wasn't "mic"d up. Or whatever the things in your ears are. They were nowhere near what tehy were last week, I'll put it THAT way.

Earpiece?

He most certainly was mic-ed up.

[anotherday]

Earpiece?

He most certainly was mic-ed up.

Yeah, THAT! Sorry.

[AndrewG]

Forget the politics of it all. One thing that stands out from this clip is that Meat Loaf's vocals are bad. Even the most die hard Meat Loaf fan would have to realise this and I'm one of them.

Agreed.

And fair enough maybe he didn't have an earpiece so perhaps it was hard to get the right tune but I think there is more bad going on than just being out of tune. No doubt people will jump to his defence (which I don't think he needs or helps him) saying that he is more an actor than a singer now etc. But to me that makes no sense to send an actor to sing "America The Beautiful". If that was the case Clint Eastwood might as well have sung it alongside his stand up Barack Obama empty chair routine a few weeks ago. I actually think it would have sounded better, honestly. :?

[Vickip]

It wasn't your post I posted it about. I just learned that I have a Hurricane to be concerned about (went from yellow advisory, to orange) so I will bid adieu. Best wishes to all East Coast loafers.

Good luck ... stay safe !

[GDW]

It looks like he wasn't "mic"d up. Or whatever the things in your ears are. They were nowhere near what tehy were last week, I'll put it THAT way.

Maybe the fireworks put him off.:roll:

[Sue K]

Maybe people outside the US may not understand but it is in no way "cool" for a celebrity to endorse a conservative.

lol ... Well... Meat HAS said in past... the day he's considered "cool" take him out and shoot him... so... he's safe there... lol ...

What I have issue with is... that the finger pointing, name calling, mud slinging in the circle of politics has become "entertainment" ... There's times I actually cry for a moment for my country and the people in it... There's nothing funny about any of it... As I age... I no longer can appreciate jokes being made about the candidates because I just feel we're in so much trouble... There's troubles all about the world ... It's all too sad ...

Rodney King was a troubled guy always in trouble... but one thing he said always comes to mind when I see issues like this arise... when I see the debating go to anger during political races... and that's ... "Can't we all just get along ?" ... Sometimes I feel that rather than having two candidates competing for being leader of my country, it's two invading countries coming in trying to take over...

Pray to your power for America and all nations of the world ... xo

[Dave]

lol ... Well... Meat HAS said in past... the day he's considered "cool" take him out and shoot him... so... he's safe there... lol ...

What I have issue with is... that the finger pointing, name calling, mud slinging in the circle of politics has become "entertainment" ... There's times I actually cry for a moment for my country and the people in it... There's nothing funny about any of it... As I age... I no longer can appreciate jokes being made about the candidates because I just feel we're in so much trouble... There's troubles all about the world ... It's all too sad ...

Rodney King was a troubled guy always in trouble... but one thing he said always comes to mind when I see issues like this arise... when I see the debating go to anger during political races... and that's ... "Can't we all just get along ?" ... Sometimes I feel that rather than having two candidates competing for being leader of my country, it's two invading countries coming in trying to take over...

Pray to your power for America and all nations of the world ... xo

THIS

[LuuuuvMeat]

One thing I hate with all this are the freepers (free republic} people "liking" his fb page and trolling it. They come on like Repub attack dogs and try to silence all the people they don't agree with. They do it all the time on CNN, Huffington, and Yahoo, They make sites really ugly and nasty. :(

[lorenzoduke]

lol ... Well... Meat HAS said in past... the day he's considered "cool" take him out and shoot him... so... he's safe there... lol ...

What I have issue with is... that the finger pointing, name calling, mud slinging in the circle of politics has become "entertainment" ... There's times I actually cry for a moment for my country and the people in it... There's nothing funny about any of it... As I age... I no longer can appreciate jokes being made about the candidates because I just feel we're in so much trouble... There's troubles all about the world ... It's all too sad ...

Rodney King was a troubled guy always in trouble... but one thing he said always comes to mind when I see issues like this arise... when I see the debating go to anger during political races... and that's ... "Can't we all just get along ?" ... Sometimes I feel that rather than having two candidates competing for being leader of my country, it's two invading countries coming in trying to take over...

Pray to your power for America and all nations of the world ... xo

Great post, Sue.

People need a refuge from the fighting and bickering of modern 2-party politics, many seek that in music and entertainment and prefer to keep it that way. I'm one of them.

[Adje]

I don't care about his political preferences but this was a terrible vocal display. And again YouTube is filled with it. After the AFL debacle and the CA outburst, now Meat seems to have scored another youtube hit :|

Watching it, for a second I thought Meat is actually vowing for the other guy :twisted:

[Dave]

One thing I hate with all this are the freepers (free republic} people "liking" his fb page and trolling it. They come on like Repub attack dogs and try to silence all the people they don't agree with. They do it all the time on CNN, Huffington, and Yahoo, They make sites really ugly and nasty. :(

:shock:

[Wario]

Hell in a Handbasket is a highly political Album and all you seemed to love it.

I dont see how any of you are surprised. 40 Days, Giving Tree, and ESPECIALLY Mad Mad World have a hugely politically motivated atmosphere.

Meat is in a political mood. Had he come straight forward and said HIAHB is a republican rock album hed be slaughtered.

[lorenzoduke]

Hell in a Handbasket is a highly political Album and all you seemed to love it.

I dont see how any of you are surprised. 40 Days, Giving Tree, and ESPECIALLY Mad Mad World have a hugely politically motivated atmosphere.

Meat is in a political mood. Had he come straight forward and said HIAHB is a republican rock album hed be slaughtered.

Well, exactly that. HIAH projects core values, it doesn't say 'Vote for Romney, argue with your friends and family who don't vote for Romney'.

(I highly doubt Chuck D would have wanted to be a part of it, had it truly been a republican rock album. Blue Sky doesn't strike me as leaning that way either, but this is the problem - now people are inevitably going to read things into the songs that may or may not be there).

[Guy]

Yep.....what did I say? #mylastpost

[Tomjoad]

Meat endorsing a right wing candidate is not so surprising. It sounds odd to me only because he never sang any political/social content song. We know the carachters Meat plays and we love them, knowing that there is nothing autobiographical. So this thing about Romney comes out of nowhere, and I don't know if it was a good move. Maybe at this point of his life and career he wants us to know "all of him", literally!

[CarylB]

I liken America to a heart attack patient at the moment; they had 8 years where so many things that can damage them were constantly piled on before the heart attack hit and now it's slowly trying to recover by making some strides but not overdoing things because all the problems could come back again and force another collapse.

I think a lot of us are in the same boat

As for that performance of America the beautiful, if Meat hadn't tried to be 'Meat Loaf' and just sang it, I doubt there'd be the reaction there has been.

Maybe he just got caught up in the moment but I doubt anyone not knowing who he was would've come away from watching that thinking 'Hey, I'd better get me some Meat Loaf albums'

Probably not, but then that wasn't the purpose. As far as I can make out, he went to this immediately after the Cleveland show where he had been on stage for well over two hours, in good voice and giving it everything he had .. and that's not just the view of a few fervent fans, but in published reviews. And I'm sure the same will be said by those who go to the next show, because his voice will be rested again.

Oh and just to add I don't care who supports what political party, we all have our reasons for doing so.

:up:

Caryl

[lorenzoduke]

Just to clarify, I have no problem with Meat (or anyone else's) choice of political party. I do however, have a problem with him (or any musician) using his position as a performer to tell others who to vote for.

Of course, it's his life, his career etc. He's free to make that choice. Just personally, as a fan, I wish he hadn't for the reasons I cited earlier (divides the fanbase, colours opinions).

[Paul Richardson]

As much as I disagree with their view points on many things it doesn't really change my opinion on Meat's music

Except it's not Meat's music - largely - its Steinman's ...

[The Flying Mouse]

:twisted: Meat supports Mitt Romney?


Oh :shrug:

I support Meat whole heartedly as an artist. It doesn't mean I have to agree with his politics.
It's funny that I noticed at least one person, who recently told me that my world is too full of Meat Loaf, go ape shit over Meat's personal political choice :lmao:
If an artists political leanings effect your enjoyment of their work, then you are much more invested in that artist personally than I am :mrgreen:
It's funny that I (among others) who am accused of supporting Meat Loaf the MAN is less effected by Meat's personal life choices.

I'm still backing Obama to kick Romney's ass! :kickass:



On the general subject of celebrities in politics..............
I don't think it's a good idea. Unless them themselves are running for office of course :lol:
As i've said above, I like Meat because he's a great artist. His political views, to me, are about as relevant as Roy Orbison's driving skills. Completly alien to my source of interest :wtf:
I might as well pick a football team to support based on which football team managers own a Westie :nuts:

I think for an artist to back a political candidate, they risk alienating part of their fan base. At the same time, I can't see many Romney fans being converted to Meat's music just because of his political support.
For the artist, and some of the fans, no good can come of it :nope:

I feel entertainers should be impartial in such things. We are there to entertain the public, not preach to them (unless that's their act :lol: ).
Can you imagine a political variety show?

First on the bill is a Labour Singer.
Then we've got a conservative magician (the lib dem is the girl in the yellow frock being sawn in half).
Then it's a BNP stand up comedy act (reading their manifesto)
A Green Party Juggler.
An Indipendant mime.
A Socialist puppeteer.
An anarchist doing origami.
A right wing blogger doing balloon animals.

Followed by the big finish - the ensemble singing Johnny Cash's The One In The Middle Was The One On THe Right.

:lol:



Some political singers do very well, but again, that's their act. And their act (to me) seems to be "isn't the government we have at this present time a bitch?".
No political singer in the history of anywhere is ever known to be happy.
The lyrics "well this is a bit of alright isn't it?" don't appear often.

But on the other hand, artists have their views and the right to air them if they feel strongly about it.

At the same time, i'll say this.

I've never bought a pair of underpants because someone else wears them.

I've never bought an aftershave named after someone.

I've never stayed at a hotel because it was endorsed by a comedian.

I've never been politically moved by an entertainer. No matter how funny they are, or how hard they rock.


I guess i'm not as starstruck as others :mrgreen:


One other thing to remember is that fans of other artists/actors/whatever have gone through far worse than their hero having some barmy political ideas.
I still feel very very sorry for Gary Glitter fans.
To follow an artist for all that time and then to hear something like that.
Now that's trully shaking.

[Paul Richardson]

Y7nVteJ8_8k

'This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Red Pony Tours'

Someone is getting particularly sensitive ... :roll:

[The Flying Mouse]

'This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Red Pony Tours'

Someone is getting particularly sensitive ... :roll:

:twisted: I find that quite ironic.
I'm going to publicly endorse a political candidate, but FFS don't let anyone see it happen :lol:

[Paul Richardson]

:twisted: I find that quite ironic.
I'm going to publicly endorse a political candidate, but FFS don't let anyone see it happen :lol:

Is it embarrassment caused by endorsing a poor candidate, or embarrassment caused by poor singing ... ? :shock:

[The Flying Mouse]

Is it embarrassment caused by endorsing a poor candidate, or embarrassment caused by poor singing ... ? :shock:

:twisted: If it's the candidate, I don't think Meat would have backed him in the first place.
The singing, I don't know because i've not seen the clip.
I just think the red pony is doing it's usual job of clearing anything interesting to fans off youtube :shrug:

[BostonAngel]

:twisted: I find that quite ironic.
I'm going to publicly endorse a political candidate, but FFS don't let anyone see it happen :lol:

Amen to that! I agree 100%. If you are going to step into the nasty world of politics by publicly endorsing a candidate, then you need to be ready to take the heat for it.

