Brazzil

It's always nice to take a break from the usual political back and forth that usually goes on on this site and read a succes story....

Well, I'll get political. It sucks that she did a USO tour. That is de facto support for the Bush Regime. I won't buy her music.

There she is entertaining the US invading troops in Iraq...and she claims that she is trying to make those faggot marines feel a little better!

How about the Iraquis....the US has murdered thousands of them so far. They are the ones in need of some compassion.

I hope that heifter will hear the sound of crying Iraqui babies in her sleep, while US aircraft is bombing their homes and killing their people.

She is nothing more than a GW Bush Operative. Shame on you, American wannabe!

Sounds like she was just trying to make someones live a little happier. I think the war sucks and Bush should be in jail, but come on now.

She is for US agression, and proudly admits supporting US troops in Iraq!

Shame on you, ugly lady.

Al Franken has done 4 USO tours. Does that make him a Bush operative too?

FUGLY

It looks like this site has quite a bit of politics within it. I don't know all that much about politics but I do know about music.

I think that some have missed the point of the text. Carla has introduced herself, her new recording project and some of her background.

'don't think she made any statement about POLITICS though!

Maybe it's true that she does have the most beautiful voice hands down (Maria wishes...) but more importantly, she is PROUDLY Brazilian and crafts her art with her heart.

Leave the politics to beggars and liers. Music is the only purity we still have.

Protect it!

She is actually very pretty and very talented. Congratulations to her. I posted a comment on her board about the USO tours and I see her reasons, as well as those of Al Franken and others who have done such tours, though it is problamatic to me personally. You are wrong to criticize so harshly and make it personal as well. Can you not debate the issue without resorting to such ugliness. You lose any sort of moral high ground you might have had (debatable) when you do that.

I just went to her message board and the discussion about "civil rights" is removed. How sad. I don't think she should be dodging the issue. I mean, if you're going to do the shows and put up pictures, stand up to the criticism, Carla.

If I was left to be criticized about my political stance, especially when those criticisms are not valid and extremely personal, I would shut the board down as well!

I'm all for constructive criticism, yet I don't see any of that in the prior posts...

To the person who wrote this natsy remark to Carla...you sound to me like you support ignorance and violence...I really regret having to give this any power, but feel moved to do so! Listen our troops who were mostly looking for a way out of a bad situation...trying to simply pay for college, signed a solemn covenant with the US government, risking their lives, willing to die to protect us...The Bush administration has not upheld their oath! They were tricked! Our brothers and sisters were put in harms way on the back of lies and deceit! So Carla brings her songs and soul to the battlefront...there is nothing political here! Music is a universal and healing language...Did you ever think that Love through music could overcome this violence and hatred? Carla brings her music to the troops for their sacrifice, this is her repayment, no matter what the circumstances...
This really pains me here...I came to this site to give support to Carla and her music...so can we please get on with the art? Carla's "FIRST" IS A HIT! I know a hit album, when you've played it over for the upteenth time...when the songs stay in your head all day....Put on your seatbelts Carla, you are about to be catipulted into the star that you are! Don't let this crap annoy you. I hate what these people say, but I suppose I have to defend their right to voice it? Carla you are a versatile and honest GENIUS! You Rock!

If the posts were of the quality above, I agree, shut it down. If they were as I saw them (four at the time including mine) there's no reason to hide.

what's going on here? I came to support a Carla Hassetts Cd? Looking forward to more tunes! Hey...I support the troops and NOT the mission...I support the Iraqi's...I am sure Carla, in listening to herheart felt songs does also...this is nonsense...this is how wars are started...can't even come to a nice little site and post something positive without this anger....sounds fishy to me...I loved the Cd Carla Hassett, wish there were more songs....

You all should know that Carla sang at the CLINTON inaugural and was personally greeted by him.

all I know is that Carla sounds like a feminist! I dig her music! First is really cool! My favorite is the cell phone song!

I am into dancing! Tao Legal is just beautiful! I don't know what it means, but like opera, you feel without knowing the language. Just Beautiful Miss Carla.
Please bring us some more!

I have been listening to this voice for YEARS! She's from McDonalds! I am so happy and exited to buy her CD! Barry Manilow started similar, stuck on bandaids. It is Carla Hassets time. Alleluyiah!

caro carla! Jesus e reis! Ele carregara pelo po deste po insignificante. Seua musica e honestidade levarao a estupidez! o amem. quebrado a meu ver a linguagem bem des lumbrante na terra. Amo o disco laser "PRIEMIERO" eu penso que voce sao o tao---belo dentro! Sei a beleza em voce a verdade reconhece verdade! E tao simples quanto isso!
Bravo a seu Priemeiro deixa isto ser a passagem ao sergundo o terceiro eo interminavel...God Abencoa-O Ame De Laura

A maxim in the advertisement industry, All publicity is good publicity. Don't run from controversy, it's the entertainer's gold. Work it baby!

This girl is AMAZING inside and out! Let us see Not real LOVe hit the charts man!
Carla is HOT! She is salsa and chili mixed with pinapple and mango!

When you say that “our troops are willing to die to protect us”… that is warping reality to the highest degree. The US government deception has worked on you. Carla, face the music… after all you are a musician, right?

Let’s don’t forget that the american soldiers in Iraq are the aggressors here, invading that nation, murdering its citizens and stealing their oil…Since when does that constitute “protecting American citizens?” That is purely and simply US dominance (standard US foreign policy), the proverbial Monroe Doctrine of intimidation through trickery. In my humble opinion, if you are involved with USO tours in Iraq, you are on the side of the lying devil called George W. Bush.

Carla, if you truly want to contribute to world peace and global human rights, don’t entertain the invading US troops but rather, relieve the pain of the Iraqui people because they are the only victims here.

You are in a position of fame and therefore, of influencing public opinion. Use it responsibly, not for blind personal gains. May the almighty shine some human sense upon your soul.

Good day.

Absolutely not. She is more american then Reagan himself.

Recent polls indicate that the majority of brasilians see the war in Iraq as an american invasion, just like in Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, Somalia, Yoguslavia, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq, shall I say more. How about future ones, perhaps North Korea or Iran, or maybe even Brasil. She isn't Brazilian at all, just cashing in from its folk chraracter.

Get Real girl, and Get a Life. Did you hug Rumsfeld today?

PS. The Patriotic-Act presents more of a threat to the average American citizen than Sadam Hussein ever did. Now go chew on that for a while before your next USO tour.

at http://carlahassett.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1

All the postings are locked. If you can't stand the heat then get out of the kitchen, Carla darling. She is more like a salsa of red-pepper mixed with anchovies, Yak.

Traidora, não comprarei seus CDs futuros.

She is real, she is real. More. What she says is always the truth. And yeas, she is a proud brazilian-american. Why not? Isn't America the land of freedom? If so, why so many ignorant comments, or is ignorance a synonimous to freedom? Let Carla do her singing. Let Carla tells us her story with her beautiful voice. Politics? No. it's art doing its doing. Adriana Fernandez adrianazfernandez@hotmail.com or please, find me and my community "Carla Hasset" at www.orkut.com. It will be a pleasure having you all.............

" Isn't America the land of freedom?"

It all depends how BIG is your bank account. Look at OJ or Michael Jackson. If that was you or me, we would land in jail faster then your mama's farts!

land of the free my ass...

Honey, everything is political. Grow up.

I sypmathize with Carla, but I strongly sypmathize with the people who criticize the USO tour participation.

Whether you want to admit it or not, entertaining troops is a political act. That much seems very clear to me. The meaning of the act, however, is more subtle. Carla does not support Bush or the war in Iraq. However, she "supports the troops." That is a strange dichotomy in my mind, one that is hard for me to accept. Ultimately artists may find themselves in the position of Leni Reifensthal, for example, by claiming they are apolitical and "just doing my art."

