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Wednesday, December 11, 2013

"Honor The Treaties": Neil Young Takes Yet Another Stand

Chief Allan Adam, actress Daryl Hannah and Neil Young in Janvier, Alta.
Photo courtesy of Eriel Deranger

The news that Neil Young will perform four benefit concerts for the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) Legal Defense Fund has been widely praised across Canada -- and attacked here on Thrasher's Wheat.

From APTN News interview with Eriel Deranger, the main media contact for the First Nation:
Deranger said she remembers Young saying, “Your struggle is so important, not just for your people, but for this planet.”

Young had similar conversations with Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) Chief Allan Adam.

“Really, really strong words came from him when he started talking to the chief directly,” said Deranger. “Neil has a lot of pull in the world and he wanted to use it for some sort of good and he mentioned we should do some sort of benefit concert.”

“He met people in the community and they gifted him,” said Deranger.

“He is a very down to earth and humble human being,”
said Deranger. “He has a genuine interest in helping.”

So far, so good. But here's what some TW readers think of the whole Tar Sands disaster. From a comment by Jason Smith:
I don't disagree with creating new alternatives to fossil fuel, that's what got me interested in LinkVolt in the first place.

However, I do not believe LinkVolt solves anymore problems then it creates but if one small idea comes out of the project, that is a good thing. Neil is a Mad Scientist and that is what I like about him, but whether you want to believe it or not he is preying on your emotions in order to sell his goods. All artists do it! Did you notice the Ati-Fracking t-shirt he had on at Farm Aid? Natural Gas is 30% cleaner then Oil, would it not make sense to burn more natural gas then oil? Not to Neil.

The problem I have with Neil these days is that he has become very political in his views about pipelines and sources of energy, but based on his past and present day life style I do not believe that he really buys it. He has picked all the low hanging fruit in his career and just like any other aging rock star he has to latch on to what the "Fancy" people are buying these days and that is Climate Change products. Do you think Neil will attend the award ceremony he so deeply despises all these years (the Grammys)? I am willing to bet he will throw 3 tonnes of carbon in the atmosphere to be there.

When a musician gets political in there views, we have to question their motivations, otherwise we just become jock sniffers. I am not a jock sniffer. Climate Change Album, video and book in the works with LinkVolt as the prop??

So Thrasher, are you going to support a "Thrasher Wheat" ban on Neil Young products because of his carbon intensive life style? Keep in mind what Neil says.....

"Whenever you do something good in the war against CO2, people around the world benefit. Everyone benefits."

Jason Smith
Thanks Jason. Your comment is welcomed and your civil tone is appreciated.

A couple of quick points. We never supported the whole "Shut up and sing" mentality. Now more than ever, folks need to speak up and sing and act. In fact, we're quite disappointed how many prominent folks in all sorts of industries, including music, have yet to say a word about "The Great Unraveling". And we've called them out on this while Neil walks into the flame.

Lastly, with all things, there's a balance. If all actions are weighed in total, are they more positive than negative? If so, then we can make a decision. For folks to come here and try and lecture Neil or thrasher about what we should or shouldn't do is really an insult without context.

We see the word hypocrisy thrown around here a lot. Way too much. Frankly, one can only level the hypocrisy charge if one's own life is without it. If someone would like to demonstrate that they live their life without hypocrisy then we'll be glad to entertain your challenges. Otherwise, we think you're just pissin' in the wind.

So we say, Canada: "Honor The Treaties".


Labels:


36 Comments:

At 12/11/2013 11:29:00 AM, Anonymous regular stairs said...

Jason Smith's comments seem to desire an a la carte approach to Neil: I want his art, but don't bother me with the other stuff.
BUT, with Neil, you gotta take the package. He may meander or confront, but at least he's making you think - the best 'art' always does...plus, he can do what he want in this free world so shut yr hydro hole, nay sayers!

 
At 12/11/2013 11:34:00 AM, Blogger Jason Smith said...

Thrasher,

I believe you heard what I said but can see you hiding behind the that bush with your eyes closed, ears covered and you are humming a tune so as to drown out what you don't want to hear.

I agree with your statement...

"Now more than ever, folks need to speak up and sing and act."

However we are done with the singing part!

To quote the great one...

