American icon Tony Bennett took to the airwaves at Sirius Radio to promote his new album, “Duets II,” but it’s what he said about war, peace, terrorism, and who was to blame for the Sept. 11 terror attacks that could get people talking.
Sitting down with Howard Stern, the 85-year-old singer had definite opinions about other wars involving the United States.
“To start a war in Iraq was a tremendous, tremendous mistake internationally,” he said.
Stern then asked Bennett about how America should deal with terrorists, specifically those responsible for the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
“But who are the terrorists? Are we the terrorists or are they the terrorists? Two wrongs don’t make a right,” Bennett said.
In a soft-spoken voice, the singer disagreed with Stern’s premise that 9/11 terrorists’ actions led to U.S. military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“They flew the plane in, but we caused it,” Bennett responded.
Following seconds of silence, Stern said that his guest was “making some good points.”
I've always felt that Tony Bennett was a vastly overrated singer.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think he's not much better as a political analyst.
He should leave the political commentary to "that Country singer".
Was there something YOU wanted to say about this Bennett/Stern interview? Because, if so, I think you left your "voice" in San Francisco.
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
who knew?
ReplyDeleteThea-
ReplyDeleteWell we know that Tony cannot be fooled by the Powers That Be.
Stephen-
Do I hear you disrespectin' the paisan?
I just thought this was worth posting in light of the number of musicians who seem to be politically aware but are criticized for speaking their mind.
I'd think you'd be thrilled that Tony wasn't drinking the Kool Aid and buying into the nonsense!
I didn't leave my voice in San Francisco...it's just that I dropped my wallet, and I'm kicking it across the bridge to Oakland before I bend over to pick it up...
Comrade DiscConnected
“But who are the terrorists? Are we the terrorists or are they the terrorists? Two wrongs don’t make a right...”
ReplyDeleteTony brings up one of the unpopular questions. A question Stephen ^above^ doesn't like. And instead of arguing a point in favor of or against it, Stephen attacks Tony's character. Stephen should stick to the arguments or questions of concern.
Personally, I don't know if our actions in the past led to 9/11 but it's definitely a legitimate question.
COMRADE DISCCONNECTED ~
ReplyDeleteHa! I would suggest kicking your wallet all the way to Overstock.com Coliseum, just to play it safe.
I learned of this Tony Bennett bit about a week ago and I sought out a recording of his statements to see if there was any more to it - making an attempt to discern what he was referring to. I didn’t find much more than is presented here.
I certainly agree with him about Iraq, and there is the potential for greater agreement between Tony and myself but I would need to know more. Why is he insinuating that America might be terrorists? Because of our foreign policy as it pertains to Israel and the rest of the Middle East? Because of the innocents our “War On Terrorism” has killed? Because we’re STILL in Afghanistan after all these years? Because some individuals at the highest levels of American government allowed Middle Eastern terrorists to fly planes into buildings? Because we planted explosives in those buildings beforehand in order to ensure enough damage to “justify” a military invasion of the Middle East?
That there are American terrorists there can be no doubt. But before I can slap Bennett on the back, I would need more details into his thinking process. He just kind of tossed a few vague remarks out there and didn’t bother to clarify any of his meaning. I don’t think it’s smart to make some wide sweeping statements like that and not follow them up with any details.
Based solely on what he said there, I can’t really tell what Bennett was talking about, nor can I even be sure that Bennett himself knew what he was talking about.
~ D-FensDogg
‘Loyal American Underground’
Jay-
ReplyDeleteIf you check out Stephen's blog, I think you'll see that Stephen probably is faulting Tony for not asking questions that probe even deeper.
LC
Stephen-
ReplyDeleteYou're right-hard to tell how deep Tony's skepticism goes, but in this age of Americans bending over and...well you know...from our government, I at least give him points for actually speaking at all instead of just being herded into the airport corral mooing about how its all for his own safety.
LC
Testing 'n' stuffs like that.
ReplyDelete~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground'
I've never much liked Tony Bennett, from a musical standpoint, but I think I like him a whole lot more now.
ReplyDeleteWow-everybody's hating on Ant'ny!
ReplyDeleteI'm wit' ya, Tony!