What is Digg?111 Comments
- TeCuervo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+80It is 1:30 AM and I could not move away from my computer.
I have new-found respect for Frank Zappa after hearing him talk.
This man is very well educated and extremely intelligent.
John Lofton on the other hand... well... you should really see this video because Frank Zappa really doesn't do anything to Robert Novak... He obliterates John Lofton who, in my opinion, is a tard.
Definite, def finite digg. - david76, on 10/12/2007, -1/+58Best comment of the show:
"The biggest threat to America today is not Communism, it's moving America towards a fascist theocracy."
- Frank Zappa - Fragalishus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+48Indeed, Zappa was the man. This country needs many more outspoken "celebrities" like him and far, far fewer idiots like Lofton.
- Zyk0tiK, on 10/12/2007, -0/+27I don't know how he stays so calm, seriously... If I was Zappa I would have smacked that guy in the face so ***** hard...
- gconeen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+25yes, not just celebrities, everyone. you don't need to be a radical person to stand up for what you believe, that's a major problem today.
- sevenora, on 10/12/2007, -0/+23I find it very interesting that this video brings to light a huge hypocrisy today, which is that republicans are conservative. Frank Zappa is "a conservative", where is small government in today's administration?
Also funny: Lofton references Hitler to defend censorship...umm...whats that smell? oh, its books burning. - Xageroth, on 10/12/2007, -1/+23It's sad that there aren't more public figures that understand freedom of speech this way. It's as if people believe freedom of speech is meant for the majority of views but what is the point of having the majority of views protected? Who would ever be able to persecute the majority? It seems kind of obvious to me freedom of speech is meant to protect the minority views which most people would react to with offense and want to silence.
- mntalkase, on 10/12/2007, -0/+21Favorite line from the debate (at the 2:00 mark):
Moderator: "There are certain words you use to describe an act of fornication that is... is brutal."
Zappa: "So?" - draebor, on 10/12/2007, -1/+22Great clip... the one think I kept hoping Zappa would say was that the things Mr. Lofton was attempting to shield the country from are parts of the human experience for better or worse, and they don't disappear just by throwing them in a closet. Free speech leads to debate which it can be hoped leads to agreement and resolution, as long as parties aren't blinded by their own ideology. I think people like Lofton are afraid of debate and what might arise from it.
And on the subject of America moving toward a facist theocracy, it's almost scary just how accurate Mr. Zappa's statement predicted the last few years under New Republican control. The very fact that the US government got involved in a right-to-life case in Florida is just one memorable example. - Th0Rr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+21"Do you make lots of money pedaling you wares?" - Lofton
"Yes. Millions. Millions of dollars." - completely straight faced Zappa
hilarious
Lofton looks like a child molester too. I don't know if its the hair or the glasses, probably both. - david76, on 10/12/2007, -1/+20Frank Zappa before the Senate Judiciary Committee on this issue.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePZXjrs4fvY - Davediego, on 10/12/2007, -1/+20He called it 20 years ago, very impressive
- TomRemixed, on 10/12/2007, -0/+18I love it when people underestimate musicians.
- Depthfunction, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17In retrospect, Lofton is absolutely right. I grew up in the 80s and listened to Prince and Van Halen. Now, when I ***** my kids (or invite my kids' teacher in for a threesome), I can't help but whistle the tune to "Purple Rain."
- darkamster07, on 10/12/2007, -0/+14Lofton: "You're not smiling, you don't look too happy about that."
Zappa: "Well why should I smile, I'm sitting here with you."
(copy+paste from youtube, forgive me. Original: ParanoidKid) - igraham09, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13"My concern extends beyond my own family, beyond my own children. I'm concerned about the whole society, the whole country"
Guess what Mr. Lofton? That's not your ***** job... you take care of your littluns, and other people will take care of theirs. Maybe _you_ don't want Little Johnny of yours to hear the word "boob", but other people might not mind.
It's NOT. YOUR. JOB. - deathdefyer, on 10/12/2007, -0/+13John loses his argument about "words" so he starts picking on Frank's answer to his "hope" question... what a desperate *****.
- fotoman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Best lines from Zappa was "Can I make a statement about national defense? The biggest threat to America isn't Communism, it's moving America towards a Fascist Theocracy".
"When you have a government that prefers a certain moral code derived from a certain religion and that moral code turns into legislation to suit one certain religious point of view..."
This was said 21 years ago, and it's scary.
"When Fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross"
Sinclair Lewis, 1939 - david76, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13Sorry, Washington Times, not the Post.
