2020.07.04 - Twitter/Rolling Stone - Axl Rose Defends His Political Outspokenness in July 4th Message (& related articles)

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/n_1sracfi

Axl Rose Defends His Political Outspokenness in July 4th Message

Guns N' Roses singer's anti-Trump tweets come from "a sense of outrage, obligation n’ responsibility to say something at times when I feel not to is being complicit"

By Daniel Kreps

A day after Axl Rose tweeted criticism directed toward the U.S. Surgeon General, the Guns N’ Roses singer penned a July 4th message defending his political outspokenness.

“My disdain 4 [our] current administration n’ what I perceive as its threat to [our] democracy is no secret,” Rose wrote; while the singer isn’t active on social media, when he does use Twitter, it’s often to criticize Donald Trump and his cabinet.

“In general my posts in regard to current events, politics or social issues [are] usually coming from a sense of outrage, obligation n’ responsibility to say something at times when I feel not to is being complicit (as opposed to a desire for attention or self promotion),” Rose continued.

“I’m nobody, just a citizen that like everyone else has my own opinions n’ believes in my heart that ultimately I want what’s best for not just [our] country but for humanity, wildlife n’ [our] environment n’ other’s as opposed to right, left or any other wing fascism [are] at least in this country free to disagree.”

On July 3rd, Rose slammed U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams after he appeared in an interview and refused to comment on whether or not U.S. citizens — in the midst of a pandemic — should attend July 4th parties. “Jerome Adams is a: A coward b: A POS c: Both,” Rose tweeted. “Resign. U don’t deserve the job or title. America deserves better.”

The singer had previously taken aim at Steven Mnuchin, stating that the Treasury Secretary is “officially an asshole.” Rose and Mnuchin then engaged in a brief Twitter feud, with Rose silencing Mnuchin by noting “unlike this admin I’m not responsible for 70k+ deaths.”

Rose added Saturday, “So 4 me when I feel someone in this administration for example or perhaps media, in entertainment or the public says or does something that in my view supports or caters to the irresponsibility of this administration or various issues w/government or law enforcement I may voice an opinion. Perhaps a strong or perhaps considered by some a lewd or immature response or opinion. It happens.”

Early July 5th, Rose returned to Twitter to retweet an article shared by former National Security Advisor Susan Rice that warned that Trump could refuse to leave the Oval Office even after a Joe Biden victory on Election Day.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/axl-rose-political-outspokenness-july-4th-message-1024314/

Los Angeles Times, July 6, 2020:

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Axl Rose explains why he feels so much ‘disdain’ for Trump administration

By Christie D’Zurilla
Staff Writer

It’s hardly news when a celebrity takes a shot on social media at the current administration. However, what might be is when one explains what drives him to do so.

Axl Rose did just that after he engaged with Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Twitter over the holiday weekend, after first calling the Cabinet member a couple of rude names and telling him to resign.

Key takeways from his explanation? The Guns N’ Roses leader is not following any political playbook. It’s OK if you disagree with him, and it’s OK for him to respond to a member of the administration without putting that person 100% on blast. And it’s all about the issues, not about the rocker.

“My disdain 4 r current administration n’ what I perceive as it’s threat to r democracy is no secret,” Rose tweeted Saturday night, saying that while he appreciates those who pay attention to what he says, he isn’t speaking out to gain followers or retweets.

His political and social-issues posts, Rose wrote, “rn’t about me. They’re about the issues.”

So when Rose is trashing Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, retweeting criticism of Vice President Mike Pence or calling out President Trump with a defense of the “Lamestream media,” you can trust that that’s not about him. And when he rips Adams, calling him a “coward” and worse, that’s still not about him. Even if Adams, like Mnuchin, decides to respond.

“In general my posts in regard to current events, politics or social issues r usually coming from a sense of outrage, obligation n’ responsibility to say something at times when I feel not to is being complicit (as opposed to a desire for attention or self promotion.),” Rose continued, via the TwitLonger platform.

“I’m nobody, just a citizen that like everyone else has my own opinions n’ believes in my heart that ultimately I want what’s best for not just r country but for humanity, wildlife n’ r environment n’ other’s as opposed to right, left or any other wing fascism r at least in this country free to disagree.”

“So 4 me when I feel someone in this administration for example or perhaps media, in entertainment or the public says or does something that in my view supports or caters to the irresponsibility of this administration or various issues w/government or law enforcement I may voice an opinion,” he wrote. “Perhaps a strong or perhaps considered by some a lewd or immature response or opinion.

“It happens.”

Rose and Adams had interacted on Friday after the rocker lashed out at the surgeon general, calling Adams names and saying, “Resign. U don’t deserve the job or title. America deserves better.”

“Hey Axl - appreciate your passion (and your music),” Adams replied politely, attaching a July 2 Independence Day PSA of himself in which he begged people to wear masks if they couldn’t social distance. “How about helping me save some lives by sharing the message about staying safe, and using face coverings?!”

Rose replied: “Awesome! n’ thanks! U wanna start by telling peeps to avoid large gatherings? Or u want me to? Shame we didn’t get that out there 4 this wkend like on TV.”

Rose’s reply garnered replies of its own, ranging from “Go, Axl” to “Never buying tickets to another show.”

Adams continued the exchange on Sunday, though Rose didn’t answer.

“Axl- I mentioned CDC guidelines, which state large gatherings as high risk. Here’s the rub- racial justice protests (many of which happened this weekend) are important, but are ‘large gatherings.’ As Zeke Emmanuel has said, its about knowing risk,” the surgeon general wrote, including a tweet from Emmanuel, who ran the National Institutes of Health for the Obama White House.

“Bottom line, I’ve always told people large gatherings are higher risk- but people may choose to go out anyway, and COVID doesn’t care why you choose to do so. So my focus is on helping people understand how to determine their risk, so they can make an informed decision.”

Adams concluded by inviting Rose to reach out to his office about CDC guidelines.

“Happy to chat with you, as I’m always interested in working with people to help promote health and safety practices,” Adams tweeted, “even people who call me names!”

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2020-07-06/axl-rose-politics-surgeon-general-jerome-adams

Billy Gould of Faith No More: