DALLAS APOLOGIES FOR CALLING MCCAIN A RACIST, EXAMINES THE FUTURE OF GOD FORBID
Thursday, October 16th, 2008 at 4:43pm by Dallas Coyle
Mistakes
Last week’s blog was a fiery debate about politics, racism and the age old subject of musicians keeping their mouth shut and just sticking to music. As most of you know, I don’t adhere to the policy of musicians or artists keeping their mouths shut about politics whether they’re informed or not. I think people should be able to say what they want especially if they are given a platform to do so.
I will admit, my words about McCain’s comment were said out of anger and I stepped over the line. For that I apologize and I will say I made a mistake in charging McCain and his supporters with charges that aren’t necessarily true. If they are true I have no way of knowing so I concede the point that I was too harsh and I take my statements back in inferring that he may have deep rooted prejudices that will affect his style of governing.
I do think the debate on the blog last week was healthy and it was great to see people rage against me because of my regrettable comment. Someone said in a comment responding to the blog, ‘It’s better to be hated for who you are, than loved for who you are not.’ I’ll live by that standard and I can deal with it. I can fly off the handle and last weeks blog proved it.
The blog got me thinking about the nature of a political blog compared to a blog that doesn’t have any moral implications behind it. I wanted to ruffle some feathers with my last blog and I did. It was a cheap way of doing it but you guys responded in droves and it was awesome to have a conversation about bigotry, race and the nature of both candidates. It shows me even though people get pissed when I talk about politics they have their own point of view and they seem to express their opinions vehemently when a blog has a moral issue attached to it. Be prepared for more political talk from time to time on The Hard R.
I’m not a politician or act as if I’m an authority on politics. I have opinions and that’s it. I’m not as informed as some of you but I have a good idea of getting an over-all picture of a situation whether it be a political race or a band’s future with their label. I don’t know. I just seem to have a good idea of where things seem to be going. For example, before there were any votes cast in the primaries I knew Obama was going to beat Clinton. I don’t know why, it was just a feeling. And it happened. Same thing with the presidential race. I knew as soon as Americans saw Obama and McCain side to side in the first debate that Obama was going to start running away with it. The stark difference between the two of them is too apparent for it to not be obvious to millions of Americans. I think boiling things down to the most simple elements is an easy way to see the way things are going to go. That’s my way of looking at a situation.
Let’s take a look at God Forbid. Our band is a good metal band that has a career. Back in the beginning I thought we were going to be the biggest band in the world. Once my world view began to dawn itself upon me, my realistic nature has hit me in ways I never thought. Now, I believe our band will probably stay as big as we have been. I doubt we’ll get much bigger or much smaller. Why? We have the same elements in play every single record cycle. We don’t change much. Our label doesn’t change much. Our music may get slightly better with each album but that has proven to not matter in today’s musical climate. God Forbid is the same five guys from ten years ago, the music business is in a worse place than it was than when we started and we’re the old guys in the game now.
The way I look at it, not much will change for our band with a new record. The people who like our band will LOVE the new record because it’s slightly better than the last one. But as far as breaking out and having a cinderella story, it’s not in the cards. Hey, maybe it will happen, but the way I look at it we’re a band that does a little more or a little less each time as far as sales are concerned. That’s my prophetic take on things God Forbid.
Everything that I’ve learned I’ve learned from being on the road. I never went to college but going on the road is like majoring in communication. We’ve done really well by being good people and making sure we’re in good standing with musicians, agents, managers, etc. Also, we play kick ass shows. And we see massive amounts of people per tour. Every day we’re out there campaigning. When you’re that deep in something for so long you’re able to attach yourself to a pulse that exists within our society. The pulse is the same for politics, music and film in my point of view. Seeing regular people every day doing regular things you get an idea of what they want or are attracted to. We get to do extra-ordinary things just because we’re in a band and we learn about the world in different ways, which I think creates a healthy world view.
This is why my opinion carries so much weight here. I have a gray world view. Not black or white.
It applies to everything I do. So whether I’m talking about Hillary Clinton eating chicken or Killswitch Engage’s success, it all comes from the same place. I hope this blog gives you an idea of how my thought process came about and why I am the way I am. I say stupid shit. But so does everybody. This blog isn’t any better than anyone else’s, it’s just different. That’s how I want people to perceive it. Don’t take it too seriously, but mull it over because I do think I have interesting things to say and I believe people can learn something from it.
