I knew rap music had a practicle use! Psychological warfare.

The funny thing is, or not so funny, the same thing is being done to our children but those who produce it call it "art".

It'd been funnier had they used jazz :) And that's a little heavy handed don't you think Kev?

Depends on your point of view, what you think "art" should be and are those who create it responsible, in some part, for what others do because of it.

I don't believe art has any responsibility except unto itself. It is no more "art's" responsibility whether a German philanthropist wins a nobel peace prize for being inspired by an impressionist's inks on a canvas, nor is it when a mexican revolutionary hears the inflammatory lyrics of a local band and decides to revolt against it's government. Art is simply art, for art's sake.

Art, my ass. If there wasn't good money to be made at it, you could count the total number of rappers on your hands and feet.

"Not that there's anything wrong with that."

Thus the same could be said about any artistic medium exalted in today's culture. Would Warhol have painted as much if he weren't collecting massive amounts of revenue for his? Or do you think Barishnikov danced for his health? Just because an artistic talent garners someone financial success does not lessen or demean the skill.

And I'd hazard to guess Gary believes he could sell a platinum album full of non-sensical lyrics.

Didn't Reagan Blast loud speakers over the Panama Canal at Manuel Noreiga, I think they were playing Mettalica Master of Puppets, correct me if anyone knows the answer. I think it was back in the 80's. I really don't know what to say about that previous stuff Mr. Utter but I believe you have been served my good person.

Actually they played AC/DC and Twisted Sister, together with Metallica to get Noriega to give up. Dee was rather amused to learn that his music was now a weapon of the army after Al "Censor" Gore got so upset with its content during the PMRC rating hearings.

Using rap as a weapon seems apt, especially considering how many rappers are in the American judicial system at any one time.

I really think that someone upstairs is purposely trying to upset me with the comments here today! Ok if you wanna mudsling then let's also play the warblings of Queen during gay-wedding marches, give North Korea a personalized copy of "Command and Conquer" for PC, and let's Viggo Mortgensen the new President because he was much better than Ahhhnuld was in in previous movies.
That sounds really apt to me (smirk)

Bottom line, commentary on the subject of rap should probably best be left to individuals who "actually" have some knowledge on the medium (You don't hear me going on and on about D.A.R.P.A. chiefs and Islamic faiths do you?). Whether you respect it or not is only a matter of opinion and personal preference.(kinda like the majority of views expressed here)But the knowledge of the subject matter is paramount.

"Wit is educated insolence."
-- Aristotle

What kind of CLUELESS ASSHOLE calls OUR troops, "storm troopers"?

Yet another bit of asinine stupidity from the camp of the leftie/liberal parasites...

Gee, sorry, Lysander. I didn't know there was a school to study up on how many ways to mix "bitch, nigger, hoe, fuck, and 'got my nine'," so we could "have some knowlege" of rap.

In theory, using alliteration and emphasis on rythm with words -instead of melody and rhyme- can produce a captivating effect.

In practice, 99% of rap is crap. Sorry to be the one to tell you... :)

But don't mind me, I think 90% of what passes for rock these days is crap, too. (but then, that's always been true)

we want a throwdown!!! Now that Gary and Casey have dissed Lysander, Lysander, instead of trying to write convoluted arguments, ought to just strap on his 9, and throwdown!!! Lets see who the other a ho bitch!!!! YO!!!

I don't see any harm in introducing our Arab guests to a little authentic American culture, in these times of emphasis of ethnic diversity. Because of political correctitude, rappers are the only Americans now permitted to glorify words and lyrics that identify themselves and their brothers as "niggers", their sisters and girl-friends as "ho's and bitches", their culminating desire in life endless fornication with no responsibility for consequences, or the right to carry a 9mm pistol with which to kill any actual or perceived enemy (police or civilian).

Besides, I bet a squad of the mighty Black P-Stone Nation could whip the asses of a small army of ragheads. So such as those people who fall into our hands as guests in graybar ought to listen carefully to the music of a Nation greater than theirs.

Arnold Harris
Mount Horeb WI

If we really wanted to torture the suspects, the CIA could play them the new Britney Spears CD( And no, the suspects can't look at the pictures in the CD booklet.)

Dean,

Are you that out of touch with music and modern culture to still call it "rap?" Hip-hop is the correct term for this genre of music. If you really want to punish foreigners with music, it's gotta be country western - the least desirable original American product.

Country music is so bad that it gives my ID card a headache. I still can't believe you called it "rap"...the preferred label is "hip-hop." Feel free to join us in the 21st century at your leisure.

Casey,

Try some Linkin Park, Radiohead, Howie Day just to name a few...there's alot of great music out there today, you just have to know where to find it. And stop sounding like an old fart. Put down the Bob Seger and step away from your camaro.

The Shatner has a new album out. I think this war just turned a corner.

Heh. We know the interrogation troops aren't serious yet. Just think of the alternatives:

1. oompah polka bands
2. Milli Vanilli and/or Vanilla Ice
3. MC Hammer
4. Plastic Ono
5. nails on chalkboard
6. John Tesh

5 minutes of any of the above at "make your brain ooze out of your ears" volume setting would make me confess to anything.

Hey... I like John Tesh. ::quickly ducks to avoid objects hurled his way::

It was Bush the elder who blasted Noriega with Mettalica while he was holed up in a church.

The story is that the Arabs being interrogated were just grateful that they weren't tortured with Blues. Word is at least one of them likes rap but they all hate the blues. Go figure.

Jane m,

What really got Noriega in trouble is the fact that he downloaded the music that was blasted in his direction and started to share it with cellmates in the pen. I say if you bombarded with music, you have every right to record that music and share it with whomever you wish.

Amen to that, Brother.

Tim, I have to point out that I've never owned any Seeger tapes (or CDs, or...), nor have I ever owned a Chevy, much less a Camaro. We're talkin' Chrysler/Dodge here, bunky. :))

Well, until I started buying Hondaa... Heh. (now on my first Accura)

But I'll still say that Frank Zappa pissing into a bowl makes better music than 99% of the crap coming out today.

A) Most of these kids are, well, kids. It used to be that it took years, maybe even 10 or more, to get nationwide attention. They had time to develop. Now someone gets snapped up at 20, and they have no time to master their art. And it shows.

B) Most of them have incestuous listening habits. For example, an alternative junkie might listen to alternative and grunge, but little else. Some of the great legends (Hendrix, for example, or the Stones) listened to a tremendous range, from classical, to country, to R&B (realR&B, not that crap today), to blues, and so on. You get much better music that way. Certainly you'll agree that someone who listens to nothing but Alabama, the Eagles, or Greenday will come up with crap, because the don't know any better. :)

BTW, I have stumbled upon what may actually be a music atrocity: William Shatner has recorded a new album.

"William Shatner has recorded a new album featuring a guest appearance by US punk legend Henry Rollins.

Shatner, who played Captain James T Kirk in the original TV series of Star Trek, has also enlisted Joe Jackson and US country star Brad Paisley to guest on the album.
The album will be produced by Ben Folds, leader of the Ben Folds Five, reports the New York Post.
Shatner is generally acknowledged as having recorded the worst ever version of a Beatles' song.
He released his spoken word cover of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds in 1968.

Story filed: 09:51 Tuesday 23rd December 2003"

Eeewwwwhhh...