I would prefer that people support the US troops by ending this war, which many believe is illegal.

Doing USO tours is a calculated decision. The cynic in me understands the pressure for publicity, earning a paycheck, and showing that, "Though I don't support the war, I support the troops." But, let's face it. If you're going to make that calculation, if you are going to exploit the publicity and demonstrate that you have done the tours by posting information and pictures about it on your web site, then have the balls to stand up to the criticism. You can delete ugly personal attacks that are unworthy of response, but why run from the controversy and thoughtful, legitimate criticism? Some of your fans, and other people interested in you, want to hear your explaination and want to at least believe that their legitimate concerns are not deemed unimportant.

As I wrote to Ms. Hassett, I would encourage her to have the strength of her stated convictions, be overtly political, and take a vocal stance against Bush and the war if she really wants to make a difference.

Everything may well be political.

However, confusing George Bush the lesser’s game of realpolitik with Carla’s compassion for people and passion for music is an exercise in silliness.

Whether this controversy works to help her, as controversy has for some, or not, I hate to see cowards post uncalled-for ad hominem under the protection of the anonymity of the internet against a woman of true heart and talent. That’s called throwing stones and hiding your hand and is cowardice pure and simple.

How is this possible in the face of her music! Such songwriting! It’s clever and soulful. It gives you the feeling that you’re looking into someone’s secret thoughts; the thoughts of someone who has a gifted musical imagination and is being honest with her self.

Each song has a sense of place and circumstance that grounds the strong emotions it evokes. “I Wish I Stayed” is quintessential in this regard. As the story unfolds in the verse the music blooms with the emotion giving the sense that it’s happening to you! Breathtaking.

And such a beautiful woman! When I see her I feel like an iconodule adoring an icon. If she didn’t write such beautiful lyrics she would certainly inspire them.

Let your anonymous ‘guest’ condemn himself as a fool. I will listen to Carla and dream a better world, one full of beauty and music words that feed the soul.

Mr. Lindsay Brooks

unfortunately this is a logically inconsistent argument.

Who in the US doesn't have a son, daughter, brother, sister or friend in Iraq? We failed them at the election and now they are the tools sf-serving administration.Now do we abandon them again?

You, yourself say, "entertaining troops is a political act. That much seems very clear to me. The meaning of the act, however, is more subtle." This admission of your difficulty in discering the meaning of an act such as playing a USO show and then claiming then that you have some understanding of itwhile missing the mark is the heart of your fallacy.

Additionally, not everyone need be what you conceive of as taking a 'vocal stance" to be doing some good in this struggle. Why don't you put yourself on the line. Put out your own music and put your face and name and money where your mouth is instead of attacking someone who is doing a ton of good in this world.

I know Carla's contribution to the betterment of our lives. I only know your anonymous criticism.

Mr. Lindsay Brooks

I think a certain person up above here is starting to show their true colors! It's starting to get clear in the posts here! If so firm and adamant in so called beliefs, it might be a good idea to learn how to spell IRAQI!!!! stupid as the preznit!!!!!

Mr>Lindsay is right on target!

It seems that your verbosity is only exceeded by your stupidity. Your egotism must be the anesthetic that dulls the pain of your ignorance!

Quote:

”confusing George Bush the lesser’s game of realpolitik with Carla’s compassion for people and passion for music is an exercise in silliness.”

Silliness? I don’t define 300 thousand (plus) dead Iraquis as anything resembling silliness but rather, pure genocide.

I believe that Ms. Hassett compassion is out of sync, don’t you agree? The so called compassion should be guided to the deserving innocent in that country and by innocent, I don’t mean the US soldier handling a fully loaded M-16 weapon, backed by the aggressive US military might. What I mean is a six years old Iraqui girl now orphaned by misguided US bombs that killed her entire family, that’s what I mean by the innocent.

My purpose here is certainly not to bash Ms. Carla Hassett but instead, to remind her that attending USO tours is a form of endorsing such indecent and cruel war, indirectly and intrinsically. After erasing my message in her board (at http://carlahassett.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1), she justified her participation in the USO tour in so many words, basically saying…”I am just doing my job!” Ironically, that’s the same phrase used by many former SS guards in Polish concentration camps during the last great war. It may sound strong, but it is a fact, the same.

Moreover, Ms. Carla Hassett as a performer naturally becomes a public figure, like it or not. As such, she ought to be open to criticism, for or against her….that’s the nature of the beast! I never disrespected her in any way, “how can I… I don’t even know who she is…”, but simply offered my feedback! Being offended, she erased my message!

Now by referring to other people’s opinion over the internet as “cowards,” makes you look like a real drooling moron, which I have the distinctive feeling you are.

Quote:

”How is this possible in the face of her music!”

You may be right, she may be a great entertainer even though I must admit, I never heard of her until now. But talent alone does not make someone immune to his/her humanitarian responsibilities, as we rely on each other more so then never, within this small planet of ours.

In closing, perhaps Ms. Hassett will realize what is the use of running, when you are on the wrong road ?

Last but not least Mr. Lindsay Brooks, I'm not being rude - you really are stupid! Until then…. fight global warming by shutting your mouth!

Good Day.

First of all, I didn't attack or condemn anyone. But I do feel a bit provoked to attack you're saccharine, pompous and inane comments.

Secondly, the "argument" is not logically inconsistent. You have not shown a fallacy in my reasoning recognized in logic. In any event, it was not presented as an argument. Apparently you noticed that fact by the words I wrote, but decided that you wanted to chastise me on a non-existent logical basis. Sincerely, I do not believe you have the slightest idea of what logic is.

Third, the purpose of the post was to express my inconsistent and conflicted feelings in regard to "support of troops," to state my sympathy for Ms. Hassett, to state how I would resolve the issue for myself, and finally to suggest a course of action for her that comports with her proclaimed non-support for Bush and the war.

Fourth, don’t tell me “we” failed the troops at the election. Maybe you did, but I didn’t vote for the a*****e the first time of the second time. In fact, the troops abandoned themselves. They voted. They aren't children. They are volunteers. They know who the President is. A majority of service people voted for Bush. Indeed, under the law, they are within their rights to decline to participate in an illegal war, and very few have asserted such right. Setting that aside, no one is "abandoning the troops" by choosing to protest Bush and the war. Rather, in my opinion, the best support we can give the troops is to get them the hell out of there.

Fifth, as for anonymity, what difference does that make? That is an ad hominem argument that is indeed fallacious. I suppose the fact that you signed a name at the bottom of your posts that are effusive and say nothing controversial at all is some sort of act of bravery? I think, however, it just makes you a sycophant. And, how does anyone know who you are either? All we have are your anonymous (since I don't know you from Adam), sycophantic gushing. Who the hell are you to be chastising me anyway? You don't know me, or what I do politically.

Mr. John V. Diefenbrucke

Mr. Lindsay Brooks is way off the mark. He totally misread the post he was criticizing. He's nothing but an ass-kissing, pompous, fool who makes Ignatius J. Reilly look like a perfectly normal guy.

"When I see her I feel like an iconodule adoring an icon." Hmm what else would an iconodule do? I have another word that describes you: Doofus; When I read your words I feel like I'm reading a doofus being a stupid and incompetent person.

"Who in the US doesn't have a son, daughter, brother, sister or friend in Iraq?" Me. But if you are one of those people with a son, daughter, brother, sister or friend in Iraq, then you did indeed fail them. Shame on you.

Geez, Mr. Lindsay Brooks, the guy above was expressing sympathy for both sides, but expressed where he would land in the decision. Are you illiterate or something? He didn't attack Carla.

By the way, who are you? Should any of us care?

Apparantly Carla has called in her friends to support her, blindly or not. Stand on your own two feet, Ms. Hassett. You look old enough to speak for yourself. Sadly, you're not aging gracefully. USO tours in gogo boots and pushup bras? I wonder what inspirational songs you were sharing with the troops. Mindless Motown, no doubt.