We who never cared about what you said either way but read it forgive you!
Group hug, come on.
Don’t tangle the beards and hair.
Revrant: Go ahead man, it’s not gay if the balls don’t touch.
Dallas, at least you have the balls to admit you might have said stupid things. I think one of the things that pisses people off about politics is that everyone assumes that they are right. That gets old real quick.
The best thing about this blog is that you have an even mind set. And, as borderline racist as it sounds, it’s refreshing for me to find black people that don’t play the race card. I think disappointment that you took that route was the fuel to the fire that was last week’s group attack on you.
You’ve gotten yourself into a situation where people actually take time out of their days every week to see what bullshit you have to talk about, and it’s because you’ve proven yourself to be an intriguing, interesting, and somewhat level headed person. To put it simply, you’re “anti-hater”. You realize people hate on shit for no reason other than it makes them feel like they’re part of a group, albeit an ignorant, elitist group.
If you were just some nobody that just begged Metalsucks to let you post a blog and you said some shit like that, I probably would have read it halfway and more than likely found something more interesting to read.
Kudos on the apology, God Forbid kicks ass, and my hands smell like beef ramen. Thank you.
That’s a good way to think about God Forbid, Dallas. I’ve seen so many bands break up because they never got the insane success or fame or whatever that they wanted, whether they were playing good music or not. It’s nice to know you guys have your head on straight, I’m always looking forward to your next release. It’s all about fanbases anyway, that’s what I’ve learned with my own band. The casual listeners are the ones who leave you stranded.
Jessie: Not to pick a fight but you havent met very many black people outside of the disgustingly steriotypical and ignorant Hip-hop Scene, have you? Might suprise you to know, not all of them play the race card. Just stupid ignorant niggers. Why did I just use that word? Because im one of the unspoken minoritys from a mixed race home, who know and see the differance between black people who want more for themselves than bling, bitches, and money, and uneducated, gun toting, gang banging peices of trash niggers who give themselves and their people a bad name by acting the way they do, are stuck where they are throught their own actions yet blame whitey and expect to be bailed out because of some NO ONE ALIVE WAS INVOLVED IN. I.e., Slavery. Not all of them are as pathetic as that. no.
Now onto you Dallas. You obviously did fly off the handle as did a lot of us but, the reaction you got was expected. Atleast your man enough to admit your mistake. Theres an old Bhuddist saying that goes A Wise Man Changes His Mind, A Fool, Does Not.
Jesus, you could do anything to another guy then, how does that saying even work?
Talk about beating a dead horse…You should have just not mentioned anything about that stupid post. Now, not only did you admit that what you said was stupid, but now you look like a huge pussy for apologizing and not sticking to your original opinion.
You’re a huge pussy for admitting you’re wrong?
revrant i never thought i would see that day, but i agree
canada it is (no ball touching)
Look like a huge pussy? Grow some hair on your balls and stop acting like a child. You don’t know the first thing about being a man. Shut the fuck up and go cry to momma about how ‘hard’ you are.
The raying applys simplx due to the fact that dallas had already made up his mind in thinking McCain was a racist, then took a moment to think then changed his opinion. Do I iave to spell ou everything to you kids?
So he admits what he said was stupid (+10 internets for realising and acknowledging it, rather than blatantly ignoring it) and regrets it (+5 internets for saying that on a metal forum), and somehow that makes him a “huge pussy”?
No, I might not always agree with what Dallas says (to wit, never once yet on the subject of politics), but that doesn’t mean I’m going to call the dude a pussy for candidly admitting that he said some things without due consideration that were not fully founded in reality. He’s got his own opinion, realizes that it’s no better or worse than the average Bob’s opinion (because I’ve only known two people named Joe in my entire life, whereas the Bobs have reached uncountable numbers, forcing me to concede that it’s now the Average Bob, rather than Joe), states it openly. +5 more internets (and if you don’t get the reference, piss off you fucking neophyte) for Dallas for realizing he’s normal, and admitting it in public.
