Why are you against President Bush

FLAT EARTH SOCIETY

Here is a POLITICAL interview with Flat Earth Society's Scott. He gets the full Wasteland vote of respect for his honest and direct answers
to these difficult questions. Enjoy!

WL: Why are you against President Bush?

Scott- The major issue I have is about free speech. It seems Bush is going out of his way to please the religious right ever since the super bowl half-time show by coming down on people like Howard Stern. It's Bush's people running the show, Michael Powell and the rest of these nuts are too busy worrying about fart jokes when we have troops stuck in a world of shit. We the people make shows like Stern #1, that's the people voice! But really this isn't about Howard Stern, it's about how the government is selectively enforcing their "values and beliefs". Stern has been doing the same show for years, only now when he support John Kerry do the fines start to pile up at a record high? This government runs itself like the mob imposing high fines, then screwing with companies ability to conduct business if they dare to ask for their day in court.

Also, the fact that the bush is opposed to stem cell research, gay marriage and abortion. Again, he's bowing to the beliefs of his "faith". I'm not saying he or anyone doesn't have the right to believe what they choose, but it appears he's almost a puppet to the church who in my opinion are the biggest hypocrites out there.

WL: Is the US waging wars on false pretenses? What wars are these?

Scott- I must admit I am an optimist who to a fault gives people the benefit of the doubt. I believe our government had solid information Iraq had WMD's, but waited too long to act. If you look into some of the countries that didn't support action (Russia and France), you'll find out they were making a ton of money off of Saddam. I also think if you feel someone is going to hit you, hit them first. Maybe Iraq wouldn't have the means to attack us directly, but they did harbor terrorists, help train them, and they'd be behind any action against us. Do you remember seeing the mural painted in the office of what would be the equivalent of the white house in Iraq? It was planes crashing into the burning twin towers. Coincidence? Saddam used WMD's against his people, the inspectors said there were weapons unaccounted for, and in 98 Clinton sent bombs over to destroy WMD's he "knew" Iraq had. We did just find 19 rockets armed with Sierran gas each capable of killing at least 5000 people. So there is some proof out there, although it may not be the "smoking gun" most of us wish to find. With that said, I'm not so sure the reasons for going to war (honest reasons) were laid out clearly enough to the American public. All the average person hears is that we went in to get the WMD's and now we didn't find any. And what we do find, takes a back seat in the media to the stories that grab bigger ratings. Politicians are great at mixing words, and often can backtrack and twist what they previously said to suit them at a later time. As said Mr.Clinton "I said I didn't have sexual relations, can you define sex"? Hu? What?

Scott- Are they? I don't think there is an objective journalist out there. They're all looking for an award by exposing something and ruining peoples lives. Selling papers, getting ratings! It's a joke how one channel is 100% pro bush, and the other has nothing good to say. It really makes me sick. Like they say, there's 3 sides to every story, yours, theirs and the truth. I listen to the radio overnight when I work. Half the time I listen to 770 wabc. You won't find a bigger cheerleader for Bush out there. I guess what you saying is that the majority of major media appears anti-bush. Well, I mentioned Clinton sending bombs to Iraq in 98, was that a bigger story than Monica Lewinski? My point is again, the media spews negativity to sell papers and get ratings. Bush just happens to be the man in charge right now. And if you want further proof of where the priorities lie with journalists just watch the news or read a paper. Top Story: Celebrities!, Death and scandal! A few later, "oh yeah, another few soldiers were killed in Iraq today". Simply Disgusting!

