I "used" to be a HUGE John Mellencamp fan....God, how I was. What a disappointment this is. The song made me sick. This song didn't enlighten me....make me think of my politics in a different way......spread words of wisdom to a society of ignorant, what it did do though is upset me. How sad it is when a favorite artist of yours does something like this and ruins your perception of them. The message wasn't even subtle or artistically subjective. It was a blatant slap at a side of beliefs of over half of America....OVER HALF. It is a good way to lose fans and it is really all it does. I wont think of John Mellencamp the same way again. That's what happens I guess when musical artists and entertainers use their work to take sides politically. In 1972 at a press conference Elvis was asked of his opinion of the Vietnam war he said " Maam I'm just a singer " sure he may have had his opinions as all Americans do of things BUT he realized I'm sure that it may upset a number of his fans. Fans looking to him as an escape from the sometimes terrible world we live in. Thank God for a man like George W. Bush. He is a great leader....John Mellencamp has turned into a disappointment and that sucks.

Bill David, I am ashamed of you. Give credit to John Cougar for having the courage to speak his mind. Speaking your mind and having your own beliefs is what this country's ideals are supposedly based upon.

I agree. Even if you don't agree with the sentiments of the song--isn't it agreeable that an artist that doesn't pander to his customers' pocketbooks, but takes a chance politically, artisitically, whatever--is to be admired for that?
The "OVER HALF" part is your weakest point. That's not a known quantity of anything, and is pretty flimsy backing for your point--which seems to be that Johnny Cougar should have checked with his fans first to see what he thinks. Hm.

I agree. Even if you don't agree with the sentiments of the song--isn't it agreeable that an artist that doesn't pander to his customers' pocketbooks, but takes a chance politically, artisitically, whatever--is to be admired for that?
The "OVER HALF" part is your weakest point. That's not a known quantity of anything, and is pretty flimsy backing for your point--which seems to be that Johnny Cougar should have checked with his fans first to see what he thinks. Hm.

I agree wholeheartedly that Mellencamp can have his opinion and he has the right to voice it. So does Bill David, his opinion of Cougars latest crap is as valid as that shitty song. I sent 22 years worth of music back to the home of the American Fool as an expression of my belief. I can no longer donate my hard earned money to someone who believes so differently from me. What you have to ask before you give an opinion is not 'Can I?', but 'Should I?'

1. More that half of the people voted 'none of the above' in the last election.

2. Isn't Koea some brand of car?

The real irony is... where are all of the protests (ors) in times of peace while our military trains, spends and ultimately prepares for battle. It's a harsh reminder, but "The Guard" is more than a good ol-boys club one weekend a month.

Our miltary prepares for war. Why are we so shocked once it goes into action?

As far as Mellencamp goes, I have to review the lyrics and think. Protest is acceptable, but condemnation..... who the heck is 'he" (the artist). In this case, we are talking about a guy who was so poor, he was living in his car. Sorry for being part of the White Anglo Saxon Power Structure, but a homeless musician who dates super models is certainly not the guy I'm going to for politics.

Love his music......

C.

Good thing Bill didn't hear Mellencamp's
explanation of "Pink Houses". He was incensed
that Reagan wanted to use it as a campaign song.
He ranted in classic Mellencamp fashion, "That
song is about how the 'American Dream' is nothing
but a sham!" The lyrics to this new one are
a bit heavy-handed though.

I can't believe that some are against Cougar's right to express himself! What happened to the "Freedom of Expression"? And it's happening in America... "The Land of the Free"! God bless the innocent, wherever they are.
Amr from Egypt

I have every Mellenhead album ever made. I've grow up arguing that "nobody is cooler than John". Then I got an education. I love John's passion. Let's face it. Money and fame don't make you well informed. John's lyrics have always been about as anti-republican as you can get. "8 years of peace", "no one kept count", "scandal in the white house"!!! Wow John! Were you asleep during those 8 years of Clinton (The most celebrated liar in U.S. history). The world was hardly at peace, the dumb-asses in florida simply failed to count correctly, Bill Clinton defined the word scandal, and finally, if you think this war is bout oil.. you are correct.. oil for France, not us! I have yet to hear anyone answer: Where were all of you asswipe protestors when Billy Bob was bombing Iraq and warring Bosnia & Somalia without UN or even Pentagon approval. You're all just a bunch of hardline democrats that only protest when a republican is at the helm. John can say whatever he wants. I will no longer be helping finance his house on lake monroe or cheering him in concert. It's a shame he's not proven a smarter individual.

