Will this be the end of Mr. Bright side?
I'm guessing not, but the athletic department is controversy averse.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:09 AM ^
I doubt it.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:37 AM ^
I mean its not like he pulled Putin or Shoigu up on the stage. Unless the Russian dude had a "Z" shirt or made pro-war comments on stage, I understand why Georgians would boo given that part of their country is still under Russian occupation but I don't see how this is a controversy in the U.S.
There is even a good chance the Russian moved to Georgia as a protest to the war (or at least to avoid having to fight).
By the way, I am 1000% supportive of Ukraine's fight against the full-scale communist invasion launched 18 months ago - maybe to the point of obsession. I have a lot of friends with family in Ukraine and I have sent money to Ukranian humanitarian and refugee causes. I am not outraged by this act at all.
August 16th, 2023 at 12:09 PM ^
This wasn't about the war in Ukraine. It was about the war in Georgia, 15 years ago. Since 2008, Russia has occupied 20% of Georgia's territory and has ethnically cleansed those regions of Georgian citizens.
Yes, it's offensive to go to a Georgian crowd and lecture them on how they should see Russians as their "brothers and sisters" right now.
August 16th, 2023 at 12:12 PM ^
yes, I get that. I specifically mentioned that in my post.
In addition, Georgia was under full Russian occupation from 1918-1991 as well (albeit for a significant chunk of time under a Georgian dictator, Stalin).
The "controversy" here in the U.S. would have more to do with the invasion of Ukraine.
August 16th, 2023 at 1:07 PM ^
Anyone offended by Russia's invasion of Ukraine should feel likewise for Georgia.
The 2008 war was Putin's trial run for Ukraine. He saw that the international community not only didn't put up much opposition but quickly forgot about it, to the point that Russia was even awarded the 2014 Olympics and 2018 World Cup. This marked the point where Russia became a rogue state.
For the Killers to be like, "Georgians, don't you get that this Russian guy wants to be your friend, peace and love brother!" ... the best spin on this is that they're yet another group of clueless Americans.
August 16th, 2023 at 1:15 PM ^
I am not justifying Russian occupation of northern Georgia. I believe that the new Communist block (Russia and China mainly) that is actively spreading their idealogy via economic and military pressure. They are seeing success where their predecessors (Mao and Stalin) failed.
They even have support in the West, including in the U.S. where both "wings" of the U.S. political system are openly supportive.
All that being said, what are you supposed to do, punish everyone who was born in Russia? Punish everyone with a Russian sounding name.
August 16th, 2023 at 1:23 PM ^
I agree with everything you're saying, but trying to turn this into a Cold War anti-communist rah rah thing is dumb. Russia is not communist; they're also not trying to push any ideology other than "We are relevant and want to become an empire again".
August 16th, 2023 at 1:37 PM ^
Dude - Russia, which is being run by the old KGB leadership, has literally teamed up with China under a "no-limits" partnership (which now includes Belarus and North Korea).
They are actually occupying / invading countries (Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine) and threatening to do more (Taiwan, Khazakhstan, etc...) but they are fomenting coups and revolutions all around the world - virtually unopposed. A Chinese takeover of Taiwan would trigger a global economic collapse as they would threaten to halt all semiconductor exports to "unfriendly" countries.
They are also buying politicians in the West (Orban is the most obvious but plenty in other countries including sympathizers in the U.S.).
The current situation is as dangerous and tense as anything that happened during the Cold War, if you don't see that, I don't know what to tell you.
August 16th, 2023 at 3:27 PM ^
They didn't refute any of that. They said Russian isn't a Communist state. I can't believe I still have to say this in 2023, but Communism and Authoritarianism are not synonyms.
August 16th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
Lots of things are communism. Social distancing, miscegenation, integrated schools, anti-lynching laws... the list goes on!
August 16th, 2023 at 3:46 PM ^
Lynching is murder which is already illegal.Any anti-lynching law is purely symbolic. I do agree that it is dumb to fight the passage of such laws. Symbolism does matter.
August 16th, 2023 at 3:43 PM ^
Technically yes. In reality they are.
August 16th, 2023 at 5:03 PM ^
So being run by a communist dictator doesn't make Russia communist? Trying to recreate the Soviet Union and Iron Curtain by military force doesn't warrant a comparison to Lenin and Stalin?
Putin and a small group of his cronies (officially or unofficially linked to the Russian gov't) fully control both the policy and assets of the country. Sounds pretty damn close to communism to me.
I mean we could argue the technicalities of their economic policy as they created a layer of oligarchs to funnel the money through instead of just taking it directly like they did in Soviet times but you are arguing on a paper structure and I am arguing on substance.
August 16th, 2023 at 5:42 PM ^
You're conflating communism with authoritarianism.
Functionally, Russia is no different than what many conservatives want the US to be: a dictator-led authoritarian theocracy that panders to corporations and the de facto state religion while using the apparatus of the state to suppress dissent and people they deem undesirable- Romani, immigrants, LGBTQ, protesters, labor organizers, journalists, etc.
August 18th, 2023 at 3:58 PM ^
Wait-Russia is a theocracy now too?
