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I apologize in advance if i get a bit wordy. '06 was my first bonnaroo, and i was very anxious about how I would be greeted. You see, I am a soldier and I had only been home from the war for a month before going to 'Roo. Bonnaroo, of course, is populated by a majority of anti-war hippies, and I am extremely pro-war. Being a soldier I have always been prone to fighting, and i was sure that the combination of intoxicated left-wingers and politicaly fueled music would cost me a trip to jail. I have several military tattos, and let's face it, it ain't hard to pick a soldier out at Bonnaroo. Boy was i wrong! within' minutes of being at 'Roo i realized how excepting everyone was. It was amazing. I had some of the most intelligent political conversations ever. Even though i didn't agree with most of the opinions expressed, I was overwhelmed with the honesty and the passion of everyone i talked to. 'Roo also expanded my musical horizons. Many artist who i now listen to (The Nightwatchman, Micheal Franti, ect.) are Extemely anti-war and sometimes even anti-soldiar but, I love the emotion in there songs and thier awareness of the world around them. i swear Tom Morello dosen't waste a single word in his songs. So, here is my question. I have come to love Bonnaroo and all things Bonnaroo, but how do you guys feel about sharing your festival with a soldier?
Hey man, welcome aboard. Eight year Army veteran here.
I do have to disagree with Micheal Franti being "anti-soldier". He is very anti-war, but he loves and supports the troops.
I do not find it at all surprising in what you found at the roo. The best people on the planet converge at roo every June! I cant think of anywhere on earth I would rather be on that hot June weekend!
I am thrilled to have a soldier share 'roo - I work for the VA Medical Center in Mississippi. not everyone supports the war - even the employees here - but we do support our troops. I am a USAF brat - my dad spent 32 years in the service. I love the military and everything it is about and what it stands for. Thank you for your efforts at protecting my freedom, my children's freedom and giving me the freedom to go to places like Bonnaroo! You are awesome!
first off, let me say 'Thank-you' for your service. while i may not agree with the way the war has been handled, i have nothing but the utmost respect for people in the service who are willing to make such huge sacrifices. i think most people who go to bonnaroo are going to enjoy the music and the wonderful people. most people aren't looking to get into politically charged battles or force their views on others. i for one welcome the opportunity to share the bonnaroo experience with the very people who faught to make such events possible. and when i see you at bonnaroo - i'll buy you a beer!
Nobody has to thank me, I get paid for what I do. But I'll never say no to a beer.
P.S. Can somebody tell me how to do that thing where the post you're responding to is displayed above your response, in a box. I'm new to this message board thing.
You sound like the kind of guy I'd have a great time hanging out with... Differences of political opinion, or no. You're gonna be there again this year, right?
Nobody has to thank me, I get paid for what I do. But I'll never say no to a beer.
P.S. Can somebody tell me how to do that thing where the post you're responding to is displayed above your response, in a box. I'm new to this message board thing.
you mean like this??
Look at the message you want to quote. In the upper right hand corner of that message is a button that says "quote". When you click that, it will take you to the reply screen with that persons quote already there for you.
Post by AintNoFreedom on Apr 25, 2007 10:10:00 GMT -5
I love this country. I hate the war.
I totally respect all soldiers, but feel like they've been used and misled (like all Americans). Just look at the Jessica Lynch/Pat Tillman story in the news right now...
Anyways... welcome, and keep on rockin' in the free world!
Oh, I'll be there! I'm actually meeting some old army buddies down there.
there are several military members on this board, joey, you're not the only one! One of the guys on here is actually using his R & R and coming from Iraq to go to roo.... i was a little apprehensive at first, being active duty and all, but the people here on inforoo are more than accepting! I LOVE THESE GUYS!!!! ;D ;D ;D
welcome to inforoo! karma for your post! GO NAVY!!!!
"White collar conservative flashin down the street, pointing that plastic finger at me, they all assume my kind will drop and die, but I'm gonna wave my freak flag high." Jimi Hendrix
One of my favorite things about 'Roo is the diversity in the audience, events, and music. You can find something new to do or somebody different to talk to every minute of each day.
I'm not a big fan of the war, I'll be honest, but I'm also not a fan of cows polluting our environment with their stinky methane releases. But what will be, will be.
I love sharing Roo with soldiers (marines, airmen and seamen, too!) Roo is all about being non-judgemental and open-minded. As long as that suits you, you're fine. We're all just "good people" once we get to Roo.
BTW, I am left wing and anti-war but I am also a vet (Army) as was my father, 5 brothers and my wife's brother just got out of the Marines. I also love good political discussions.