End score: Dallas with 20 internets, Ross with 0. That means Dallas gets a beer and consideration for actual physical purchase of his band’s next cd, while Ross gets to prod his ass in his mom’s basement while saying “pussy” (because saying it is as close as he’ll ever get to the real thing).
Dallas: In regards to God Forbid’s future success, I think that’s totally up to you guys. There are many examples of band’s who put out a few consecutive good records and then all of a sudden explode with a monster of an album. Not having made that record yet shouldn’t prevent you from trying to make it.
@The Metal Nerd
I’ve had my fair share of black friends in my life, and the thing is I really like black people that set themselves aside from the stereotypes.
In a world that puts a man out of a career because he called a team of basketball players “nappy headed ho’s”, we still face a number of black people that feel the need to play the race card. I can’t even count the number of times I’ve been called “cracker” in my life.. but a man gets humiliated because he makes a statement like that.
Trust me, I know there are many black people like Dallas out there.. but the Jesse Jacksons and the Al Sharptons of the world are why it’s still refreshing to me that there are Dallas Coyles out there.
Dallas,
way to show some maturity. You reflected on what you said, and decided that it did not represent the way you really feel. The important thing is that you manned up and admitted that it was out of line. Politics is always a heated debate and sometimes people say things that are not cool.
Now if we could only get our politicians to do the same we would be moving in the right direction as a country….
Wow, what a great post! I’m sure it wasn’t easy to do. You’ve got my respect. Good luck with the music……….On a sidenote, the bailout video is hilarious!
Jesse: I quote the latest Nas album. It is simply foolishness to have a funeral for the word Nigga, when the action continues unabaded. It is useless and foolish because, NIGGAZ. DONT. DIE. Plain and simple no matter how many of us try to make a return tn the age of dignafacation and respect we as a people once had, it wont fuckin happen. Why? Because ignorance is a plauge with no cure in sight. people on both ends of the color spectrum will continue to play the race card because theyue been mislead into beleaveing that it actually will do some good. but as yot and us all know, it doesnt. oh well.
Admitting you’re wrong is metal. Apologizing for saying something you regret is metal.
Dallas, I thought you were incorrect in your assessment, but I really don’t think you owed anyone an apology. Opinion is not libel or slander, it’s just your own view.
That said, I have more respect for you, and I already had a lot to begin with. And I’ll be BUYING your new album, but not out of respect – but because I like what I’ve heard.
Keep playing shitty music and shut up
Dallas, this is why I can respect you even though we disagree
Ross, not only are you a pussy but you’re the very breed of pussy that is going to be the cause of the downfall of society. Be proud you fucking numbskull.
Nice job, Dallas. I didn’t agree with your last blog but can definitely appreciate an opposing POV. Kudos for the new blog.
I think you had it right last week.
John McCain has proven time and time again that he is a full-fledged racist and misogynist. Issues such as his repeated failure to adopt a Martin Luther King holiday (McCain voted against the federal holiday in 1983, opposed a state holiday in 1987, opposed a new federal holiday in 1989 and voted against funding for the commission established to encourage all states to recognize the King holiday in 1994—11 years after his vote); his flip-flopping on the Confederate flag; his racist references to Vietnamese people thirty years after the fact; his complete erasure of Vietnamese citizen Mai Van On who saved McCain’s life when he crashed his plane; his complete flip-flop on his immigration stance; his hiring of surrogates and naming of a VP candidate who smear his opponent’s name via associations with various people of color such as Rev. Wright, Louis Farrakhan, etc.; his inability to repudate his audiences who yell out racial epithets including “nigger,” “boy,” and more; and his entire Willie Hortonization of Barack Obama has been despicable and disgraceful.
McCain’s racism is only matched by his misogyny from the adultery committed on his first wife; his anger toward his mistress/now wife when calling her a “cunt;” his verified verbal abuse of an elderly woman in a Puerto Rican casino; his documented telling a gorilla/girl rape joke; his fondness for for joking that “he stopped beating his wife;” his hateful joke toward Chelsea Clinton; not to mention his complete and utter ridiculous belief that women are somehow lesser than men when it comes to income disparity; as well as his stances on contraceptives, sex education, women in the military; his complete flip-flop on his abortion rights stance; and also how he uses women as mere props and adornments such as Cindy McCain and Sarah Palin.
