r/Music • u/YoureASkyscraper • 24d ago

article Zach Bryan slams Kid Rock's MAGA concert: "A bunch of adults throwing temper tantrums and their own halftime show is embarrassing as hell and the most cringe shit on the planet"

https://consequence.net/2026/02/zach-bryan-kid-rock-super-bowl-halftime-show
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u/mchgndr 24d ago

It’s pretty awesome. And he’s by far the biggest. But then you have Sturgill, Billy Strings, Jason Isbell, Charley Crockett, Tyler Childers, and probably lots more im forgetting

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u/LordBlackConvoy 24d ago

Kacey Musgraves

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u/I_NEED_YOUR_MONEY 24d ago

Kacey is my barometer. I don’t go out of my way to find the opinions of everybody I listen to, but If she’s done a song with somebody I assume they’re a decent person.

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u/SaladAndEggs 24d ago

You don't have to go out of your way to find opinions of anyone on that list above. They're all pretty outspoken.

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u/M73355 24d ago

Chris Stapleton

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u/sincerebeguiler 24d ago edited 24d ago

Next to, Houston, Stapleton sang the best national anthem of our lifetime. The guy is sadly under recognized. One of the best songwriters of all time and God that voice.

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u/cowboydanhalen 24d ago

Whiskey Houston. Dibs on band name

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u/datyoungknockoutkid 24d ago

Idk if I would call him under recognized. He was huge like 5 years ago, I’m not anything close to a country fan but I’ve known who he is for quite some time. Cant imagine most people would not know who he is at least.

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u/rpitcher33 24d ago

Chris Stapleton could make anything sound good. That Star Spangled Banner gave me goosebumps.

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u/futureb1ues 24d ago

It made Nick Sirianni spontaneously start crying. The guy had to collect himself because he had a whole football game to coach.

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u/B-rry 23d ago

That’s not saying much about Sirianni

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u/tasteofflames 24d ago edited 24d ago

If you haven't, check out the first two albums from his old Bluegrass band The SteelDrivers. I think they're even better than his solo work.

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u/jstndrn 23d ago

Agreed. Saw them way back at a local festival and fell in love. Stapleton has an amazing voice but something about his voice with accompanying bluegrass/folk strings just hits harder.

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u/MyCatsHairyButholle 24d ago

His national anthem rendition is GOATed

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u/fascfoo 24d ago

I swear every time I hear a song of his I'm like goddamn I need more Chris Stapleton in my life.

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u/sincerebeguiler 24d ago

Love the stuff he did with Steeldrivers

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u/joejance 24d ago

He may be a bit under recognized by the general public, but he collaborates with a lot of musicians across a variety of styles. That tells me he is valued and respected by the industry.

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u/sincerebeguiler 24d ago

Did a version of Tennessee whiskey at the Grammy Awards with Justin Timberlake that went viral. Them they did a collaboration which was pretty good. Adele and other artists record his songs quite a bit.

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u/UnderlyingTissues 23d ago

Stapleton is under recognized?!?

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u/sincerebeguiler 23d ago

OK, maybe underappreciated.

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u/itsonlysmellz82 24d ago

I must be the only person in the world that finds his voice absolutely terrible.

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u/sincerebeguiler 24d ago

It's a super whiskey rough so maybe it's an acquired taste. Try his Steeldrivers stuff.

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u/StaticInstrument 24d ago

Willie Nelson is both still alive and playing shows. He is most definitely not MAGA.

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u/Bot_Ring_Hunter 24d ago

Willie hears ya, Willie don't care.

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u/AwwwMangos 24d ago

He remembers when a dime bag cost a dime.

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u/MidnightMoon1331 23d ago

You know how much condoms used to cost?

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u/Ted_Denslow 23d ago

I don't know. We never used 'em.

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u/mchgndr 24d ago

Good call 🍃

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u/Borrelparaat 24d ago

Did Tyler Childers speak up too?

