lezama said:

Truest thing said here. Remember, this wasn't a quote that Prince gave to a reporter to explain the video, this was one sentence Prince said in a "long conversation" with the director about the political situation in the world.

Before we give in to the temptation to overanalyze this one sentence as Prince's view on terrorism ("Prince is obviously overlooking this" or "Prince doesn't see that"), remember this was a small part of a long conversation that we aren't privy to.


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[Edited 10/4/04 11:45am]

Wow... such interesting banter... you gotta' love that. It sounds like most of us are picking up pieces of this puzzle P has laid before us, but I don't think there is 1 complete answer everyone can agree upon. Your own perception is just that... Yours. It's not about physical manifestation, it's a mental thing. Your toaster is not a pc, but the way you "think" can determine how you live and how you treat others. Terrorists are real, no doubt about it... we can't just "imagine" them being something else and magically that is what they become. But, it's not right to look at any person from middle eastern descent and "assume" that individual is a terrorist.

Personally, I think the song is pretty lame and the video doesn't do much for me, either. I am very happy to see so much communication stemming from it, though, and for that reason I hope it gets heavy rotation on all the music vid channels.

HisRoyalBadness07 said:

The question is if our own soldiers are terrorists. Many people on the world see them that way.

I'm not saying they are, but it's not like our soldiers are good guys and terrorists are bad guys.

You seem not to be aware that America is a dangerous, aggressive nation in the eyes of some millions of people. The west is keeping some Arab dictators in the saddle while removing others that they find "threatening" (i.e. not obedient). The US and it's allies (among who is my country) are sending their countries into chaos.
10.000 Iraqis were killed in a war that feels a lot like a very unthoughtful and unjustified revenge for an attack by Bin Laden.

It may be tough to realize, but what you call terrorists, are soldiers in other people's view.

And there's no point in saying who's right because that would bring only more agression, so there's little choice but to see it as a matter of labeling.

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[Edited 10/4/04 12:32pm]

Hooray for my home town!!
This is the third Prince article they've posted
this year. Good job Sun!

Xcellent video.

XxAxX said:

PRINCE IS AN ARTIST not a politician or priest. Don't expect him to say and do things TO GET ELECTED.
His simplicity is refreshing and point blank it's what he believes at that particular time. He's always been simplistic about religion and politics. Everyone knows that things aren't as black and white as his statements can be but if he sees it that way,,,SO WHAT??? Religion and politics hits search a nerve in some of you people that you get all up in arms about what's right or wrong to say.

Is he Right or Wrong????
Are you Right or Wrong????

Who CARES,,,RELAX.
[Edited 10/5/04 13:17pm]
[Edited 10/5/04 13:17pm]

jamaulredmond said:

ok. you make your point by denying me the right to make mine? i'm flattered i strike such a nerve in you, dear.

tell you what. i'll direct the next video and get it right

I was watching the movie Fahrenheit 911 and saw a scene that struck a nerve. It was the scene where the US troops kicked down a door in Iraq and conducted a "raid". The guys mother was screaming and it was very frightning for those involved.

Then I realized that the same thing happened to me .The police kicked down my door looking for drugs.These fools had the WRONG house !My wife & newborn daughter were upstairs in bed and I am on the floor trying to explain who I am.Luckily one of the guys there knew me as a teacher of CRIMINAL JUSTICE.Luckily I am in America where due process still resides (for the time being).These people will hate America forever.

This happens to Black people all the time and is the cause of many strained relationships between Black people and law enforcement.Many younger kids in poor and Black neighborhoods view the police the same way those Iraqis do our soldiers.As a result these young people will fall into gangs to battle the occuping army.Just as those Iraqis are doing now.