[Paul Richardson]

Amen to that! I agree 100%. If you are going to step into the nasty world of politics by publicly endorsing a candidate, then you need to be ready to take the heat for it.

I also agree 100%. Never thought that we ever would, but its cool :D

[The Flying Mouse]

Amen to that! I agree 100%. If you are going to step into the nasty world of politics by publicly endorsing a candidate, then you need to be ready to take the heat for it.

:twisted: I agree, to an extent.
If you put your head above the parapet, expect to get shot at.

But Meat has done ads for A1 Stek Sauce, and Gophone, and i've never bought either of those things either :shrug:
It seems his influence in these things doesn't effect me very much lol.

[ChrisBelfast]

Meat Loaf trending in the top 10 on Twitter. First ive ever seen that

[Paul Richardson]

But Meat has done ads for A1 Stek Sauce, and Gophone, and i've never bought either of those things either :shrug:
It seems his influence in these things doesn't effect me very much lol.

You can't buy either over here, and neither can you vote for the next President of the United States, so ML's influence is kind of limited over me also :D

[BostonAngel]

Meat Loaf trending in the top 10 on Twitter. First ive ever seen that

Not sure whether to consider that a positive or a negative. LOL. he is getting attention anyway. Now if that attention can lead to increased album sales, that would be good.

[The Flying Mouse]

You can't buy either over here, and neither can you vote for the next President of the United States, so ML's influence is kind of limited over me also :D

:twisted: How do you know you can't buy them here? :bleh:
Have you been looking for them? :p :lol:

[Paul Richardson]

:twisted: How do you know you can't buy them here? :bleh:
Have you been looking for them? :p :lol:

I was so 'influenced' I had to check ... but I know I definitely can't vote for the the next President of the United States, although given its importance we should get to vote don't you think ? I guess Mitt would have less chance if there was a European influence brought to bear ...

[BostonAngel]

I also agree 100%. Never thought that we ever would, but its cool :D

First time for everything - very cool

[Paul Richardson]

First time for everything - very cool
Very cool - you are my new best friend ! :D

[The Flying Mouse]

I was so 'influenced' I had to check ...

:twisted: I knew it :wink:

but I know I definitely can't vote for the the next President of the United States

Neither can I, but we can support from the sidelines if we so wish. :shrug:

although given its importance we should get to vote don't you think ? I guess Mitt would have less chance if there was a European influence brought to bear ...

I know where you're coming from, but no, I don't think we should have an active vote in an American political election.
That's too much like having our Prime Minister picked by the French *shudder*

[Wario]

full extended clip of america the beautiful. i for one love how meat and every look like their having a blast :)

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/49571937/#49571937

[MarkS]

full extended clip of america the beautiful:
http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/49571937/#49571937

Good Lord, that didn't need to be posted again

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[JaysScout]

Bravo to Meat!!! I too am a Romney supporter, but that's not the point. Doesn't the man have the same rights as everyone else to state his views? I've seen people state in a few locations that they will no longer be fans and won't listen to his music. Give me a break!!! If I, and other conservatives used the same logic....and refused to watch films starring actors and actresses that always support liberal candidates, the movie industry would go broke! I'm not surprised that Meat did this. He's an honest, standup guy.

[amethyst]

[QUOTE=Wario;579114]full extended clip of america the beautiful. i for one love how meat and every look like their having a blast :)

Did you have to ~ really?

[LuuuuvMeat]

Crazy things are being said on facebook. Wow, just wow!

[Adje]

full extended clip of america the beautiful. i for one love how meat and every look like their having a blast :)

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/49571937/#49571937

LMAO, Showed the clip to my wife. She watched it, stayed silent for a moment then looked at me and said "Well at least he didn't sing" :lol:

[MarkS]

LMAO, Showed the clip to my wife. She watched it, stayed silent for a moment then looked at me and said "Well at least he didn't sing" :lol:

I have been a long time defender of all things Meat, to the point of arguing with half the people on this board, but after hearing that many times today (it's all over the place on US tv) even I have to throw up my hands and just say WTF:??:

[robgomm]

Time for me to weigh in.

I don't care who Meat supports, I wouldn't care who he supported if he was in my country and I sure as hell don't care who he supports in the American election, even if my impression is that Obama is better and more intelligent.

I don't care about the vocals as it wasn't a concert and Meat had just done a concert within the last 24 hours anyway so he was knackered.

What I have a bit of a worry about is this:

'So you get out there and you argue with your relatives, you argue with your neighbours, you get in fights over politics and religion, ’cause we need Ohio!'

Now I don't know how people feel about this, but this sort of speech almost sounds like it's encouraging people to kind of, i dunno, bully other people into voting republican. Maybe i've got it wrong and this isn't what Neat meant, maybe he got a bit carried away, i dunno, but this just sounded a bit wrong to me. Apologies if i'm off base.

[Wario]

I apologze for posting the link. it was retitled after I posted it. Its rediculous the massive rape of cruelty online from this :(

[CarylB]

What I have a bit of a worry about is this:

'So you get out there and you argue with your relatives, you argue with your neighbours, you get in fights over politics and religion, ’cause we need Ohio!'

Now I don't know how people feel about this, but this sort of speech almost sounds like it's encouraging people to kind of, i dunno, bully other people into voting republican. Maybe i've got it wrong and this isn't what Neat meant, maybe he got a bit carried away, i dunno, but this just sounded a bit wrong to me. Apologies if i'm off base.

I think it's just the excited rhetoric one expects at political rallies Rob.

[robgomm]

I think it's just the excited rhetoric one expects at political rallies Rob.

Okay, just thought it sounded a bit too combative and over the top. But like you say their rallies are like that.

[anotherday]

I apologze for posting the link. it was retitled after I posted it. Its rediculous the massive rape of cruelty online from this :(

What rape of cruelty? What has been said? :'(

[Adje]

I apologze for posting the link. it was retitled after I posted it. Its rediculous the massive rape of cruelty online from this :(

I do believe it's merely the bad performance (by all the guys up there 'singing'). Even Mitt Romney looks a bit awkward on the stage. I wonder how happy he really is with this endorsement, and the atention it gets.

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Wow, so many posts I wanted to respond to, I'd be quoting for days, so I'm just going to address several things all in one post.

First off, I think celebrities have just as much right as anyone else to make their political choices known, whether it be posting it on their websites, Facebook, or appearing at campaign rallies. It's no different, IMO, than the dozens of posts that come across my Facebook feed on a daily basis.

However, having said that, I agree that those celebs then open themselves up to whatever criticisms are going to come their way, and it's going to come from all over, including from their own fan bases- the answer to loaferman61's question (I hope he's OK) is a definite yes. And it's not just trolls- lots of otherwise "normal" people can get very heated when it comes to politics.

Personally, I couldn't care less about a musician's politics if I like his/her music. Ted Nugent is about as right-wing conservative as they come, but I'd still go watch him rock out. I agree with Mouse- if you quit being a fan because of their politics, you might be a little too invested in the person over the music. But, it happens.

I think people should use their own judgement rather than vote for a candidate just because some celebrity endorses them. Where I do think celebrities can be helpful is just getting people out to vote, period- for example, getting people to come out for a performance, but have volunteers on hand to do voter registrations, etc.

[The Flying Mouse]

:twisted: OK, i've got to say, that was a terrible performance.
I don't know if this was thrown together at the last minute, but nobody seemed to know what they were doing.
Nobody seemed to be singing well. The guy on the right looked like he shat himself when Meat started yelling down the mic. He didn't know it was coming. He looked utterly lost. The four singers just joined in when they felt like it, and other parts seemed to drift into places where nobody was really singing.

It's a shame, because I think if they'd had a chance to work on it a little longer they would have come up with a stirring version where they all took center stage at some point and really brought it home with a chorus.

It might have been thrown together last minute as a bit of fun, but as Meat's a singer, the performance won't reflect well on him proffessionally.

I'm sorry, but it looked like 4 blokes got up at a karaoke completly unplanned without any idea who was going to do what.

We all know that Meat is capable of so much more than that performance.

[BostonAngel]

LMAO, Showed the clip to my wife. She watched it, stayed silent for a moment then looked at me and said "Well at least he didn't sing" :lol:
I had stepped out to do some errands and when I came home, my mother very cautiously approached me & asked, "ummm did you actually see the video of Meat performing for Romney" She isn't really a fan because she doesn't like rock music. However she gets what his appeal is to me. I said, yes I have seen it. Then still with caution she asked "well what did you think?" I just shook me head in disappointment. She said sorry to say but the whole thing was pitiful. I reluctantly had to agree. She said he didn't sing, he just screamed & he did not look good. And his band looked they were at a funeral.
I hope he gives an amazing performance at Mohegan Sun in CT on Saturday night.

[LuuuuvMeat]

OMG! Meat is on his fb wall right now. Yikes!

[AndrewG]

Seems the republicans don't back Meat. John McCain.... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/john-mccain-meat-loaf_n_2025632.html)

[The Flying Mouse]

Seems the republicans don't back Meat. John McCain.... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/john-mccain-meat-loaf_n_2025632.html)

:twisted: Ouch :doh:

[Dave]

Seems the republicans don't back Meat. John McCain.... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/john-mccain-meat-loaf_n_2025632.html)

In all fairness....it is the HuffPo and it is John McCain..... both are questionable when getting information about conservatives and Republicans correct.

[Wario]

Seems the republicans don't back Meat. John McCain.... (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/john-mccain-meat-loaf_n_2025632.html)

That means nothing.

[loaferman61]

Wow, so many posts I wanted to respond to, I'd be quoting for days, so I'm just going to address several things all in one post.

First off, I think celebrities have just as much right as anyone else to make their political choices known, whether it be posting it on their websites, Facebook, or appearing at campaign rallies. It's no different, IMO, than the dozens of posts that come across my Facebook feed on a daily basis.

However, having said that, I agree that those celebs then open themselves up to whatever criticisms are going to come their way, and it's going to come from all over, including from their own fan bases- the answer to loaferman61's question (I hope he's OK) is a definite yes. And it's not just trolls- lots of otherwise "normal" people can get very heated when it comes to politics.

Personally, I couldn't care less about a musician's politics if I like his/her music. Ted Nugent is about as right-wing conservative as they come, but I'd still go watch him rock out. I agree with Mouse- if you quit being a fan because of their politics, you might be a little too invested in the person over the music. But, it happens.

I think people should use their own judgement rather than vote for a candidate just because some celebrity endorses them. Where I do think celebrities can be helpful is just getting people out to vote, period- for example, getting people to come out for a performance, but have volunteers on hand to do voter registrations, etc.

I am fine (thanks for asking) but we are now in the storm zone as it seems Meat is as well. He talked about a storm and I guess he got one, but just like I spent the afternoon doing storm prep, I hope he did some prep for the reaction this would get. I hope he is handling it well. Best wishes to all on the east coast USA for the "perfect storm".

[Vickip]

I am fine (thanks for asking) but we are now in the storm zone as it seems Meat is as well. He talked about a storm and I guess he got one, but just like I spent the afternoon doing storm prep, I hope he did some prep for the reaction this would get. I hope he is handling it well. Best wishes to all on the east coast USA for the "perfect storm".

I'm glad to hear you're ok ... and thanks for your concern about those of us on the East Coast ;)
Based on Meat's posts on his FB page, he's handling it very well.

[anotherday]

OMG! Meat is on his fb wall right now. Yikes!

What was said?

[LuuuuvMeat]

What was said?



Far to much to explain. Insults and mud slinging for the most part. Gross! Go to Facebook and see.

[Evil Ernie]

Far to much to explain. Insults and mud slinging for the most part. Gross! Go to Facebook and see.

People...