C’mon, do you think he would have picked someone who looked like Madeleine Albright or Janet Reno to be his running mate?
No, Dallas, I think you were actually on the right path last week.
I believe the American people are starting to see that as well. Because of his imprisonment and torture in Vietnam, John McCain has received a decades-long pass from the media and from the public. Hopefully, we will all wake up from our stupor and realize that this type of man, one who maligns minorities and belittles women, is not worthy of the highest office in our country.
I don’t want a President I can sit down and have a beer with nor do I want one who views a race of millions as “gooks” and his own wife as a “cunt.” Hell, I don’t want friends that think and speak like that.
No, I think you were absolutely right in calling “That One” a racist.
Dear Dallas,
If I can give you one piece of advice, it is this: plan for a career post God Forbid. I mean this not as an insult, but as a compliment. Even the best of metal bands don’t last forever. But some metal musicians can find a way to compliment themselves in ways other than being a slave to the road. Producing, running a label, directing videos, etc. are all ways that people have branched out. For a while even Dave Lombardo was doing jobs outside of music to pay that mortgage (back when people paid their mortgages of course). I’m not saying, I’m just saying…
Hibernum, there are also plenty of metal bands still alive and rocking today, bands going on 30 years…its all about what you want to do and how much level of success you are willing to deal with…they seem comfortable with the level they are at now and I agree with him totally…they will stay where they are at…which is a good thing…You make your own future!!!!!!!!
Kudos for that reflective and mature post.
@The Metal Nerd
I don’t think it’s as hopeless as you say it is. But I am concerned we wont see the level of equality that all of us as people deserve for a long fucking time.
And holy shit, Ross is a douche. How the hell do you talk shit to a guy that swallowed his pride to make things right with readers and fans that obviously have a lot of respect for him?
Mitchell – I hope you’ve never had a beer with a Viet Nam veteran, or for that matter a WW2 veteran, because if you have, you’ve negated your whole self-righteous last paragraph. I know guys from Viet Nam who, while harboring no active personal racism towards the Vietnamese, still think of and call them “gooks” because of what they went through in Viet Nam. And if you don’t think the sentiment was mirrored on the other side, you’re both delusional and sitting in an ivory tower.
To tell you the truth, I’d personally much rather have a president who is actually a person – you know, the real kind, like the guys you work with – as opposed to some politically-correct wax figure who makes platitudes to make sure everyone is happy and doesn’t have the balls to say what he actually thinks and feels.
And if you don’t think McCain has a right to think of the Vietnamese as gooks after what happened to him…..well…..the only thing I can say is that you’re absolutely ignorant of what happened during the Viet Nam war (no, not what your high school and college textbooks said happened), and have absolutely no realistic consideration for the psychology of the human mind and how it reacts to specific things, and must have led a very sheltered life in a very small, politically-correct community with a very small circle of friends so socially correct as to make Victorians look uncultured.
I don’t like McCain, and I really don’t want to vote for him, but your portrayal is so one-sided and unrealistic as to be painful, and I’ve yet to see you address a single one of the multiple negative aspects Obama has, and thus I cannot let your comment stand without rebuttal.
Let it die. No one wants to have Dallas’ Political Blog War Redux.
Dallas, I tip my cap to you for posting an apology (which you clearly did not have to do), and for still being yourself while doing so. My level of respect for you has been completely restored, if not increased over what it used to be (not that you give a shit, and not that you have to). I can’t wait to hear the new album, dude!
@ Corey Mitchell: Marry me.
[...] Dallas apologized. Woah. [...]
@DL: My father served in Vietnam and is currently bedridden for life. He has never once called a Vietnamese person a “gook.” My uncle was a MASH helicopter pilot who was shot down, captured, and decapitated. His wife, my aunt, has never once uttered a racist remark about any Vietnamese person. My father-in-law did three tours in ‘Nam and served in the Secret Service for nearly twenty years for Republican presidents. He has never once uttered the words “gook” or “nigger.”
