Gangster Rap Video on RonPaul2008.com TOTALLY Inappropriate for Presidential Campaign

[ItsTime]

wow I find this thread offensive and rather racist

 

[speciallyblend]

im 40 sorry not offensive ,what i find offensive is this whole thread and the post,

 

[WilliamC]

While I am too old to appreciate rap music this video is not vulgar or offensive to me.

 

[itsnobody]

Please read my two points in the original post. THAT'S what's wrong with this video.

Younger people just don't realize how offensive this type of music is to middle-aged or older Americans for the most part.

And then there's the slam against U.S. soldiers. TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE.

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Your points are simply racist stereotypes, there is no mention of hoes or b*tches at all, the "little soldiers" thing is nitpicking

 

[Wayne Hammond]

Your first point is founded on a ridiculous stereotype. Not all rap is vulgar. Believe it or not, there are positive rappers out there. Regardless, this rap song is not vulgar and demeaning in itself, so your point is a moot one.

AM I AM DEEPLY OFFENDED that they use the term "Little Soldier" in this video. That term "LITTLE SOLDIER" was used on Vietnam Vets and honorable servicemen returning from southeast Asia in the 60's and 70's. It was used to DEMEAN THEM. What don't you understand about that??!?

Get that through your head. It's not just about the stupid music, although that is part of it.

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[AdoubleR]

I am somewhat upset that the official campaign has chosen to spotlight the "gangster rap" music video "Rise, Consise, Krookid -Ron Paul 2008 - Original music vid" in their "Daily Updates" section of the www.RonPaul2008.com website.

First of all, in the minds of many Americans, this kind of rap music is associated with vulgar potty-mouth violent young street thugs who treat women like property, and refer to them as "hoes" and "b*tches". While that type of language is not in this particular video, that is the image that comes to the minds of many people when they watch this type of trash music.

Second, I am offended that in this video, it refers to servicemen & women as "little soldiers". For anyone in the military, the term "little soldier" is very derogatory and demeaning. The term itself suggests that a "little soldier" is like a child in their understanding of issues - and only pawns who do whatever their "masters" tell them. It is the equivalent of patting a soldier on the head and saying, "you poor little child - you really don't know what's going on". If you were to call a U.S. serviceman a "little soldier" to his face, he would likely punch your lights out.

Athough this video may be used to reach a certain element within the younger crowd and perhaps can be used by the grassroots, it should not be promoted by the official campaign. If we are trying to reach the conservative Republican base, this video will lose us more votes than most realize.

If you believe as I do, please go to the link below and contact the Official Campaign to let your opinions be known on this.

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/contact/form

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Please re-search the history of Hip-Hop, before it was hi-jacked by commercialization... It isn't all bad, its just that the Paris Hilton Loving type media always piont to the empty, shallow and stupid mainstream hip-hop... There is a lot of good rap that talks about politics and life in a deeper manner in general...

As for calling the soldiers little? They are little... Little brains not heart that is... I had this conversation with a bunch of off duty soldiers in a Dubai night-club... I told them that they were mercenaries working for a paycheck without realising it... When Ron Paul is in office, the integrity of the armed forces will be put back into shape... Until then, they are just bodyguards/henchmen/strongmen for a bunch coward neo-cons...

 

[Dave Pedersen]

I absolutely despise.. loathe.. rap music. But I do know it is very popular among many young people. It seems to me with all the excellent vids out there placing this one front and center is yet another reason to question the judgment of the campaign.

I could not listen to even the first two minutes of that garbage. There were several good messages in it but.. well..

I am surprised the campaign would endorse this thing which talks about nefarious intent by the current and former administrations. I do not disagree with the vid about their intent but I am surprised HQ has sanctioned this assumption of people's intent. It is unlike the philosophy of Ron Paul to accuse anyone of what may be in their heart. I doubt Ron Paul has even listened to this video. Who could blame him?

I would like to see a transcript of the "lyrics". I bet much is said which is not consistent with the message thus far delivered by the candidate.

 

[itsnobody]

AM I AM DEEPLY OFFENDED that they use the term "Little Soldier" in this video. That term "LITTLE SOLDIER" was used on Vietnam Vets returning from honorable servicemen in returning from southeast Asia in the 60's and 70's. It was used to DEMEAN THEM. What don't you understand about that??!?

Get that through your head. It's not just about the stupid music, although that is part of it.

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While I disagree with you, I agree that it's unnecessary to have it on the front page and they should remove the link

 

[hambone1982]

I am somewhat upset that the official campaign has chosen to spotlight the "gangster rap" music video "Rise, Consise, Krookid -Ron Paul 2008 - Original music vid" in their "Daily Updates" section of the www.RonPaul2008.com website.

First of all, in the minds of many Americans, this kind of rap music is associated with vulgar potty-mouth violent young street thugs who treat women like property, and refer to them as "hoes" and "b*tches". While that type of language is not in this particular video, that is the image that comes to the minds of many people when they watch this type of trash music.

Second, I am offended that in this video, it refers to servicemen & women as "little soldiers". For anyone in the military, the term "little soldier" is very derogatory and demeaning. The term itself suggests that a "little soldier" is like a child in their understanding of issues - and only pawns who do whatever their "masters" tell them. It is the equivalent of patting a soldier on the head and saying, "you poor little child - you really don't know what's going on". If you were to call a U.S. serviceman a "little soldier" to his face, he would likely punch your lights out.