This is the internet. What do you expect?

Just as ML has the right to express his views, so do those who oppose him. They may express their anger in a more vitriolic fashion than I would prefer, but they have that right.

If you don't want to be exposed to that than don't read comment sections on Facebook, CNN, etc... I've learned to not get upset by the internet, or else the internet wins.

I save getting upset for online XBOX games.

[Kathy]

What I have a bit of a worry about is this:

'So you get out there and you argue with your relatives, you argue with your neighbours, you get in fights over politics and religion, ’cause we need Ohio!'

Now I don't know how people feel about this, but this sort of speech almost sounds like it's encouraging people to kind of, i dunno, bully other people into voting republican. Maybe i've got it wrong and this isn't what Neat meant, maybe he got a bit carried away, i dunno, but this just sounded a bit wrong to me. Apologies if i'm off base.

Meat prefaced this by commenting that we've all been taught not to argue politics or religion. That made a certain amount of sense in an age when most people read the newspaper, thought for themselves, and formed their own opinions.

Now, we have two trends: lack of good information, and polarization. We live in a time when more people than ever operate strictly on hearsay, or what they read on a Yahoo Answers page. Newspapers had enough problems of their own, but we've gone downhill from there! Network TV news has become more entertainment than news. But even though we are deluged with "lite" info (or maybe because of it) we are more polarized than we've ever been. We have trouble discussing anything without getting angry.

Maybe it's a good time to start talking to our friends and family about these previously off-limits topics. I don't want to put words in Meat's mouth but I doubt that he meant bullying in any way. I think it's time to increase the dialogue, to talk more, and talk freely.
-Kathy

.

[TheDoode]

Having read this entire thread and watched the videos:

The singing was, well, I'll skip the adjectives this time.

The excuses flying around (he's just done a show so he's tired, it was a youtube clip, etc.) are really starting to sound delusional (and yes, it's painful to have to admit that). I made a post in the Sammy Hagar and Meat thread about this with comparison videos, because the camera phone/youtube thing can't be used to defend a less than great performance.

And as for the argument about HIAB being comparable to this situation because it's a 'politically charged' album - yeah, it's about as far to the left as possible. It's borderline Marxian.

Confused.

Doode.

[Wario]

full performance of break it and stand in the storm:

KgOs3tTJR8g

[AndrewG]

Even the flag didn't want to be there.

Seeing Meat Loaf so tired makes me sad. He should have had a rest after the show instead of doing that performance and trying to scream his way out of it in my opinion.

[Adje]

full performance of break it and stand in the storm:

Well it's right at the beginning, for those who don't care to go through a 70minute rally.

Too bad Break It only shows the people in the crowd and not the performance

[Adje]

BTW, is this 'version' of America the Beautiful up there with Roseanne's National Anthem performance? This weighs heavier being 'sung' at a political rally...

[CarylB]

We live in a time when more people than ever operate strictly on hearsay, or what they read on a Yahoo Answers page. Newspapers had enough problems of their own, but we've gone downhill from there! Network TV news has become more entertainment than news. But even though we are deluged with "lite" info (or maybe because of it) we are more polarized than we've ever been. We have trouble discussing anything without getting angry.

So very true. Last night Meat's comments and responses were thoughtful, informed, intelligent and expressed with civility. I'd say he knew to expect flak and fallout from publicly supporting the candidate he has chosen, and dealt with it calmly and with friendly dignity. No-one deserves the torrent of foul-mouthed abuse and hysterical statements and angry threats some are searching out his FB page to post. That isn't "freedom of speech" imo, it's simply ignorant mob behaviour, and shames the democratic process.

I'm the first to admit I don't know enough about the issues to form an opinion on whether I would make the same choice as Meat were I in a position to vote in this election. Like Meat, I have not always voted for the same party (although I am by inclination left of centre), and I have not always endorsed all the views of the candidate I voted for. But right or left, I would be ashamed to be associated with the abusive comments, threats, disgusting words and phrases I have seen posted on his FB page, sometimes from both sides. The sheer torrent of hatred being aimed at a decent man, who has lived a decent life and spent 40 years proving himself to be a wonderful performer, who gives his all on stage, and is unfailingly gracious and kind to his fans, simply horrifies me. In a decent society that is not imo reasonable or acceptable.

His responses have earned more of my respect than ever.

Caryl

[Tomjoad]

A different angle about this endorsement: do you think all members of the band who were onstage agreed with Meat statements?
I think he should have done this thing alone...

[CarylB]

A different angle about this endorsement: do you think all members of the band who were onstage agreed with Meat statements?
I think he should have done this thing alone...

I don't know and it's not up to me to speculate. They may have viewed it as a gig .. may agree. I doubt they were dragged under force to the rally;) It's a matter for them, not me

[Tomjoad]

I don't know and it's not up to me to speculate. They may have viewed it as a gig .. may agree. I doubt they were dragged under force to the rally;) It's a matter for them, not me


I hope you're right. Anyway, he put it on a very personal level and the speech was all about his story and the way he feels about politics right now. But the stage was crowded. I don't know, Springsteen never brought the E Street band to an Obama rally...

[Evil One]

It's about time someone came up with a better political system. I wouldn't give you two shits for Romney or Obama. Or Cameron, Clegg or Milliband for that matter.

[robgomm]

It's about time someone came up with a better political system. I wouldn't give you two shits for Romney or Obama. Or Cameron, Clegg or Milliband for that matter.

The trouble is that will never happen. It took hundreds of years for things to change in this country (UK) to get to where we are now. First we had factions and no political system, then we had kings and queens ruling with no parliment, then kings and queens with parliment, and then finally we had parliment become the main power, and that is the best system because the poeple couldn't pick and choose who they wanted as king or queen, but we can vote for who we want to run the government. If you don't like someones ideas, vote for someone else. And noone can tell me it doesn't work because people either don't vote or only vote for one of the two main parties. That's a problem with the people, not with the system. The UK system is fine as it is, we just need more competition, which we can't get because people aren't brave enough to vote for someone different. So like I said the people are the problem.

[CarylB]

I hope you're right. Anyway, he put it on a very personal level and the speech was all about his story and the way he feels about politics right now. But the stage was crowded. I don't know, Springsteen never brought the E Street band to an Obama rally...

If you read Meat's responses to the hysteria being thrown at his FB page I think it's clear that he is informed, is very concerned about the situation the USA is in economically, has thought the issues through very carefully, and his decision is very personal, as it should be. He is, of course, not Bruce Springsteen. I'm sure I've seen a post on FB from one of the band suggesting he was pumped to be at the rally. They are adults, know Meat well, and I cannot believe any would have been there unwillingly.

Caryl

[CarylB]

It's about time someone came up with a better political system. I wouldn't give you two shits for Romney or Obama. Or Cameron, Clegg or Milliband for that matter.

You either work with it, opt out in passive acceptance, just criticize it, or work to change it. Change takes involvement, commitment and effort, as would devoting yourself to becoming an alternative candidate.

[LisaT]

Can someone please post Meat's response here or point me in the right direction? I've scanned his FB page and I can't find it! Thanks.

[Tomjoad]

I'm sure I've seen a post on FB from one of the band suggesting he was pumped to be at the rally. They are adults, know Meat well, and I cannot believe any would have been there unwillingly.

Caryl


What if just one member of the band didn't agree with the endorsement. If he/she didn't show up, we'd have speculation about his/her absence. So he/she could have decided for the lesser of two evils. Hope none of them was in that uncomfortable position. Keep thinking that Meat should have done it by himself.

[CarylB]

Can someone please post Meat's response here or point me in the right direction? I've scanned his FB page and I can't find it! Thanks.

I don't believe that would be appropriate. You need to check the thread he started with "Like we didn't all know this already!!". He started posting about 14 hours ago, and you will need to pull up responses c102 onwards. They re still there if anyone is interested to invest time in finding and reading them because they want to know Meat's position

Caryl

[GDW]

CarylB forget the political part. Do you think Meat Loaf's performance was good or bad. A bad or good would be good!:!::-)

[Jayd]

:( listening to any of those songs and they are bad I am sorry to say, Meats voice sounds very tired, hopefully soon he is going to get some rest

[Dave]

BTW, is this 'version' of America the Beautiful up there with Roseanne's National Anthem performance? This weighs heavier being 'sung' at a political rally...

Not at all... As an American, The Star Spangled Banner holds a dear place in my heart. This song is not that song. Further, this was a bunch of people really in the mood and having fun with a song...not a crazed comedienne attempting to create a Andy Kauffman moment. Different song.... Hell, I have even criticized Meat Loaf's much lauded performance of The Star Spangled Banner on this very forum. But this is not that song and does not hold as much importance to me, as an American.

[CarylB]

CarylB forget the political part. Do you think Meat Loaf's performance was good or bad. A bad or good would be good!:!::-)

Why would I forget the political part? That was the purpose, and I believe I've already said his vocals coming right at the end in the short clip of ATB were strained .. I also said why in my view this was. You think it would be good for me to say "bad". Why? Schadenfreude?

I don't consider the entire performance "bad", no. Not Meat's best by any means, but this was at a time when he's normally on vocal rest. It doesn't make it a "good" performance. It makes me understand.

The most important thing in my view, given the title of this thread, is that Meat is informed, researched, thoughtful, and genuinely believes this candidate is the one to effect the changes required to get the US back on its feet economically. He does not agree with all Romney's views, but is exercising his democratic right to back the candidate he considers the US needs right now.

Caryl

[Wario]

Not at all... As an American, The Star Spangled Banner holds a dear place in my heart. This song is not that song. Further, this was a bunch of people really in the mood and having fun with a song...not a crazed comedienne attempting to create a Andy Kauffman moment. Different song.... Hell, I have even criticized Meat Loaf's much lauded performance of The Star Spangled Banner on this very forum. But this is not that song and does not hold as much importance to me, as an American.

yeah his star spangled banner performance is that of shear perfection. :D

[Dave]

yeah his star spangled banner performance is that of shear perfection. :D

No, it is not....it is inspiring, but it is not perfection. The Star Spangled Banner is a march and Meat Loaf performed the song much slower than it should be performed. Whitney Houston's performance is by far the most emotional and inspiring version I have ever heard, but it is still technically not correct either. But...back on topic please.

[Dave]

I really woke up to a Facebook message from PFLAG chapter that is not even local to me informing me that I should cancel my Rocky Horror Picture Show screening tonight, get rid of all of my Meat Loaf collection, and letting me know that Meat Loaf's appearance at the GLAAD Awards was a sham to comfort people before they found out the reality that Meat Loaf is a "homophobic redneck" with some sort of agenda. I immediately sent them a screen shot of Meat Loaf's comments about gay people and was told outright that Meat Loaf is a liar. Personally, I am going to take Meat Loaf at his word when he says he supports the GLBT community and women's rights. I refuse to call him a liar.

[Monstro]

Can someone please post Meat's response here or point me in the right direction? I've scanned his FB page and I can't find it! Thanks.

Please no posts from other sites here, sorry but it's against forum rules

[mtaylor315]

I really woke up to a Facebook message from PFLAG chapter that is not even local to me informing me that I should cancel my Rocky Horror Picture Show screening tonight, get rid of all of my Meat Loaf collection, and letting me know that Meat Loaf's appearance at the GLAAD Awards was a sham to comfort people before they found out the reality that Meat Loaf is a "homophobic redneck" with some sort of agenda. I immediately sent them a screen shot of Meat Loaf's comments about gay people and was told outright that Meat Loaf is a liar. Personally, I am going to take Meat Loaf at his word when he says he supports the GLBT community and women's rights. I refuse to call him a liar.