"Singing a song will not change the world"

"We are in a War"

"People are Dyyying"

We need to Act and Act now! Lets start with the person who's ear we have. Let's choke off Neil's demand for carbon based products, this will be the first step in cutting the oil drilling and exploitation of the oil sands.

"My challenge to Neil would be to cancel these four shows and produce a web based event from his ranch. All the technology is there to do it, it will would save on tonnes of carbon being spewed into the atmosphere."

Why would he not do this?? Would it not have the opportunity to reach more people??

If anyone can come up with a better challenge feel free to chime in. As a group, lets make Neil put his money where his mouth is. Are you in Thrasher?? Are you still Singing?? Are you waiting for someone else to take action??

If the junkies are not buying, the dealer is out of business!

"Whenever you do something good in the war against CO2, people around the world benefit. Everyone benefits."
Neil Young
Hawaii, USA


- Jason Smith

 
At 12/11/2013 11:36:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wanna walk like a giant on the land. Mission accomplished on that one. Neil Young has left one of the hugest carbon footprints of any single human ever in the history of the world. Fact.

 
At 12/11/2013 11:55:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

And Daryl Hannah isn't far behind. Another one percenter in completion with Neil to see who can use the most jet fuel. She'll tell you all about her environmentalist lifestyle, except for the part about insatiably guzzling jet fuel.Fresh from the airport to deliver some antifracking signatures to the White House, then back to the airport to fly to Colorado, or LA or Micronesia or ... Hypocrites unite! Yum, yum, jetfuel.

 
At 12/11/2013 12:14:00 PM, Blogger thrasher said...

Thanks Jason.

Yes, agree, virtual concerts could be kinda cool. Obviously, tho, as we all know, live music is better.

That said, the FA & BSB concerts are webcast giving folks around the world a chance to attend. So maybe we'll see more of that as technologies improve.

Regarding hypocrisy, NY has addressed the issue to our satisfaction @
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200996408741805&set=a.10200942684838741.1073741826.1514498210&type=1

Again, if you have suggestions fine. Repetitious banal bashing is really just a waste of everyone's time, OK?

Probably a better use of your time would be to look inside an see if you're doing everything you can to make yourself a better person. Maybe not worry about Neil so much, you think???

 
At 12/11/2013 12:18:00 PM, Blogger Lloyd Walton said...

A Dakota elder told me that the landscape in the tarsands development looks like Mordor.
Next to Mordor which is steadily moving outward there are small communities of people that gain sustenance from the land, as they have done for centuries. But they are catching fish with long stringy eyes or covered with abscesses. Other staples of their diet are disappearing. The cancer rates in their communities are appalling.These people are calling for help.
When a person gives his word to an elder, he or she if they are noble of character, will carry out that promise.
This person chosen will carry out that promise in the way that they know best.

I expect that Neil, by going this winter benefit tour route will generate a larger discussion among
Canadians rather than as suggested sitting at home in California and broadcasting to the converted huddled around their computers.

I would be proud to stand by the highway and wave to Pocahontas as she glides by on her mission.

Our country, Canada needs to be alerted to the needs and wisdom that our Aboriginal people have to offer. I can assure you it is an uphill battle.

Meegwetch Neil !

 
At 12/11/2013 12:27:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

A quick twitter search shows that in the last month Daryl Hannah has been in Thailand, LA, San Francisco, Colorado and India. The kayak is getting a lot of use. In a way that photo is like a most wanted poster by real greeners. The chief helps rake in the big dough for his tribe by supporting oil sands operations. Ha ha. You couldn't make this stuff up. Better than a Hollywood movie!

 
At 12/11/2013 12:40:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

With all due respect Lloyd, you don't solve the problem by perpetuating the problem. Oil use is the problem. You can only lead by example. Nelson Mandela effected great change being in a prison cell for nearly 3 decades. No travel involved. It's a destructive myth that you have to travel to have an impact. Neil would generate more discussion by giving an interview, sans petroleum use, to a national news outlet than doing a minitour which is by and large only going to attract his fans. And as far as Neil being a man of his word, well... sometimes yes and sometimes not so much. ;)

 
At 12/11/2013 12:44:00 PM, Blogger Jason Smith said...