I have every Mellenhead album ever made. I've grow up arguing that "nobody is cooler than John". Then I got an education. I love John's passion. Let's face it. Money and fame don't make you well informed. John's lyrics have always been about as anti-republican as you can get. "8 years of peace", "no one kept count", "scandal in the white house"!!! Wow John! Were you asleep during those 8 years of Clinton (The most celebrated liar in U.S. history). The world was hardly at peace, the dumb-asses in florida simply failed to count correctly, Bill Clinton defined the word scandal, and finally, if you think this war is bout oil.. you are correct.. oil for France, not us! I have yet to hear anyone answer: Where were all of you asswipe protestors when Billy Bob was bombing Iraq and warring Bosnia & Somalia without UN or even Pentagon approval. You're all just a bunch of hardline democrats that only protest when a republican is at the helm. John can say whatever he wants. I will no longer be helping finance his house on lake monroe or cheering him in concert. It's a shame he's not proven a smarter individual.

Dear Amr,
Nobody here is against Cougs expressing his point of view. They may disagree, and that is their right. My question is why is it ok for an artist to express an opinion, but not for an average joe to disagree with it?

I think, not only are the lyrics bold and meritorious, but the music is great. It's a throw back to the old Guthrie song "This land was made for you and me," which was a protest song (find the version with the protect lyrics).

In America, the real patriots have always been protestors, because it is a patriotic duty to not be silent when we disagree with direction that the country is taking, when fear is used as a weapon to subdue the people.

Read about the McCarthy hearings until you understand the fundamental mistake that was made in this country. We must protect freedom of speech for all points of view, without threat of censure and reprisal. Why couldn't we learn from our past and allow artists to do what they do best, help us evolve as a species?

Even if you don't like the message of the song, listen to it again, it's haunting, it's beautiful, and it's Spiritual. It's not about partisanship and hate. It's about asking "why?"
"What is the thought process
To take a humans life
What would be the reason
To think that this is right"
Let's evolve.

I'm so sick and tired of celebrities whining about the US. They line their pockets very well here under capitalism, and then criticize the very leadership which allows them to do so, and protects our very right to free speech. Saddam Hussein was an evil tyrant, and committed many unspeakable and heinous acts against humanity. He was a modern day Adolph Hitler, and his removal was long overdue. I have nothing but contempt for celebrities who do not support our troops. And guess what, there was no free speech in Iraq before we got rid of Hussein. Now there is, thanks to President Bush. If people like John Mellencamp and Natalie Maines don't like it here in the US, why not do us all a favor and leave the country?

There is absolutely no way that anyone on this page could dare to call John Cougar Mellencamp ANYTHING but a true patriotic American. I challenge you to go to this link and listen from Mellencamp's website and see the full message of the song.

http://www.mellencamp.com/troublenomore.htm

This is the same Mellencamp that helped inspire so many of the Farm Aid concerts in support of the small family farmer that became popularlized during the period of Bush I.

Then again I suppose if your own definition of true patriotism is to simply join the lock step march of the current administration as we turn our backs on former allies, saber rattle the world over by fighting a war against terrorism on every front but the one that counts....on the terrorists themselves and manufacture evidence against our percieved enemies as an excuse for war then I suppose God may indeed need to bless America and to forgive us for our trespasses. As for me I'll stick with Mellencamps version. To me that's a much more credible version of our current state of affairs. Thanks John for having the courage to state the obvious.

There is absolutely no way that anyone on this page could dare to call John Cougar Mellencamp ANYTHING but a true patriotic American. I challenge you to go to this link and listen from Mellencamp's website and see the full message of the song.

http://www.mellencamp.com/troublenomore.htm

This is the same Mellencamp that helped inspire so many of the Farm Aid concerts in support of the small family farmer that became popularlized during the period of Bush I.