I read a few comments about Meat being homophobic too. I think its absolute rubbish. Being a Republican doesn't mean you hate gay people. Being gay, I know first hand about the hate that is thrown out, and I certainly wouldn't consider Meat to be that sort of person. I saw his facebook comments about the LGBT community on Facebook and take that to be the truth.

I don't like Romney whatsoever, but Meat can support whoever he chooses. This will all blow over soon enough as people will get bored and find something else to talk about :-) x

[LuuuuvMeat]

Being a Republican doesn't mean you hate gay people. x



Correct but Republican policies in general are mostly homophobic.

[AndrewG]

Correct but Republican policies in general are mostly homophobic.

My understanding is that "homophobic" means fear or hatred towards gays or lesbians.
I do not think most republicans think like that.

I don't have anything against gays or lesbians and would be voting democratic if I was an American however;

Do I agree with gays or lesbians getting married as in the same way as a man or woman: hmmm I'm not quite sure really and if I had to choose probably not, not in a Christian religious ceremony anyway. I doesn't quite make sense to me.
Do I agree with gay couples adopting children? Probably not, certainly not since it is damn hard for a hetero sexual couple to even be considered for adoption. It's almost akin to positive discrimination allowing people such as Elton John such an easy route to doing that. All celebrities I think seem to be able to almost "buy" children in fact. But I certainly don't think gay couples raising children is the most natural thing in the world.

I doubt this really makes me a complete homophobe more balanced I would have thought, but I'm sure many people will disagree. :shrug:

[Dave]

Correct but Republican policies in general are mostly homophobic.

Wrong... Most of the Tea Party policies are homophobic. They are as closely aligned to The Republicans as the Klu Klux Klan are with The Democrats. The GOP has been taken hostage.

[LuuuuvMeat]

DOMA

[LuuuuvMeat]

My understanding is that "homophobic" means fear or hatred towards gays or lesbians.
I do not think most republicans think like that.

I don't have anything against gays or lesbians and would be voting democratic if I was an American however;

Do I agree with gays or lesbians getting married as in the same way as a man or woman: hmmm I'm not quite sure really and if I had to choose probably not, not in a Christian religious ceremony anyway. I doesn't quite make sense to me.
Do I agree with gay couples adopting children? Probably not, certainly not since it is damn hard for a hetero sexual couple to even be considered for adoption. It's almost akin to positive discrimination allowing people such as Elton John such an easy route to doing that. All celebrities I think seem to be able to almost "buy" children in fact. But I certainly don't think gay couples raising children is the most natural thing in the world.

I doubt this really makes me a complete homophobe more balanced I would have thought, but I'm sure many people will disagree. :shrug:



Wow!

[The Flying Mouse]

:twisted: This level of reaction baffles me, it honestly does.
I think evert taxi in America needs to be spray painted either red of blue, depending on the political leanings of the driver.
God forbid that a democrat rides in a taxi driven by someone who wants to vote for Romney :panic:
Paint the shops too, because it would be terrible to put money into a till owned by someone who doesn't share the same presidential candidate as you :yikes:

Because how is that different from someone saying they don't want to buy any more of Meat's albums?

I agree that just as Meat has the right to express his opinion, others have the right to disagree with him. But I don't see Meat calling anyone a "fat f*ck".

It's important to remember that every party has assholes among it's supporters, not just the democrates.
I say that because the actions and words of these people are more likely to increase support for the Republican party.

[AndrewG]

I think it's actual a bit silly to NOT vote for a certain party based on a single issue. There are plenty of things Obama has done I completely disagree with. He has supported Wall Street to the brim, whereas many expected him to do something about it instead. In that light he has been very disappointing but I do favour his mostly liberal policies. Flaming down Meat Loaf for being homophobic and against women's rights is rather ridiculous actually.

[CarylB]

Correct but Republican policies in general are mostly homophobic.

If you were to say in your opinion most Republicans are homophobic, I would probably disagree, but accept you have that view.

But stating that "policies in general are homophobic"? How can policies on taxation, environmental issues, national defence, healthcare , economic regeneration etc etc be "homophobic"? Will policies on these issues be applied differently depending on people's sexual orientation?

They certainly aren't where I live, and I really cannot see this being the case in the USA

[AndrewG]

Wow!

Wow what? Am I not allowed to think conservatively about certain issues? What kind of democracy do you want?

[LuuuuvMeat]

Wow what? Am I not allowed to think conservatively about certain issues? What kind of democracy do you want?

A democracy where everyone is equal.

[JaysScout]

Freedom of speech....the 1st amendment to the US Constitution...wonderful things! They allow us to speak freely and express our views. It allows Meat Loaf, and any of us, to make choices. Like Meat, you can choose to never support a presidential candidate until this year, or choose to support one if you desire. Freedom of speech also gives those who disagree with someones choice, the right to call them names and boycott concerts, merchandise, and movies in which they may appear. It has always AMAZED me that those who say they support freedom of speech, get so upset when someone else exercises that right.....when it doesn't agree with theirs. Freedom of speech also gives you the right to be a hypocrite. Since Meat made his endorsement, I've seen plenty of hypocrites exercising that right.

Bravo Meat!!! He has ALWAYS been a standup guy.....and I'm betting he will continue to be so.

[LuuuuvMeat]

If you were to say in your opinion most Republicans are homophobic, I would probably disagree, but accept you have that view.

But stating that "policies in general are homophobic"? How can policies on taxation, environmental issues, national defence, healthcare , economic regeneration etc etc be "homophobic"? Will policies on these issues be applied differently depending on people's sexual orientation?

They certainly aren't where I live, and I really cannot see this being the case in the USA

Just a few. Gay couples can't file taxes together, gays can not be on partners heath care plans, gays can be fire for being gay still in many states, & gays can't abopt kidsin many states. Should go on?

[CarylB]

I think it's actual a bit silly to NOT vote for a certain party based on a single issue. There are plenty of things Obama has done I completely disagree with. He has supported Wall Street to the brim, whereas many expected him to do something about it instead. In that light he has been very disappointing but I do favour his mostly liberal policies. Flaming down Meat Loaf for being homophobic and against women's rights is rather ridiculous actually.

I agree with your first statement. I have never found a party or politician whose entire platform I agree with, and will vote for the one I feel most likely to tackle the most pressing issues in a way that might resolve them effectively.

I really am not sufficiently informed to say whether Obama has performed well or badly. I too agree with his liberal aims, and that he has been trying to implement them in a huge economic downturn hasn't helped, but I can understand some people's disappointment in his term of office.

I agree absolutely that flaming Meat as homophobic and against women is complete nonsense. It would be laughable were it less ridiculous and offensive.

Caryl

[CarylB]

Just a few. Gay couples can't file taxes together, gays can not be on partners heath care plans, gays can be fire for being gay still in many states, & gays can't abopt kidsin many states. Should go on?

No, because most of these all come back to one issue, which is based on legal partnerships/marriages between same sex couples. I still think that most of what is contained in most policies which are aimed at tackling the broad range of issues are not based on an anti-gay platform. Leave out joint filing and everything else about taxation is not based on homophobic beliefs. And this election is based on federal government, not state government .. though I'd say that imo more needs to be made nationwide law .. eg your employment legislation

[LisaT]

Please no posts from other sites here, sorry but it's against forum rules

Oops, sorry. :oops:

[lorenzoduke]

To say Meat is homophobic isn't exactly going to be a huge leap in people's minds when Meat says he endorses Romney and Romney says gay people shouldn't be allowed to marry and shouldn't have the same rights as straight couples.

I don't think there's anything ridiculous in the least about presuming to ascribe Mitt Romney's views to Meat, given that Meat has voluntarily endorsed him. If someone endorsed Nick Griffin, would you assume he was racist? If someone endorsed the Lib Dems, would you assume he shared liberal values?

Fine, he qualified his comments on Facebook. He didn't qualify them when he gave his endorsement at the rally. Which do you think reached more people?

If you endorse a politician, people will assume you endorse that politician's views and proposed policies.

If you DON'T endorse many of the key policies, hot button issues and values that a candidate is running behind, how about you....don't endorse them? If you merely think they're the slightly better of two candidates, how about using your vote instead of your bluster?

I said earlier in the thread, to a lot of people - and the facts stand - a vote for Romney is a vote against gay rights. Ergo, to a lot of people Meat saying 'I endorse Romney' is no different than Meat going to a rally and saying 'I'm against gay marriage'.

He said 'I endorse Mitt Romney', that Mitt Romney was the candidate for a brighter future for America, that people should argue with their friends and families and persuade them that Romney is the way to go.

He did not say 'I kind of endorse Mitt Romney, but think he's wrong about this, this and this'.

Standing behind Romney and his divisive policies, causing his fans to turn on him, and being mocked for a poor performance all over the internet. Was it worth it? Has something being achieved, other than damage?

[BostonAngel]

A different angle about this endorsement: do you think all members of the band who were onstage agreed with Meat statements?
I think he should have done this thing alone...

I had that same thought. I know a couple of them are Obama supporters. This is part of what gets to me about the whole thing; By having it be a BAND appearance to support a political candidate, he was in fact, forcing his own political choice on the rest of them which I don't think is very fair. He should have appeared by himself. Granted, maybe they did have the chance to decline if they wished. What would have been the repercussions of that choice though, I wonder Even my mother said that some of the band members looked absolutely miserable.
I realize my opinion might be controversial. Politics is full of controversy.

[Benny]

I don't know much about all this, being in the UK! I do however really don't like Mitt Romney at all, and think he's wrong going forward for the USA - That my views. Obama all the way - He endorses gay marriage which is good.
We should all be equal, and I know not many folk agree with that. I personally don't care, we're all different - thats whats makes us, us! I'm gay, so Without a doubt I think Romney is a tit! My views -OBAMA ALL THE WAY!
Meat can vote for who he likes, as I and you all can. Fair enough!
I still love my ML, and as previous people have said, this will all blow over.

YAY Its SATURDAY NIGHT!!! Time to dress up (halloween):D

[lorenzoduke]

I had that same thought. I know a couple of them are Obama supporters. This is part of what gets to me about the whole thing; By having it be a BAND appearance to support a political candidate, he was in fact, forcing his own political choice on the rest of them which I don't think is very fair. He should have appeared by himself. Granted, maybe they did have the chance to decline if they wished. What would have been the repercussions of that choice though, I wonder Even my mother said that some of the band members looked absolutely miserable.

Could not agree more, and having met and spoken to some of the band members, I'd be extremely surprised if they shared Meat's views. Even if all but one or two of them did, making it a band performance would still be out of line in my opinion.

If you're performing at a rally for a political party, the implication is that you are for the party.

[LuuuuvMeat]

No, because most of these all come back to one issue, which is based on legal partnerships/marriages between same sex couples. I still think that most of what is contained in most policies which are aimed at tackling the broad range of issues are not based on an anti-gay platform. Leave out joint filing and everything else about taxation is not based on homophobic beliefs. And this election is based on federal government, not state government .. though I'd say that imo more needs to be made nationwide law .. eg your employment legislation

I understand your point that Republicans don't think they are homophobic regarding broader local and national issues. But I believe the institutionalized homophobia is a compelling example of the elitism of Republican policies that unabashedly show preference to those with inherent powers in American society: white, male, wealthy, at the expense of the minority: people of color, lgbt, women, immigrants, non-christians, poor. And each of their policies, whether it be taxation, foreign relations, environment, predictably favor white, male, corporate, wealthy, over those who are historically oppressed and marginalized. I'm saying I stand with gays, womens, physically disabled, immigrants, foreign born, and the 99%, against the policies that unfairly tilt the game in favor of the elite.