You're a cliche and you know it, don't you?

By the way, Mr. Brooks, I wrote both the "Stop Please" and the "USO Tours" posts. Get off your high horse.

There is a vicious person out to attack CARLA on this posting site...YOU ARE BUSTED! Look up at the word spelled (IRAQUI) it runs through Carla bitch and Carla's fan club... oh you could care less about this planet... Seems to me you are one lonely soul and jealous to boot....We've got your number and figured you out...this is the doings of (one) sorry person....I feel sad for you, why don't you go to the democratic underground and wreak havoc there? If this behavior towards Carla is to bring peace, you are way off the mark...This is tough...I abhor war...abhor Bush! But you? You are so evil in this behavior! Let up now....go get a hobby...learn how to spell....You are just out to get Carla for some sick twisted reason and WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE! Busted! I worked in my garden today and played Carla's"FIRST" ...I swear my pansies and lilies turned their faces to the songs...we are not going to fix this here...we just have to agree to disagree...Let us remember sweet Jesus and Gandhi...nonviolence man...please! Carla is doing the best that she can in the day that she is in....My cousin is in Iraq, he reads his bible every night...alone, afraid, I wish he had been able to hear Carla sing at a USO tour...he believed there were weapons of mass destruction.. he can't get out now..maybe some wounds would have been soothed by Carla's voice.... I am so sorry for this pain...This must hurt Carla? We are so divided...this benefits NOTHING! I wish I could wave a wand and make it right for all of us...this started out a truly beautiful article, and you had to come in and mar things up...go somewhere else....you are not wanted! If this is your path to peace...oh my? You'll have to come back a few more lifetimes! Karmic debt, even if you mean well, which I doubt! IRAQUI babies? Oh man, I hope you wake up and hear the insanity in your own head! You haven't a clue! The lotus flower lifts its head above the murky waters! Let us just not respond to this individual anymore....it loves the attention...onto Carla and her sacred songs!

Okay, stop it again. It's really not necessary.

Actually, there is more than one person who is critical of the USO stuff. One is mean though. The others spell Iraq correctly and are respectful of Carla (though disdainful of Mr. Brooks' gratuitous and silly defense).

Well, I haven't been to her website. No desire to go. Happy to hear your flowers are happy. Carry on with your gardening and listen to sacred songs while the rest of us continue to be concerned for the righteous road.

"sacred songs" That's a bit over the top, don't you think? I'm sure she's talented and the songs are super, but sacred? Then again, if your "pansies and lilies turned their faces to the songs," who knows? But I think you're engaging in a little bit of hyperbole there. You must be her number one fan.

You know you are smart> And seem nice! I am not exaggerating! I really feel a deep connection to Carla's music...I suffered a divorce...I wish sometimes I had stayed...I love Carla's harmonies...she shares things in her songs that I can relate too! I really, honestly try to keep my valve open to truth...I hear truth in Carla's CD... Thank you

This is what I do to prepare my road! You say you are sure Carla is talented and SUPER, why don't you give it a listen?
Makes more sense to me being on this website...don't ya think? How's about Carla's songs being her garden? She's the real deal man... I am going to bed...goodnight, please keep things peaceful! Life is hard enough...be well all....

I will listen.

Mr. John V. Diefenbrucke,

I hope we can dialog without further mud slinging. The tenor of my post was not hostile toward you in the least. Unlike your replies to me, I called you no names and spoke only of statement you made entering nothing into the conversation that wasn’t already in evidence. I didn’t deprecate your remarks any further than pointing out inconsistencies that are well explained by your admitted ambivalent feelings on this matter.

That I wasn’t balanced in my remarks is only accountable to a desire to be brief. I should have said your tone was conciliatory. However, I thought the following statement, your suggested course of action, demanded acceptance of your view of what is appropriate behavior on the part of Carla. You said:

I would encourage her to have the strength of her stated convictions, be overtly political, and take a vocal stance

So to you "strength of...conviction" = "a vocal stance". This begs the question. I have no reason outside of your assertion to believe that this is the case. In fact, I believe Carla’s actions are commensurate with her convictions. Your suggestion is an attack on this and is fallacious because it assumes the truth of the equation above.

I may not have been clear about that when I said: “not everyone need be what you conceive of as taking a 'vocal stance" to be doing some good in this struggle.”

You said:

the purpose of the post was to express my inconsistent and conflicted feelings in regard to "support of troops," to state my sympathy for Ms. Hassett, to state how I would resolve the issue for myself, and finally to suggest a course of action for her that comports with her proclaimed non-support for Bush and the war.

That's great. I think you went a bit further in suggesting her actions are not fully appropriate to her convictions.

I suggest we let Carla make her music and enjoy it if we can. Let those that wish to pick up the sword do so in the ways that seem meet to them.

-You have called my comments saccharine, pompous and inane.

-You attacked me personally by saying, “I do not believe you have the slightest idea of what logic is”

-You said, “no one is "abandoning the troops" by choosing to protest Bush and the war” implying that I had said otherwise.

-You called my review of Carla’s good work “sycophantic gushing”.

-You demanded that I “Get off [my] high horse.” I submit that if you’re feeling condescended to it’s not because I called you on question begging. Maybe the provocative nature of this subject is fueling heightened responses.

Maybe you felt by doing these things you were responding in kind. I assure you such is not the case. Maybe, just maybe, your response was a bit overblown.

Lindsay

You are incorrect that my statements regarding Carla’s convictions beg the question. I assumed nothing. I was reacting to her own words (which someone later removed from her website). Perhaps you are unaware of her feelings in this regard. That makes your chastising of me even more egregious.

I read on her website that she strongly disapproves of Bush and the war. SHE said that. She expressed her convictions in that regard. Since those are her stated convictions regarding Bush and the war, I suggested that she act on them by being vocal against Bush and the war, in addition to doing her USO shows.

Lidsay, you aren't Carla, so don't try to be her self-appointed mouthpiece.

"because I called you on question begging"

Well, that's not pompous, is it?

You did not "call [me]" on anything. Rather, you made an unsupported assertion regarding the logic of my post. Then, after the fact, you came up with an inapplicable "question begging" argument. Again, you were WRONG.

Now, the fact that you have tried to label this as "calling [me]" on some logical error demonstrates that you are not just pompous, but also inane. And, looking back at your original posts, I do find them to have the gushing quality of a sycophant.

"The tenor of my post was not hostile toward you in the least."

Really? Being called a coward is hostile. Furthermore, I do not suffer fools well.

"So to you 'strength of...conviction' = 'a vocal stance'. This begs the question. I have no reason outside of your assertion to believe that this is the case. In fact, I believe Carla’s actions are commensurate with her convictions. Your suggestion is an attack on this and is fallacious because it assumes the truth of the equation above."

I also do not agree with your analysis here. It is rather inarticulate and does not demonstrate an accurate understanding of the logical fallacy petitio principii or begging the question.

I might add, my post stated that "I would encourage her" to do certain things. I did not assert that she failed in being overtly political or in taking a vocal stance that is commensurate with her stated opposition to Bush and the war. I have seen no evidence of that, but I continue to encourage her to do so. Maybe you don't agree that I should be encouraging her to do so, but, honestly, I don't care what you think about it. Again, you are not Carla nor are you authorized to speak for her as far as I know.

That’s one incoherent drunk peckerwood. He is so confused, he doesn't know whether to scratch his watch or wind his ass.

As for Carla, for your next trick why don't you try holding your breath for about six minutes?

f**k George Bush...Long Live Osama.

If I want any further s**t out of you I'll squeeze your head. You make about as much sense as a set of chattering buckteeth vibrating on a glass coffee table, Stupid. Do me a favor…Rearrange these two words into a well-known phrase:

Off f**k… then run along sonny with your silly Carla and her troops.

