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Highway23
04-08-2003, 02:24 PM
Dear Eddie Vedder,

Your band’s press release issued on April 3, 2003 is not accurate. As you know, I left the Denver show after your inappropriate spectacle of impaling the head of George Bush, President of the United States, on your microphone stand and then stomping it with your foot on the stage. When I left the venue there were nearly 100 people exiting at the same time. The conversation of the exiting crowd was disbelief and disgust at your inappropriate exhibition. Here is a more accurate estimate of the number of fans that exited the Denver show. It takes less than one minute to exit via the escalator, there are at least 4 major exits, and others were leaving behind me. It adds up to a conservative estimate of 1000 people that exited. 1000 people exit Pearl Jam concert does not sound that good, but it is the truth. Don’t worry; I am sure that a good pubic relations person would spin that as only 8.33% of the crowd left. That does not sound so bad now does it? We will not mention others at the show that could not hear or see you or some who were upset but stayed until the end because they bought a ticket.

Here is the message that I intended to send you, and listen up because I am your boss. Like it or not, it is true because I am your customer. And I am a good customer. I do not download your songs free, but rather spend my hard earned money on your CDs. I also spend my income on your concerts and clothing.

Since I have your attention, I must say that to hear you sing about the “haves and the have nots” in Bushleager is pretty insulting coming from someone who I have helped become a multi-millionaire.

I quote you from the Denver show; I am posting this message because I have learned a lesson from you. I have a platform; therefore I have the ability to get my message across.
"Did someone just say, 'Shut up'? I don't know if you heard about this thing called freedom of speech, man. It's worth thinking about it, because it's going away," you said. "In the last year of being able to use it, we're sure as (expletive) going to use it and I'm not gonna apologize."

I have two points to make with you. Your quote has nothing to do with free speech going away but rather your platform is going away. You have made it clear that in the last year of touring you are going to use it. Second, get over the demigod image. No one cares what you think about politics, religion, race, or whether you watch CNN or Fox News. We do not want you to talk about it! We do not care! Shut up and play the music!

Sincerely,

Keith Zimmerman

(if you remember, this is the kid who was quoted by the news..or whatever)

poetrywriter
04-08-2003, 02:44 PM
Huh, the last year of touring. That sucks.

I think this person gives himself too much credit. Although he does make a point about Eddie Vedder being a bit too pious in regards to the haves/have nots thing, even if the quote from the song is a bit out of context.

GreenDisease
04-08-2003, 02:58 PM
The guy needs to drop this. Just like Ed needs to tone it down a tad with this Anti-Bush stuff.

I just wanna rock.

jamijams
04-08-2003, 03:15 PM
with regard to the haves and have nots, I think there is (well in my mind there is) a very BIG difference between someone who has worked hard to be where they are - whether they make 30 or 300 grand a year, and someone who was born with a silver spoon in their mouth, a trust fund baby.

I don't know the definition of "worked hard" I think that is subjective. and I think Ed could tone it down a tad, but hey, he hasn't asked me for my opinion yet, so there you go!

jamijams
04-08-2003, 03:22 PM
also, I should include here that im sure there are plenty of folks who were born into money, but have still worked very hard.
this is why blanket generalizations get people in trouble
but fuck, political correctness gets tiring man :O

yer ardy
04-08-2003, 03:34 PM
1,000 people left?
great...with that many
leaving each show, i'll
be able to move up so
close, problee get to
sit on the fricken stage... :)

seriously, i truly *wish* i could
get my undies in such a bundle
over something that really doesn't
deserve so much time and energy...

but that's just me.

Seth
04-08-2003, 03:57 PM
i wonder if this was as big of a news story in Europe and Canada?

hmmmm...

GreenDisease
04-08-2003, 04:12 PM
Ardy and Jami......I love you guys! You always put a smile on my face. :)

peacefulness
04-08-2003, 04:22 PM
I'm with ardy on this one...

"moving on up......" :)

And none of this stuff is new, so I don't see why, just because we're in a war that it should make as much a difference. Oh well. Life goes on...

~Melanie

GreenDisease
04-08-2003, 07:20 PM
Exactly Melanie! :)

There is so much more important stuff going on right now , I really dont think that what Ed says, or what any "celebrity" says for that matter should really get everyone's attention. This Keith person is grabbing and holding on to something that is pretty small potatoes compared to what else is happening.

Yeah it happened, say your peace and let it go. :)

RogueTrader
04-08-2003, 07:40 PM
Sedms to me that this tool is a little more than a dissenting fan. Out of the 1,000 people who supposedl;y walked out, he's the only one issuing press releases?!!? I think that if one were to dig a little deeper, they might discover that this guys has more than just a passing political affiliation.

And for the record, what the hell is so surprising or unacceptable about someone in the artistic community not supporting the war? -disingenuous to the press release kiddie.

::M

Nona Weisbawm
04-08-2003, 10:24 PM
Whatever....Of course i know id be a bit miffed at seeing the same thing, but other than walking out, i woulda hucked something at Ed...Im sure he would know it was me...*snigger* "Today at a show, i got beaned in the head by a size 8 converse shoe tossed by the rightious Nona"--Ed

Yep...:P:bandit:

mensane
04-09-2003, 12:23 AM
well...it is a good thing we are in the 10club seats....as far as i could tell, no one left from the floor. we had a d*mn fun time down there..

this still blows me away...as "conservative" as i tend to be, this was the least offensive eddie concert soapbox display that i have ever seen.