Sour note sounded at the convention

Steve Hitsman · Post by **Steve Hitsman** » 3 Sep 2012 8:46 am

The solidarity of our steel guitar family has always seemed significant and a source of pride to me. Widely disparate political, religious, etc., attitudes, have always been ignored at the convention. Old hippies and hillbillies, agnostics, atheists, fundamentalists, liberals, conservatives, Republicans, Democrats... all shoulder-to-shoulder while in attendance and ignoring all social divisions and stratifications, mutually respectful and joined together in our appreciation of our instrument. Therefore, it's troubling when a performer uses the main stage as a political platform, expressing personal opinions and stating as fact a contention that is patently false. Even if I'm in agreement with the position or conviction, I feel that this is a bad precedent, especially considering the dwindling number of attendees. We don't need to unnecessarily turn marginalized people off and dissuade them from future attendance. Just my two cents worth.

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 3 Sep 2012 12:13 pm

Being as I was in the sound booth over 95% of the show, I am not sure what you are referring to being said on the stage.

Would you please either post or send me a private message?

Thanks,

George Rozak · Post by **George Rozak** » 3 Sep 2012 7:15 pm

I wouldn't go so far as to say that political and religious issues have always been ignored at the convention. I can think of many other instances where both have been referenced by players from the main stage over the past 41 years.

I'm fairly certain I know who and what you're referring to, and I certainly wouldn't call it a sour note or patently false. I sought him out afterwards, shook his hand, and thanked him for his sincerity, his honesty, and his patriotism. What he said came straight from the heart.

Johnny Cox · Post by **Johnny Cox** » 3 Sep 2012 7:32 pm

I think they still call that freedom of speech.

Bill Lowe · Post by **Bill Lowe** » 3 Sep 2012 7:45 pm

It worked for me...........

Joel Martin · Post by **Joel Martin** » 3 Sep 2012 10:02 pm

here is a picture of The President with his hand over his heart. There are hundreds on the internet just like it.
The President has also never said - that I can find- that the military shouldn't vote.
Ron played some amazing pedal steel, but his statements about Obama were not accurate.
We all love this country, our service men and veterans and want a great place to live.
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/IBcRdPHE ... rack+Obama

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 4 Sep 2012 1:10 am

Too many racist's out in the world,we need to focus on the future ,not the past.

Ransom Beers · Post by **Ransom Beers** » 4 Sep 2012 1:12 am

Johnny Cox wrote:I think they still call that freedom of speech.

Yes but there is a time & a place for it,I wasn't there so I can't comment only to say save the political stuff for the appropriate time & place.

Paul King · Post by **Paul King** » 4 Sep 2012 2:26 am

There is a time and place for such comments. I was not there so I have no idea what was said. When you have a mixed crowd of citizens it is just not the place to make comments about political views. One of the worst places is in church and I have seen that as well.

Bill Ferguson · Post by **Bill Ferguson** » 4 Sep 2012 4:18 am

Well, I was there. Did not catch it at the convention (I was very busy in the sound booth), but have since listened to the recording.

I don't often speak politics or religion in public, however, I am about to start.

I think that the citizens and Christians in this country need to start speaking out. I am tired of people trying to stomp the American way into the ground.

"Stand UP America"

Steve Hitsman · Post by **Steve Hitsman** » 4 Sep 2012 4:25 am

In posting this, my concern was not about whose position is right or wrong but rather about the universal appeal of the convention and the potential for marginalization of attendees with positions contrary to the majority. Since the post appears to have the potential of inciting a political pissing contest, perhaps it would be better to take this thread down.