PS. Go figure… 100,000 sperm and YOU were the fastest!

Her site is at http://carlahassett.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1

Have fun with it!

How can any logical person see American troops in Iraq as innocent victims?

Am I missing the point here? Carla, wake up and smell the roses babe, your concept of reality is really warpped.

Mr. Diefenbrucke,
You said:

Being called a coward is hostile. Furthermore, I do not suffer fools well.[/quote[

That was a different post. Unless you're the coward who called Carla a "b" or any of the multiplying ignorance present here, that couldn't have been addressed to you. If it was you that said those things then I’m wasting my virtual breath anyway.

My second post was to you, Mr. Diefenbrucke. You'll see the restatements of my criticism of your post are consistent with the first time I addressed you.

As to question begging, the question at hand is whether or not singing in USO shows is an activity consistent with Carla's convictions against the continued war and against GWB. If I'm mistaken on that point you're welcome to enlighten me.

So if you assume that question in the negative as a premise of your argument you are begging the question.

Since you say that you “would encourage her to have the strength of her stated convictions, be overtly political, and take a vocal stance” you are assuming as a premise that what she does now is inconsistent with her convictions.

Thus your accusation of making unsupported assertions regarding your post is out of line. My assertion is well founded and is consistent with both of my previous posts to you.

You said:

I also do not agree with your analysis here. It is rather inarticulate and does not demonstrate an accurate understanding of the logical fallacy petitio principii or begging the question.

Leaving aside that it may be inarticulate, this is easy to settle. Go to whatever website you got the Latin name for the fallacy from and post the definition. If it isn’t assuming a point of dispute in a premise you would serve us all to tell us what it is.

If your goal is understanding, surely you’ll be willing to give peace a chance, even between us. Or perhaps the attitude of peace mongering is only good for GWB and we get to be hostile all we want?

Heaping more insults on me isn’t making your point any stronger.

Lindsay

Sorry for the format typo.

"Since you say that you 'would encourage her to have the strength of her stated convictions, be overtly political, and take a vocal stance' you are assuming as a premise that what she does now is inconsistent with her convictions."

That is patent rubbish. You are no logician. Expressing encouragement is not intended to be a logical argument, but merely an expression of encouragement. Furthermore, I do know what begging the question means. I am schooled in formal logic. And you are wrong. No, you assertion is not well taken. It is, in fact, clearly incorrect.

Assuming for the moment that I had presented an argument as opposed to an expression of encouragement, you are still wrong. My statement does not say that doing USO tours is inconsistent with her convictions. I stated that in light of her convictions (i.e., that she is strongly in opposition to Bush and the war) being vocal in her opposition to Bush and the war would be consistent with her stated convictions. USO tours are non-partisan, and therefore cannot be said to be commensurate in any way with her stated convictions regarding the propriety of the war. I didn't make up her statement. She stated her convictions that she strongly opposed the war and Mr. Bush. She established the truth of the premise. You are wrong. QED.

You wrote:

"Why don't you put yourself on the line. Put out your own music and put your face and name and money where your mouth is instead of attacking someone who is doing a ton of good in this world.

“I know Carla's contribution to the betterment of our lives. I only know your anonymous criticism."

Your sentiment flowed very nicely from the explicit use of the word "coward" in the post above it, which conflated your response to my post and that of the other person. I was indeed insulted by your ridiculous accusation of cowardice merely because the post is anonymous. Furthermore, your inappropriate "logical" argument is an insult to the intelligence of everyone. First you accused me of "logical inconsistency," then you decided that, no, it was a begging the question problem. Now, you simply insist on squeezing my comments into your misunderstanding of logic in an annoying and pompous manner. I am tempted to heap yet more insults upon you for you audacity. But I’ll leave it at that.

Finally, I already told you I am not associated with the insulting posts about Ms. Hassett.

John

By the way, Lindsay, your statement was that "'strength of...conviction' = 'a vocal stance'" is an example of begging the question. That is patently wrong. Indeed, the "formula" that you wrote is complete nonsense from the standpoint of formal logic. As Al Franken would say, you're talking out of your butt. And speaking of Al Franken, there is someone who does non-partisan USO tours, is political, and takes a vocal stance against the war and Mr. Bush. I would have to say that he has the strength of his convictions and I'll encourage him to continue, becuase he's very articulate and is on the side of justice.

Jonh

I hope you don't mind that I have encouraged Mr. Franken to have the strength of his convictions.

John

Just to clarify, the USO tours are consistent with her desire to alleviate the pain and suffering of American troops. I never state that they were not. But that's not the set of convictions that I was addressing.

The point is this: SHE stated that she is strongly opposed to the war and to Mr. Bush. I didn't assume that premise. SHE asserted the truth of that statement herself. In no stretch of the imagination is a USO performance an expression of opposition to the war or Mr. Bush because they are explicitly non-partisan for one obvious reason. There are ways in which someone can oppose Mr. Bush and the war. Being active politically and being a vocal opponent are among ways one might do so. If one is politically active and a vocal opponent of Mr. Bush and the war, I would certainly say that that person has the strength of his or her convictions in doing so. Is that so very difficult to understand?

I'm sorry if I have become aggravated with you, Lindsay, but you are very stubborn in your desire to chastise me even though you have no legitimate basis for doing so. I neither insulted Ms. Hassett nor did I impugn her integrity. In fact, I expressed sympathy for her and my admiration for her and her work.

John

John,

I do tend to the stubborn side. It is also quite possible that in being incensed by the horrible things being said about my friend and colleague I may have reacted too strongly to you. I imagine if the comments posted about her were fair and balanced to begin with, or if you posted in a vacuum, I may not have commented on yours at all.

But put yourself in the shoes of someone who sees their friend, or sister or mother attacked on the street by cowardly ruffians who call her a “b” and “fugly” and sundry other unpleasantries. On the heels of this public abuse someone says to the one you care about “have the balls to stand up to the criticism” and “You don’t have the strength of your convictions.” Wouldn’t you react, too?

That said, I still would like to see eye to eye with you regarding our previous posts. Truth is important to me and as I am not a post-modernist I believe there is an objective truth that we can agree to for the sake of understanding and appropriate mea culpas.

-The fact that Carla is not a Bush supporter or a war supporter is not in dispute.

-The fact that USO shows are non-partisan is stipulated.

Question: In “[encouraging] her to have the strength of her stated convictions” is this statement related or unrelated to the previous groundwork laid regarding what you call a “calculated” and “political” decision to entertain troops, the non-partisan nature of the USO notwithstanding?

I read it as related. If this is a calculated and political action, as you say, are you not saying this action doesn’t enjoy the strength of her convictions?

Maybe I’m not understanding your use of the phrase “have the strength of her convictions”. I took it to mean taking action that is in line with those convictions.

The point in question as I see it is: Is singing in a USO show a calculated political action that is consistent with not being a GWB supporter or a war supporter?

If you answer the question yes, then why encourage her do something in order to have the strength of her convictions when what she’s doing already has the strength of her convictions?

In making the statement, “I would encourage her to have the strength of her stated convictions” are you not assuming that she is NOT having the strength of her convictions in the action she is doing? If so, then you must realize that you have not shown conclusively that what she is doing does not have the strength of her convictions—the very point in dispute.

You say you were encouraging her. I point out that you were not generically encouraging her, but encouraging her toward something that you seem to believe she lacks.

In your statement, having the strength of ones convictions (SOC, hereafter) is related to “be overtly political, and take a vocal stance” something you are saying she isn’t doing. If you are not equating SOC with the actions you enumerated and disassociating SOC with the actions Carla takes already, why not congratulate her on her SOC?

You say I’m wrong about this and bring up your “encouragement” of Al Franken. The difficulty I have with this is that you are encouraging Al because in your view he HAS SOC. You are encouraging Carla TO HAVE SOC that you think she lacks.

