Re: New Video - "Cigarettes & Sidewalks" by The Wandering Madman

["Brian Carabee" <compguy2@comcast.net>]

Kevin,

Read those posts. Fro was asked to change it. That's what I have a problem 
with. I wasn't jumping to a conclusion but rather I felt extremely offended 
that it was suggested to a man that he should re-do it because "he couldn't 
possibly have meant that". That offends me to no end, and it should offend 
any of us.

It is very upsetting to know that if I submit a piece of music for my peers 
here on Looper's Delight, I will be scolded and "corrected" if my expressed 
view differs from some other's. That should never be the spirit of an 
artistic community. There are many different people here with many different 
perspectives on INCREDIBLY COMPLEX issues and we should never shame someone 
for expressing views that differ from ours.

Factually and respectfully voicing opposition to a view is perfectly fair. 
But the suggestions that he should re-do his art because some may perceive a 
certain world-view or opinion is simply an outrage.

He has every right to sing and express his particular perspective. That is 
what artistic freedom is all about, in my opinion. The removal of that 
freedom is the beginning of the end. Dictatorships can consist of one person 
or they can consist of general consensus of opinion, or by the most vocal 
group. All three dictatorial entities are reprehensible and fraught with 
danger.

Ok, I've said my piece. I don't want to beat it to death but I want you to 
be fully aware of why I am offended that we seem to need to conform to a 
certain political view or be gently corrected here. There is real danger 
concealed behind those polite, friendly corrections and requests to change 
an artistic expression.

Brian


----- Original Message ----- 

I believe those suggestions were offered as critiques based on prior
experience with Fro's work (and worldview as expressed in his art).  I
don't think they were demanding any changes, just pointing out that
the impression of 'where he's coming from' in the video was different
than they had previously experienced in his other posts.

Why jump to the worst possible conclusion first?

Of course I could be completely wrong but I give folks the benefit of
the doubt first.

Respectfully,

Kevin