Then again I suppose if your own definition of true patriotism is to simply join the lock step march of the current administration as we turn our backs on former allies, saber rattle the world over by fighting a war against terrorism on every front but the one that counts....on the terrorists themselves and manufacture evidence against our percieved enemies as an excuse for war then I suppose God may indeed need to bless America and to forgive us for our trespasses. As for me I'll stick with Mellencamps version. To me that's a much more credible version of our current state of affairs. Thanks John for having the courage to state the obvious.

There is absolutely no way that anyone on this page could dare to call John Cougar Mellencamp ANYTHING but a true patriotic American. I challenge you to go to this link and listen from Mellencamp's website and see the full message of the song.

http://www.mellencamp.com/troublenomore.htm

This is the same Mellencamp that helped inspire so many of the Farm Aid concerts in support of the small family farmer that became popularlized during the period of Bush I.

Then again I suppose if your own definition of true patriotism is to simply join the lock step march of the current administration as we turn our backs on former allies, saber rattle the world over by fighting a war against terrorism on every front but the one that counts....on the terrorists themselves and manufacture evidence against our percieved enemies as an excuse for war then I suppose God may indeed need to bless America and to forgive us for our trespasses. As for me I'll stick with Mellencamps version. To me that's a much more credible version of our current state of affairs. Thanks John for having the courage to state the obvious.

Wow Lisa! You reach a diverse group of folks!

Rock on!

John Mellencamp is just cool.

OK, Mellencamp's song is a valid statement. I just have one question, why no anti-war songs when Bill Clinton was raining bombs all over Bosnia?

Mellencamp use to stand for America. You couldn't be an American without loving those pro-American songs! Now, not so much. Guess he’s to sophisticated to remember his roots.

Yes he has the right to say what he wants (thanks to those he dislikes), however, we also have the right to say what we want by not supporting him with our US dollars.

I also will be removing my Mellencamp collections...Wonder if I can sell them to anyone in France?

john is a human being, he feels other human, if ya got been hit by sep/11, we are all sad about what happened to the american peoples, i felt pain for the peoples die, cause they were all inocent, cause bloody handed were not there, cause they made it up, so how come they'll in a place they know in advance it's gonna be hit down the american goverment, to walk like a hero,act like ya're policing the world. ya can't even protect yourself, if ya say we didn't do it. go distroy already distructed countries but leader they're your (USgove) agents, this is not fair, while ya cover it all with damn lies, so what G.W.BUSH left for the liers? John go on say all ya feel about everything, don't mind the ignorant who is penfiting this whole world breakdown. I love you Johny

john is a human being, he feels other human, if ya got been hit by sep/11, we are all sad about what happened to the american peoples, i felt pain for the peoples die, cause they were all inocent, cause bloody handed were not there, cause they made it up, so how come they'll in a place they know in advance it's gonna be hit down the american goverment, to walk like a hero,act like ya're policing the world. ya can't even protect yourself, if ya say we didn't do it. go distroy already distructed countries but leader they're your (USgove) agents, this is not fair, while ya cover it all with damn lies, so what G.W.BUSH left for the liers? John go on say all ya feel about everything, don't mind the ignorant who is penfiting this whole world breakdown. I love you Johny

john is a human being, he feels other human, if ya got been hit by sep/11, we are all sad about what happened to the american peoples, i felt pain for the peoples die, cause they were all inocent, cause bloody handed were not there, cause they made it up, so how come they'll in a place they know in advance it's gonna be hit down the american goverment, to walk like a hero,act like ya're policing the world. ya can't even protect yourself, if ya say we didn't do it. go distroy already distructed countries but leader they're your (USgove) agents, this is not fair, while ya cover it all with damn lies, so what G.W.BUSH left for the liers? John go on say all ya feel about everything, don't mind the ignorant who is penfiting this whole world breakdown. I love you Johny

I used to be a huge Mellencamp fan. I love Peaceful world. I love the fact that the guy seems to have Christianity sprinkled in his music with the values that go with it..for the working class, ect. When I heard peaceful world I always associated the line, "the hypocrites made it worse and worse" with liberals. And that is still how I will interpret the song else it's ruined for me. After hearing this pathetic song with ignorant lyrics my opinion of this guy is down to zero. What a let down. OVER HALF this country was for the war....for the stopping of a mad man. And that last line got me, about killing someone, isn't ironic it's always the liberals who are anti-war because people get killed, yet they're for partial birth infanticide and abortion - which kills 6 million babies in the USA every year! Scandel in the whitehouse? Has he been on drugs for the last 8 years? Watergate, sexual harrasement, missing documents, rape, bombing of an asprin factory, lost intelligence to China for polical donations, the list goes on and on and on...and the icing on the cake - vetoeing the ban on partial birth infanticide not once by TWICE!!!!