Post by flicky0urbic on Apr 25, 2007 11:51:29 GMT -5
Anti-war is one thing, but who the hell is anti-soldier? I'd be glad that someone that's going to war is gonna take a break and come enjoy bonnaroo. My cousin is in the army right now and he went with me in '04, and said that he wants to come this year. Plus if some stupid hippy gives you shiat, just whoop his ass and get outta there.
Karma to ya Joey. Former AF vet here and I can relate to your previous anxiety. Nothing like hanging out with a group of long haired hippies right out of basic (which I did in 1980) One of the best things I discovered about Roo last year was that virtually nobody judges anybody...we just kinda blend.
Post by easymorningrebel on Apr 25, 2007 12:02:11 GMT -5
what I love about bonnaroo is that it allows everyone to drop their labels and just party. You're not a soldier at roo, you're a person. I hope you understand what I mean, I'm not putting down your profession. You sound like a cool guy and here's to hoping we have many many more years of bonnaroo to celebrate!! cheers!
Nobody has to thank me, I get paid for what I do. But I'll never say no to a beer.
P.S. Can somebody tell me how to do that thing where the post you're responding to is displayed above your response, in a box. I'm new to this message board thing.
you mean like this??
Look at the message you want to quote. In the upper right hand corner of that message is a button that says "quote". When you click that, it will take you to the reply screen with that persons quote already there for you.
Post by unplugdacusticaz on Apr 25, 2007 12:42:57 GMT -5
Welcome to the board my friend! Thanks for risking your life everyday for the good of our country. You are a hero for doing what you do day in and day out! Just like the opinions above mine, I am not for war at all, unless it is absolutely necessary and there is no other logical way around it. But the troops can do no harm in my book! I hope to cross paths with you at Bonnaroo. There are VIP and GA inforoo campsites, so make sure to stop by and have a beer with us!
how do you guys feel about sharing your festival with a soldier?
well, you're not patrolling shakedown street with your rifle are you? running reconnaissance missions into BFE? providing counter-insurgency support in centeroo? what's that? RED TEAM GO, RED TEAM GO!! sorry i got carried away ;D
anyway, since you're probably not doing any of those things, wouldn't it be more appropriate to say we're sharing our festival with a human being? granted one could argue 'once a soldier, always a soldier' and i won't dispute that if you choose to you'll always have the mentality of a soldier, but otherwise you're no different from any of the rest of us man.
Maybe I'll throw myself to the dogs, but my back's not to the wall Maybe I'll lay some bricks for the man, but the days just aren't that long So if I settle back and chill will I see far enough to feel the angel's dream? I thought it was the Story of the World!
Post by megamaniac on Apr 25, 2007 16:00:04 GMT -5
NEW GUY HERE !!!
I am currently in Iraq and will be getting home the beginning of June and me and my girlfriend will be there. I cant wait to just free my mind and step forward and meet alot of new people. GO IA Navy !!!
Like everyone said, you're more than welcome here. One of the great things about the Roo community is the high level of tolerance that people hold for individuals of many stripes. I think I can understand your concern though: If I were to attend a Focus on the Family convention, or the Southern Baptists Annual Conference, I'd expect a lot of hostility for my views but...I may well be surprised and find that they were all as welcoming as Roosters.
As for Michael Franti - see if you can pick up a copy of his Langerado set from March this year. He gives a special shout-out to a C130 pilot who was just heading out for Iraq and the crowd gives the guy a very warm welcome.
Also, although some people are anti-war period (including myself), I think you'll find that the perception is exagerrated right now as so many folks are anti-this-particular-war-and-the-way-it-was-justified-and-being-conducted.
Post by fiveleavesleft on Apr 25, 2007 16:09:04 GMT -5
good post, I was wondering how people would react to me being right-wing. i enjoy any well-written music, even if it speaks directly against what I believe. however, i'm hopeing artists will keep political rants brief, cause it will get annoying if they go on for like 15 minutes about politics when they're at a music festival. (i wont care if they're music is political)
Please come and listen to Richard Thompson's set. He has a song called "Dad's Gonna Kill Me" ("Dad" here = "Baghdad") about the brutal experience of being a soldier in this war. I'd like to know whether it's accurate.
I'm a dyed-in-the-wool pacifist, and I don't have any problem with your being there. (This will be my first Roo, so I can't speak for the the festival as a whole.) Diversity is a good thing. Bless you for your sensitivity to these matters.
If I were to attend a Focus on the Family convention, or the Southern Baptists Annual Conference, I'd expect a lot of hostility for my views but...I may well be surprised and find that they were all as welcoming as Roosters.
I doubt very much that they would be as welcoming as Roosters. It is an unfortunate thing but, based on my perception, Christians are some of the most hate-filled and judgemental people on the planet!