As for me personally, I grew up in Pearland, Texas, which is located in the ultra right-wing 22nd District, you know, the one that used to be occupied by Tom Delay. My mother is an active participant in the Tri-County Republican Women’s group and a Republican activist. As a matter of fact, I have been a guest speaker for their organization on two different occasions despite my political differences with their group. Currently, I live in San Antonio, Texas, AKA, “Military City.” I offer support to military burn victims here at Brooke Army Medical Center. In addition, I offer a percentage of royalties from each one of my books to right-wing leaning charitable organizations that help fight crime and/or aid crime victims.
Needless to say, your baseless recriminations hold no water. Your guesses about me are completely off-base and incorrect. But frankly, I could care less what you think about me.
As for you wanting a “regular guy” to be your president, I would think the last eight years would have taught you something. But since that did not sink into your gray matter, here’s some revealing information about your so-called “regular guy,” John Sidney McCain III:
1. JSMIII has never won an election without outspending his opponents, usually by large amounts;
2. JSMIII was a carpetbagger just like Hillary Rodham Clinton;
3. JSMIII grew up in a home that was often populated with high-ranking military officials, elite politicians, numerous celebrities, and nationally known journalists;
4. JSMIII refused larger “town hall meetings” with the regular folk and instead, preferred the $1,000-a-plate dinner fundraisers;
5. JSMIII completely bypassed the developing of roots in Arizona to prove his worth to the common man;
6. JSMIII married the daughter of the wealthiest man in Arizona (whom he had cheated with while still married to his first wife);
7. JSMIII spent nearly $315,000 on winning his 1982 Congressional seat, more than twice the amount of his opponent — he borrowed more than half the money from his wife and father-in-law after he pledged he would not use their money in any way;
8. JSMIII’s first political sponsor and financial backer was none other than Savings & Loan tycoon (and later convicted white collar criminal) Charles Keating;
9. etc, etc, etc.
Here’s what a few politicians had to say about John Sidney McCain III, the “regular guy” — He is so arrogant, and so above it all. He’s so enamored with himself about running for president, about being the senior senator from Arizona, and the power that he has, which is a godawful lot, that I think he’s just turned his back on the people that have elected him. – Lyle Tuttle, chairman, Maricopa County Republican Committee
He’s just above it all; he doesn’t have time to mess with peons. – Tuttle
McCain avoids contact with the unwashed. Don Hasselbrock, active in the Arizona GOP since 1970.
Hey, if your idea of a “regular Joe” (or “Sammy Joe” the (unlicensed) plumber) is a person who likes to spout off terms like “gook” and is categorically proud of all of the people who attend his rallies, including the ones who scream out “nigger” and “boy,” and he happens to be an elitist snob as evidenced by his own fellow party members and closest co-horts, by all means John Sidney McCain III is your kind of guy.
Me, I’ll stick with the guy who actually remembers to acknowledge the middle class in the debates and his stump speeches.
@Ninja: Yours is a sweet offer, however, I don’t think my wife will approve.
Take care.
Corey is the man. He’s convinced me. Give me my dollar back! (reservoir dogs) Now I apologize for apologizing :)
Anyone who quotes from my favorite movie of all time is a bad ass in my book!
Here’s one for you from my favorite character Mr. Blonde — “Now I’m not gonna bullshit you. I don’t really care about what you know or don’t know. I’m gonna torture you for awhile regardless. Not to get information, but because torturing a cop amuses me. There’s nothing you can say, there’s nothing you can do. Except pray for death.”
Congrats on being a published writer! That shit is the bomb. I’d love for you to read one of my scripts to see what you think. Think of it as, me receiving a really bad demo but I listen anyway :)
Dallas, if I weren’t married…
1.663 @ Dallas……..
WORD.
WTF PLUS [ ] 1.663 @ Dallas……..
WORD.
@ Mitchell – I think you’re missing the point – and I’ve said it quite openly many times here. I don’t, in any way, support McCain. I simply despise Obama and everything he says and stands for.
Obama can acknowledge the middle class all he wants. I’ve yet to see a single Democrat do a damned thing for the middle class – and yes, my family is completely blue-collar, with the exception of myself and one uncle – and we have NEVER ONCE gained a single damned thing from having a Democrat in office. Not once. You may claim Obama’s socialist programs will help the middle class – even if he DOES find a way not to increase taxes. Nope, the businesses that employ blue-collar workers will simply cut paychecks and benefits so they don’t lose anything in the bargain. Business tax goes up 25%? Guess who loses 25% of their paycheck and benefits? The middle class is utterly screwed regardless of which party is in office, so I don’t want to hear a goddamn thing about Obama being good for the middle class, acknowledging them, etc etc.