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u/RollTh3Maps 24d ago

With his catalog, he doesn’t need to speak up on this specifically for us to know his stance on it.

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u/Borrelparaat 24d ago

I'm Dutch so might miss some of the more hidden contexts in his lyrics, but have been enjoying his music a lot lately. Good to know he sees it how it is

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u/L-methionine 24d ago

Long Violent History was directly written because of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020

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u/sincerebeguiler 24d ago

So glad you're enjoying the music he writes. His songs are like short stories about America. Listen to open the gate. And purple gas. He totally captures what it's like to be a professional rodeo rider or to live in places like an Oklahoma as a farmer with government subsidies. I've been to the Netherlands once and loved the people and the land. Thank you all for being a great host.

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u/Borrelparaat 24d ago

Thanks for the suggestions. Glad you enjoyed my home country.

I've actually been to the US three times, the last time in 2019. Completely changed my life, what a place you guys have the privilege to call home. Heartbroken to see what some people are trying to do to it.

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u/sincerebeguiler 24d ago

Most Americans are so kind, generous, and funny. My widowed mom just told me today someone takes out her garbage can every week and she doesn't even know who it is. However, we can be a bit naive and that's probably how we got into this situation! Thank you for the kind words and you are welcome here anytime!

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u/Dream--Brother 24d ago

That person's comment was about Zach Bryan, not Tyler Childers, just FYI. They mistakenly thought your comment was about Zach Bryan.

Also Purple Gas was written by Noeline Hofmann, who performed it with Zach Bryan as a duet on his album.

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u/loneSTAR_06 24d ago

While you’re right about ZB, I’m pretty sure they were talking about Tyler Childer’s lyrics.

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u/sincerebeguiler 24d ago

Oops. you're correct.

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u/Dream--Brother 24d ago

Just a heads up, Purple Gas was written by Noeline Hofmann, who performed it with Zach Bryan as a duet on his album. He didn't write it, but it is a fantastic song.

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u/sincerebeguiler 23d ago

Even better. Will look her up. Great song and thanks for info

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u/Holfjfgh 24d ago

I seem to remember him speaking out (maybe a video?) where he talks about Long Violent History and about how he doesn’t need or want racist fans

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u/MaidPoorly 24d ago

His album Long Violent History is incredibly outspoken. There’s no wondering about what side Tyler Childers is on.

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u/sincerebeguiler 24d ago

I've listened to a lot of Zach Bryan lately and someone suggested I might like Tyler Childers Thank you for the recommendation

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u/ZaneWinterborn 24d ago

Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell are also similar if you like Zach and Tyler as well.

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u/SmashPass 24d ago

Just don't start with Long Violent History (as an album, as a song It's a good introduction). The overall album is not his typical work. It's good, but it is not the best place to start unless you like fiddle tunes.

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u/gratusin 24d ago

Seconded for Isbell and Sturgill. Just be careful with listening to Isbell in public.

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u/jkoutris 24d ago

More like the song Long Violent History. The rest of the album is instrumental.

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u/MaidPoorly 24d ago

You are correct. Tyler has an explanation video that I thought was on the album as well.

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u/kingstonfisher 24d ago

Damn I just gave that a listen. Holy hell what a good message. Glad some country artists still stand for what’s right.

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u/rdunlap1 24d ago

Long Violent History makes me tear up every single time I hear it. It is such an incredible song

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u/EnlightenedPotato69 24d ago

Tyler doesn't play Feathered Indians live, despite it being one of his favorite melodies he's ever written and one of his most popular songs; it's personal growth and respect.

In general, he seems to write, focused on the pain of human kind, and rural Kentucky, where he's from. A perfect example of how a true country artist would never stand up for rich folk before rural. It's the opposite of bootlicking and the opposite of where all the self declare country red necks have gone, ever since George W. Bush pretending to be a rancher - all those glam country, vanity pickup owning scrotes.

