Violence In Music

Nov28 by Revis Edgewater

I know that nowadays most parents blame movies, TV, and video games for the violence that their children are subjected to. About 20 years ago, when gangsta rap was first starting to pop up, they made a huge deal about the violent content in those songs (especially Ice T’s “Cop Killa”). The complaints about violence in music has calmed down some since then, but I still hear about it from time to time. Most of these complaints are still aimed at rappers, although some is directed at hard rock bands such as Avenged Sevenfold, Godsmack, and Disturbed. I’ve noticed recently that there is a particular area that those complaints are missing.

In the case of most rappers, and the previously mentioned bands, all music that would be offensive to children comes with a parental advisory sticker, which means that parents know before they buy it that it may contain inappropriate material. If you buy the CD anyways, you have no right to complain. If you buy the CD at Walmart, it’s already edited, so most of the offensive material is already taken out. There is, however, a place where children are subjected to violence in music where it will never be edited, and the children, most likely, got it from their parents themselves.

Disney movies.

I noticed it the last time my wife was watching Beauty and the Beast. There was a whole song dedicated to killing the Beast. Here’s a sample: “It’s a beast! He’s got fangs Razor sharp ones! Massive paws, killer claws for the feast Hear him roar! See him foam! But we’re not coming home ’til he’s dead– Good and dead! Kill the Beast!”

Then I got to thinking about other songs from Disney movies. Take this bit from a song in The Lion King: “[Banzai:] Yeah, Be prepared. Yeah-heh… we’ll be prepared, heh. …For what? [Scar:] For the death of the king. [Banzai:] Why? Is he sick? [Scar:] No, fool– we’re going to kill him. And Simba too.”

Then there’s the first song Aladdin sings. There’s two things wrong with this one. First, he’s saying that it’s ok to steal, as long as you have no money. I’m sorry, but that’s not how real life works. Secondly, there’s this line right here: “[Aladdin:] Just a little snack, guys [Crowd:] Rip him open, take it back, guys.”

I’m sure if I listened to a few more Disney songs, I’d find more examples, but I don’t really feel like it. I’ll leave with this thought: If you feel it’s necessary to complain about the content of rap or rock music, maybe you should look first at what you’ve already subjected your children to.

Penn State Mess

Nov8 by Revis Edgewater

Right now, there is a huge scandal going on at Penn State University. A former Defensive Coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, is being accused of sexually abusing young boys on campus during trips taken with a charity. This came out in 2002, when another Penn St coach witnessed Sandusky abusing a boy in a team shower. This coach brought this to Joe Paterno’s attention. Paterno then told the Athletic Director (who is now being charged with helping to cover it up). At this point, Sandusky was no longer employed by the university, but was allowed to use the facilities for his charity.

I have a few questions about how this allegedly went down. First, why did Joe Paterno go to the AD instead of the police? I know that he probably didn’t want this to get out and embarrass his school, but the safety of children is more important than saving your employer some bad publicity. Why couldn’t he tell both?

Secondly, if this occurred in 2002, why was there no investigation started until 2009 and no charges brought until now? I’m sure a lot of it has to do with the fact that victims of abuse don’t want to, or are scared to, come forward, but how did Paterno and that other coach not say anything? Sandusky was on the campus quite a bit during that time. How did they not look at him in 2003 and think to themselves, “Hey, shouldn’t he be in jail or on trial right now? What’s he still doing out? I bet nobody told the cops what’s going on. I should do something.”?

Finally, if Sandusky is found guilty, I think that the AD and another school administrator (both charged with perjury in this case) should share his sentence. They covered it up and let it continue to happen, so in my mind, they’re just as guilty as Sundusky is. Fry all three of them.

Idiocy on MNF

Oct4 by Revis Edgewater

I was watching the pregame show for Monday Night Football last night when I saw something on the scroll at the bottom of the screen. It said that Hank WIlliams Jr “Are you ready for some football” song was not going to be played because of some comments he made about President Obama. Wondering what he said, I looked it up online.

In an interview Monday morning on Fox News’ ”Fox & Friends,” Williams, unprompted, said of Obama’s outing on the links with House Speaker John Boehner: ”It’d be like Hitler playing golf with (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu.”

Asked to clarify, Williams said, ”They’re the enemy,” adding that by ”they” he meant Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

Anchor Gretchen Carlson later said to him, ”You used the name of one of the most hated people in all of the world to describe, I think, the president.” Williams replied, ”Well, that is true. But I’m telling you like it is.”

The above is copied from an article on Fox Sport’s website.

Now, first of all, why is Hank Williams Jr on Fox News? Who the hell cares what he has to say about anything? He’s not a political analyst. He’s not a news reporter. He’s a country singer that would probably be forgotten by now if it wasn’t for the MNF intro.

Secondly, do you think pulling his intro for one week is going to hurt him? His song has been playing before every MNF game for the last 10-15 years and they expect a one week ban is going to do anything to him? Idiocy……

Stadium Violence

Aug21 by Revis Edgewater

By now, everyone has heard about the San Francisco Giants fan who was beaten outside Dodger Stadium on opening night. He was in the ICU in a coma for a while, but from what I’ve read, he’s awake now and regaining the use of his extremities. While that event was tragic, it seemed to be an isolated incident…. until yesterday.

There were two different instances of violence last night at the football game between the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers. One man, during the game, was beaten in the bathroom and left with what they are calling life threatening injuries. After the game, two men were shot in the parking lot. One of the men was apparently wearing a shirt that read “Fuck the 49ers”. One of them is in critical condition while the other has “less severe injuries”.

I just don’t get it. I love going to sporting events (when I can afford it), but I have never thought about beating or shooting somebody for rooting for the other team. That’s just idiotic. To me, the only reason to shoot somebody is because they’re attacking me or my loved ones. That’s it. I love my teams, but I would never beat anyone who rooted against them. To do so is ridiculously stupid.

The people who perpetrated theses acts are an embarrassment to all sports fans everywhere and I hope that California throws the book at these jackasses.