August 17th, 2023 at 8:02 AM ^
I honestly thought that UM grads would be smart enough not to believe everything they hear from the media. I have friends in Kazakhstan and what the western media is reporting is far from the truth about the Ukraine, that is being run by a comedian that was put there by the US government.
When the Soviet Union split there were many in Ukraine who opposed leaving. When they did, these people were sought out and killed for being Russian sympathizers. That has continued since the split happened. Russia has been telling Ukraine for years to cease or action would be taken, to no avail.
Then, the USA remove the former president and put in a puppet. Russia had warned Ukraine and the west that it would not tolerate NATO allowing Ukraine to join them and in doing so, put American Military bases on there doorstep. This isn't a secret. Ukraine meeting with NATO in an effort to join them was the final straw.
Now think back to the Cuban Missle Crisis. The Soviets did exactly the same thing only they were much quieter about it. How has the USA treated Cuba since? They didn't invade them, but had the Soviets not agreed to leave who knows what would have happened?
I think people forget the the MSM is a political weapon in the west and we never get the full stories about anything. We hear what they want us to hear and nothing more. Most of it is, at best, exaggerated and at worst, completely fabricated to push their poitical agendas.
August 18th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
I'm somewhat reluctant to engage on this, but your "truth about the Ukraine" is remarkably consistent with Russian propaganda, regardless of what your "friends in Kazakhstan" might think.
Consider your first example, where you claim that "many in Ukraine" who opposed leaving the U.S.S.R. "were sought out and killed for being Russian sympathizers." Even if this were widespread and systemic (which you seem to suggest), I urge you to consider your statement that "Russia has been telling Ukraine for years to cease or action would be taken." You're simply acknowledging that Russia was threatening for years to take action in a sovereign state in response to actions that, in your own example, occurred entirely within that state. This is problematic.
As to your "puppet" accusation, and putting aside the fact that Zelensky was elected with 70% of the popular vote (and on a unity platform to improve outreach to Russian-speaking Ukrainians, no less), he was elected in 2019. You think he was installed by Donald Trump?
Your "final straw" comment and weird comparison to the Cuban Missile Crisis (where, as you acknowledge, we never invaded, despite provocation quite unlike anything Ukraine ever did to Russia) suggest nothing other than bias. Something is only a "final straw" if you support the party issuing the ultimatum.
The MSM isn't perfect by any means but the reaction to media failings shouldn't be an uncritical embrace of enemy propaganda.
August 17th, 2023 at 2:39 PM ^
"They are seeing success where their predecessors (Mao and Stalin) failed."
Mao took Tibet and saved North Korea's ass, and the Soviet Union was a superpower under Stalin that dominated Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and had a lot of influence elsewhere like the Arab states.
Putin has fallen on his face hard in Ukraine. Ruble is currently tanking. Who knows if Ukraine can keep up the pressure, but you never know when Russia may hit its breaking point. I think people may think of it like their Vietnam, but they're suffering a lot of casualites, way more than they did in Afghanistan over a much longer period. China is super weak economically right now (housing crisis) and their prospects don't look great given their rapidly aging population. Authorities try to fudge the data but it looks like China's population is beginning its decline.
August 16th, 2023 at 6:50 PM ^
the full-scale communist invasion launched 18 months ago
I don't think anybody could reasonably call Putin's Russia "communist".
Edit: Oh, I see this correction has already been noted.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:11 AM ^
pretty ignorant stuff but not worth cancelling them over. I think he was just incredibly tone deaf while trying to do a nice thing
August 16th, 2023 at 9:31 AM ^
let's be real, not playing a song in Michigan Stadium is hardly "canceling".
August 16th, 2023 at 12:38 PM ^
oh great, now we HAVE to play them or the government of michigan stadium is suppressing their first amendment rights.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:13 AM ^
Do people still have a problem of separating the work and the artist?
August 16th, 2023 at 10:06 AM ^
When promoting the work gives the artist money, ethically separating the two is not so easy,
That said, reading the story merely shows he fell into tone-deaf platitudes followed by a quick apology. If there were actually some pro-Kremlin propaganda being repeated, screw him. But this doesn't look like that.
August 16th, 2023 at 10:50 AM ^
Logged in to say it's okay to dislike Mr. Brightside simply on its own merits.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:14 AM ^
I dislike Mr. Brightside because years of covering it has given me carpal tunnel in my left wrist.
Screw that song and whoever stumbled across that damned verse arpeggio. Lol
August 16th, 2023 at 11:51 AM ^
I’ve never used my left hand. I heard you get different sensations that way. I’m right handed and I always heard you would go blind from doing that but nobody ever mentioned carpal tunnel. But it makes complete sense. Also I watch videos when I’m doing that. I’m not into music/Killers like that but to each his own I guess 🤷🏼♂️
August 16th, 2023 at 12:13 PM ^
I always disliked that song ever since it came out. I'm a fan of The Killers in general, but they have a lot of songs that are much better IMO
August 16th, 2023 at 11:04 AM ^
Michael Jackson has entered the chat. He says, no, not at all.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:39 AM ^
Of course, why wouldn’t they?