[The Flying Mouse]

:twisted: Where were the band?
I didn't see them. All I saw were the four singers and Romney.

[CarylB]

:twisted: Where were the band?
I didn't see them. All I saw were the four singers and Romney.

In the short performance they did before Meat spoke and before the final clip. Paul posted he was tickled to be on the Presidential candidates bus, so I doubt he was frogmarched against his will ;)

Caryl

[lorenzoduke]

It really baffles me the idea that Meat's endorsement would carry any clout at this point (other than in harming his own career, alienating large chunks of his fanbase, pissing off people who don't like celebrities telling them who to vote for etc.).

"Hey everyone - he's rich, quite old, Southern, white and male....and he's voting for Romney! Wow, just the kind of people we're short of!" :twisted: ;)

I'm curious - did they play the L'il Jon bit during Stand In The Storm?

[CarylB]

To say Meat is homophobic isn't exactly going to be a huge leap in people's minds when Meat says he endorses Romney and Romney says gay people shouldn't be allowed to marry and shouldn't have the same rights as straight couples .....

I understand what you're saying Michael, but as I have said, I have never voted for a party or politician whose every policy I endorse. Sometimes it's the lesser of two weevils .. more often I choose depending on who/what I think is most likely to provide the answer to the most pressing issues. So before searching out Meat's page to accuse him of being a "homophobic fat ~~~~" I would like to find out if he DID support those particular views. Before, for eg, writing to David telling him he should abandon his RHPS screening and burn his albums, I would perhaps ask him if he thought Meat was anti-gay. If I were a fan who knew anything of Meat I would find it hard to believe he DID support that view .. and if I posted on his page would simply ask him how he reconciled this, because I had never seen anything to suggest he was anti-gay.

If someone endorsed Nick Griffin, would you assume he was racist? If someone endorsed the Lib Dems, would you assume he shared liberal values?

In the case of the former Griffith's central platform IS being racist. In the case of the latter I wouldn't assume he shared every policy and value of the Liberal party .. I have voted Liberal and I don't.

He didn't qualify them when he gave his endorsement at the rally.

No, I have never seen anyone at a rally do this

If you endorse a politician, people will assume you endorse that politician's views and proposed policies.

Assumptions are dangerous. Making assumptions and screaming profanities and threats on the basis of them is wholly unjustified in my view. I abhor Nick Griffith's platform, but would NEVER post the vile and ignorantly angry rhetoric and threats on any web page he had.

... causing his fans to turn on him, and being mocked for a poor performance all over the internet. Was it worth it?

Meat is a concerned, intelligent, well researched and thoughtful man. I doubt he failed to expect what transpired, and presumably considered it important enough to make a stand. As to his fans turning on him .. I have grave doubts that all those who have rushed to post abuse are all fans. In my view some are angry Obama supporters who have searched to find his page. Anyone can write that they are an angry fan .. most should know a little more about him than to jump to assumptions, and few of them have any references to Meat's music on their pages.

And nothing excuses profanity, threats, abuse in my view. That's not freedom of speech, it's abuse of it .. again in my view.

Caryl

[Adje]

I'm curious - did they play the L'il Jon bit during Stand In The Storm?

Yup. They didn't have a screen up, so only the vocal tape was played. But when that part came up people were allowed on the stage with Romney signs.

[BostonAngel]

In the short performance they did before Meat spoke and before the final clip. Paul posted he was tickled to be on the Presidential candidates bus, so I doubt he was frogmarched against his will ;)

Caryl

Paul is in fact only one member of the band. There are 6 more people that make up the Neverland Express

[lorenzoduke]

Yup. They didn't have a screen up, so only the vocal tape was played. But when that part came up people were allowed on the stage with Romney signs.

Unless he had L'il Jon's personal permission to use his performance at that rally, I find that absolutely beyond the pale.

By the way, little trivia: Romney is still running an ad featuring, and refusing to condemn supporter & contributor Mourdock who said last week that a child born from rape is a 'gift from God'. Romney apparently still accepts endorsement from Mourdock. Meat Loaf endorses Romney to the point that he thinks we should argue with our own family and friends about why they should vote for him. Meat feels so strongly in favor of Romney, after all, that after 40 years of never endorsing a candidate, he feels this is the one.

I would be very, very interested to hear how Meat would 'argue' with a gay friend or a female friend on these matters. I doubt 'Oh, but I don't agree with him on that... but here's why you should vote for him' would go over too well. In fact if I tried to argue with a gay person about why they should vote for someone who considers their relationship 'less-than', I wouldn't expect them to be my friend for much longer.

It's a shame that Meat Loaf has chosen to embroil himself in all of this when as far as I can see, it has done no good for Romney or for himself. If you endorse someone to the degree that he has, this will happen. It's a shame when Meat was able to convey his views so eloquently on HIAH, alienating nobody in the process, that he felt the need to do this.

Personally I think it's the single worst move of his career, and using his fame to attempt to sway people's votes (albeit seemingly unsuccessfully) goes against much of what I have admired about him for most of my life.

[LuuuuvMeat]

I understand what you're saying Michael, but as I have said, I have never voted for a party or politician whose every policy I endorse. Sometimes it's the lesser of two weevils .. more often I choose depending on who/what I think is most likely to provide the answer to the most pressing issues. So before searching out Meat's page to accuse him of being a "homophobic fat ~~~~" I would like to find out if he DID support those particular views. Before, for eg, writing to David telling him he should abandon his RHPS screening and burn his albums, I would perhaps ask him if he thought Meat was anti-gay. If I were a fan who knew anything of Meat I would find it hard to believe he DID support that view .. and if I posted on his page would simply ask him how he reconciled this, because I had never seen anything to suggest he was anti-gay.




Caryl



I have never read or heard anything about Meat being anti-gay. I don't beleive he is. Last night on fb I tried to calm people down but there was so much mud slinging I couldn't keep up with it. :( I will say the endorsement might be a hard pill to swallow for many.

[lorenzoduke]

If you were friends with a gay couple and were going to a casual dinner with them last week, would you show up in a Meat Loaf shirt? Would you do now?

If you're an Obama supporter, if you were vacationing in Ohio, would you wear a Meat Loaf shirt out?

If you worked as a secretary at a woman's health clinic and they had a casual day, would you wear a Meat Loaf t-shirt?

He's made the name, the brand, stand for something his fans may very well not stand by, where previously it only stood for great music and a man who sings his heart out.

Some probably think that's completely ridiculous, and fair enough.

[Adje]

What I don't understand -and I wonder if Meat can explain himself on this- when you never ever before endorsed a candidate, but you do it now. Doesn't that mean you stand behind that candidate and his ideas for 100%? So why is Meat defending his thoughts being oposite to Romney's?

If there are fundamental differences in their believes, what value does the endorsement have?

He never ever, ever did this before, but now he felt it was needed to go ahead and endorse a candidate. To disagree with him the day after on Facebook. Don't pussy out and say "I suport this anti-gay candidate so much I endorse him' and then claim that you have done so much for gay people and you will always defend their rights. I find that weird, unbelievable and not very convincing...

I really don't care who he votes for or who will be the President of the US for the next term. But if you make a statement, that you never dared to take before, then you got to show that you have a backbone yourself and either come out and say I SUPORT ROMNEY FOR THE FULL 100% or take back your endorsement...

[CarylB]

If you were friends with a gay couple and were going to a casual dinner with them last week, would you show up in a Meat Loaf shirt? Would you do now?

If you're an Obama supporter, if you were vacationing in Ohio, would you wear a Meat Loaf shirt out?

If you worked as a secretary at a woman's health clinic and they had a casual day, would you wear a Meat Loaf t-shirt?

He's made the name, the brand, stand for something his fans may very well not stand by, where previously it only stood for great music and a man who sings his heart out.

Some probably think that's completely ridiculous, and fair enough.

Yes to all, and I would assure them that Meat doesn't have a homophobic bone in his body

[CarylB]

Paul is in fact only one member of the band. There are 6 more people that make up the Neverland Express

I know. Did I suggest there weren't? I merely pointed out there was ONE member who didn't seem to be there against his will. I make no assumptions abut the others .. nor speculation either way. They are adults.

[wizardofodd]

I shall repeat what some have already said, I will always love Meat as an artist to the same extend that I will continue to enjoy Clint Eastwood films. The Romney thing however, scary. If he wins then I honestly feel sorry for america. It might sound stupid but I cant help but feel disappointed about meat endorsing a guy who in my view is so morally inept. :?

[CarylB]

What I don't understand -and I wonder if Meat can explain himself on this- when you never ever before endorsed a candidate, but you do it now. Doesn't that mean you stand behind that candidate and his ideas for 100%? So why is Meat defending his thoughts being oposite to Romney's?

Meat HAS said why. He has said he really believes that Romney is best placed to deal with the economic issues the US is facing, and that although he voted for Obama he does not believe any more that he can do this.

Whether he chooses to post that here is up to him.

[BostonAngel]

If you were friends with a gay couple and were going to a casual dinner with them last week, would you show up in a Meat Loaf shirt? Would you do now?

If you're an Obama supporter, if you were vacationing in Ohio, would you wear a Meat Loaf shirt out?

If you worked as a secretary at a woman's health clinic and they had a casual day, would you wear a Meat Loaf t-shirt?

He's made the name, the brand, stand for something his fans may very well not stand by, where previously it only stood for great music and a man who sings his heart out.

Some probably think that's completely ridiculous, and fair enough.
I get your point. And NO, I wouldn't take the chance on wearing a Meat shirt in those instances. As fans of his we know that he has said that he supports gay rights. The person who isn't a fan and heard he endorsed Romney may have the perception that Meat was anti-gay. Out of respect for them, I wouldn't wear it in order to avoid the controversy. In all honesty I also wouldn't do it because i couldn't fully defend Meat's position as being supportive of gays. He says it, however he says he fully supports Romney as President. Romney has said that he is not for gay rights. Now Meat is trying to back-pedal (in my opinion) on his position and say well no, I don't really support his view on this issue but I still want him to be President. Has my head spinning and saying WTF???? You either support the candidate or you stay out of the political fray if you can't support that candidate completely. You can't have it both ways. The thing is that most people won't' see what Meat posts on Facebook attempting to clarify his position which only has me even more baffled. All they hear is that Meat Loaf endorsed Mitt Romney as President and performed (badly) at an event with him. The perception is again, that he supports ALL of Romney's policies. Meat's words are saying one thing - not just on the gay issue, with other issues as well. - his action of publicly supporting Romney is saying another thing. In my mind actions speak louder than words.

[Tomjoad]

having met and spoken to some of the band members, I'd be extremely surprised if they shared Meat's views. Even if all but one or two of them did, making it a band performance would still be out of line in my opinion.

If you're performing at a rally for a political party, the implication is that you are for the party.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who had this thought. And even if I am a rookie here, I dare to encourage you all to think about the really questionable part of Meat's behavior. Which in my opinion is not the endorsement itself, but the fact that he pulled the whole band along.

[LuuuuvMeat]

I was just on fb and there are tons of people "liking" just because of Romney. I knew it was going to happen but it's still a drag.

[Sarge]

:wtf: Is that the big announcement people on this forum have been speculating about?

Meat Loaf can vote for and support whoever he likes - as long as he doesn't try to impose his political views on me. As for his appearance at that event: I'm sorry but it made me cringe. If he had at least delivered a good show... The skilled actor and experienced stage artist Meat Loaf appeared to be absent. Instead there was a strange speech and bad singing. In fact it sounded more like screaming to me and it even seemed as if he was trying to drown out everybody else during America The Beautiful. That's "endorsement"? The videos I saw appeared kind of bizarre to me, like some satire on politics and showbiz. :twisted:

In my opinion, there is one important thing missing (aside from convincing words and impressive vocals) - it's credibility. It's not that long ago that Meat Loaf claimed that he was "independent", appeared at the GLAAD Awards and said things like this:

I don't get involved with politics [...] I don't get involved with them in my stage show. I don't get up and preach like some acts do. Entertainment is not about that.