- dn11, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11Most hilarious part was when Zappa told Loften he was advising young people to vote and be involved in government in order to have hope for the future and to better their lives and Loften acted like that was a ridiculous idea.
- biff_m, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11@masterm1nd, Zappa said "...moving America towards a fascist theocracy". That indicates a process not an event.
look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theocracy and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism
I would say that defines the Bush administration. I would say that if Zappa said that exact phrase today, it would be more true than ever. George Bush's goal is for everyone to support his government just because we can't be seen as unpatriotic (fascism) and to believe that his religious beliefs should guide our morality and law making (theocracy). - jake8689, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10"masterm1nd" are you stupid its happening right now with the gay marriage ban and calling people traitor for not supporting the governments decision on Iraq
- bruenig, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12Yeah, it is Lofton not Novak. I remember this from a long time ago and when I found it, I wrote the description from memory before watching it again. I also just like to envision Novak being destroyed.
- wierdaaron, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Frank Zappa has always been a hero of mine. He's opposition of government censorship has always been so level-headed and obvious it always makes whoever argues against him look like idiots.
This is a must-see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePZXjrs4fvY&eurl= - SakisRakis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8They had problems with music lyrics and concepts in the 80's...wonder what they would have to say about 'The Internets'
- zephc, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8more prescient words have never been spoken.
Uptight legislators and others have been fighting new music since before the radio became popular. - D1360, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Zappa completely rips John Lofton apart! It was great watching him in action. I never saw him in this context before.
Great video! - peregrine, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7This is interesting cause 21 years later it's still relevant. All arguments and all proof are all still relevant.
How far politically and socially have we really come?
Great video. Great man. - david76, on 10/12/2007, -3/+10It's so disappointing to see someone from the Washington Post advocating censorship.
- biggans, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7Zappa rocks
- nickrct, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6If Zappa was still around now, he would Obliterate all these goons on Cable TV. He's smirking down from Heaven.
- ejhdigdug, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Wow, I've always been a big fan of Zappa, but it's amazing to see him in action. He did a great job. I found it amazing to hear him say that he's a conservative. It makes sense, but with the way politics are run today I would have assumed he was a liberal.
It was also amazing to see what crossfire used to look like. It was an actual show not just a shouting match.
I DIG IT! - da_bradler, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6lol that John Lofton needs to wait a couple years until rap music comes out then he'd really be pissed.
But seriously why do guys like him always try to ask extremely leading questions the whole time, he's just like bill o'riley instead of decusing the point he just takes the most extreme situation and trys to get the person to condone it.
Are we willing to give up the majority of our rights to protect us from the a minority of content that might offend us. "you don't protect us by limiting us you imprision us" - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6This is the first time I've ever really seen or heard Frank Zappa.
He's my new hero. Can we please rebroadcast this across the nation? People need to see someone give this issue the utter dismissal that Zappa gives it.
I love how Lofton is expecting backup from the other folks, but can't get it. Poor bastard flounders in his own desperate fear of those 7 scary little words. I can't believe how people scream and run from such small portions of personal responsibility. - bengod, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6"Fascist Theocracy is the biggest threat to America."
Lord above he hit the nail on the head. - Ystig, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6"I find it very interesting that this video brings to light a huge hypocrisy today, which is that republicans are conservative. Frank Zappa is "a conservative", where is small government in today's administration?"
The problem with the word "conservative" is that it implicitly connotes preseveration of a particular status quo or even a particular unrealised doctrine, and by no means will all parties and persons, even within a particular political setting, agree on what it is that we are suggesting should be conserved.
In the United States, most people use "conservative" to imply conservation of the political doctrine professed (but not necessarily practised) by the founders of the American political tradition. On the other hand, others, even within the United States, will use "conservative" to imply the preservation of political principles as they were in fact practiced at an earlier time (e.g., the 1950s) in US history. That's not wrong, it's just a different implicit meaning.
Meanwhile, outside the United States, given different histories, "conservative" can have radically different meanings. The closest thing Canada has to a conservative domestic political tradition is Toryism, which, depending on the strain and period, tends to favour an empowered government class and fairly substantial government control and orchestration of industry, but, oddly, a disempowered executive. Which is to say that the most traditional meaning of "conservative" in Canada (and to a just slightly lesser extent in Britain) is almost precisely opposite to the meaning of "conservative" in the United States.
The reality is, "conservative" is fundamentally dependent for its meaning upon place and time the term is used, and place and time the term references as its conserved status quo. There is no "true" conservative path. - toasty168, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5It's people like Lofton that are ***** this country up. They'd rather blow your head off than try and understand you and accept you for who you are. An individual who believes differently. Instead of seeking mutual acceptance and respect, these right-wing fanatics seek assimilation or destruction.