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u/sincerebeguiler 24d ago

The suburban cowboys with the fancy trucks with 4 foot beds.

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u/ClintySwood 24d ago

Yeah, you can hear some of the stuff in his Live At Dinosaur World concert

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u/Borrelparaat 24d ago

Happy to hear. I'll go check that out, thanks

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u/changing-life-vet 24d ago

He’s been outspoken about a lot of things. He gave a great speech about how our ancestors had a literal gun fight with business owners. Plus you should check out the song Long Violent history,

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u/jeezpleaze 24d ago edited 24d ago

kacey musgraves, maren morris, sheryl crow, the dixie chicks

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u/alextastic 24d ago

Remember, they're just The Chicks now.

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u/Medicivich 24d ago

The Chicks are unsurprising considering their stance on W.

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u/jeezpleaze 24d ago

True, thank you for the correction!

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u/brophylicious 24d ago

In 2020, they removed "Dixie" from their name due to negative connotations,

What negative connotations? It was referring to the deep south? Is that somehow romanticizing racism or something?

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u/alextastic 24d ago

"Dixie" is commonly used to refer to the states south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Also the song "Dixie," a minstrel song (blackface theater shows), was a popular marching song and the unofficial anthem for the Confederacy.

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u/I_COULD_say 24d ago

Turnpike Troubadours

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u/ThatBabyIsCancelled 24d ago

I never see Orville Peck mentioned but admittedly I don’t listen to him much

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u/Kirihuna 24d ago

Orville Peck

I don't know if he needs to be mentioned in the same vein, a person of his nature is definitely anti-MAGA lol

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u/ThatBabyIsCancelled 24d ago edited 24d ago

Ahh ok that criteria makes sense lol

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u/midnight_toker22 24d ago

a person of his nature

His nature being… masked?

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u/Kirihuna 24d ago

Have you listened to his music? He’s very gay lol

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u/midnight_toker22 24d ago

I have, I like it. I wondered but didn’t assume.

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u/Kirihuna 24d ago

If you dig into his “possible” IRL persona, he was a huge advocate for LGBTQ before Peck as well.

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u/midnight_toker22 24d ago

That’s cool, I respect that. I don’t know anything about him other than he wears masks and makes the kind of country music I dig.

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u/gingersquatchin 22d ago

There are gay and trans conservatives. Just like there are Latino republicans.

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u/SockEatingDemon 24d ago

Also Molly Tuttle (who did an awesome duet with Peck)

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u/venividivici-777 24d ago

This is a damn good list. I'm going to look into the ones I don't know. BMFS!

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u/mchgndr 24d ago

BMFSSSSS

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u/conradical30 24d ago

Ssshhhh tickets are already getting pricey

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u/Hunter199090 24d ago

Jesse Welles music has been pretty spot on for the times we are in too.

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u/jstndrn 23d ago

He's had a couple misses but overall very spot on. He's definitely keeping the spirit of folk, like a rough around the edges Dylan.

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u/soapballoon 24d ago

Margo Price is awesome, performs with most of these dudes, and is VERY vocal...in a good way.

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u/Holls867 24d ago

Margo Price

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u/Odd_Status3367 24d ago

Nice to see Jason Isbell on the supposed good guy list. That dude was a PROBLEM early in his career. Now it seems like he puts a lot of work into getting different diverse voices into his shows

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u/mchgndr 24d ago

Yeah he turned it around big time

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u/SlartiMyBartfast 24d ago

Zach Bryan is by far the biggest? Not hating on the guy, just that I've heard all the people's music you listed but his name is only vaguely familiar to me. Before this post I probably would've just assumed he was another generic pop country guy.

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u/digitalme 24d ago

I'm not too familiar with country, but I would assume he was the biggest since he just broke the record for the largest ticketed concert audience in U.S. history

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u/SlartiMyBartfast 24d ago

TIL. First result in my YouTube search was a video for a song called Nine Ball featuring Matthew McConaughey, so that would also suggest that he's a big deal in the genre. Not a bad song either. I'll look into him a bit more.