This is a major distinction. If I’m wrong about this I am willing to hear your exegesis of your own post. If I’m right then either establish that doing USO shows lacks SOC for non-Bush supporters or apologize to my friend.

BTW, Dictionary.com says a sycophant is, “A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people. “

I have no need to curry favor through flattery, we are colleagues with mutual respect. I compliment Carla and her work in all genuineness. I have nothing to gain in so doing. She would not think less of me if I didn’t post on her behalf. I do so out of respect for her and her work and in duty to the defense of a friend.

While this post is bound to illicit a flurry of hate from the peanut gallery I hope from you it only gets further reasonable reply.

Lindsay

Both of these guys (Lindsay and John) make me sick, fancy wording but no underlining substance, like the old TV commercials use to announce “Where Is the Beef?”

This is the only opportunity which I will allow either one of you shady characters to take space in my head. And please, stop puffing your chests like some kind of cyberspace superhero commandos. Signing your names below your messages does not make you any less anonymous then the other writers here, as if those names meant anything to any of us anyhow. Likewise, your annoying sense of superiority by calling others “cowards,” does not make you cases any more appealing. So chill, brother!

The discussion has detoured away from the main point, the fact that Ms. Carla Hassett cannot have both ways; participate in USO tours (in Iraq) while at the same time, claim to be against the war… convoluted logic from any angle. Besides, Carla is old enough to defend her own position without the help of these kamikaze like obsessed fans. Carla, stop hiding behind these incoherent characters, if you do the talking you should be willing to do the walking. As a Brazilian I can assure you, she will find very few sympathizers in Brasil, given her position regarding the war in Iraq.

In my opinion, Ms. Hassett is dead wrong performing in USO tours. The dubious reasons point in the direction of self-promotion rather then compassion-driven. Put it plainly and simply, USO has one clear mission, to keep troop moral high so that the system preserves its killing efficiency. It’s like being the Devil’s advocate while sitting next to God, in principle, 180 degrees apart.

The inescapable conclusion is that Ms. Hassett is selling herself short by supporting the US troops in Iraq through her USO tours, certainly not an contribution to world peace in my estimation. As far as her music goes, no revenues will be generated from my household.

Obrigado pela atençăo…!

Sorry for making you sick. I agree, my discussion was drawn off the substantive point a bit.

" Signing your names below your messages does not make you any less anonymous then the other writers here, as if those names meant anything to any of us anyhow." Absolutely correct, which is what I said myself. I started adding the name only to disassociate my posts from those that were extremely rude and in bad taste.

"In my opinion, Ms. Hassett is dead wrong performing in USO tours. The dubious reasons point in the direction of self-promotion rather then compassion-driven. Put it plainly and simply, USO has one clear mission, to keep troop moral high so that the system preserves its killing efficiency . . . The inescapable conclusion is that Ms. Hassett is selling herself short by supporting the US troops in Iraq through her USO tours, certainly not an contribution to world peace in my estimation."

Your opinion is forcefully stated here. I tend to agree with you more than I do with Hassett. This is why I have serious problems with participation in the tours. That said, in my opinion, whether or not she is wrong in doing USO tours, she also claims to be an opponent of the war and of Bush. In my opinion she should do something about it. Doing USO tours does nothing in opposition of either Bush or the war. Indeed, tours are in support of the war effort, in spite of what Hassett, Franken, et al. want to believe. The path to hell is paved with good intentions, as they say. And, again, I think performers are putting themselves in the position of Leni Riefenstahl by using their talent in a way that is ultimately supportive of evil. I've got nothing more to say about it.

Put yourself in the position of someone who has a friend or relative who has been shanghaied into a war of dubious moral underpinning. You hate the war. You also hate that your loved one is half-a-world away in danger and you want them to be comforted.

Do you disdain to send them a care package with letters and food and gifts because of your convictions agaist the war? What kind of mother would you be to your son or daughter? What kind of friend?

Some people are called to do what Michael Moore does with his propaganda documentaries. Some are called to fight against war in other ways. Some are just mothers or sisters with loved ones in an evil situation doing what they can in their way to help their loved one. You don't know how that person votes or what organizations they support all you know is a care package was sent.

So based on that knowledge you, emboldened by the anonymity of the internet, say things you would never have the courage to say face to face (you know who you are, no need for those to whom this desn't apply to get up in arms). I would call you a coward to your face so doing so on the net makes no difference.

If some of you think I am being "superior" because I say such a thing while you stand by and say nothing to those whose mentality only differs from GWB in the scale of their evil, well I won't be losing any sleep over it.

Peace is more than being "vocal" about a war. It is stamping out the embers of hatred wher you find it. I found it here. Being a man or woman of moral strength is more than giving editorial opinions about a Brasillian/American singers 'care package' to soldiers in the form of a USO performance.It's easy to brandish your fist on the forum of a magazine. But to do so while tolerating evil behavior right in your midst is to protest war, but encourage the very evil mentality that makes war.

I hope it does make people sick. Hypocrissy is sickening. If the things done on this forum were done in you neighborhoods or homes you would go to war over it. But because you don't have to put your name, face and contact information out there, like Carla does, you think you can do evil and let evil proliferate in your midst as long as you 'oppose the war'.

Barstool revolutionaries and bullies. Hypocrites!

Lindsay Brooks

This anonymity argument is nonsense. Doing a bit of the old chest pounding yourself, eh?

Some feel that doing a USO tour while opposing the war is hypocrisy. It is certainly closer to hypocrisy than merely expressing one's opinion on an internet message board.

I think what's really going on here is that you are a Carla fan and at the same time a Bush supporter (you've tipped your hand with the "propaganda documentaries" statement). You are conflicted in your loyalties. That clearly explains your illogical blustering. Whatever credibility you might have had is gone. Yes, hipocrisy is sickening.

I'd discuss with Carla face to face anything I believe, and I'd sleep well having done so. I'd appreciate the opportunity of having a discussion with her.

Why should anyone be so upset by someone else suggesting that a celebrity take a vocal stance on the war? That is bizarre. The person "defending" Carla Hassett has no basis on which to speak for her, and the person making the suggestion is not presuming to know anything about her other than what she says, and merely making a suggestion. Seems as though valid points have been raised. If she were to read the suggestion, she could consider it or not, agree, disagree, whatever. No big deal.

Who elected this Brooks character as her spokesman anyway?

First, I'm not a Bush supporter. Second, Michael Moore proudly proclaims his work is not 'journalism' so I've tipped nothing.

If you can't heed the words of the Dalai Lama, at least heed the words of your mama. Integrity is doing the same thing in anonymity that you would do openly. You wouldn't curse out my friend in front of my face. You wouldn't be a jerk where you can be seen and judged.

Who are you who do such things to judge anyone elses credibility?

Don't confuse a friend for a fan.

Lindsay

L. Brooks says, "I say such a thing while you stand by and say nothing to those whose mentality only differs from GWB in the scale of their evil" I'm sorry, what bold and brave stance have you taken here? What evil? Huh?

Good. I don't think you'd be the person calling her a 'b' or any other ugliness then. Honorable people have nothing to hide. Dialog is one thing. The behavior I'm addressing is another.

"Who are you who do such things to judge anyone elses credibility?" The same as you.

True, I would not refer to her in such terms. I explicitly disapprove of such behavior. She seems like a very sweet, intelligent, and talented person.

What? Did you miss this post :Written by Guest on 2005-06-19 16:16:59

Or this:Written by Guest on 2005-06-19 16:31:49

Or this: Written by Guest on 2005-06-19 16:46:35

Is this what you're defending?

The evil is the awful name calling? Well, if that's what you meant, then you are right to say something. Good for you. I'll lend a voice here:

To the person making crude remarks regarding Carla Hassett, you are a coward, a cad, or just a juvenile with no sense of judgment or taste.