(http://expressmilwaukee.com/article-19625-the-politics-of-meat-loaf.html)

Now he's campaigning for that presidential candidate all of a sudden, go figure... :??::??::??:

I'm not in favor of artists publicly supporting politicians or telling you who to vote for but at least other artists have managed to take a firm stand most of the time - no matter if it's Springsteen or Nugent, "left" or "right". Compared to those people, Meat Loaf appears to be more like a swaying, erratically roaming ship of which you don't really know what its home port is and that's apparently steered by a captain who can't make up his mind. That's one of the reasons why I can't take his "political" statements seriously.

Meat Loaf [...] thinks we should argue with our own family and friends [...]

I'd never argue with friends and relatives and sacrifice my personal relationships to damn politics just because some "celebrity" tells me to. The Berlin Wall came down because people were sick and tired of being told what to think, what to say and what kind of "politics" to support. I'm sceptical of people who try to railroad their "political" beliefs in the way that Meat Loaf obviously encourages.

[BostonAngel]

I was just on fb and there are tons of people "liking" just because of Romney. I knew it was going to happen but it's still a drag.

Politics is a dirty nasty controversial subject. If you can't stand the heat & the backlash from whatever position you choose, don't jump into the game! We all knew that all the Romney haters would be LIKING Meat's page. He had to know it would happen too as soon as he appeared on stage with Romney and made his endorsement public. I think it is unfortunate that he and whoever works on his FAcebook page seemed ill-prepared & even suprised by it. He is breaking one of the major rules of social media: DON"T FEED THE TROLLS!!! Feeding the trolls only makes them bigger & stronger. Responding to them and atempting to rationalize with them only makes them worse. Starve them by not responding, then they will weaken and go away.
It is a drag, however that is how social media works, even if you don't agree. Meat's own actions were what caused it - deal with it.

[LuuuuvMeat]

Politics is a dirty nasty controversial subject. If you can't stand the heat & the backlash from whatever position you choose, don't jump into the game! We all knew that all the Romney haters would be LIKING Meat's page. He had to know it would happen too as soon as he appeared on stage with Romney and made his endorsement public. I think it is unfortunate that he and whoever works on his FAcebook page seemed ill-prepared & even suprised by it. He is breaking one of the major rules of social media: DON"T FEED THE TROLLS!!! Feeding the trolls only makes them bigger & stronger. Responding to them and atempting to rationalize with them only makes them worse. Starve them by not responding, then they will weaken and go away.
It is a drag, however that is how social media works, even if you don't agree. Meat's own actions were what caused it - deal with it.


I was also speaking of the Romney fans. Instead of wall being about Meat and his music it's turning into his endorsement. I know it will blow over.

[wizardofodd]

Unless he had L'il Jon's personal permission to use his performance at that rally, I find that absolutely beyond the pale.

By the way, little trivia: Romney is still running an ad featuring, and refusing to condemn supporter & contributor Mourdock who said last week that a child born from rape is a 'gift from God'. Romney apparently still accepts endorsement from Mourdock. Meat Loaf endorses Romney to the point that he thinks we should argue with our own family and friends about why they should vote for him. Meat feels so strongly in favor of Romney, after all, that after 40 years of never endorsing a candidate, he feels this is the one.

I would be very, very interested to hear how Meat would 'argue' with a gay friend or a female friend on these matters. I doubt 'Oh, but I don't agree with him on that... but here's why you should vote for him' would go over too well. In fact if I tried to argue with a gay person about why they should vote for someone who considers their relationship 'less-than', I wouldn't expect them to be my friend for much longer.

It's a shame that Meat Loaf has chosen to embroil himself in all of this when as far as I can see, it has done no good for Romney or for himself. If you endorse someone to the degree that he has, this will happen. It's a shame when Meat was able to convey his views so eloquently on HIAH, alienating nobody in the process, that he felt the need to do this.

Personally I think it's the single worst move of his career, and using his fame to attempt to sway people's votes (albeit seemingly unsuccessfully) goes against much of what I have admired about him for most of my life.

I think this is finely worded. Endorsements are dangerous especially when you are unfamiliar with the persons personal ideology. (We know what to expect from Springsteen for example)

Lets just put it this way, if I was a gay Meat Loaf fan- or if I was a women that was a victim of rape. Or if I fell into the 47% of Americans that Romney doesn't worry about no matter how he tries to spin in the other way when he is caught. If I was a fan that fell into these categories can you honestly say you wouldn't feel dissapointed and divided by Meats sudden public views, its stupid and ignorant that WILL turn people away. Meat should have left it alone, he might as well call his next tour the Tea Party tour because they might be the only folks that will go. It would be foolish to think that endorsements do not matter to people especially when you are a devoted fan.

[LuuuuvMeat]

I think this is finely worded. Endorsements are dangerous especially when you are unfamiliar with the persons personal ideology. (We know what to expect from Springsteen for example)

Lets just put it this way, if I was a gay Meat Loaf fan- or if I was a women that was a victim of rape. Or if I fell into the 47% of Americans that Romney doesn't worry about no matter how he tries to spin in the other way when he is caught. If I was a fan that fell into these categories can you honestly say you wouldn't feel dissapointed and divided by Meats sudden public views, its stupid and ignorant that WILL turn people away. Meat should have left it alone, he might as well call his next tour the Tea Party tour because they might be the only folks that will go. It would be foolish to think that endorsements do not matter to people especially when you are a devoted fan.


I can't lie. I'm struggling right now.

[CarylB]

Lets just put it this way, if I was a gay Meat Loaf fan- or if I was a women that was a victim of rape. Or if I fell into the 47% of Americans that Romney doesn't worry about no matter how he tries to spin in the other way when he is caught. If I was a fan that fell into these categories can you honestly say you wouldn't feel dissapointed and divided by Meats sudden public views

Yes I can say I am neither disappointed, nor will I fail to follow his career and go to the shows. Why? Because I know he is not anti-gay and he is pro-choice. And if I did not know, I'd damn well find out before passing judgement.

[wizardofodd]

Yes I can say I am neither disappointed, nor will I fail to follow his career and go to the shows. Why? Because I know he is not anti-gay and he is pro-choice. And if I did not, I'd damn well find out before passing judgement.

If you endorse somebody it says to the public (the electorate) this is the guy I agree with- that is the point. There is no arguing that statement. Meat has dented his reputation with this endorsement which was accompanied by a painful performance- and this time it was totally self inflicted.

[Adje]

Meat HAS said why. He has said he really believes that Romney is best placed to deal with the economic issues the US is facing, and that although he voted for Obama he does not believe any more that he can do this.

Whether he chooses to post that here is up to him.

So he does what he never did before... ENDORSING. Really? He never did it in the past, so now Mitt Romney is better than all other candidates that Meat has ever suported. Because he didn't endorse any of them.

He didn't just pick a candidate out of two, he basically said THIS IS THE CANDIDATE I ALWAYS WAITED FOR so I do what I never did before and Endorse this guy.

He endorsed the guy. Which means he likes him a lot more than just for one agenda point. Don't tell me in the past Meat didn't have a candidate he thought was best for the economy. Yet now he goes public on it? Puhleaasssee

If that's the case you better agree on all fundamental issues... which oddly enough Meat now claims he does not... Hmmmmmmmm

Because I know he is not anti-gay and he is pro-choice. And if I did not, I'd damn well find out before passing judgement.
But yet he now says 'This anti-gay candidate is the one I endorse!'

Basically he's ondoing all his -pro-gay stuff from the past by picking a candidate that turns the clock back for gay people... Hmmmmmmmmmmm

again, if this is Meat's stand today, fine. But have the balls, or rather a backbone to come out for it. Millions of Romney fans do...
You can't go both ways.

[LuuuuvMeat]

So he does what he never did before... ENDORSING. Really? He never did it in the past, so now Mitt Romney is better than all other candidates that Meat has ever suported. Because he didn't endorse any of them.

He didn't just pick a candidate out of two, he basically said THIS IS THE CANDIDATE I ALWAYS WAITED FOR so I do what I never did before and Endorse this guy.

He endorsed the guy. Which means he likes him a lot more than just for one agenda point. Don't tell me in the past Meat didn't have a candidate he thought was best for the economy. Yet now he goes public on it? Puhleaasssee

If that's the case you better agree on all fundamental issues... which oddly enough Meat now claims he does not... Hmmmmmmmm


But yet he now says 'This anti-gay candidate is the one I endorse!'

Basically he's ondoing all his -pro-gay stuff from the past by picking a candidate that turns the clock back for gay people... Hmmmmmmmmmmm

again, if this is Meat's stand today, fine. But have the balls, or rather a backbone to come out for it. Millions of Romney fans do...
You can't go both ways.


Well said!

[CarylB]

If you endorse somebody it says to the public (the electorate) this is the guy I agree with- that is the point. There is no arguing that statement. Meat has dented his reputation with this endorsement which was accompanied by a painful performance- and this time it was totally self inflicted.

A question was asked. I answered it. In my opinion endorsing any political party or candidate does not necessarily mean you agree with everything on their platform. You think it does. Our opinions differ.

So he does what he never did before... ENDORSING. Really? He never did it in the past, so now Mitt Romney is better than all other candidates that Meat has ever suported. Because he didn't endorse any of them.

In the past year we have seen Meat express his concerns for the way the world is going. He believes there is a crisis to be dealt with in the USA. He believes Obama is not the one to resolve it. In my view his concern has developed to the point he has decided to make a stand.

In my view Meat has considerably more balls than those who anonymously hit and run on his FB page

[AndrewG]

When there are only two real viable candidates I find it quite insulting to suggest that when you support republicans this automatically equals homophobia.

Shocking generalisation in fact. Some of the stuff posted here is akin to bullying as well. Ie. vote for Obama or you are a homophobe you filthy pig. ? WTF?

Meat is not a homophobe or against women's rights in my opinion.

You only have to look at a few hard core liberals such as Michael Moore and Bruce Springsteen (listen to his Wrecking Ball album) to find out many don't agree with a large part of Obama's Wall Street / banking support policies yet they both still come out and endorse Obama to the brim.

What I find sad is that both parties in the States couldn't work together to sort out the national debt problem, instead they just raised the debt ceiling and left the problem for another day. Quite a childish resolution. Both parties should have done something about this. So in this case, who do you vote for? Ie. it makes no difference with regards to many policies.

[lorenzoduke]

Yes to all, and I would assure them that Meat doesn't have a homophobic bone in his body

He endorsed an anti-gay rights candidate. Gay rights have been a hot button issue in this election. Civil liberties matter. Not everyone has spoken to Meat Loaf to know he doesn't endorse this view. Indeed, he has endorsed that candidate vociferously, making no mention of any exceptions at the event.

He could have used his one vote to count for the candidate he supported, but no, he publicly endorsed the candidate running under these policies and therefore made himself answerable to them.

It is utter bulls--- if Meat proposes that WE should argue with OUR family and friends in favor of a guy who's policies he in some instances apparently completely disagrees with, yet didn't have the balls to say so at the rally when he was busy getting people to chant that guy's name like the brainless sycophants he obviously thinks those who would be swayed by his endorsement must be.

[AndrewG]

He endorsed an anti-gay rights candidate. Gay rights have been a hot button issue in this election. Civil liberties matter. Not everyone has spoken to Meat Loaf to know he doesn't endorse this view. Indeed, he has endorsed that candidate vociferously, making no mention of any exceptions at the event.