Terrorism is not an excuse to do violence and when you see this you realize the greatness of Ghandi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Terrorism is a tool being used by some unseen master to create a diversion to what is really going on.Another form of enslavement to those people.Evil men use any means they can to gain power & terrorism is a means to that ends.

muleFunk said:

MuleFunk, I realize that you were commenting on the video, but I just had to respond to something you stated. First, I'm so sorry for what happened to you in your own home, however, you and I both know that young people fall into gangs to make the fast buck. I have lived in the hood and all the gangbangers wanted to do was smoke herb and sell crack. Now, there were young people who were really trying to suceed. One young lady told me that this young man who was working in McDonalds was a sucker, and that she wouldn't be caught die working in Mickey D's. This young girl was just 14 years old. Life among these gangbangers isn't easy. I had to move to get peace. There was activity going on 24/7. So please miss me with this comparison between black youth viewing police the same way those Iraqis view American soldiers. Wrong is wrong and right is right. Yes, there has been terrible atrocious crimes carried out by Americans, but I just saw the news this week where a Brazilian youth gang were attacking tourist for their personal items and money. Yet, I barely saw any additional news coverage of the bags of food and medical supplies sent to Jamaica (from America) to help with the disaster that has hit the Bahamas. Let's be honest. People will try to justify them crimes...just my

jamaulredmond said:

I'm denying you anything,, we're on a message board. I was just saying that it's weird how people look at Prince like you would an elected official. Sure if those words came out of a senator , you may yell and say WTF. But it's coming from an musician, A musician that has been simple about religion and politics his whole career. A musican, that's said,

"If you like to fight you're a double drag fool."
"Is it silly no, when the rocket ship explodes and everybody still wants to fly"
"Love is god, God is Love".

And MANY MANY other simple things.

Some join gangs because that is the only way for them to survive.The system is turned against them even before they are born.Growing up in a small southern town the police just for fun would come into our neighborhood and use profanity or pull a Rodney King on us.

I do not excuse violence in any form however when you have a gun up to your head by "white" policemen calling you a nigger and the only thing you did was go to work and pay taxes.I can find a common thread with someone will band up with someone fighting a common enemy.

By the way this was not in the hood.This occured in a middle class "white" neighborhood.
Another thing, "white" families that lived in my neighborhood banded together 50 deep and marched into city hall demanding answers on my behalf.

muleFunk said:

So let me understand this, "Some join gangs because that is the only way for them to survive. The System is turned against them even before they are born" It is true that the odds are against us because of our color, however, an intelligent man like yourself knows that there were more African American who were called "nigger" years before, yet, these same innovators would roll over in their grades if they saw the deplorable way we have "kept hope alive". There were more African Americans attending college and going to industrial schools in the 1920s and 1930s than attend college today. Now, to be gangster rapper who think it is cool to tell how many niggas he offed is prized then receiving a college education or taking care of your responsibilities and being an example to the youth. I'm sorry, but, you know better. Ralph Bunche didn't make any excuses when he was called a nigger when he was trying to assist a peace agreement between Israel and Palentine. Booker T. Washington didn't make excuses when he fought for an Industrial College for African Americans. Miss me with this pathetic crap. Please don't say that black youth are like the Iraqi youth from the standpoint of fighting for freedom. There are other ways. You are a man who have decided to take responsibility for your family, some would rather make excuses about the "man" or the "system". YOU know as well as I do that we have had "Rodney King" ass whoopins since the beginning of time. But that still didn't stop The Tuskeegee Airmen, or Martin Luther King. All I'm saying is, these excuses has got to stop. Some hate on Prince because he has lasted for well over 25 years...he was disciplined enough to take responsible for his craft...everyone need to do the same. Peace.

jamaulredmond said:

you're right and i'm sorry i let my expectations get in the way. i was hoping for more but it ain't my place to tell prince what he should say. apologies

PurpleHouse said:[quote]fredericdoug said:[quote]
I completely agree that Prince's quote concerning terrorists is just stupid and simplistic.

and while we're all arguing about a quote that Prince makes, and only looking at people we think are terrorists because they come from the Middle East, a Canadian insurgent just blew up a school with herself in it.

We cannot look at a person and label them a terrorist or say that they are more likely than we are to commit a terrorist act until they've performed accordingly. End of subject on that one.