Thrasher,

If you dare to question you are called a "troll", "Nay Sayer", "Non Believer" (very George Orwell like) a " Repetitious banal basher"? Really? I don't believe I have called anyone names on the board or bashed anyone? I believe some people do not like what I have to say, but, that works both ways.

What really speaks volumes is "regular stairs" comment "plus, he (Neil) can do what he wants in this free world so shut yr hydrohole, nay sayers". Neil has the freedom to speak his mind but I don't? People that kill to shut you up like Kim Jong-Il, Bashar al-Assad, Saddam Hussein (and others) come to mind. Sounds kind of scary doesn't it.

Just like Neil, I do what I want, say what I want, associate with whom I feel. This is not unique to Neil.

Is this a forum to share ideas? Or to advance an agenda? You don't have to answer, I think I know.

- Jason Smith



 
At 12/11/2013 12:54:00 PM, Blogger Dan1 said...

Jason Smith,
Your premise is that the best way to reduce CO2 is for influencial people like Neil to stay home. That's your solution, the one you're insisting everyone take lest they be labeled hypocrites by you. The first obvious question is have you committed yourself to this? I think we know the answer. Neil on the other hand has thought about this problem and is working dilligently to make a difference (rather than rant) and has a different solution. I could be reading this wrong but I think you're using this all as as a pretext to bash Neil because you don't agree with his environmental views and because you think he's got an alterior motive. Don't take this the wrong way but if you sometimes do things for unselfish motives its a lense to see others do likewise. Yea people are complex, Neil is too, but your whole aging rock star theory is so cynical and quite frankly off base here ... I don't agree with all of Neil's (or Thrasher's) political views and am not always 100% on the same page with their environmental views but that can be debated in a civil manner ... you're entitled to your opinions but twisting Neil's benevolent actions into something sinister just seems way off base ...

 
At 12/11/2013 01:03:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Always easy to throw stones at people, to call them names, point out their deficiencies, find fault with their positions
neil has pissed me off at times but what the heck he uses his voice to say what isn't ok from his position and maybe we all need to stand up and fight for indigenous rights, to fight for fairness, to fight for a green world, to stop shitting in the nest. it is what I say to myself and others "don't be a nest shitter, wipe up after yourself and leave your space tidy and clean, respected - people, earth, and all beings".

 
At 12/11/2013 01:03:00 PM, Blogger thrasher said...

@Jason - sorry, the hypocrisy thoughts were not directed at you but the anons.

 
At 12/11/2013 01:10:00 PM, Blogger thrasher said...

@Dan1 - yes, questioning Neil's motives as greedy seems to be way off base given his track record. Likewise accusing Indigenous folks of cashing in.

And just so that we don't sound too holier than thou about a lot of this, we try and run a green blog here with carbon offsets and renewable energy. Our blog host uses state of the art data center to minimize electrical/cooling etc and efficient load balancing.

Maybe if everyone did a little something it would all add up?

peace

 
At 12/11/2013 01:11:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anyway, moving on from this. Any news on the new album or live dates in Europe?

 
At 12/11/2013 01:39:00 PM, Blogger Jason Smith said...

Thrasher,

Sorry, I may have miss interpreted your statement...

"Now more than ever, folks need to speak up and sing and act."
"

I really should have read it as...

"Now more than ever, folks need to speak up like they care and sing like they care and act like they care."

I thought "act" meant "take action".

LOL, not bashing or insulting anyone just having some fun with this.

- Jason Smith

 
At 12/11/2013 06:20:00 PM, Blogger Jonathan said...

I sure miss the days of not knowing hardly anything about the real life of famous musicians.

The Neil mystique has lost a bit of its edge thanks to the Internet...but that's my opinion.

I used to think Rush was one of the scariest bands ever...until I saw them interviewed...lol

Let the music speak for itself...

 
At 12/11/2013 07:11:00 PM, Blogger Bjorn phd said...

The population of the US is approximately 310 million. The population of Europe is approximately 710 million. The US uses about 40 million barrels of oil, coal and natural gas/day. Europe uses about 20.
What does that tell you?

US cars are crap when it comes to fuel economy. US car manufactures are doing nothing about it. Americans in general are driving way more than anybody anywhere else in the world. That's a problem none of you are willing to address.