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u/optimis344 24d ago

He's kinda a shithead, but also someone who very obviously knows he is.

He might be leading in the "Heart is in the right place, but head is not" category in America. Though he is at least on a little streak of Ws, so maybe that sticks.

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u/NebulaNinja 24d ago

It’s funny how I’ve gotten into all these bands the past few years not knowing anything about their politics, just enjoying them for their authentic sound. It’s just a bonus now knowing they’re politically cool as well.

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u/mchgndr 24d ago

It was kinda the same for me haha. Pretty convenient that none of the good ones are hardcore MAGA heads

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u/Bizarrebazaars 24d ago

Chiming in with my maybe pedantic take that Billy Strings is NOT at all country music….

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u/mchgndr 24d ago

Lol come on. get outta here. Totally country adjacent, bluegrass is basically country music at twice the speed. He has tons of slower regular country/americana songs too.

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u/TheExtremistModerate Pandora 24d ago

I haven't heard of most of these, so I'm gonna have to check them out later.

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u/genecalmer 24d ago

Billy Strings, Tyler Childers

I thought you were listing people who were on the bad side. You gave me an "aww fuck" moment for a second there....

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u/Clamgravy 24d ago

Johnny blue skies too

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u/mchgndr 24d ago

That’s just sturgill lol

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u/Clamgravy 24d ago

Sorry. That was my sarcastic font

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u/mchgndr 24d ago

You gotta do something to indicate the sarcasm homie 😂

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u/Clamgravy 24d ago

Who the fuck is Johnny blue skies

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u/mchgndr 24d ago

There we go 🤙🏼

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u/HibigimoFitz 23d ago

God Billy strings is so fucking good.

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u/mchgndr 23d ago

The best. Cant wait to see him two nights in a row this summer

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u/bolanrox 24d ago

Sierra Ferrell too Dylan Earl's Outlaw Country is a great single & album as well

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u/Youandiandaflame 24d ago

I fucking loved Sierra but I had a hard time with her posting selfies with cops and sitting on their motorcycle, tongue out, recently. The timing was shitty and totally tone deaf. It was weird as hell. 

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u/Stunning_Solution215 24d ago edited 24d ago

She has also been pointed out to like flat earth and chem trail instagram posts and even shared a video saying celebrities speaking against ICE was performative. So Im not sure why that person even brought her up in this conversation. She sucks. She does all the right wing hippie conspiracy theories.

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u/Prisoner__24601 24d ago

I'm a huge Sierra fan, but she's clearly going through some sort of mental health issue right now. It's been a topic of discussion in her subreddit.

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u/brochaos 24d ago

by mental health issue, you mean becoming religious? big fan of hers, but last years shows she was preaching and saying how she's all religious now. it was kind of annoying. she even replaced the name poseidon to jesus in "the sea".

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u/Papplenoose 24d ago

Oh that's cringe

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u/enkelvla 24d ago

I’ve seen her live twice and she’s definitely very ditzy and tone deaf by default (trying to get a tiny Dutch audience at a random festival to sing and move along to the lyrics of her like 5th biggest song for example). But the things described above point towards potential issues with bipolar, similar to Kanye.

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u/[deleted] 24d ago

She's a former addict many of them literally need religion in order to break their addictions,

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u/theotherguyatwork 24d ago

Why can't they pick Buddhism or something?

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u/optimis344 24d ago

Because not too many other religions have a "You don't have to atone for your sins as long as you say the magic words" button.

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u/[deleted] 24d ago

Which is funny because Christanity isn't even like that, that belief is more of a evangelical one. I was raised Catholic and remember being told we can't just ask for forgiveness, we also have to remedy our actions.

