Excellent points Billy. The same thoughtfulness and logic that drew me to your music originally back in the 80's continues to keep me engaged in politics and community concerns for justice all these years later. It's a shame that there aren't more voices like yours out there.
Well said, thank you. I appreciate and agree with your thoughtful essay here. I did smile at this line, though: “This clarification will save a lot of time both for those people who have convinced themselves that I don’t support the band or recognise Israel’s genocidal behaviour….” This should be true, but people get so dug in there’s often no convincing them.
THANK you Mr Billy Bragg. I enjoyed reading that - not least because you’ve taken time to explain your nuanced reasoning instead of throwing out tired soundbites as is so often the case (not your case obviously). My takeaway is that freedom of expression / opinion about contentious political issues is paramount, UNLESS it would potentially be detrimental to the just cause of the greater good in the longer term. Discretion then being the better part of valour. Principles over expediency. If I’ve misrepresented your meaning, my apologies.
Well said Billy - you’ve obviously put much thought into your position.
The internet is great for blasting people we don’t agree with or perhaps aren’t virtuous enough.
What we SHOULD be doing is uniting under the core values/principles we agree on, not tripping up on the nuanced positions some allies may be taking .
Excellent points Billy. The same thoughtfulness and logic that drew me to your music originally back in the 80's continues to keep me engaged in politics and community concerns for justice all these years later. It's a shame that there aren't more voices like yours out there.
Well said, thank you. I appreciate and agree with your thoughtful essay here. I did smile at this line, though: “This clarification will save a lot of time both for those people who have convinced themselves that I don’t support the band or recognise Israel’s genocidal behaviour….” This should be true, but people get so dug in there’s often no convincing them.
They really shoulda hung that Picasso guy for Guernica, right? 🙄
THANK you Mr Billy Bragg. I enjoyed reading that - not least because you’ve taken time to explain your nuanced reasoning instead of throwing out tired soundbites as is so often the case (not your case obviously). My takeaway is that freedom of expression / opinion about contentious political issues is paramount, UNLESS it would potentially be detrimental to the just cause of the greater good in the longer term. Discretion then being the better part of valour. Principles over expediency. If I’ve misrepresented your meaning, my apologies.
George.
As usual who have thought deeper than most. Thanks.