Take back your country and do the world a favor. Register and Vote!!! - Energon, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5“There are more love songs than anything else. If songs could make you do something we'd all love one another.”
~Frank Zappa - somnus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5You can tell that really pissed him off. Lofton hated him for his views, his intelligence, his lifestyle, and then Zappa gave him something else to be jealous out of through turning around a question meant to deafeat him. I sincerely hope that people who watched that show saw who really came out clean in that argument.
- jake8689, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Zappa called when he said "we going down a path that would take us to a fascist theocracy"
- ajaxfontura, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Does this remind anybody else of that video where the three scientology goons are trying to intimidate a camer man. They kept asking him "what are YOUR crimes, ?" In this video there's a great moment at about 6:00-6:30 where they're really ganging up on Mr. Zappa. "Wrong again, Frank!"
And they're all way too fixated on the incest angle. - eN1X, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Tubbo in the glasses is the exact kind of person I hate. Wants to have the government control every aspect of life itself FOR HIM. Just because he doesn't like some dirty words, he believes the government should BAN it even though some people might enjoy it for some reason. He never takes into account that he doesn't have to listen to that music if he doesn't want to. He just wants the easy way out so he doesn't have to deal it. Life is a bitch....you are gonna have to deal with stuff you don't like, but there is always something YOU can do about it. Don't rely on the ***** government. Make yourself useful and help YOURSELF. The government will take care of the important stuff...
Oh and if he's so worried about children hearing this kind of music...I believe it's up to the PARENTS to govern what they think is good for their children and what is not. NOT THE GOVERNMENT
Big government can suck a *****.. - Albaster, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4@achalemoipas
2. And Rome. Also, in feudal/samurai Japan times, it was seen as okay for a samurai to have a male lover besides his girlfriend/wife, pretty much in the same fashion than Greek ephebos. Also, in an interview done to the Dalai Lama that I read around a year ago, he said that Buddhism saw nothing wrong about homosexuality, "as long as human canals aren't used for anything but what they were thought for" (read: Anal intercourse)... And Buddhism is older than Christianism by a tad 500-and-something years old. I also remember watching a documentary a few years ago on some Amazonian tribes where homosexual behavior was perfectly normal, but I'm afraid that I don't remember which ones were, so excuse me about being so vague about this last fact.
3.Another addition to your point :) Homosexual or bisexual behavior is present in most animal species, including our closest relatives the apes, and despite what some may want to make themselves believe, we are animals too. - beasty_dave_Mk2, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Lofton's blogs' good for a chuckle after watching that.
http://www.theamericanview.com/index.php?id=340 - biff_m, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Lofton's comments on Hitler were very true, in terms of influence. HOWEVER, his influence was a direct result of the censorship that the Nazi Party implemented. This censorship is no different than the type that Lofton advocates. The idea that any kind of censorship helps society is the same reasoning that Hitler used. If Germany had any true freedom of speech during that time, I believe that the Nazi's would have had a hard time having parades honoring themselves and their beliefs.
It all comes down to who has the final say in what can be said on the airwaves, in print, and in music. The freedom of speech also includes the freedom from speech. (paraphrasing Penn Jillette) I don't choose to watch FOX News, but I don't think it should be off the air. Likewise, I should be able to have the opportunity to criticize those that I don't agree with. Lofton advocates the government telling me I can't say certain things, but what if someone were in power that told him to shut up. He would be spouting the founding fathers and the First Amendment.
Who gets to decide what gets said? I don't, but I don't want to, and I know you don't want me too.
Who gets to decide what I hear? ME, and only ME. That is the spirit of freedom of speech. - toasty168, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4On that note... DON'T FORGET TO VOTE PEOPLE!!! REGISTER NOW!!
- writeman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4By the same token you can say what does their gender have to do with it? The fact is, both race and gender would play into their decision-making, just as it does in everything else. And if you don't believe that, you're kidding yourself.
- evildeadxsp, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5i'll probably get dugg down for this... but this did hit the front page of digg about a year ago.
but it's still great. zappa is a genius...
"if you want to get laid, go to college. If you want an education, go to the library." - zappa
(one of my favorite quotes) - lopla, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4John Lofton is a typical Christian NUTJOB one of the same 20%ers who support Bush. I truly wish they would get the F-out of America.
- metamorfoza, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Yeah, Lofton expected a differnet answer. He thought that Frank will be somewhat modest or (quirte possibly) that he will avoid the question. Zappa saw this and just nailed him. (you saw the look he gave to the Lofton)
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