As for the rest, bully for you. Hurrah, huzzah, &c. Since you completely mislabeled me as a McCain supporter, I don’t feel one speck of guilt at calling you an ivory-tower unrealist with no connection to actual life, even though you still sound like one. Next time, instead of just assuming that someone criticizing Obama supports McCain, stop and think about it for a second. As for you not caring less as to what I think, I disagree slightly, seeing as you took the time to put together that massive post of yours to let me know just what you’ve done, do, and think, the only reason for which I can see is to somehow intimidate me with your list of credentials. It doesn’t.
@DemLem: Your “point” was that McCain has the right to call Vietnamese “gooks” and that he is a “a person – you know, the real kind.” Go back and check it out.
Congratulations for you that you don’t support McCain and you despise Obama. Hopefully, Bob Barr or Ralph Nader will provide you with the answers you so desperately seek.
Of course, it is obviously very clear to anyone here at MetalSucks which belief system you support based on your previous comments on various politically-tinged posts.
And no, I don’t care what you think about me. I just enjoy discourse with other human beings.
Now, I have to go back to my garage so I can get back to work, of course, that’s after I wipe off the vomit my two-year-old daughter just spit up on me — or, as you like to call it, my “ivory tower.”
Peace.
Obama/Biden ‘08
Stupid. Musicians should not get political…with the exceptions of Rage Against the Machine and Megadeth.
And Dallas, with an attitude like that, maybe you’ll understand why your band aint goin anywhere now. Another whiny racist.
If your “brother” gets elected, we’re all screwed.
Had to restrain yourself from “nigger” there “Neo”-con? I bet, I bet.
Fuck, i feel like I’ve only read one line on this web page(I’m drunk). Do not think about a career plan post GF, I think GF is fine and can go in any fucking direction it needs to. Your band has its own sound. It’s fucking original! I think determination is one of the best albums ever. Keep doing what you do. Every album is different obviously, I’ll say it again, I do hope you guys take a step back toward determination in the future. That’s just me. i hope you do it some way, some day.
@Dallas: Yeah, I’d love to check out one of your scripts. Hit me up at truecrimewriter@aol.com. I’m finishing up my next book right now so it’ll be awhile before I can get to it, but I definitely want to see it.
[...] God Forbid guitarist Dallas Coyle made a recent post in his column, “The Hard R”, predicting that his band, God Forbid’s latest album will likely not change their level of popularity. You can read the full article over at Metal Sucks. [...]
@ Mitchell – Just one last thing, really quick. I support my own belief system. Last I checked, Republicans weren’t big into gay rights, teaching evolution in schools, &c. Reason you might think I support the right’s belief system is because topics on which I’m fairly liberal on don’t exactly come up too often here. I’m not “desperately seeking” answers – we’re utterly fucked however we turn, and even CNN’s polls agree with me there. Short of a complete government overhaul that’ll never happen, there simply ARE no answers to most of the problems we have now, mainly due to special interests groups bitching about every single thing they can bitch about because someone somewhere might find it offensive, and because the average American voter is completely uneducated – and uninterested – in what’s actually happening in DC.
I don’t like Obama, I don’t like McCain, and I don’t like Nader. I dislike Obama the most out of the bunch, but that’s not saying a whole lot when I think the entire structure of Washington is so rotten and disgusting a good splash of bleach would dissolve the whole fucking thing. Until a candidate comes up that I actually like and support, I’ll continue to vote against the candidate I dislike the most.
I still stand by saying McCain has a right to call Vietnamese gooks. You can disagree, and you do, and that’s fine. Opinion is opinion.
I guess everyone disagrees then, no one has the “right” to refer to a race of people by racist slurs regardless of their experiences. Though if he feels his experiences have altered his perception to the point that he can’t refer to them as though they were people, then that’s his problem.
awesome new god forbid songs, i doubt Dallas Coyle will read this but keep up the good work and next time your in the UK come to Newcastle upon tyne please and get DRYLL to open up for you there a metal band which features Mantas of legendary Venom