Anonymous wrote:It is a song. Since the dawn of music, songs have dealt with controversial topics. If you read comments by the artists, they talk about how the song was meant to get people thinking about the topic in general, not Columbine specifically and was never intended to glorify.
Have any of you listened to country music lately? That has some of the most violent and abusive lyrics I've ever heard.
Anonymous wrote:NP here. This is part of what makes good music, people. It is controversial. We can pretend Columbine didn't happen - but really, a song about it doesn't mean it "happened more" or "happened less".
"Mondays", PPs reference is very similar but didn't have everyone in an uproar because media was very different then (obviously). We had real time coverage of teens running to safety in CO.
The Smiths, different PPs reference paralells in that there is cheery music set to "Girlfriend in a Coma". Almost makes you wonder if the "right" lyrics are right.
Either way, like it or not, it is a catchy piece of music. If you don't like it, change the station. Hell, we probably won't even have mainstream radio or network t.v. for that matter, in a few years. Then you will have bigger matters to address. Right? Right?
meant 'lauding' in the first line.Anonymous wrote:First of all, I kind of doubt Foster the People are launding the act they're singing about, but even if they were, what disturbs you more? The song or the event the song is about? Is it a bad song because it makes you think about something you don't want to think about? Isn't that what art is about-to make you think? If it ellicits a discussion between you and your children, is that bad, wrong, uncomfortable or possibly necessary? Is it possible that if Dylan Klybold and Eric Harris's parents had talked to their kids more about uncomfortable topics, Columbine might never have occurred?
Anonymous wrote:not as bad as them singing along to rihannas Rude Boy

Anonymous wrote:You all sound so blase about this. But when this actually happens at your kids' school, and children are killed, and everyone is saying "how could this happen" - well, our cultural standards, our laxity about what we consider acceptable, are all part of it. It is all part of the equation, and we are all responsible for this. It is NOT just a song - don't be so stupid.
In college, sure, I can along to "bitches in my living room, getting it on" and was sort of uncomfortable, but "you better outrun my gun" - sorry. That is completely insane.
Anonymous wrote:I think the 1st Amendment is one of the very best things about the United States, I honestly do. As a reporter, then a lawyer, and a plain old citizen. I donate money to groups like the Reporters Cmte. for Freedom of the Press.
I would fight in court to protect Foster The People's right to keep writing songs about killing classmates and their father.
-BUT-
the PPs who are saying Oh grow up, it's Only Music!!! It's harmless!!! are being disingenuous WRT to kids. In fact, you probably ARE kids yourselves, now that I think about it. Either way, you're naive, young, or just flat out stupid to imagine that media messages have no impact on young brains, in the aggregate.[/quote]
I have to agree.
When UR takes the place of you are in essays, it's hard to "unteach" some bad habits.