I'm not a huge fan of Neil's Lincvolt and I pretty sure batteries and bio-fuel not are the solution. But At least he is trying! Except for disagreeing on his solution to the problem I think he's pretty right when it comes to addressing the problem. I couldn't disagree more with Jason Smith when he claims Neil is doing this for his own personal gain.

He is doing this because he believe in this and if him touring means he have a greater impact on people, let him tour! I know he would have more affect on me seeing him play and talk live then watching him do the same on some lame-ass stream from his ranch.

Touring is what artists do for a living. And as we know artists like Neil Young are a very very very small part of the worlds population. In other words what he does has a very little impact on the worlds climate. But if he can use his voice during these shows to make the rest of us thinking twice about how we live our every day life. And to do something about it(especially you Americans), it could really make a difference!

So Jason Smith stop nagging, and start with your self! Neil only has good intentions.

Bjorn phd

 
At 12/11/2013 07:21:00 PM, Blogger SONY said...

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

Dear Neil, please ride a horse to all your appointments and shows and used a gas collection bag for that nag so as not to widen the hole in the ozone, ok bra?

And by the way, would you mind putting out Heart of Gold II, III, IV, V....I can't wrap my mind around anything else you sing about.

I'll let you know what else I can live with once I figure it out.

Thanks man, love your old ways only.

I say lead, follow or get the f$ck outta the way to anyone who complains or criticizes and offers no help, solution or effort in any cause of their criticism.

I guess when ya take a stand all you get is arrows and bullets. Neil's motives have been tried over and again, he's out there doing SOMETHING for those in need. Mad scientist (I like that one). He may be only sane one around.

 
At 12/11/2013 08:31:00 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Pretty sure the last time I heard about Neil traversing the continent, he used no fossil fuels.

Hmm, taking link volt on a 4 date solo tour doesn't sound like much of a challenge to me.

Not sure why anyone would assume to know his mode of transportation on this tour. He certainly doesn't fly much on tour in North America. So i think he's doing pretty good in relation to other musicians of his stature, with respect to carbon footprints.

And he doesn't commute an hour to work 300 days year...do you?


Syscrusher

 
At 12/11/2013 08:35:00 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

Pretty sure the last time I heard about Neil traversing the continent, he used no fossil fuels.

Hmm, taking link volt on a 4 date solo tour doesn't sound like much of a challenge to me.

Not sure why anyone would assume to know his mode of transportation on this tour. He certainly doesn't fly much on tour in North America. So i think he's doing pretty good in relation to other musicians of his stature, with respect to carbon footprints.

And he doesn't commute an hour to work 300 days year...do you?


Syscrusher

ps Thrasher, seems like every time there's a post that I want to say something about, you take away the anonymous choice. I've written many a paragraph only to discover at the end that I can't post. And ALWAYS on what I view as the most important topics. Anyway, this time I stole someones gmail account. Let the anons post, I always sign my posts.

 
At 12/11/2013 10:05:00 PM, Blogger thrasher said...

Thanks SONY.

this note's for you.

The Way

The way, we know the way. We've seen the way
We'll show the way
To getcha back home
To the peace where you belong

If you're lost and think you can't be found
We know the way, we've got the way
We'll lead the way
To getcha back home
To the peace where you belong

The way, we know the way. We've got the way
We'll share the way
To bring you back home
To the peace where you belong

So many lost highways
That used to lead home
But now they seem used up and gone
They sure had the magic
When they were first found

But not this road
This road has never been closed
It's still brand new

The way, we know the way. We've seen the way
We'll show the way
To bring you back home
To the peace where you belong

If you're lost and think you can't be found
We know the way. We've got the way
We'll lead the way
To getcha back home
To the peace where you belong

Where you belong, where you belong, where you belong
We know the way
To getcha back home
To the peace where you belong

When faceless and anonymous
Come to beat down your door
And say you're all washed up and done
You can just say they have nothing in store

To touch this soul
Because they just don't know
They just don't know
The way

The way, we know the way. We've seen the way
We'll show the way
To getcha back home
To the peace where you belong

The way, we got the way, we know the way
We'll lead the way
To getcha back home
To the peace where you belong

If you're lost and think you can't be found
We know the way. We've found the way
We'll share the way
To getcha back home
To the peace where you belong