Athough this video may be used to reach a certain element within the younger crowd and perhaps can be used by the grassroots, it should not be promoted by the official campaign. If we are trying to reach the conservative Republican base, this video will lose us more votes than most realize.

If you believe as I do, please go to the link below and contact the Official Campaign to let your opinions be known on this.

http://www.ronpaul2008.com/contact/form

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I think you're WAY OFF. If people get the image of law-breaking gangster thugs when they listen to rap music, that is their prejudice and perhaps racist problem.

I happened to like the song and the video.

The "little soldiers" line was not offensive to me and I'm a Veteran.

Get off your high-horse!

 

[ProBlue33]

Ok am 39, and I am ok with it, I realize it's design, to get young people to look into Ron Paul.

And I say this with no disrespect or prejudice, but certain races in America could be less likely to vote for a conservative white male, this might at the very least draw some of there attention, with music whereas they would never have even looked at another GOP Texan.

And young people can be motivated to vote in the primaries if they beleive their vote can make a difference and a change, not to mention Ron Paul is there very best hope to avoid any possible future draft.

 

[mconder]

I think this post and the attention we are giving it is a lot more likely to cause a stir than the half a day or so it will be on the website. My suggestion is to quietly call the campaign and ask them to take it down if you are offended, then bury this post.

 

[Wayne Hammond]

As for calling the soldiers little? They are little... Little brains not heart that is... .

Yeah, way to win the military vote... tell them they are stupid. THAT is EXACTLY why this mention of "little soldiers" is so offensive to military people.

Unbelievable that you can't see that.

Also unbelievable is that some are calling ME racist, simply because I think rap music is offensive.

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[Vonhayek7]

Quit whining, the video was fine.

 

[Sey.Naci]

Am 57 years old and think the video and lyrics are clever and very well done - love the way the vid has been put together. Despite rap not being my usual choice, this vid I like and I can see nothing wrong with it's being included on the campaign site. In fact, the campaign's recognition of the quality of this vid is another demonstration of how different this campaign is from all the others: it's (dare I say this?) progressive!

 

[AdoubleR]

Yeah, way to win the military vote... tell them they are stupid. THAT is EXACTLY why this mention of "little soldiers" is so offensive to military people.

Unbelievable that you can't see that.

Also unbelievable is that some are calling ME racist, simply because I think rap music is offensive.

.

It might hurt a prostitute to tell her that her Pimp Daddy is a really bad guy and that she should find another line of work, but hey, someone's gotta tell her!!!

Wayne, I know you're a good person just like the rest of us so I don't think your racist and sorry if anyone else has labelled you as such... I just wanted to point out that perhaps you're slightly ignorant on Rap Music and have only been exposed to the worst of it... I myself used to be a rapper and then stopped rapping after growing out of the more ignorant type of rap and lifestyle... There still are however people who spread a positive message of love through rap music but never make it anywhere due to the fact that Rap has been hi-jacked by money hungry record labels who subsidize the dumbed down version of rap...

 

[MooCowzRock]

Not all rap is "gangster" though, thats what people arent getting. Not all rappers are like 50 Cent or DMX, etc. Just like not all Rock is about sex and drugs, etc.

See, what you guys are doing is stereotyping an entire genre of music. In no definition of "rap" is there "gangster." Some rap is gangster, and its absolutely repulsive. But there is a lot of good political rap, and rap that condemns gangster culture.

Now, while I agree that too many older people have this idea in their head that all rap supports gangster culture, I think any old person that watches this, while they might not necessarily like the music much, will find a new respect for it, considering the good and true message its got.

 

[mannycp]

the video and song was good, if you don't like it, that doesn't mean it can't be on the main page.

 

[Melissa]

well i think anyone that is bitching about this song go out and canvass your neighborhood then you dont have to watch the video and you can target the group you are so trying to protect. I am 34 dont like rap but think it is one of the best I have ever heard from that genre so chill and go do something else. My god you people are way to critical of too much shit get a life and go hold a sign.

 

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

what's "gangster" about this rap?

lol. No kidding. That's not gangster rap. Hell, it's MILD. Kinda dumb, really.

TO THE OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN:

You cannot target younger voters with this. Only we, the grassroots, can target younger voters effectively.

So stop it. Aim for older voters.

If that's what this is meant to be, I have to agree.

I absolutely despise.. loathe.. rap music. But I do know it is very popular among many young people.

This wouldn't be. Pretty lame. There are plenty of things out there that are more artistically honest.

Ok am 39, and I am ok with it, I realize it's design, to get young people to look into Ron Paul.

It won't do that. The space could be better used, imo. There are plenty of better videos out there if they really want a video. That video on the page is like having grandpa tell you how he loves the Slayer and the Rage Against the Machine you listen to, and then trying to give you a Christian Rock Greats cd.

 

[philipsantamaria]

Wayne Hammond wants to live in a country where gangsta rap...or in his mind...all hip hop...should never be associated with politics. Why did rap start again?... did it not explode into the mainstream when it became a social commentary? Don't those forms of rap exist today?

Wayne Hammond has limited knowledge about Hip Hop which is why he refers to Wikipedia articles.

I can understand how someone doesn't like a style of music, or dislikes it so much that they don't even refer to it as music...that's fine...taste is subjective.

But don't generalize a genre just because some people who are rappers are obscene. This is like labeling all of us TIN FOIL CONSPIRACY THEORISTS because we think suicide terrorism is a reaction instead of an action.