hey its me again..........i just want to say Whoah10115 dude you rock.....i'm british and i disagree with every single word that our idiot of a 'leader' tony blair says.....he is so arrogant...we had the biggest anti-war march in history before the war in Iraq.....and blair didn't take the slightest notice.....and yeah most people in our country completely disagree with the war.....i don't know why blair agreed.....maybe him and george are gay lovers.....that's the only reason i can think of...how anyone can agree with the war......they must be completely ignorant of law, history and justice or they are just imperialist and don't care. its sick. anyway...i have very strong views on this so i will go away now...

From another recording artist born in January with the initials E.P. - John Mellencamp rocks and that all there is to it. One mans beliefs and opinions are his own - one man has no power over the world to stop sensless wars, butchering, violence and bloodshed. All the crap has been going on since day dot, period. Get real people, join the humanitarian brigade and start researching aids and ebola viruses, mars and the moon. Support NASA and the charge to the last frontier. Be human and use your brains to save humanity. Goodbye and God Bless America.

Just a note to go with the message above! I'm a 37 year old Australian, not the Chicago Evan Parker and hell pissed that we gotta swallow the threat of army's, navy's, air forces, biological weapons, nuclear weapons and all the evil in this world. Hey I'm just looking at ways to keep humanity alive by sending colonised citys to the Moon and Mars. I hope someday you can join us. I'm researching a Bachelor in Medical Science and Applied Biotechnology and then Space Systems and Aerospace Engineering to see if we can make it. Cya all up there.

I disagree with all of you. John Mellencamp has a write to speek his mind. I believe in what John Mellenamp has to say!! He's write about this stuppid war we are in!! I AM GLAD JOHN IS SEEING SONGS THAT GO AGAINST WAR!!! I don't agree with this war anyways. SINCE WE HAVE BEEN IN WAR, THIS ENTIRE WORLD HAS BEEN TORN TO PEICES!! NOW OTHER COUNTRYS ARE GOING TO BE AFTER US!!! MORE PEOPLE ARE DYING IN THIS WAR!! THAT'S HORRIABLE!! Half the country is stuppid and you all know it!!! HOW CAN YOU HAVE FAITH IN A PRESIDENT WHO IN HIS PAST LIFE DID COCAIN? YOU HAVE TO BE STUPID TO THINK BUSH IS SMART!! Most people don't realize that fighting doesn't solve problems. Bush started this war only because his dad didn't finish the Golf war. To me Bush is a idot!! Why is it that all Rebublicans support war? How stupid can you get!! I think protesting your feelings is great!! This world is comming to an end because we have stupid people to thank for!! I hope people realize that our president, who once did drugs isn't so smart after all. Most normal and smart people don't do cocain!! If John Kerry had won the election this world would have been better!! So far all of you who don't believe in war, I give more power to you!! WAR IS STUPID!!! OUR PRESIDENT IS STUPID!!! I HATE WHAT THIS WORLD HAS COME TO BE!! JOHN MELLENCAMP RULES!!!! MORE POWER TO JOHN!!!!