Scott- I pondered this question for a while. And I was ready to rip into the BS attitude of today's "punk rocker". But after further thought, I realized today's punk won't ever be like the punks of the past, nor will the punks of the future. I look at myself as an example, I live in Bergen County, NJ, an upper middle class suburb. Although my ideas and attitude may be "punk", what would the punks of 20 years ago think of me? Is it my fault when and where I was born? I remember being into Metal and having the punks hate me. Then I changed and opened my mind to different things like punk and Hardcore. Things I was never really exposed to. It takes time to find yourself. So how can we say that punks won't bother to vote? Granted, they are not the "outcasts of society" of the past, but this is their reality. The world of today is all they have to go on. So no matter what we think of them, it doesn't mean in the future they won't take the lessons they learn and put them to good use. And if the lessons today's punks are learning are, voting and actually making a difference, then I'd say it's good. Lets not forget, even though they are getting into the political system against bush, in the end, we all change and hopefully form our own opinions. What they should be taught is to look at both sides of the story and form an objective opinion. But then that wouldn't be American Politics now would it!

Scott- Not so much a better job, but a different job. I don't really see much difference in the 2 major parties. they both cater to special interests, just different ones. The reason I would vote for him, is to stop the onslaught of our rights the extreme religious republicans are forcing on us. And if you think that reason sucks, I'd agree. But that is what we're faced with today.

Scott- I like his views on the environment, but he seems pretty passive, and with the terrorism we have to deal with these days, I'm not so sure he be the better man for the job. Honestly, I don't know too much about him except that his wife is the famed PMRC madwomen Tipper Gore. And since I'm big on keeping free speech FREE, I'm not so sure I could back the husband of someone like that. You know what they say "you can judge a person by the company they keep."

Scott- I think it was executed wrong and not planned out very well for the post war. If your asking do I disagree with it overall, I'd have to say I'd lean towards no. Maybe we can't be the police to all the world, even though realistically we are, someone should step up and take charge. I'm not saying I have all the answers, it's just my opinion that Saddam is better behind bars. And if we are going to take the initiative to fight terror, I'd rather it be there and not in our streets like with Israel. A lot of what Iraq had we supplied them with to fight Iran. Other countries were more than happy to continue to arm them for the almighty dollar. So do we sit back and hope they stay in check? If not us then who? I will add however, I went to see Fahrenheit 911. I'm not a sheep who believes whatever I'm told, but they did raise a lot of questionable behind the scenes acts by this administration. Most telling, Bush said after laying out all the reasons for war and talking about Saddam, "He did try to kill my father". Revenge perhaps?

Scott- Anytime you give the government the power to look into private citizens business you can bet there's going to be abuse. I've always said, If you have nothing to hide, what do you care? But then you see the true face of how religious politicians start crossing the line of deciding what's decent and you see the slippery slope of letting them inside your private lives. There's talk going on now about regulating the Internet. This interview might be terminated and both of us tagged as "anti-American" in the near future. And if that sounds far fetched, look at the selective enforcement by the FCC right now. Going back to the whole Howard Stern thing, it seems they are trying to set the precedent. Like the late term abortion issue. A lot of people are pro abortion rights, but oppose late term abortion unless the woman's life is in danger. Yet, we have to oppose the legal ban on late term abortion because that's just one step closer taking away abortion rights all together. The patriot act can act as a stepping stone to even further invasion of our rights and privacy. I actually like the idea of the patriot act, but it's really hard to trust people once they get in power.

Scott- Never served. If it was 100% necessary for ground troops to protect our soil, I'd be there in a second. I don't think with today's technology and weapons that would ever be necessary. Who knows, maybe one day we'll have to fight our government.....

WL: The military is an all volunteer force, not draftees. They are professionals who have the job of killing the enemy and destroying military targets. What are your feelings on this? Is the military inherently evil?

Scott- evil? No, I wouldn't say that. I think there is a lot of honor in potentially putting your life at risk for others. I would guess the majority of soldiers join because they love this country and what it stands for. And by that I mean the good ideals that it stands for. It's the people in charge that take a good thing and screw it up. If it wasn't for the military we wouldn't be having this Q and A. i have the utmost respect for anyone who serves.

WL: "Kids under our country's legal drinking age are fighting overseas and dying." I got this statement form Rock Against Bush I think it is completely silly because #1 most punks drink well before the legal drinking age and #2 there is no draft, these guys signed up for military service. Do you think this statement is silly? Should there be an age restriction on military service?

