Michael Smerconish host Roger Waters was interviewed on the August 5th and 6th repeats of the This Is Not A Drill tour in Philadelphia.
Politics is the absolute protagonist of the conversation, with Roger Waters who vehemently expresses his radical beliefs
The topics of the interview
The origin of the war in Ukraine and the role of the United States; the historical basis of Taiwan’s “Chineseness”; the role of the Soviet Union in liberating Europe from Nazism during World War II. These are some of the topics that will be covered throughout the conversation.
“Activism is the key to everything”
To introduce the interview, the reporter reports on a current statement Jonathan Wilson to the ultimate classic rock. Dear Singer-Songwriter and Producer, Jonathan Wilson is guitarist and singer in the band of bodies of water; about the political nature of the show “This is not an exercise”, Wilson said: “Not to make comparisons, but the shows of the Rolling Stones or the Beatles are more of a trip down memory lane than an expression of actuality. Activism is the key to everything.”
rock and politics
And since the interview focuses on the relationship between rock music and politics, Michael Smerconisch asks for Roger because it kicks off the show by inviting viewers who don’t share its political vision to … go to the bar (“You might do well to fuck off to the bar rig”).
Calm, bodies of water he replies that this is the best way to start because it encourages audiences to participate in the show. “You’ve heard everything I’ve written since I started composing in 1965. You know my political vision. You know what’s in my heart and why I’m here. It’s not a bad idea for those who don’t share to go to the bar.
And he adds:
Instead, there is a sense of communication with the audience in the hall; We become one fellowship with all our brothers and sisters from around the world. If there’s a message in This Is Not A Drill, it’s that we need to communicate with each other.
The journalist urges him: “But do you want the audience in the hall who are screaming at you to sing the big hits?” “No, I don’t want them in the room,” he replies bodies of water.
“Do you have to pay to listen to your messages?”
The conversation begins to ignite. Smerkonian asks whether the public should pay to listen to messages.
bodies of water he replies that the message he sends is one and always the same. To explain this, he quotes a few lines “echoes” (from the album “Interfere” of Pink Floyd – 1971): “Strangers walking by in the street / Two separate looks happen to meet / And I am you and what I see is me” and what I see is myself “).
“That is my message and it has never changed. I recognize the humanity of Russians, Chinese, Ukrainians and Palestinians.”
The origin of the war in Ukraine
“Are you putting attackers and attackers on the same level? In the new show, you send a list of “war criminals” to the screens, including a picture of President Biden saying, “He’s only just got started.” What do you mean?”
“Joe Biden is lighting the fire in Ukraine. It’s a serious crime. Why doesn’t the US encourage Zelenskyy to negotiate?” he claims bodies of water. “You’re wrong,” intervenes the reporter. “You blame the invasion!”
It still is bodies of water: “Let’s go to the beginning of this story. Which began in 2008 with NATO’s push to reach Russia’s borders. During the negotiations for the withdrawal of the Soviet Union from the Eastern countries, Gorbachev was promised that it would not come to that!”
The role of the USSR in the liberation of Europe from Nazism
“So you are questioning the role of the United States as a liberator?” asks the reporter. “You have no role as liberator,” he flares up bodies of water. “During World War II, you only entered the conflict because of Pearl Harbor. They were isolationists until that sad and devastating day.
“Thank God the US intervened,” he replies Smerkonian; “Thank God the Russians had already won this bloody war. Don’t forget that 23 million Russians died to protect you and me from the Nazi threat.”
“You mean the Russians learned their lessons from the war and didn’t invade Ukraine, right?” replies the CNN reporter.
Roger: “I suggest you read more, Michael. Imagine what the US would do if the Chinese deployed nuclear missiles in Mexico and Canada.
“According to the international community, Taiwan has been China since 1948”
“China is too busy surrounding Taiwan as we speak,” he replies Smerkonian.
“Taiwan belongs to China. It has been absolutely accepted by the entire international community since 1948. And if you don’t know, read it. You don’t read enough!” Counterattack bodies of watermore and more passionate.
“Did something come loose today?” try to release the tension Smerkonian, one of CNN’s senior reporters. “No; well, yes, but yes. Let me explain: no, because you believe in your biased propaganda,” he continues bodies of water, with decision. “You call it propaganda?” “You can’t talk about Taiwan and human rights if you haven’t read enough,” he continues bodies of waterat the height of a verbal argument.
defense of human rights
Smerkonian: “Roger, speaking of human rights, China is at the top of the list of those who don’t respect them. Why is there always the western world in your vision? “
bodies of water: “The Chinese didn’t invade Iraq in 2003 and killed a million people. I don’t remember, wait…which country did the Chinese invade and kill and slaughter?”
Smerkonian: “But what you say makes no sense, it makes no sense!”
bodies of water: “Read, read, you must read.”
Smerkonian: “My problem is that I spend too much time reading your statements. Thanks for the advice.”
bodies of water: “Thank you for talking to me. It’s always a pleasure.”
Smerkonian: “Really? Good. Oh my god… It’s always a problem with you.”
bodies of water: “Please don’t tell me that.” Smerkonian: “What?” bodies of water: “Oh dear God…”
And the fiery verbal confrontation ends with a handshake.
Whether or not we share historical revisionism about the role of the US and USSR in the fight against Nazism or the other positions presented in this interview, it has to be acknowledged Roger Waters the courage to be the center of attention – “Live in the round”, as the subtitle of the show says.
The courage of the intellectual artist, the CNN giant and the “Powers That Be”, America’s powerful, to blab about burning issues like he does with him “This is not an exercise” Trip.
By the way, here and here are our other articles on the new show by Roger Waters.