The way, we know the way. We've seen the way
We'll show the way
To get you back home
To the peace where you belong

 
At 12/12/2013 11:09:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neil uses his bus on tour to get to the airport for his charter flight to the next state. He's been singing about the environment for a long time, without actually living his talk, to a bunch of fans who'll burn untold amounts of fossil fuels to see him and then go home to continue their regular energy use. See the above comments. If people can't acknowledge that Neil is a massive carbon spewing machine and that his tours do ZILCH to change people's energy behavior for the better, then... If there's actual pain involved in the change, forget it. Lincvolt is a joke. Cellulosic ethanol would be much better turned into humus than fuel.
I work online from home. I have no domesticated animals which do untold damage to wildlife. I eat principally vegetarian. I keep my weight down. I buy reused. I compost. I grow food. I fly once every several years to visit family. I get the low-milage discount on my auto insurance. My total energy bill for the month, house and car, is $100. I rarely use my air conditioner. Etc, etc. And I don't feel saintly. I just believe in living my principles. It is not a badge of honor for me to fly and drive long distances to see Neil Young in concert. I pass up many shows and tours because it's too carbon intensive to get there. Not bragging, just responding to requests from the other side.
Neil is not green. He never has been. True greeners do not accept false leaders. I still appreciate his music, but it does get hollower and hollower.

 
At 12/12/2013 11:59:00 AM, Blogger thrasher said...

@11:09:00 - thanks for your sincere comments. appreciated.

Often times around here at TW we find ourselves scratching our heads. We say "You like Neil. I like Neil. You like Neil's activism. I like Neil's activism."

So what's the problem?

Your walking the walk is admirable. If only more lived your lifestyle we'd be on a less perilous path. Likewise, we also do many similar things. For example, we try and heat our home with firewood from our property burned in a high efficiency stove.

So then what's the problem here? Why all the friction if we have similar desires and values?

Well we're not sure but here's theory #78.

It seems that some detractors have it all wrong in terms of the dynamic. It's almost like they say "He's hypocrite" and therefore that makes folks who admire him hypocrites. It doesn't really make sense.

So here's the big leap that some of our readers can hopefully relate to. Was Jesus a hypocrite? Were his disciples hypocrites? In a literal sense, yes. But obviously, the flaws have been smoothed out over time and the message endures. We quickly hasten to add that NY isn't J nor are his listeners "disciples". OK???

For us, it's all about the intent of the heart that matters.

And it's all good and getting better every day.

"We're The Ones We've Been Waiting For"
namaste

 
At 12/12/2013 12:48:00 PM, Blogger Jason Smith said...

Wow Thrasher, back up the bus.

Go through the posts again because I don't believe anyone on the board called others on the board hypocrites because they support Neil and his CO2 initiatives?? I have no problem calling Neil a hypocrite to his face and I believe he would have no problem admitting that he is. I have been called a hypocrite for things I have said or done in the past as I am sure others on the board have. It is not a big deal, you may not agree but sometimes it makes you think!

I venture to guess that us on the board have different carbon foot prints, but, no one the board has a carbon foot print the size of Neil's. We also don't have a bank account's the size of Neil's.

I go back to Neil's trip to Washington, it is one thing to sing a song about our life styles but it is another using your popularity to drive public policies a certain way. You better be open to be scrutinized and we (the people) better do the scrutinizing.

I believe Neil has the freedom to do this, I support his freedom and my freedom. I just don't agree with everything he says.

Like I have always said, what brought me to Thrashers Wheat in the past is LinkVolt, I like the way Neil is using the internet to bring people together to come up with solutions for that project. Even Neil admitted that it may be a failure but what I feel is important is the path and ideas to get there.

I truly believe the political stuff makes him look like a joke.

JMHO

- Jason Smith

 
At 12/12/2013 01:26:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thrasher - please explain how Jesus was a hypocrite "in a literal sense."

Jonathan

 
At 12/12/2013 01:31:00 PM, Blogger thrasher said...

@Jason - thanks again. Well, looks like some crossed wires again maybe?

Really. Color us perplexed.

We've tried really hard over the years to try and understand some folks dismissal of NY, his fans and this site. It doesn't add up or make sense.

