BoomerGirl Diary

First up, Jackson Browne is hopping mad and suing John McCain for copyright infringement. It seems that Jackson’s song “Runnin’ on Empty” has turned up in a McCain campaign ad, which is blasting Barrack Obama. This truly upsets Jackson since he has always been an outspoken, committed, and passionate liberal. “The use of this song falsely creates a perception that he endorses the Arizona senator's campaign,” says Eonline News.

The McCain camp has put the blame on the Ohio Republican Party, but Jackson’s attorney isn’t buying it. “We have sued the Ohio Republican Party as well, and we have been informed and believe that McCain and his campaign were well aware of the ad,” Lawrence Iser told the Los Angeles Times 'Top of the Ticket' blog. (What about the "I approve this message" bit?)

And Jackson isn’t the only one irritated with the McCain campaign. Mike Myers recently asked that they remove the ‘We’re not worthy,’ clip from his film, Wayne’s World, from another ad about Obama. And John Mellencamp did the same thing earlier this year by asking McCain to not use his songs, “Pink Houses” and “Our Country” at their events.

I’m really surprised that McCain’s people don’t realize they are trying to use clips from out and out freethinking liberals here? Hello…. To say nothing of the infringement aspects.

A similar thing happened years ago when Reagan tried using Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” during his campaign. I don’t think I have to tell you what Bruce thought of that.

The only rocker who is well known for his conservative views in a mostly liberal industry is the equally outspoken Ted Nugent. Ted is a board member of the NRA, has a camp to teach kids how to shoot game with a crossbow, and very often speaks his mind on the subject of politics, the military, animal activism and is a spokesperson for DARE. He has also shown an interest in running for political office.

So why doesn’t McCain use a song by Ted Nugent, you might ask? I don't think Ted has written the kinds of songs he could use and Ted is actually ‘no fan’ of John McCain. He has been quoted as saying, “John McCain seem[s] to be catering to a growing segment of soulless Americans who could care less what they can do for their country, but whine louder and louder about what their country must do for them. That is both un-American and pathetic.” Ted supported Mike Huckabee through the primaries.

So, there you have it. It seems there is never a dull moment in the world of rock and roll.

Here’s a youtube presentation of Jackson and Bonnie Raitt at a John Edwards (oops) event this past year. Enjoy them doing this great song, “World In Motion.” (And then check out the other clips shown below that clip, especially the news clip of Jackson and Bonnie and John Edwards speaking about the political atmosphere.)

Until next time, rock on and be excellent to each other… Penny