Do any of you realize what war has done to this world? Do you realize how much pain it has cased people to feel? War is not a game and we don't need to be involved in it!!! Do you realize that if this war continues we will have another terrorist attack which means were going to implicate the draft again!!! I don't support a draft nor this war!!! THIS WAR ISN'T SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE WENT INTO!!! MORE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE DYING IN THIS HORRIFIC WAR!!! IT'S NOT FAIR THAT WE GO TO WAR!!! IF THIER EVER CAME A TIME WHERE THEY HAD TO RENSTATE THE DRAFT, I WOULD BE PISSED OFF!! I DON'T THINK PEOPLE WHO DON'T BELIEVE IN WAR SHOULD HAVE TO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY!! THAT'S NOT WRITE!!! IT'S GREAT THAT MOST CELEBERTIES LIKE JOHN MELLENCAMP ARE AGAINST THE WAR!!! AT LEAST THEY HAVE THEIR HEADS THINKING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE IN THE WORLD!!! I don't see how people prays Goerge Bush!!! WHAT GOOD HAS HE DONE TO THIS COUNTRY? HE IS NOT GOD, BUT INSTEAD A SICK MAN!!! BECAUSE OF BUSH WE NOW HAVE PEOPLE LOOSING THEIR JOBS. ON TOP OF THAT COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE PAYING MORE FOR SCHOOL NOW. IT'S NOT FAIR THAT PEOPLE CAN'T GO TO COLLEGE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT!!! WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO RAISE THE PRICE OFF COLLEGE!! BUSH AND ALL HIS LEADERS SHOULD DONATE THEIR MONEY TO SCHOOLS. THE SAME WITH CEO'S. THEY DON'T NEED ANY MONEY!!! IT'S THE TEACHERS WHO NEED MONEY!!! OUR PRESIDENT HAS GOTTEN US INTO A HUGE DEFISIT!! BUSH HAS SCREWED THE WORLD!!! I WISH BUSH NEVER EXCISTED!!! HE IS A FAKE AND A LOUSY SPEAKER!! FLIP FLOPPING YOUR WORDS IN A SPEACH ISN'T CORRECT!!! UM, ISN'T SOMETHING YOU USE IN A SPEAK EATHER!!! I KNOW PEOPLE WHO COULD DO A BETTER SPEACH THEN BUSH!!! SO REMEMBER THAT WAR IS HORRIABLE AND BUSH STINKS!!!

G. BUSH IS A COCAIN ADDICT!!! LET THE WORLD KNOW THAT!!! PLUS HE NEEDED HIS MOMMY TO HELP HIM IN COLLEGE!!! BO, WHO BIG BABY!!!!

Bill David your a sick man!!! Bush is a terriable person!!! You must live back east where they prays Bush as God!! I am sorry but no one can replace God!!! You may think Bush is helping the world but your wrong!!! One of these days all the repblicans like you will relize how sick Bush is. Us democrates already relize how dumb Bush is! Were smart!!! If Bush was so smart then how come on 9-11-01 he didn't appear to be home? Bush was on vacation at that time because he didn't want to deal with this tragic event!! I bet Bush new all along that 9-11-01 was going to happen!! I can't believe people like you even like Bush!! When Bush was elected the first time around, it wasn't write!! He cheated so he could win!! Thats stuppid on his part!! Bush can't get anywhere in life he cheats!! Did you know that when Bush was in college his mom did all his homework for him. Did you know that Bush did drugs? Cocain to be exact!! What was he thinking? Half of Bushes brain is dead now!! Drugs don't make you normal then turn you upside down!! I bet when Bush feels down from time to time, he snorts his drugs!!! WHAT A LOOSER!! KERRY NEVER DID DRUGS AND NOR DID CLINTON!!! CLINTON MAY HAVE SCREWED AROUND BUT HE DIDN'T SCREW THE COUNTRY!! BUSH NEEDS TO RELIZE!! HE NEVER EVEN WENT TO WAR BECAUSE HE PROBABLY MADE SOME EXCUSE!! KERRY WENT TO WAR AND KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE!! BUSH SHOULD START A WAR THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT!!! ALL REBUBLICANS NEED TO THINK STRAIGHT!!! EVERYONE BACK EAST NEEDS TO GET WITH THE NEW TIMES NOW!!! WAR DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN!! THANKS TO BUSH THIS WAR WILL LAST FOREVER!!! END THE WAR NOW!!! PEACE AND PROTEST RULE!!! BUSH SUCKS!!! JOHN MELLENCAMP RULES!!! SO DOES BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN SINCE HE DOESN'T BELEIVE IN WAR!!! I SUPPORT NO WAR!! IMPEACH BUSH!!! DEMOCRATES RULE AND THAT IS THE TRUTH!!! IF YOUR SMART THEN VOTE DEMOCRATE!!!!!!!! DON'T LET THIS COUNTRY DOWN BY FALLING FOR OLD G. W. BUSH!!! HE DOSN'T HAVE HALF HIS BRAIN!!! DRUGS MADE HIM STUPPID!!!!