If NY is so off base and misguided and his fan base is so "sycophantic and hypocritical" why do you care? Where's the harm? If we're all here in our silly little bubble, blogging away about a bunch of nothing, wouldn't it be easy just to ignore us and let us play in peace?

Or is there more to the picture than meets the eye? Maybe, just maybe, NY is right and that's a threat to one's belief system?

NP - "The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You" by Neko Case

 
At 12/12/2013 01:56:00 PM, Blogger Jason Smith said...

Really Thrasher??

"If NY is so off base and misguided and his fan base is so "sycophantic and hypocritical" why do you care?"

That is you calling the fan base "sycophantic and hypocritical". Did you read my last post, I have not seen any of the so called "Non-Believers" call any of the, for lack of a better term "Believers" (although I hate putting labels on people, but that is what is done here), any names or direct any comments at them. Anything I say has been directed at Neil.

So if whatever Neil says the "Believers" take as the gospel truth?? If you question or hurt Neil's feelings (I personally think he does not give a rats ass) you are hurting the "Believers" feelings also.

This is getting too weird, you are right, I will let you play in peace.

"Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."

- Jason Smith

 
At 12/12/2013 04:27:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sorry, Thrasher, but the planet does not give a flying frog about anyone's intent. The only thing that matters to the planet is what we do, or more precisely, what we refrain from doing. I like Neil's music but I don't admire his lifestyle and it's particularly offensive when he and his associates try to claim the green cloak. He has one of the dirtiest professions ever. People need to stop moving around so much for now. It's so simple. And Neil more than just about anyone has encouraged people to drive and fly. Look at his most recent song. I wanna drive my car, I need a place to go. He can slap Lincvolt across that, but it's a sickness of his and of many in the developed world to move around so much. There is a rich world right in your town. Curb your impulses, people. Right, like that's going to happen when 70% of Americans are either overweight or obese. It's chic to have multiple homes to fly between, preferably in remote locations, moving ever deeper into what remains of the wild and taking your dogs with you to chase off the wildlife. When I first moved to my present city street with lots of trees, the loudest sound in my neighborhood was the birds, all kinds of songbirds. Then people brought in dogs and more dogs. I haven't heard a bird sing in weeks. And it's chic to travel frequently. It's often a source of bragging. It's a societal sickness. How about slow travel as a new movement? Walk, bike, skate, paddle. How about going jet free for a year rather than leather-free? How about not replacing your pet when it dies? I can hear the planet breathe a sigh of relief.

 
At 12/12/2013 05:39:00 PM, Blogger Dan1 said...

"I like Neil's music but I don't admire his lifestyle and it's particularly offensive when he and his associates try to claim the green cloak. He has one of the dirtiest professions ever. People need to stop moving around so much for now. It's so simple. And Neil more than just about anyone has encouraged people to drive and fly"


Anon,
The standard you're espousing is impressive, hat's off to you for living that way. Hard to argue against living so consciously. We definitely need more people to adapt cleaner living habits. I'm with you on that, I usually ride my bike to work (even in the winter), do not own a car, and take public transport to work when I can't ride. I use my wife's car to drive locally. Is there more I could do, of course! But do you have the right to criticize my lifestyle because you're cleaner and greener? I'm not sure ... everyone's circumstances are different. I think you'd accomplish more by inspiring people ... and if you want to malign something why choose to malign someone (Neil) who is using his celebrity, voice, resources, ect to promote that which is so important to you? cause you think he's not on your level in terms of clean living? maybe he's not although I think its more nuanced than who lives a 'cleaner' life, you or him ... I'd argue that if he is the catalyst to slow down oil sands projects or nix keystone or defends these natives one could argue that those accomplishments far outweigh his personal carbon footprint ... also, for all we know maybe he offsets his footprint ... your solution is stay home, his is to develop technologies that can enable people to live life as they're doing but more cleanly ... realistically I just think its much more likely that people will embrace technologies that enable their lifestyles (in a cleaner way) rather than curbing them ... not saying thats right but few people will get as enlightened as you on this, few will be willing to make the sacrifices you've made, as such I think Neil's approach of trying to make Lincoln Volt commercial is a more practical solution to reducing emissions. In terms of his own lifestyle I also think you're judging him in a very harsh light ... his musical gifts are unique and bring tremendous joy to thousands of fans (myself included) ... many of us look forward for months to reconnecting with the whole scene when he comes around .... the internet will never replace that nor should it ... Neil has a gift that should be shares globally and thus he should travel from place to place ... I just think when this whole environmental thing becomes like a religion to the point where we're criticizing a wold famous musician for traveling to entertain fans we're bordering or crossing the line into fascism ... I think if you really sincerely consider what Neil is doing in all his disparate initiatives and activities its very praiseworthy ... is he perfect, are any of us perfect? Are you living a more exemplary, clean green life than he? maybe, maybe not ... but when it gets self righteous it gets dangerous ... remember you and Neil (and most people on this board) are your allies and not your enemies ...