Prince is an artist, not a politician or priest. I've been a huge fan of Prince for over twenty years, however, he needs to keep his political views to himself. He once stated, "It's all about the music"...well, he should take his own advice and keep it to the music.
We're in the midst of a war like no other. People, including Prince fans, need to know this! Never has our "main land" of the United States been attacked! Not during World War I, not during World War II, not during the Vietnam or Korean War. Yet, on September 11, 2001 our "main land" was attacked! How soon do people forget!
Unfortunately, the attackers were Middle Eastern, so to state that the Government is unjustly focussing on people of Middle Eastern descent is ridiculous!
There are many Terrorist groups that desire to terminate the existance of the United States. With the spread of Nuclear Weapons, a problem that has been around prior to George W. Bush becoming president, we must acknowledge this very real threat! Prince is only aiding the enemy when he makes naive and frankly, immature comments about his views on terrorists and terrorism.
He needs to do what he does best, and that's making music. Don't get me wrong, I truly admire Prince, and his ability to create music. But that's the extent of it. And I'm sure he would agree with me, like he said "It's all about the music"!

Good song and video. Its unfortunate that it takes more controversy to elevate musicology again. I hope it works. I would like a #1 single.
I just get tired of his simple political meanderings.

purpledoveuk said:

That was alittle lame sir.

I would agree with DarkKnight1 on this one

James77703 said:

It's honestly a little naive to think that this ware is taking place in your homeland. It's taking place in Iraq, which is the home of the Iraqis.

It's also a little naive to think that focussing on Middle Eastern people will find you terrorists. Statistically, you might as well go for everyone wearing pants, since the terrorists were wearing pants.

Finally, you seem to understand little of politics. Both Bin Laden and the Bush government have the same basic motive: gain power and credibility in their home country.

Bin Laden wants a revolution against the current Middle Eastern royal families who are supported by the west. Bush, who I frankly consider a little immature in his thinking, is unwillingly helping him.

I don't know what was Saddams role in this, and neither does George Bush, and neither do you.

So maybe you better do what you do best, whatever that is. Instead of talking politics.

Or maybe not.

Maybe both music and this forum are good ways to *stop* doing what we do best for a while, and *stop* closing our eyes and leaving politics to the Bushes, Kerries, Husseins and Bin Ladens of our time?

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[Edited 10/13/04 6:41am]

LillianLaughs said:

Buddy, I'm an accountant with an MBA and I'm employed with a fortune 500 company. I bet you came come close to saying the same thing about yourself. Your comment about "we might as well go after people who wear pants" doesn't even make sense. Also, you mentioned that Bin Laden and Bush are similar because their both trying to gain credibility in their home country. Buddy, where have you been since September 11, 2001, Bin Laden no longer has a home country!
Iraq is a part of the war on terrorism, I don't doubt for a moment the concept of Iraq being a part of the overall problem is above you, thus I won't waste my time (and yours) explaining it.
Back to you silly comment about focussing on people of Middle Eastern descent. Unfortunately, who attacked us on September 11? Was it Italians? Was it Asians? No buddy, it was Middle Easterns. Also, who attacked the World Trade Centers in 1993? Was it Italians? Was it Asians? No buddy, it was Middle Easterns.
Who attacked the Cole (if you don't know what The Cole is, it's an AMERICAN Battleship)? Was it Italians? Was it Asians? No buddy, it was Middle Easterns! Wake up before its too late!

James77703 said:

It does. My point is that you make a generalization based on a way to small sample. And the consequence is that you consider millions of people a threat, while they aren't. Cinamon Girl is about what this does to some people's lives.


My point was that Bin Laden is fighting a propaganda war to increase his power among muslims, not a destruction war against the US. There is very little terrorist threat to US citizens who don't live close to a location with high symbolic value.

You're not very communicative. You probably work in the back office of this Fortune 500 accountancy?


More Americans were killed by Americans in that period than there were Americans killed by Middle Eastern people.
Meanwhile more Iraqis were killed by Americans than were killed by Iraqis.
Moreover, during the same time, Americans killed more Iraqis than muslims all over the world have killed Americans.

You're perfectly right in that there is a problem where all of the Middle East is involved, including Iraq. But the US and Europe are part of this problem just as well.

And no matter how serious this problem is - since the Civil War, America has never experienced a war in their home territory the way most of the world has.

Your country has every chance to bring peace in the world, and what does your government do?
Help some terrorist scum to bring panic in the hearts of well raised American Fortune 500 accountants.

Poor cinamon girl...

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[Edited 10/16/04 13:20pm]