Peace, folks, I've got to work now.

Well said.

Lindsay, I am gonna call you Linda from now on, OK faggot?

First, I'm a Bush supporter. Second, Michael Moore proudly proclaims his work is not americanism, so I've licked something.

If you can't keep the words of the Dalai Lama, at least kee the words of your Osama. Hipocracy is doing the same thing in abnormality that I would do openly. I would curse out my friend Carla in front of your face. You would jerk you where you can be seen and be f**ked.

Who are you who do such things to f**ke anyone elses availability?

Don't confuse a fan for a faggot..

Linda Brooks

Written by Linda Brooks on 2005-06-21 12:28:46

Put myself in the position of someone who has a friend or relative who has been hunged high into a war of furious vocal under-penises. You bake the war. You also bake that your f**ked one is half-a-world away in danger and you want them to be composted.

Do you dish the vein to send them a bare package with sweaters and cool and drifts because of your conviction abreast the war? What kind of mutha would you be to your son of bitch daughter? What kind of friend?

Some people are called to do what Roger Moore does with his propaganda documentaries. Some are called to fly against more in other ways. Some are just muthas or sistas with cloned ones in a civil situation doing what they can in their bay to whelp their f**ked one. You do know how that person copes or what affiliations they support all you know is a bare package was sent.

So based on that knowledge you, embodied by the abnormality of the interweb, say things you would never have the bondage to pray face to face (you know you care, no need for those to whom this does reply to get up in barfs). I would call you a Howard to your place so doing so on the get makes some difference.

If some of you think I am being "posterior" because I say such a wing while you stand by my side and say something to those whose mortality only differs from monkey Bush in the cradle of their pelvis, well I will be losing any sleet over it.

Grace is more than being "local" about a war. It is stumping out them members of hatred when you find it. I found it here. Being a woman of vocal strength is more than giving equatorial rack and pinion aloud a Presbyterian/American swingers 'bare package' to folders in the form of a UFO per romance. It's easy to banish your first on the for rum of a cuisine. But to do so while celebrating evil fantasia right in the mid is to for test war, but discourage the weary evil fantasy that breaks war.

I hope it does make people weak. Hypotenusely is bickering. If the wings clone on this for rum were done in you neighbor’s hood or homes you would go to war to cover it. But because you don't have to put your plane, lace and contact information out where, like Carla does me, you wink you can do evil and let evil deliberate in your middle as long as you close the war.

Barstool cushionaries and trellis. Hippopotamus

Linda Brooks, A confused fan

Bottom line, after all the senseless discussions above, Carla Hasset is profiteering from the Iraq war. Shame on you, Ms. Carla Hassett.

No Carla CDs in my collection.

Carla, Keep up the good work! Obrigado for bringing a slice of home to those who do indeed protect us. Signed An American fan who loves Brasil as well.

Carla, Keep up the good war! Obrigado for bringing a slice of home to those who do indeed kill innocent Iraqi babies. Signed An American fan who loves Brasil as well.

Look at some of the action your dear government, the Bush administration, is up to:

US Torture:
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/15AACD99-DF1A-4E68-A9A6-DFEECF597F3E.htm

US Waged War:
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7896BBD4-28AB-48BA-A949-2096A02F864D.htm

US Occupation:
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/8245212D-39CC-4E6E-80FF-2E1F29F72BC5.htm

US Militarism in Latin America:
http://www.brazzilmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2906&Itemid=49

Way too many to list...You know, there are always 2 sides to every story. The ones above are the ones George Bush doesn't want you to know.

Like it or not, your USO tours, even though indirectly, aids that evil Washington Nazi gang! May God have mercy on your soul.

Sincerely.

I have a hard time understanding why so many Brasilians have a problem with the United States. All we've ever done is give your country money and accept your people who are looking for a better life. Yes, we are not perfect and I dont always agree with the President but, it is the BEST place in the world to live. To all of those who complain,, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT..

GOD BLESS AMERICA

James H.

Hehehe..." All we've ever done is give your country money." Riiight...just like in Korea, Vietnam, Panama, Grenada, Somalia, Yoguslavia, Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, Iraq, and next Iran, correct?

Hahaha..."it is the BEST place in the world to live." Easy for you to say, Opie f**k. I wish you were black, uneducated, poor, toothless female from Harlem...then your opinion would have been somewhat different!

Listen here inconsequential White Trash American, youas smart as the north-facing end of a south-bound mule, Talk to someone who cares!

PS: America Is A Melting Pot, The People At The Bottom Get Burned While All The Scum Floats To The Top (i.e. George W. Bush).

f**k you. What an unamerican thing to say to tell people "love it or leave it." You leave, a*****e. You obviously have no idea what it means to be American.

Well, unfortunately, I should say it's all too American…but very much opposed to the Constitution of the US. Read the First Amendment, "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Again, f**k you, you ignorant prick.

Boo-hoo

I would bet the farm that all who responded are Brasilians who have emigrated to the United States. Ask yourself why you left your beloved Brasil? I'll tell you why, average income of under $R1000 per month, massive poverty, enequal distribution of wealth, no opportunity to support your family and crime unparalled in your cities. Sure, you have nice beaches, great food and beautiful women, but that doesnt put food on the table.

You can bash all you'd like,, the proof is growing number of Brasilians doing anything they can to live in the United States.

God Bless America,

James H.

You are funny, but when you are right, you are right.

Could it be the “dollar” rather then “love” they chose the United Stakes of America.

Of course success is guaranteed unless you are Black, Hispanic, Asian, Moslem, Gay, Female, Poor, Uneducated, Non-Christian, Handicap, and Not-Republican!

By the way, let’s don’t forget that Carla Hassett still profiteering from the Iraq war!

Good day.

"I would bet the farm that all who responded are Brasilians who have emigrated to the United States." You'd be wrong, fool. I'm a US citizen, born and raised, and nothing gets me more pissed off than mindless "love it or leave it" attitude from a fellow American. Bush is a liar and a criminal, as is his entire family going back to Prescott Bush, theif and Nazi financier. They should all be rounded up and thrown in jail. W never did a damn thing on his own other than to run businesses into the ground. Now he's running our country into the ground. He has nothing to do with the greatness of the US, only shame.

Trus true that congress can not out law our right to free speach but unless Jmaes is Congress I don't think his "saying" love it or leave it is any less protected than your obscenities.

James not Jmaes, if only I could type!

No, James is a jackass, and so are you.

Apparently you are too ignorant or illiterate to understand what was written in the post above. Let's try again. By suggesting that someone who criticizes the US should leave, James negates the other person's First Amendment rights. His sentiment is therefore one that is in opposition to the rights of US citizens as expressed in the First Amendment. No one said James did not have the right to say something stupid; it's just that the stupid things he said are philisophically and politically in opposition to our Constitution and therefore very unamerican. He should, perhaps, learn the value of political debate, rather than uttering the first stupid pseudo-patriotic thing that enters his head.

a war monger? Very pretentious she is indeed.

My Love it or Leave it comment should not be taken literally. It just a saying.. True Americans can voice their opinions and even disagree while still loving America. Yes,, Freedom of Speech is a 1st Amendment right .

Leave Carla alone,, she was just supporting young people who put their lives on the line to defend our freedom.

James H.

"to defend our freedom."

In what cave have you been living? American soldiers aren't in Iraq to defend our freedom. You really are full of the pseudo-patriotic propaganda, aren't you? Try thinking for a change.

The Love It Or Leave It comment points up an important distinction between the ways the Left and the Right think.

The Left tends to love America with adult love. For example, an adult loves his or her parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, etc., but realizes that they are not perfect and sometimes do wrong. WhenAdults want to support their loved ones, but correct bad behavior. Adults can feel shame at what their loved ones do, but still love them. They can criticize them, but still love them. Adults want what’s best for their loved ones.

