John's Political Relevance/Committment

[Greg]

I wonder what people think of John's political stuff.

I'm throwing this out there quickly.

1.  I love the Sometime In NYC album.  I love the messages, the concept, the fact that he chose to put it out, and the music.

2.  I think he could have made his life easier by not having a bed-in or spoken out about stuff, but at least he was trying.  He took grief from the Left and Right. 

3.  Revolution:  I could take it or leave it.  It's not a revolution song to me.

4.  For time reasons I won't go into details, but I don't think Yoko was into leftist causes in her heart. 

[Paperback Writer]

At the time, it all made sense, there was a mad, cruel, brutal war that was literally affecting the US about 2000% more than the recent Iraq War did.  For every action, there is a reaction.

Looking back in time, out of context, sure, some of it seems silly, but you could say that about most political rants, taken out of time and context. 
'And, of course, though John was artistically brilliant, extremely well-intended and meant the best loving feelings for the world, he had major flaws in character, moods and temper, which often hurt people and himself.  Very complex man.

[acebackwords]

I think of John's politically views like I think of John imagining no possessions when he owns millions of dollars worth of them.  In other words:  Not too inspiring in my book.

[Paperback Writer]

I really think Yoko was the "businessman" in the family, but if I'm sure of one thing about John (none of us can really know) he might be the first to say he was a phoney and hypocritical at times, because he was human and always included himself as an example of human weakness and contradiction. 

I never took him as implying he knew more or lived more purely than anyone of us.  Wasn't it he who wrote and sang in Nowhere Man - Isn't he a bit like you and me?

[Greg]

Yes, that's my view too PBWriter.
I always gave him a pass on the 'imagine no possessions' thing because I assumed he was including himself in the lyric.
Man, I hope he did catch the irony of singing that in a video in his stockbroker-belt house on that one.