Tom Morello Has A Message For Barack Obama

Musician/Activist Tom Morello (formerly of Rage Against the Machine) appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher last night with a pointed message for President Obama:

“Much like the President, I am half Kenyan. Like the President, I’m a Harvard graduate. Like the President, I’m from Illinois. And, like the President, I’ve been on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. I got a message for him. ‘Dude, it’s time to grow a pair. A lot of people who put you in office put you in office to fight for them; to fight against the Tea Party; to fight against this bullshit in Congress; to fight against those sons of bitches who are attacking the working class and the poor in this country.’ And he hasn’t done any of it.

At the same time, I’m not waiting for him. I’m with the people in Madison. I’m with the people who are occupying Wall Street. That’s what my music’s about. When progressive, radical or even revolutionary changes happen in this country, it’s come from below. When women got the right to vote, when lunch counters were desegregated, it was people you do not read about in history books who stood up in their place and their time for what they believe.”

Well said, Tom. And just to prove that this inspirational people’s advocate is also a radical shredder, listen to this rendition of “The Ghost of Tom Joad” with Bruce Springsteen:

[Update: 10/16/11] Tom showed up at OccupyWallStreet and answered a reporter’s question challenging his role as a political spokesman saying…

Tom Morello: When you pick up a guitar you don’t put down your first amendment rights. And I don’t think that you have to be a Harvard graduate in political science to comment on political matters. But I am a Harvard graduate in political science.”

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4 thoughts on “Tom Morello Has A Message For Barack Obama

  1. Springsteen’s intro to the song was pretty awesome too:

    “If you pick up the newspapers you see millions of people out of work. You see a blood fight over decent health care for our citizens. And you see people struggling to hold on to their homes. If Woody Guthrie were alive today he’d have a lot to write about. High times on Wall Street and hard times on Main Street.”

  2. Yes, who needs votes in Congress or the Democratic process? Just fight!! Or something.

  3. Obama is the best we got! I think that is pretty damn good. Look at the neandrathals in the republican party compared to him. He needs to fight harder for the average person and I think we are going to see that in 2012. Nothing will get done next year because of republicans. Make the election about this bunch of “do nothings” get Obama reelected, kick out the tea baggers and move forward.

    • To be clear, I would not suggest that anyone abandon the President and vote Republican. But I do think that we can make sure our voices heard and make sure that he knows we want more done on behalf of the people.

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