The Right has a tendency to love America like a child loves his or her mommy and daddy. Mommy and daddy can do no wrong. Don’t say anything wrong about mommy or daddy! When children grow up to become adults, however, they realize that their parents are people too. Maybe the adult children don’t agree with what their parents said or did. Adults realize that their parents can be wrong.

While James H. has the tendency toward the child-like love of toward his parent, it's encouraging to see that he is adult enough to ultimately understand that there is healthy debate regarding US policy. But, wait, back comes the unquestioning child in James H. The troops are in Iraq "to defend our freedom." Really, James H. Stop and think first.

As for Carla, I do think that one of her critics is over the top in his remarks, which I find often distasteful and wrong. On the other hand, there are underlying truths in what he or she says. One cannot deny that the mission of the USO is to improve the morale of the troops and hence improve the efficiency of the troops in battle. Among the tragedies of this ill-advised and illegal war that Bush has gotten us into is that people are forced into a personal conflict that is exploited by the war's supporters. No American wants to see Americans die in battle. But, many of us (a growing number) know that this war was premised on a pack of lies. We also see, in spite of our government's efforts to dissemble, the human tragedy in Iraq and the deaths of hundreds of thousands. The blood is on our hands. We do not support the war. We believe that the best way to support our troops and to stop the injustice is to do everything within our power to stop this war.

But, it is said, "you broke it, you own it." Sure, the war was a bad idea. Sure, Bush lied. But now the troops are there. We put Iraq not chaos. It's our responsibility to get it into shape. We can't cut and run. We have to stay there as long as it takes to get some stability back and turn the government and security back over to the Iraqis.

Well, that is debatable, but the argument has some force. Again, though, the Bushies are manipulating us. The notion that we can "fix it" is one of the reasons we meddled in the first place. Putting aside the issue of whether it needed "fixing," I seriously question our ability to "fix it" now that we have "broken it."

So, now we are faced with a policy question of how to get out. Even the opponents of the war have that to contend with. My personal view is that all Humvee owners should be drafted and sent with their Humvees over to Iraq, thus solving the Humvee and manpower problem. Also, NRA members who are part of a “well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,” should be drafted to take their guns to Iraq…but that's not going to happen because Humvee owners and NRA members are hypocritical panty wastes. What to do? If we stay with this mission to stabilize Iraq -- admittedly a dubious claim, since it is quite clear we are there to secure oil reserves -- how does that affect one's view of the troops in Iraq?

For there to be much credibility about this new mission, we really should impeach Bush. He lied to the public. He abused the public trust on the most important decision he could make to initiate this war of aggression. If we remove Bush from power, maybe we can claim that we have a new mission in Iraq, depending on what Bush's replacement does. Unfortunately, there are so many liars in the administration, no one knows who would be in the role of President. Looking at the chain of succession, it's a grim prospect to be sure.

Carla, I sympathize with your desire to comfort people in a bad situation. But, most of them voted for Bush both times. What can I say? I have serious problems supporting the war. It's still a war of aggression, in spite of what we now want to believe. There is no plan to ever remove troops from Iraq as long as there's oil in them there fields. USO tours support the war.

The cynic in me acknowledges that you did the tours in part for self-promotion and a paycheck. You find solace in the notion that you are doing it for humanitarian reasons, but I think there are much better ways to be a humanitarian and still promote yourself, if that's what you really want to do.

I just read the article and the USO seems to be a small blip in this interesting woman's career. I also went to the Lt Dan Band site and didn't see Ms Hassett there at all. Seems to me that the only career getting promoted via USO is Gary Sinise's. I have a friend who did a USO tour years ago (they happen during peacetime as well) and she said that she volunteered. Apparently the USO doesn't pay entertainers. If Ms Hassett profitted, her paycheck came from somewhere else.
Carey W.

You brought some salient points that I do agree with.

However, as to the current situation and where do we go from here, the Bush administration ought to involve the United Nations without any restrictions and under UN authority, as the only means of achieving real and legitimate peace accepted worldwide.

Rather then the “ad hoc” coalition Bush wants us to believe to be an international effort which is non-sense, they know it (the Bush gang) and so this the rest of the world, as an unilateral American aggression. Every member of that so called coalition are profiteering from the war, directly or indirectly, just a scheme of dominance.

With that said, it is true that leaving Iraq in such chaos (US created) will lead only to worse tragedies then at its present state. Unfortunately, that seems not to be the policy that Washington wants to pursuit…sad really!

That is why so many (France, Germany, Brasil, etc) will not get involved in Iraq which by the way, instead of slowing down international terrorism, Bush accelerated even more, just the opposite desired effect. Plainly foolish!

Good Day.

"I also went to the Lt Dan Band site and didn't see Ms Hassett there at all." Good Lord, man, you have to go to the Carla Hassett website. You'll find penty of photos there. The Lt Dan Band website promotes Lt Dan (aka Gary Sinise), of course.

"I just read the article and the USO seems to be a small blip in this interesting woman's career." True…small but worthy of discussion, don't you think?

"they [USO tours] happen during peacetime as well" True. So?

"the USO doesn't pay entertainers" Hmm, well, Carla made some comment about getting a paycheck…What do I know about it?

Actually…Who is Lt Dan anyway? I wonder…only for a brief moment though…

Ah, Lt Dan from Forrest Gump, played by Gary Sinise! I get it now.

It's all worthy of discussion. There are some interesting points being made (though the name-calling is over the top). I wonder though if people discuss grown men sleeping with little boys when they read about Sheryl Crowe...she used to tour with Michael Jackson before she got famous.

I appreciate your music, CARLA, Looking forward to more tunes. What is going on here?
My son is in the most dangerous part of Iraq>(18 months When I listened to Carla's record I sure never thought of politics. I don't think most people up above have even listened to her songs. I think a couple of you found a forum where you can talk back and forth, (why don't the few of you exchange emails)? I am a woman of 69, I like Carla's album, I'd like to send it to my son, I really think you are making way too much out of this USO tour. The girl writes and sings..have you listened? I am a democrat, my son is also...
let up on this girl. Thia IS A WAY TOO SENSITIVE ISSUE for this site....my Lord I had to scroll down at least 25 conversations, just to thank her. Thank You Carla.. I am going to send your album to my son, This is all very hurtful, sorry my typing is is not the best. Aunt Erma from Hot springs Arkansas Please folks let us talk here about music...thank you

That's a strange thought you're having there.

Cook me some grits, would you?

Who cares about Carla anyhow, she would sell her soul to the devil for a buck...Too bad your son could not get a job elsewhere besides the army.

That's the Bush legacy, leaving nothing to the working class besides the repo man, bankruptcy, or prison unless of course, you join the army and get your ass blown-up in Eye-Rack!

"This is all very hurtful" No, what's hurtful is WAR.

I'm sorry if discussing these issues causes you stress, but I think you are acutely aware that the war is far too important an issue to not discuss. If not this site, where? It should be discussed everywhere, and discussed candidly. I want your son to come home safely. I don't want him or anyone in Iraq harmed.

Aunt Erma, I sincerely hope the music does your son some good. I'd rather have him enjoying it at home. Moreover, I'd love it if Carla could perform for whomever she wants, including Iraqis, in PEACE.