He could have used his one vote to count for the candidate he supported, but no, he publicly endorsed the candidate running under these policies and therefore made himself answerable to them.

This is not a one policy election. That statement is maddening. The main policies are the economy and jobs.

[lorenzoduke]

This is not a one policy election. That statement is maddening.

Indeed it isn't. But nor was that was a 90% or an 80% endorsement.

[BostonAngel]

When there are only two real viable candidates I find it quite insulting to suggest that when you support republicans this automatically equals homophobia.

Shocking generalisation in fact.

Meat is not a homophobe or against women's rights in my opinion.

You only have to look at a few hard core liberals such as Michael Moore and Bruce Springsteen (listen to his Wrecking Ball album) to find out many don't agree with a large part of Obama's Wall Street / banking support policies yet they both still come out and endorse Obama to the brim.

Obviously not everyone believes your opinon about Meat's position on gays and women's rights. Myself and several others share the opinion that Meat's endorsement of Romney, when he has never endorsed a candidate before flies in the face of his previous stance on these issues. Romney is clearly against gays, some would say he is even homophobic. Meat's clear endorsement, means that essentially he agrees with this man's views, even though on his FB page he has tried to back-pedal on this. Meat's words say one thing his action have shown a different postition, which calls into question what his real view is.

[AndrewG]

Indeed it isn't. But nor was that was a 90% or an 80% endorsement.

I've yet to come across a celebrity that close to an election will endorse a presidential candidate 80% or 90%. In a two horse race you will have to put your money on someone, you can't realistically wishy washy between them.

[LuuuuvMeat]

When there are only two real viable candidates I find it quite insulting to suggest that when you support republicans this automatically equals homophobia.

Shocking generalisation in fact.

Meat is not a homophobe or against women's rights in my opinion.

You only have to look at a few hard core liberals such as Michael Moore and Bruce Springsteen (listen to his Wrecking Ball album) to find out many don't agree with a large part of Obama's Wall Street / banking support policies yet they both still come out and endorse Obama to the brim.

What I find sad is that both parties in the States couldn't work together to sort out the national debt problem, instead they just raised the debt ceiling and left the problem for another day. Quite a childish resolution. Both parties should have done something about this. So in this case, who do you vote for? Ie. it makes no difference with regards to many policies.


Why are you upset? You're not a Republican, correct? No one here as far as I know said Meat was anti-gay, women, or anything eles. Unfortunately and I'll specific here. When it comes to issues concerning the lgbt community Republican policies are not in their favor.

[Wario]

who cause his political beliefs? like seriously. 20 new posts and they are all here. this place is turning into a political shit-fest. lets lock this and move on with our lives!!!!

[Adje]

who cause his political beliefs? like seriously. 20 new posts and they are all here. this place is turning into a political shit-fest. lets lock this and move on with our lives!!!!

They are all on topic though:twisted:

[lorenzoduke]

I've yet to come across a celebrity that close to an election will endorse a presidential candidate 80% or 90%. In a two horse race you will have to put your money on someone, you can't realistically wishy washy between them.

If it's the slightly better of the two or the lesser of two evils, the sane thing to do would be make your own vote and keep your trap shut.

When it's your first endorsement in 40 years, and you decide to use your celebrity, endorsing a candidate whom you disagree with on such huge issues as civil liberties, gay rights and women rights, that seems like a very peculiar decision indeed.

[AndrewG]

who cause his political beliefs? like seriously. 20 new posts and they are all here. this place is turning into a political shit-fest. lets lock this and move on with our lives!!!!

You can hardly NOT expect a discussion when the artist we are talking about has made such a statement this week. But if this gets locked that's fine with me. It won't be the first time a thread is getting locked that has generated vast interest in which everyone has been able to express their opinions.

[LuuuuvMeat]

This is not a one policy election. That statement is maddening. The main policies are the economy and jobs.


Wrong! We have supreme court judges ready to step down. That is HUGE for the US and it's future.

[AndrewG]

If it's the slightly better of the two or the lesser of two evils, the sane thing to do would be make your own vote and keep your trap shut.

When it's your first endorsement in 40 years, and you decide to use your celebrity, endorsing a candidate whom you disagree with on such huge issues as civil liberties, gay rights and women rights, that seems like a very peculiar decision indeed.

I see where you are coming from and I agree with you on that.

[LuuuuvMeat]

who cause his political beliefs? like seriously. 20 new posts and they are all here. this place is turning into a political shit-fest. lets lock this and move on with our lives!!!!

Give me a break.

[lorenzoduke]

I see where you are coming from and I agree with you on that.

Cheers.

Since this is all about voting, I'd like to pose a couple of questions (for anyone) that I alluded to earlier.

Do you think this has done anybody any good? In other words, do you think Romney is more likely to win because of Meat's appearance and endorsement/do you think it has helped Meat Loaf in any way?

Do you think this has harmed Meat's relationship with some of his fans and caused them to feel uncomfortable or ask questions of him that hadn't previously been an issue?

[LuuuuvMeat]

Cheers.


Do you think this has done anybody any good? In other words, do you think Romney is more likely to win because of Meat's appearance and endorsement/do you think it has helped Meat Loaf in any way?

Do you think this has harmed Meat's relationship with some of his fans and caused them to feel uncomfortable or ask questions of him that hadn't previously been an issue?



He will not win.

I don't think this has helped meat.

I'm struggling with his actions right now.

[AndrewG]

Cheers.

Since this is all about voting, I'd like to pose a couple of questions (for anyone) that I alluded to earlier.

Do you think this has done anybody any good? In other words, do you think Romney is more likely to win because of Meat's appearance and endorsement/do you think it has helped Meat Loaf in any way?

Do you think this has harmed Meat's relationship with some of his fans and caused them to feel uncomfortable or ask questions of him that hadn't previously been an issue?

I don't think it will have helped Romney's campaign that much. I hope he doesn't win but then I am not sure if Obama will make much of a difference over the next four years either. Guantánamo Bay is still open for example. There is only so much a president can do I guess.

I do think Meat's endorsement will have alienated a few fans, it's clear from the reactions. Some of that will probably blow over. Will it harm record sales or concert tickets? His weak performance will probably have had more of an influence on that I think.

[CarylB]

You only have to look at a few hard core liberals such as Michael Moore and Bruce Springsteen (listen to his Wrecking Ball album) to find out many don't agree with a large part of Obama's Wall Street / banking support policies yet they both still come out and endorse Obama to the brim.

Exactly.

And given what he wanted to achieve I think that was a glaring tactical error on Obama's part. Will Romney, if elected, do any better? I don't know. What I do know is that I support Meat's right to make a choice and support that candidate, without my suggesting he doesn't know what he's doing, has ruined his career, has called into question his integrity and compassion, and even his long established practice of being at ease with people whatever their sexual orientation and supportive of women.

I do think Meat's endorsement will have alienated a few fans, it's clear from the reactions. Some of that will probably blow over. Will it harm record sales or concert tickets? His weak performance will probably have had more of an influence on that I think.

It may alienate a few .. I think when he tours here the vast majority of fans may not know or care that much, and will just buy their tickets and look forward to a great night out.

Caryl

[duke knooby]

who cause his political beliefs? like seriously. 20 new posts and they are all here. this place is turning into a political shit-fest. lets lock this and move on with our lives!!!!

but it's been one of the more interesting threads recently, with some healthy debate, and good variety of positions and beliefs being voiced.

i like this thread :-)

[wizardofodd]

Cheers.

Since this is all about voting, I'd like to pose a couple of questions (for anyone) that I alluded to earlier.

Do you think this has done anybody any good? In other words, do you think Romney is more likely to win because of Meat's appearance and endorsement/do you think it has helped Meat Loaf in any way?

Do you think this has harmed Meat's relationship with some of his fans and caused them to feel uncomfortable or ask questions of him that hadn't previously been an issue?

I think you only have to look on this forum to discover that it has harmed his relationship with some of his fans, I think if anything this has damaged Meats reputation the most. Meat hasn't been in the mainstream media in the US for quite a few years, the other night he came back into it- not with a performance that proved he still has it or with an album that will sell millions once again, but instead he returned to the spotlight as a tired, old rocker who couldn't sing in tune, a republican who supports a man who has divided a nation and with it has perhaps divided his own following. I can take no positives from it.

[LuuuuvMeat]

Exactly.

And given what he wanted to achieve I think that was a glaring tactical error on Obama's part. Will Romney, if elected, do any better? I don't know. What I do know is that I support Meat's right to make a choice and support that candidate, without my suggesting he doesn't know what he's doing, has ruined his career, has called into question his integrity and compassion, and even his long established practice of being at ease with people whatever their sexual orientation and supportive of women.



It may alienate a few .. I think when he tours here the vast majority of fans may not know or care that much, and will just buy their tickets and look forward to a great night out.

Caryl


If you don't ask questions you will never learn.

And we didn't in the 8 years with W. Lesson learned.

[CarylB]

Do you think this has done anybody any good? In other words, do you think Romney is more likely to win because of Meat's appearance and endorsement/do you think it has helped Meat Loaf in any way?

Do you think this has harmed Meat's relationship with some of his fans and caused them to feel uncomfortable or ask questions of him that hadn't previously been an issue?

I don't know what effect it will have had on Romney's final poll Michael. I don't think Meat appeared to benefit himself, but because he felt strongly about this candidate's ability to deal wit the economy. It seems to have affected some fans' perceptions of Meat, but as I said, I don't think it will affect the majority. Once the election is over I suspect all those Romney supporters who rushed to Meat's page to laud him will disappear into the mist, just as I suspect many of the Obama supporters (numbers of whom I don't believe are "fans" anyway, but simply supporters wanting to post negatives) will disappear from there too.

Thankfully it would seem Warrio is unlikely to set up a poll ;)

Caryl

[lorenzoduke]

Exactly.

And given what he wanted to achieve I think that was a glaring tactical error on Obama's part. Will Romney, if elected, do any better? I don't know. What I do know is that I support Meat's right to make a choice and support that candidate, without my suggesting he doesn't know what he's doing, has ruined his career, has called into question his integrity and compassion, and even his long established practice of being at ease with people whatever their sexual orientation and supportive of women.

Caryl

I've said all this before, but no one is disputing Meat's right to choose who he votes for and supports.

It's almost starting to sound like the dissenters are the only ones who believe Meat Loaf's first political endorsement in his entire life means anything. Apparently he disagrees with him on gay rights, womens rights, civil liberties, what's next, healthcare, war? Everything apart from the economy?

If you're going to endorse a political candidate and talk about 'backbone', encourage people to try to change their own families minds etc., to come back the next day, after all that, after not qualifying your position one tiny bit saying 'oh...but I didn't mean I endorse him on this or that or this' strikes me as very, very low. Damage control, perhaps.

[Wario]

but it's been one of the more interesting threads recently, with some healthy debate, and good variety of positions and beliefs being voiced.

i like this thread :-)

but its putting meats character into question.... and I feelk if and when meat sees this hes gone forever from here

[MarkS]

I don't even know where to start, but here goes.

I have debated on getting involved in this, but since I am a voting American I feel the need to express my thoughts.

I lean conservative more than liberal, I am a registered republican (only because you have to register with one side or the other). However, I have voted democrat, republican, and third party in some local elections. Hell, I threw my support behind Ron Paul for the last several years, and I still believe in his way of thinking, but within our system, a third party candidate has no chance of winning. Sad, but true.