Scott- When you look at it like that, yes, it's dumb. But common sense makes us ask, why is a person mature enough to kill and be killed, but not drink. Legally. You can't relate military service and civilian life. The military needs to mold soldiers mentally and physically, and 18 year old fits their needs better than a 21 year old. I'd bet if the military age was pushed to 21 there would be a huge drop in volunteers. And more 18-20 year olds led down a path of hopelessness. The military serves as a stepping block to education that most volunteers probably wouldn't have had. And lets face it, if you let 18-20 year olds legally drink, it wouldn't help anyone. Yes, they'll do it anyway, but we should at least make them have a hard time at it. Christ, when's the last time you had a conversation with someone that age? Do you want 100% of these kids juiced any time they desire? If they had the same style training they get in the military before they're allowed to drink, then I'd agree to let them. ha ha Did I even answer the question?

WL: "An estimated 60% of the 2003 graduates will have to move back in with their parents because of the lack of jobs." Ha ha ha Also form Rock Against Bush. Gimme a break! This is so fuckin' stupid. So at the same time they moan about unemployment, they would deny young people the chance of a military career, which in many cases is the gateway to a bright future. What do you think of that statement? Most punks I know, live at home as long as they can anyway, job or no job!

Scott- I agree, kids are in no rush to move out right after college. Not many can until they get a job and save some money. That statement is a self serving play on statistics. We're a country that has endured big corporate scandals which has led to stock market instability, an attack on our soil, and 2 wars. Sure the economy could be better, but I think we're doing O.K. in spite of it all. Plus, many Americans aren't concerned with getting a job. They're concerned with getting a "High Paying" job, doing very little and bitching about it. Everywhere I go stores have help wanted signs in the windows. And inside are miserable people taking it out on me that they have to work for a living. They're probably the people that got kicked out of their parents house and HAD to get a job.

Scott- I guess my last answer pretty much covered most of this. Most 13 year old punks will be 14 year old "whatever the next trend is" kids. Fat Wreck, that's the label by the NoFx guys who endlessly ripped on people who believe in animal rights, but now have their hand in the Peta comp CD? Interesting what money can do.

Scott- I'm uncomfortable that we "discovered" land that was inhabited and took it from the people who were here. As for the people who teach their young to hate American ideals and what we stand for, no. I understand that our government does tons of shady things to warrant the world to view us as evil. But, this is the reality we must face. I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to live here and take advantage of what I can. If I am hated for living free and we "must" fight to remain free, then I accept that others must die. I'm a big animal rights person and I can't understand how people can let animals needlessly suffer and be killed just so they can eat what they don't "have" to. So if my answer doesn't make sense, I can relate.

WL: Abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib or the beheading of Nick Berg, which is the more heinous act?

Scott- To a certain extent, all of us in the world. We all breed hate, we all put money and power ahead of peace. I know many in the middle east hate the USA. And only a fool would think that they hate us solely because they don't like the way we live. The US and many other countries around the globe make a practice of having illegal dealings, and building up countries only to knock them down when they get too big. I'm sure there are countless things that go on that the general public never hear of. I'm not saying we, the USA people are to blame for being who we are, but our government and it's actions bring on a lot of hatred around the world. So you couple the breeding of hateful children with the actions of government, throw in the natural instinct to hate whoever is on top, and you'll get the actions against us that did happen and will continue.

WL: Does Israel have the right to protect itself against Palestinian terrorists?

Scott- Sadly enough, I have never voted. I thought I registered for the last election and was told somehow my paperwork was not right. So this year will be my first major election. This kinda goes back to what I was saying earlier. People change, I was never interested in voting or politics years ago. Pretty much I had NO Faith in the process or the people. But as I get older I learn to appreciate what it means to have the right to vote and plan on taking full advantage of it. Ya see, no matter what a person thinks today, there is always room to grow and change. That is the main reason I wanted to be in a band. To help spread information and help people make better decisions. Even if the information isn't appreciated at that time, planting the seed is well worth it.