August 16th, 2023 at 12:10 PM ^
My personal position is you can separate the art from the artist when the art doesn't speak to or celebrate the artist's moral failings; i.e. you can be a fan of Picasso or the coda to Layla, but I'm going to give you a TON of side-eye if you're a fan of R. Kelly's music or Leni Riefenstahl's movies (pretty low hanging fruit, admittedly)
That said, I could probably conjure up a half dozen examples off the top of my head where I would go against my own rule, so... yeah.
August 16th, 2023 at 1:00 PM ^
yup, right on. making a clean separation between someone like bill cosby or woody allen or louis CK from their work? i don't know, man. i can't do it. i'll never be able to go back to admiring bo schembechler, either. same thing.
August 16th, 2023 at 2:51 PM ^
Flowers has a history of doing stupid shit as the Killers' frontman, so this is only in line for him.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:13 AM ^
I hope so. This song is great for my alternative playlist but terrible as a football pump up song. Any excuse to replace it on gameday would be very much appreciated.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:18 AM ^
I label you as no fun
May Todd have mercy on your soul
August 16th, 2023 at 9:36 AM ^
I think the whole thing was an honest mistake and they weren't intentionally making any type of political statement on Russia-Georgia relations.
That being said, even though it came out when i was a freshman in hs and i loved it, I've always found this to be a very weird choice for a football pump up song.
August 16th, 2023 at 10:18 AM ^
I feel like it's more of this generation's sweet Caroline. Just fun to belt out. It'll get old and replaced with a pop song from today 15 years from now.
August 16th, 2023 at 11:49 AM ^
You have a point. Sweet Caroline is played everywhere, notwithstanding this:
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x692ix
If Neil Diamond can survive that, I guess The Killers can sleep soundly.
August 16th, 2023 at 5:07 PM ^
And yet the crowd clearly loves it, so...
August 16th, 2023 at 12:43 PM ^
Always seemed strange to me. It’s a song about being a jealous loser. Why is this fitting for game day pump-up?
Similarly, “living on a prayer” is also misplaced. Why do we want to shout about being in a situation so hopeless that literally divine intervention is our only chance of success?
August 16th, 2023 at 1:59 PM ^
Why did USC name themselves after a city that's claim to fame is for being duped and then sacked?
August 16th, 2023 at 6:37 PM ^
True. They could have named themselves after any other city in history, like Istanbul ... but not Constantinople.
Hey, I just thought of a new song to play on game days!
August 16th, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
Yes, please. But I'm old and never understood why this song ever became a gameday thing anyway.
I encourage the youth of the day to exercise their independence and the superiority of their view by canceling this post through the ever-effective means of electronic disapproval best known as the downvote. It will roundly chasten me for this ill-conceived and backward-thinking view.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:21 AM ^
Show me on the doll where the downvote hurt you
August 16th, 2023 at 9:23 AM ^
Yeah....downvotes are hurting me....lol
August 16th, 2023 at 9:24 AM ^
*points*
This was a fun exercise. I feel better. The song is still trash.
August 16th, 2023 at 1:42 PM ^
The song is not the greatest, but it isn't trash. It is a little catchy.
I am fairly neutral on this, but those above better leave fucking Neil Diamond alone.
August 16th, 2023 at 9:29 AM ^
Im in my late 30's, this music was my generation.... it just does absolutely nothing for the game experience. Its like playing GWAR at a 3 year old's bday party
August 16th, 2023 at 11:01 AM ^
I don't like the song myself, but I love when students interact with something organically and make it something special for them. That's how the great traditions start.
I remember a huge missed opportunity for the athletic department. I was at a game after I graduated in the student section. It was a pretty boring game, and we were all sitting down for the 3rd quarter, when an angel arose with a hot dog. "Who wants the hotdog?" was the true question. Students showed their love and gusto to earn this hotdog, before someone was anointed the hotdog. But then, to our surprise, another hotdog, and then another. Could there be more? Godamn right there were more. It was amazing.
He got kicked out by security for some reason. If I was a marketing guy, I would have grabbed him and crowned him official hot dog guy. And to come pick up 8-10 dogs for every 3rd quarter break to pass out to the crowd, and not let anyone know he wasn't fully responsible. And then create a mythical hotdog guy for every season to pass out. A man (or woman) of legend.
Anyways, sporting events are supposed to be fun, and these things (songs I don't like being belted out by 20,000 students and however many fans joining them) is fun. One of the main things to keep college sports different from professional sports is to let the students be fun and crazy and create their traditions.
August 16th, 2023 at 12:48 PM ^
I don't like the song myself, but I love when students interact with something organically and make it something special for them. That's how the great traditions start.
this, so much.
i've got bunions older than some of the students that will stay in the stadium just long enough to sing along with it. and i really don't care for the song, like at all. but man, i really love that they do it. i love how weird it is that it's a thing, and i love the joy that they clearly take from singing along with it. keep it.
but only if they set every copy of "sweet caroline" on fire at midfield someday. cause that thing sucks sawdust.