I voted for Obama in 2008, and will likely do so again in 2012. Obama has done a lot of things that have not been good for this country, but Mitt Romney is not the answer. Never has been, never will be. Meat, has thrown his support behind Romney, I for one think that is a mistake. Does it make Meat an elitest homophobe, no it does not.

I am a registered republican, but I disagree with their thoughts on abortion and gay rights just to name a few. People are people; gay, straight, black, white, muslim, christian, or anything in between. Everyone deserves the same rights.

Side note, many republicans like to say that they believe in the biblical definition of marriage. Well, dust off the old testament and take a look at what it "defines" as marriage and it will make these people look even kookier that they do now.

Throwing your support behind a candidate does not mean that you support everything that a candidate says, but when you do it grand style as a celebrity, it makes it look like you fully support the candidate. Meat will have to deal with the flack that comes from that, but I am sure he was fully aware of that when he made the decision.

I may not agree with what Meat did or why he did it, but I would forever defend his right to do so as an American.

[LuuuuvMeat]

If you're going to endorse a political candidate and talk about 'backbone', encourage people to try to change their own families minds etc., to come back the next day, after all that, after not qualifying your position one tiny bit saying 'oh...but I didn't mean I endorse him on this or that or this' strikes me as very, very low. Damage control, perhaps.



Exactly.

[LuuuuvMeat]

but its putting meats character into question.... and I feelk if and when meat sees this hes gone forever from here


Really? I'd love to hear what he has to say. I think he'll be fine with it,

[lorenzoduke]

but its putting meats character into question.... and I feelk if and when meat sees this hes gone forever from here

He chose to put his personal politics out there and to tell people who was the right choice in his mind, apparently because he believed his position in entertainment meant his endorsement would mean something. This from a man who has been fiercely private on his personal life and many other subjects for most of his life.

He chose to endorse a side, and to tell others to choose that side.

Nobody made him do it.

[CarylB]

If you don't ask questions you will never learn.

I agree. I try always to seek information before making judgements. I have argued for that rather than making assumptions, or as is the case on his FB page, hurling abuse based on assumptions. For fans who have followed him for years I believe Meat's track record speaks for itself .. it does with me. I believe the statements he has made on his page about his stance on gay rights and the pro-choice issue absolutely, because he has never given me any doubt whatsoever on his position on these issues.

Caryl

[BostonAngel]

I've yet to come across a celebrity that close to an election will endorse a presidential candidate 80% or 90%. In a two horse race you will have to put your money on someone, you can't realistically wishy washy between them.

EXACTLY which is why Meat's endorsement of Romney concerns me

[The Flying Mouse]

Do you think this has done anybody any good?


:twisted: Not in the slightest



do you think Romney is more likely to win because of Meat's appearance and endorsement/

Not in the slightest.



do you think it has helped Meat Loaf in any way?


Not in the slightest.

I didn't like Snoop Dogg before he spoke up for Obama, and I don't like him now.
I can't see how anyone can base their artistic preferences on political affliation, or how someone can base their political affiliation based on their artistic preferences.
That's just, dumb :shrug:



Do you think this has harmed Meat's relationship with some of his fans and caused them to feel uncomfortable or ask questions of him that hadn't previously been an issue?

From the reaction, yes. But I don't agree with it.
If I posted "Vote Mitt" on facebook I wouldn't expect to get the level (in quantity and venom) of abuse that Meat has got.
But celebs have a much larger following. Plus, I believe that people "expect" something from their celebrities. They expect them to think the way they do, to feel the way they do, to agree with their views.
That, IMHO, is a unfair feeling of ownership and entitlement.
When it turns out that celeb thinks differently, the fan feels let down.

Love the artist for nothing but their music, and as long as they deliver great music, you'll never be dissapointed.

[duke knooby]

He chose to endorse a side, and to tell others to choose that side.

Nobody made him do it.

thats an assumption though :twisted:

[CarylB]

but its putting meats character into question.... and I feelk if and when meat sees this hes gone forever from here

On his FB page he has responded clearly and courteously .. yet there profanity, rage and hatred abound.

Here we may not agree with each other, but at least we are discussing the issues rationally and intelligently, and with respect for the most part, rather than hurling abuse and threats. Meat might agree with some things from both sides, who knows? I am sure, however, he would not expect it to not be the subject of discussion and debate.

Caryl

[The Flying Mouse]

EXACTLY which is why Meat's endorsement of Romney concerns me

:twisted: What I believe Andrew is saying, is that no celeb has ever got up on a podium and said "a lot of what this guy says makes good sence, but a couple of his ideas are bat shit".

You might agree with 80% of a candidates policies, but you don't talk about the 20% in a support speech at a rally.

[BostonAngel]

He chose to put his personal politics out there and to tell people who was the right choice in his mind, apparently because he believed his position in entertainment meant his endorsement would mean something. This from a man who has been fiercely private on his personal life and many other subjects for most of his life.

He chose to endorse a side, and to tell others to choose that side.

Nobody made him do it.

He made a bold, controversial choice to support Romney. I agee with you when you say, "He chose to endorse a side and to tell others to choose that side" That was his choice alone. And I agree with his right to make that choice. Now that he has done it, he has to take the expected heat, debate, criticism & negativity that comes with it

[LuuuuvMeat]

I agree. I try always to seek information before making judgements. I have argued for that rather than making assumptions, or as is the case on his FB page, hurling abuse based on assumptions. For fans who have followed him for years I believe Meat's track record speaks for itself .. it does with me. I believe the statements he has made on his page about his stance on gay rights and the pro-choice issue absolutely, because he has never given me any doubt whatsoever on his position on these issues.

Caryl


I agree with you. Look, I've been a fan of his since I was 14 and I'll be 50 next year. As I said before I'm struggling with the action but not with Meat the person. I'm only human and it will take some time for me to process it all.

On a side note, I'd love it if we had a question thread for Meat to answer all the open questions. Maybe have it open for a week or two. I don't know how often he comes here.

[lorenzoduke]

I agree. I try always to seek information before making judgements. I have argued for that rather than making assumptions, or as is the case on his FB page, hurling abuse based on assumptions. For fans who have followed him for years I believe Meat's track record speaks for itself .. it does with me. I believe the statements he has made on his page about his stance on gay rights and the pro-choice issue absolutely, because he has never given me any doubt whatsoever on his position on these issues.

Caryl

It is a fact that Mitt Romney, if elected will curtail gay rights and curtail women's rights to choose. It is a fact that Meat Loaf stood up in front of cameras and a big crowd, gave his first endorsement in his entire life, and has told people to vote for this man, and to argue with their family and friends to vote for this man.

That is reality, and having faith that he apparently feels differently does not affect his actions, which are sealed in the books, documented and recorded no matter what 'Red Pony Tours' do about it.

If he disagreed with Romney on these huge issues that affect the ways in which people are allowed to pursue their happiness, control their own bodies and live their lives, then shame on him for standing in that man's corner and telling people to fight for him without qualifying that fact.

[wizardofodd]

but its putting meats character into question.... and I feelk if and when meat sees this hes gone forever from here

If you publicly on a huge stage endorse somebody you must fully expect people to question your own morality in comparison to the person you have endorsed, he should expect this. He has put his own character into question which was never really questioned before. I myself am questioning Meats actions. When you enjoy somebody's work you take it simply for what it is, but when you are more of a devoted fan who comes to a fan site, who pays the highest price for the tickets and is the first in line at the gigs you feel more personally connected to the Artist. When you discover that the person you admire so much has such a different view point on issues that really do matter, that go beyond the economy but also verge into gay rights, affordable health care etc, you cant help but question and feel disappointed (depending on ones view). You wonder if Meat is supporting Romney for his concerns on the economy or because he is going to be paying less taxes under Romney, I don't want to think meat is a man of such selfishness and greed but that is the danger of politics, this is the way it can be spun. Endorsement opens up the option for debate and questions things that were never really questioned before because they never had to be.

What you stand for and you stand behind does reflect you as a person, it matters.

[CarylB]

I agree with you. Look, I've been a fan of his since I was 14 and I'll be 50 next year. As I said before I'm struggling with the action but not with Meat the person. I'm only human and it will take some time for me to process it all.

I can respect that :-)

On a side note, I'd love it if we had a question thread for Meat to answer all the open questions. Maybe have it open for a week or two. I don't know how often he comes here.

If he comes here I'm sure he'll see the thread, and if he wants to answer any of the questions raised, will ;)

Caryl

[The Flying Mouse]

It is a fact that Mitt Romney, if elected will curtail gay rights and curtail women's rights to choose.

:twisted: I'm no expert in the American political system, but is it that easy?

He might try and curtail women's rights and gay rights, but I would have thought there would have to be some sort of vote for that to happen.

He might have the power to force his crazy ideas to the vote, but he can't push them through.

If i'm wrong, i'm off to America to run myself. It would be kind of cool to do whatever the f*ck you want without going to the trouble of making those pesky laws :mrgreen:

[lorenzoduke]

:twisted: I'm no expert in the American political system, but is it that easy?


Everything in politics is based on ideals, intent and sales pitch. Not every law or policy a politician intends to pass will pass, but you go on their ideas. That part's not even worth debating. Still you're right, I should have said 'will attempt' rather than 'will'. The rest of my point stands, I think.

[BostonAngel]

thats an assumption though :twisted:

True we are all making the assumption that he wasn't somehow coherced into this endorsement. I think it is a vaild assumption. However, if he was in some way influenced or coherced into make a political endorsement, that would still call into question his character. Meat is thought of as a free-thinker, as a do it your own way, don't follow the crowd type of person. Being somehow influenced into this flies in the face of that.

[CarylB]

And I agree with his right to make that choice. Now that he has done it, he has to take the expected heat, debate, criticism & negativity that comes with it

And he is taking it. I disagree with some of the arguments here, but I have not suggested they should not be voiced. Nor do I believe Meat would not expect this. What I do stand firm against is the torrent of hate and abuse being posted on his FB page. That is pack mob behaviour, and I would never find it decent.

This has not altered my perception of Meat as a person. Do I think it was high risk? Yes. Was it wise? Perhaps not. Do I think I understand why he did it? I believe so. Does it, as Mark asks, make him an elitist homophobe? LIke Mark, I think absolutely not. Does it make me doubt his values, his word or his integrity? No.

However, I agree with Mouse. If you like the music and the performance, that has not changed. The hysterical talk elsewhere of burning CDs and returning concert tickets I find bizarre, particularly as I sense most of these people have never been attached to the man himself, a good number I suspect are not even fans of the performer.

Caryl

[The Flying Mouse]

Everything in politics is based on ideals, intent and sales pitch. Not every law or policy a politician intends to pass will pass, but you go on their ideas. That part's not even worth debating. Still you're right, I should have said 'will attempt' rather than 'will'. The rest of my point stands, I think.

:twisted: So, even if Romney wins, gay rights and womens rights are not at threat until everyone with a voice in the American government is as bat shit as Romney?

I think that makes the future safe ;)

[BostonAngel]

Yes I can say I am neither disappointed, nor will I fail to follow his career and go to the shows. Why? Because I know he is not anti-gay and he is pro-choice. And if I did not know, I'd damn well find out before passing judgement.

Unless you are inside his mind you can't know that. Right now he is sending conflicting messages. His words are saying I am for gay rights, women's rights and pro-choice. His endorsement of Romney is saying, I am throwing my support behind a man to be President of the US who is anti-gay, against the rights of women and against a women's right to choice. He is saying I don't believe in these things but I am supporting a man to be leader of my country who does. Why would you support a candidate to run your country who doesn't support your beliefs?. Meat is making it very difficult to figure out what he truly believes. Again, actions speak louder than words. And Meat's actions are calling into question many things that people believed to be true about the character of Meat as a person