You have to remember the facts of the war. Since the first war, Iraq had been bombed regularly. Iraq had been disarmed. Sanctions imposed on Iraq devastated the population of Iraq and caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. According to UNICEF, sanctions against Iraq contributed to the deaths of half a million CHILDREN under the age of five. W came into office with the pre-conceived idea of invading Iraq. When 9/11 happened, he made a calculated decision to lie to the public by making a false connection between Sadam Hussein and Al Qaeda and by falsely claiming that Iraq posed an "imminent threat" to the US because of weapons of mass destruction. Under the UN authority, however, Iraq had been thoroughly disarmed of any such weapons. The US then invaded, without international support, a country that had been driven into poverty, starvation, and was unable to defend itself against the greatest military might in the world. Well over 100,000 Iraqis have been killed as a result. This is the most cowardly war ever waged in the history of the world. It is a war that has been waged for cynical reasons, to wit: to secure Iraqi oil. Thousands of Americans have been killed and tens of thousands severely disabled. Indeed, it is estimated that after considering the improvements in treatment of wounds today, the war in Iraq is as bad as in Vietnam at its worst. The war has cost American taxpayers nearly $180 billion dollars. War contractors are profiting to the tune of billions. About 9 billion dollars has simply gone missing. US mercenaries, i.e., paid soldiers, the use of which is illegal under international law, are being paid tens of thousands of dollars a month and are being protected by regular military personnel who are being paid two thousand dollars a month and who are losing their houses, businesses and families back home. The troops that we worry about are not adequately equipped with armor. And we're supposed to worry about entertaining the troops? You are upset about people criticizing Carla Hassett? Please.

Yes, I've known her for a long long time and I can tell you that this girls works hard for her money and so do I. I don't live in the land of opportunities, but at least I'm a well educated individual that doesn't post rude messages to people that are trying to show their art. I believe that people that are complaining so much about Carla's work should get some further education and reading, so at least they'd have a decent vocabulary to use. Yes guys, I live in Brazil and we don't like Bush or Condollezza. We believe in the kind of freedom you don't. Yes, we have huge political problems, but the people here are honest. Let Carla sing. Let this girl do her stuff. Stop complaning and start aacting to sort out you political problems far away from the entertainment industry. Adriana Fernandez, a proud brazilian but not as pretty and talented as my friend Carla.......

Tem cupa eu?

Fica queta sua antipatica, vai lamber o pinto do seu portero...nojenta!

No one is complaining about anything, except friends and fans who cannot accept criticism. While I admire your loyalty, you're only perpetuating the criticism by not just letting it pass and by saying silly things such as what you've just written, Adriana. I'm sure Carla Hassett is a wonderful person, a great talent, and a great friend. But if someone injects herself into the public eye and into politics, she has to expect the possibility of criticism. Do USO tours and some people are going to disapprove. Sorry. Deal with it.

Finally, by engaging the rude person though retaliatory insults, you're only inviting him to be rude some more, and no one needs that.

" if someone injects herself into the public eye and into politics, she has to expect the possibility of criticism."

Have you READ the article?! Again, I've read it and this doesn't seem like a political person to me. In the public eye, yes, but the politics are being projected onto this person--YOU are making her political. She is putting her MUSIC forth with the expectation of possible criticism--NOT a political message or agenda. If her music were political, that would be another story, but after listening to the clips, I don't hear politics at all. If her affiliation with Gary Sinise's band has sparked a debate, then have a ball, but an intelligent debate would not include insulting Ms Hassett and everyone who jumps in to defend her.
If you all hate artists who support the USO, then I hope you never watch CSI, a Bob Hope, Bruce Willis, or Brittany Murphy Movie, The David Letterman Show, Al Franken, and just trash your Fleetwood Mac and Kid Rock records now.The list goes on folks...artists go where they're needed and they don't see the world as black and white like you do.
CW

Everything is political, and entertaining troops certainly qualifies. Criticism is not hate, my friend. I haven't written a hateful word. Don't lump me in with that rude person. Hmm, who's looking at this as black and white? Not I.

And, if she's not a political person, she should be. This world dosn't need any more apolitical people sitting by letting Bush get away with his crimes. On the other hand, I'm afraid it is YOU who don't know what you're talking about, because Carla Hassett herself wrote that she is strongly opposed to Bush and the war. I'm glad to hear that. But you would rather hide you head in the sand apparently. I don't believe she's a delicate little flower that needs your protection.

No, not everything is political. Art is not political unless that is the intention of the artist.

You are so wrong! EVERYTHING is political, INCLUDING ART. You are very naive to think otherwise. What an artist does is a reflection of his or her experience. It reflects that person's world view, which is informed by his or her social and economic status. Why does one artist paint pretty pastels of French society disporting themselves on a Sunday afternoon in the park, while another paints gritty urban scenes? If you don't see how one's "unintentional" acts are political, you are intellectually blind and tone deaf. You have no sense for or understanding of what art is. To you, it’s just some idle act – pretty pictures and pretty music. More to the point of the discussions above, however, if you can't even see how an artist's decision to perform her art for the benefit of American soldiers is a political act, you are truly hopeless. Try using that brain that was given to you. It's not there just to fill the space between your ears.

"Art is not political unless that is the intention of the artist." Oh, the babe!

http://leavemychildalone.org/

For a brief essay about why art is political, see:
http://www.art-for-a-change.com/content/essays/political.htm

Art is for art's sake. Period.

Love is for Love's sake.

Music is for God and beauty. Just listen to Bach or read Yeats.

You are all fools living in political BS. I feel sorry for you and quit this post (that means I won't be reading your vulgar replies).
Tchau--
CW

Oh, taking your marbles and going home? Okay. Well, good luck with high school and the senior prom, dear. When you get to college and grow up, you'll see how naive and idealistic you once were about art. And you'll be just a little embarrassed. But that's okay.

(U)nited (S)tates (O)pression...burn baby burn!

You all are taking this a waaaaaay too serious, it's just music and the reality of being a musician...
You go Carla!!!
Thanks for your spirit and keep on the right track.
All the best,
Mauricio Vaz de Mello Cajueiro.

"Don't worry. Be happy." Some people take war and stuff waaaaay too seriously. Have a toke and put on the music. The days of musicians taking a stance on anything as insignificant as war are gone, man, except for a few 1960s hangers-on. It's all about the cheddar now…um, and the music.

"it's just music and the reality of being a musician..."

What does that mean? Stay away from the maconha. It's baked you're brain.

Over $3 billion a year is now being spent on US military recruitment, or about $14,000 per recruit.

Consider the reality of being an Iraqi. Consider the reality of being a US soldier. Consider the reality of deception that was used to get the US into war in Iraq. Consider the reality of the deaths of US and Iraqis. Consider the thousands of people permanently maimed and disabled. Consider the reality of the oil fields in Iraq and who's controlling them. Consider the billions of dollars spent on the war. Consider the billions of dollars paid out to war profiteers. Consider the people imprisoned without representation or charges, disappeared by the US. Consider the abuse of US prisoners. Consider the creation of a breeding ground for jihadists by this unnecessary and illegal war. Consider how long the US troops will remain in Iraq. Consider the war crimes of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld,…

Go ahead. Turn on Carla's music. Enjoy it. Music is a healer of the soul. But whatever you do, consider the reailty of war and don't be like the guy above who said "it's just music and the reality of being a musician..." It's about far more than that.

I could not have said any better!

keol

Don't kill the messenger becauseyou don't like the message.
Carla is great, music is great, Bush is a slimy pig, what does one have to with the other?

Soldiers deserve dignity even if their leaders send them on a bad mission. Remember most of these boys are only 18 -21 years old and many are pushed into military because it's th best option they have for a job.Considering all the crap they have to deal with, don't they deserve a little happiness?

"Don't kill the messenger becauseyou don't like the message."

Dear, it is YOU who are killing the messenger. Don't kill the messenger just because he or she tells you like it is: USO tours support the war effort in a substantial way and therefore the decision to participate should be problematic for a performer.

Carla's participation in USO tours links her to Bush's war. That's elementary.

In light of her participation in such shows, where is Carla delivering the countervailing message that Bush is a "slimy pig" and the war is wrong? Doing so would militate in her favor in this matter.

I would appreciate an invite to orkut! so if u have one be a good person and send one over to mario.ugliano@gmail.com

That is known that money can make us disembarrass. But how to act when one doesn't have cash? The one way is to try to get the loans and auto loan.