 
At 12/12/2013 07:04:00 PM, Anonymous Setz said...

It is truly about the state of mind. It's about giving back when opportunity presents its self. right or wrong. My neighbor asks for help I give it. I don't ask if he deserves it or not, if his existence is threatened I help in hopes it will be repaid. maybe not by him but because I made myself available to someone in need. Should Neil just write an anon check to help with fees needed to defend a need he sees fit & sit back & hope it goes well or get involved & be a part of it all instead? or go face to
face with who he is attempting to help. that seems more noble to me. I too(as folks above) am a man of simple needs. Loving family, friends & neighbors doing our best to get by. Firewood, garden, outdoors & fun. Consciously saving in any ways that we can. I could never tell a person how to be me. when it snows like heck(like now) we go sled riding, ice fishing. when the river is up we canoe. Maybe I am to simple to get what's going on here., but why not use what is at your disposal to make some kind of difference. I just don't believe not trying. Fail or triumph I would love to be in the position to give back on Neils scale. Because I would too.

Those that stop dreaming fade away. Setz

 
At 12/12/2013 08:50:00 PM, Blogger Jonathan said...

Comeon Thrasher - every time I engage you for even simple debate, you ignore me and run away. This time it' s not political. How was Jesus a hypocrite? You said it. We're you comparing Neil to Christ? Come on man.

 
At 12/12/2013 10:45:00 PM, Blogger thrasher said...

@Jonathan - comparing NY & JC only to the extent that we've all been hypocrites, right?

 
At 12/13/2013 12:17:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Everything gets old and dies. People, stars, planets. Get over it. A lot of you around here think way to much of yourselves, Neil included at times.

The only thing that's going to piss me off is if Crazy Horse comes back next summer and plays the same damn setlist.

War is over
If you want it

Negative Man

 
At 12/17/2013 10:05:00 AM, Blogger bimaadziwin nongom said...

I have not taken the time to read all the comments here, but many are being critical of Neil, questioning his intent with his raising awareness of the harmful consequences of using tar sands as a fuel source. Others attacking his carbon footprint, implying that he is not nearly green enough to have credibility. Do what you want with your energy, but its counter productive to your own goals. You folks would rather be seen as the greenest and smartest and bash an effort, that has a potential to be critical. Exercise a little humility and look at the consequences of your poopy attitude to the effort. peace

 
At 12/17/2013 10:15:00 AM, Blogger thrasher said...

Thanks bimaadziwin nongom. Well put.

Sometimes perfect is the enemy of the good.

It would seem that Neil's good intentions infuriate those after perfection.

onward

 
At 1/16/2014 12:29:00 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Some of you are acting like Neil has come out and said 'I'm the greenest man on the planet'. He hasn't... Sure he had a smart aleck comment about how 'rock stars don't need oil' to counter the PMO's smart aleck comment. The point is that Neil, aside from directly supporting the first nation people, is pushing for cleaner, more sustainable energy (and has backed that up by doing a lot more about it than most). But that being said, he still lives in the same world that we all live in. The culture/society that we all live in is set up so that oil consumption, to a very large degree, is absolutely necessary. As many of you have stated, oil is used in the production of almost everything. So stop getting hung up on how large Neil's carbon footprint may or may not be. I guarantee it's a lot smaller than others in his profession (you can't compare a man with this type of occupation to the average Joe). Horse and buggy is obviously not an option here. It would be like telling someone from China that they should stop breathing if they're not happy with their air quality.

 

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