FROM ROCK THE VOTE AT THE INAUGURATION
How you feelin? I've been out on the street all day and I've just been going up to people asking where they are from, and what they're doing here. They're like, I don't know man, I just had to be here, and that's how it feels. So, I'm super glad to be here with you all in this historic time, in this historic moment. In 2004, I was watching CNN on our tour bus. There were these generals and politicians talking about the economic cost and the political costs of war, but they never mentioned anything about the human cost of war. So, I decided to take my guitar and a video camera, and fly from New York City to Ahman, Jordan. I had bought a ticket on a sixteen passenger airplane and flew to Baghdad. I played music on the street for Iraqi civilians, and at night I played for US soldiers. I went to a street corner and played for Iraqi civilians. I knew one word in Arabic, which is Habibi, and it means my good friend, my dear love. Every man says it to every man and every woman says it to every woman when they greet each other. So I wrote this little song, it's like, Habibi Habibi, and this amazing thing happened. These people were like, Who is this weirdo with a guitar? They started dancing and clapping and singing to this silly song. I really saw, you know, we talk about it a lot, the power of music to bring people together. You saw it yesterday, the power of music to bring a million people out into the park to hear music and to hear these ideas of Barack. But to do it in a simple way, in a very micro way just to see somebody who's had their home destroyed, to see somebody who has had their child's limb blown off, to meet a soldier who's a long way from home and wondering why he's there, and to see how music brings an awakening in people, brings an awakening in all of us. I have really admired the work of Rock The Vote and have been involved in various things with Rock the Vote for a long time. Because that's what Rock the Vote is dedicated to. It's dedicated to using the power of music to bring an awareness and awakening in people, or to bring a consciousness in people, or to raise money or awareness for a certain cause. I really appreciate the support and all that you have done in whatever ways you have given. Like Sheryl was saying, we have to continue to find ways to contribute to this effort. To make the world a brighter place. I was thinking today on the way here if there has ever been a time when so many people in the world celebrated one thing. I was thinking...Super Bowl? Well, in some countries, you know, maybe the Berlin Wall. But, I don't know if there's ever been a time where the whole world, in Africa, Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, everywhere, was paying attention to this one event that we are here to be involved in. The energy that we are apart of here today, we have the opportunity to take out into the world and share with our people back home through our pictures, through our first hand experience. We're able to use that to not just hold Barack accountable to his promises, but to have this opportunity to help Barack achieve this vision of bringing people together across religions, across races, across the aisle. I just want to say thank you very much for being here in the spirit of music and oneness. Peace!
Comments
Mar 2010
Dear The People Of
Dear The People Of America,
Is America’s government broken? No its working hard just not very efficient. The very views and beliefs our government system was created by is an investment, we the American people all have a steak in. As we work with our local politicians to have our individual and group voices heard, we find ourselves at a total loss. Each and every election has become an all blood battle, each party pointing out the others far left or far right views. We as voters are pinned against one another in hopes to make the best decision. We trust and vote for each and every State Governor and House Senate member while they present their hopes and visions for our future. This is the American way. We can only hope we are provided with accurate information to make the best decision. Currently our House Leaders are busy within our local government raising money more the next election as soon as they are in office. One view is that this is in fact the way for our leaders to be at one with their constituents. The other view would conclude there isn’t enough time for them to really hear and trust one another. As a result of this communication break down many of the American people are left with very little to agree upon. Each party of our government leaves us as one voice with many questions unanswered. It’s amazing in 2010 how many times i’ve heard people say “did you know Obama isn’t an American citizen.” This is a direct result of America as a whole’s complete and total loss of communication. People our system isn’t broken it just needs a tune up. It is impervious we are offered the most honest information to make the best decision. Now i know how absolutely irrationally it would be to have our government do a complete 180˚ changing everything we know as democracy. However we propose our leaders are forced to work closer with one another. We propose that just as a family it’s time we talk things out. It is not important to all ways agree, but simply find a way to harmonize. We would like to see our politicians be seen together more off the record rather than in a cage fight in front of the camera. We propose these elected officials are made to seriously consider each other so that they are able to deliver the best and most honest options for us, The American People. We as voices of America control our elected and should ask no less than for our political investments and tax dollars go to the better good of us all. We are convinced, as are others this could be accomplished by demanding each and every elected take the time to truly hear one another. Thus expressing the visions of their constituents. Yes currently our elected attempt to show us progress through public debates and battles, however it is time we The People demand they sit down and rationalize the truths of our fate. Due to the current lines drawn in the sand we The People have seen very little forward progress or answers to any of the issues at hand. It’s time for a different approach. We propose, as one voice we The American People require our elected congress to invest their own money as a job requirement into the research and development of each other. All we are asking is instead of meeting in the battle field ready for blood shed in front of the worlds news crews. We ask they are required every thirty days to participate in a three day family retreat. We hope this will inspire each elected member to actually hear and consider one another, thus helping congress reunite and make more efficient decisions for us all. This three day investment of time by our elected will give them the honest chance to become one voice. Each day our elected will be required to sit down and eat dinner together. Just as the American people due most nights of the week. Its time our elected UNITE and make better decisions for us all. With Unity our country will become again one voice with the power of the peaceful. Please fellow lovers do you part and vote for “THE UNITY BILL” when it reaches your next ballet...