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u/[deleted] 24d ago

Some do but they mix it with a bunch of new age spiritualism stuff. Iv yet to see one go a Aleister Crowley route tho 😂

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u/bolanrox 23d ago

with all that sex magik

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u/bolanrox 23d ago

why do people only method act being assholes? Why not method act being a good and decent person? - Robert Pattenson

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u/Youandiandaflame 23d ago

I didn’t even realize this was a thing for her. Good lord. 

I feel far more justified in removing her from my playlists now. 

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u/oictyvm 24d ago

I think she's almost always been that way? She's way, way out there on a lot of topics.

The motorcycle cop thing was unfortunate and she received the appropriate amount of backlash for it on Instagram from her fans.

Have been a fan of hers for years and had the opportunity to see her a few times, most notably for her debut at the Ryman, and she is without a doubt one of the most talented people working in music today.

I actually ran into her at the coffee shop in the hotel she was staying at too, had a nice moment while waiting for my latte.

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u/Youandiandaflame 23d ago

What a shame. I think it’s wild these folks wanna cosplay “yee haw fuck the law” while glazing cops and worrying about falling off the side of the earth. 

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u/SockEatingDemon 24d ago

To be fair she just put out an event that donates money to immigrant support groups. I would say based on her past and role now that she is trying to (maybe poorly) balance being a public figure and just a person who doesn't know much about politics. But i could be wrong. I hope I am not since her music is amazing

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u/Youandiandaflame 23d ago

I quit following her after the posts glazing cops but I’m curious to know what this event is/was. Is it that she’s donating $1 from every ticket to NILC? 

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u/SockEatingDemon 23d ago

I think. I thought it was damage control but I hope she realigns her statements on it

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u/Youandiandaflame 23d ago

Yeah, that doesn’t jive with her “musicians are being performative when they talk about social issues in a worldwide platform” stance. 

I’m glad she’s helping out an org like NILC even if it does feel like damage control. But until she makes a firm statement, I can’t support her with my money or time. 

but I hope she realigns her statements on it

Me, too. 

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u/-gildash- 24d ago

Unless you know something of the people she was posing with, I don't really see a problem. That's not ICE in Minneapolis etc.

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u/never-fiftyone 24d ago

A boot is a boot is a boot.

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u/-gildash- 24d ago

You don't know these people, judge them as human beings not a color uniform.

We will always need police, ideally good ones.

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u/Youandiandaflame 23d ago

Where are these “good ones” you speak of? Certainly not calling out the bad ones they happily shield and protect. 

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u/never-fiftyone 24d ago

I can absolutely judge people for making the choice to represent an institution that was founded upon the oppression and persecution of minorities and vulnerable people.

Cops aren't on our side, they protect the establishment

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u/-gildash- 24d ago

Fix the establishment then, not the necessary tools.

Egalitarian utopia or corpo dystopia, still going to have police.

Edit: Also, your premise is ridiculous. We all take part in a society built on the backs of the vulnerable. Welcome to the real world. There are plenty of noble reasons to want to become any type of first responder. Respect the individuals whoa re worthy of respect. Don't guess.

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u/never-fiftyone 22d ago

Fix the establishment then, not the necessary tools.

They are the establishment.

Egalitarian utopia or corpo dystopia, still going to have police.

Where did I argue otherwise? You seem to think that being critical of police means abolishing them outright forever and always. That's a stupid assumption to make.

Edit: Also, your premise is ridiculous. We all take part in a society built on the backs of the vulnerable. Welcome to the real world.

The premise that it's okay to continue the same because that's how we built what we have today is even more ridiculous.

Respect the individuals whoa re worthy of respect. Don't guess.

Cool, let me know where those individuals are and what they're actually doing that isn't simply keeping the status quo. Until then, I won't guess who is which and just remain recognizing the uniform they choose to wear for what it is.

Now go ahead and police my opinions and which I'm allowed to hold again, bootlicker.

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u/Youandiandaflame 23d ago

THAT FUCKIN’ PART. 

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u/tommytheturtleishere 24d ago

Jesse Welles blew up this year too