"Get your hands off of my country.”

[china]

«
Readers defend pianist's boycott over U.S. military policies

4:36 PM, April 27, 2009
He's one of Poland's most famous pianists, but Krystian Zimerman will not be sharing his musical talent in the U.S. any longer.
In an unprecedented announcement at his debut at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sunday night, Zimerman stated that he had no desire to play in a country whose military wanted to control the world. Then he added, "Get your hands off of my country.”
Though it was reported that 30 to 40 people walked out after he made his claims, many of the 200-plus comments on the Culture Monster blog are in support of Zimerman's choice to boycott America.

Biff writes: The hedline linking to this is wrong. He didn't make "anti-U.S.comments" he was not talking about U.S. trade policy or is feelings about the inequities of the various Federal Reserve banks or any other number of things. he was speaking of the United States horrible militaristic aggression over the past 8 years. If, any of those bright lights who marched out at the first sign of dissent ever travel outside the US, they'll get much more than that. He's right and the truth hurts.
You do not deserve people like him to visit your country and perform in front of you.
Observer writes: But I do care, and he is right.
Why do we need to put a military base with missles in Poland?
For the future Iranian nuclear missle? No, that missle will not get off the ground and will be destroyed before it launches.
The missles in Poland are there to influence the region in an Empirialistic fashion.
Those that think he doesnt matter. Well your eyes must have a lot of sand in them from living your life in hiding from reality.
Cris Macdonald writes: Thank you Mr. Zimerman - your honest cannot be accepted by some narrow brained people.
And for all of you who think that he should be grateful because he makes money in America - give us a brake.
Your own country prepared strikes in NY. But most of you are lazy hamburgers and you do not have a clue what is going on.
You do not deserve people like him to visit your country and perform in front of you.

​

Do you feel that an artist should boycott a nation because he disagrees with certain military policies, or is it his or her duty to perform for his listeners regardless of their nation's decisions? Sound off below.
-- Michelle Castillo
Photo: Krystian Zimerman in 2005. Credit: Kasslara


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Comments
This guy is an idiot--as are those of you who don't understand strategy. This has little to do with 'military aggression' but much more to do with Poland's desire to have counterbalance to overbearing Russia. It is a quid pro quo for the US to have a defense in place against Iran or any other belligerent. The US is the most gracious and defending nation ever & you morons just don't get it!

 

[MHz]

Comments
This guy is an idiot--as are those of you who don't understand strategy. This has little to do with 'military aggression' but much more to do with Poland's desire to have counterbalance to overbearing Russia. It is a quid pro quo for the US to have a defense in place against Iran or any other belligerent. The US is the most gracious and defending nation ever & you morons just don't get it!

Russia overbearing??? The US installed missiles and Russia is the one that is overbearing, that's quite the slant. Not quite as good as your next comment though, a defense against Iran. Jut what target is there that would send a missile over Poland, Greenland is not that big of a threat to anybody. From the number the US installed they must not be very accurate or Iran has 100's upon 100's of ICBM's.

 

[Twila]

Do you feel that an artist should boycott a nation because he disagrees with certain military policies, or is it his or her duty to perform for his listeners regardless of their nation's decisions? Sound off below

A person should stand up for what they believe. He has every right to do as he feels.

 

[El Barto]

A person should stand up for what they believe. He has every right to do as he feels.

Twila , you can be sooo sexy when you get political ;-)

 

[tracy]

I don't think most of us in the US will miss his talents much. I had never heard of him before. I think it's a little arrogant of him to think his boycott is a blow to the country. It's like Bill O'Reilley's boycott of France.

 

[MHz]

I think it's a little arrogant of him to think his boycott is a blow to the country.

I didn't see where he indicated that (he thought) it would have any effect at all. Obviously he has some fans or there would have been no concert. The announcement was probably meant more for them than for you.

 

[ShintoMale]

I don't think most of us in the US will miss his talents much. I had never heard of him before. I think it's a little arrogant of him to think his boycott is a blow to the country. It's like Bill O'Reilley's boycott of France.

maybe because americans generally don't like music that is created on other continents and/ or the media censor non-american stuff

 

[L Gilbert]

It's Zimmerman's choice. I hardly think the majority of the USA would notice the lack of him. Perhaps a few might even quit buying cds and whatnnot with his music recorded on them. Perhaps it'll increase the sales of his music. Either way, his opinion is only as relevant as any other musician.

 

[darkbeaver]

It's Zimmerman's choice. I hardly think the majority of the USA would notice the lack of him. Perhaps a few might even quit buying cds and whatnnot with his music recorded on them. Perhaps it'll increase the sales of his music. Either way, his opinion is only as relevant as any other musician.

You great hairy lumbering Philistine, I suppose you believe in the irrelevance of Mozart and Bach, you must be mad as a hatter and tone deaf toboot to discount the power and relevance of musicians and music.

 

[tracy]

maybe because americans generally don't like music that is created on other continents and/ or the media censor non-american stuff

I don't think that's true at all.

 

[tracy]

I didn't see where he indicated that (he thought) it would have any effect at all. .

People don't usually take the time to announce something they don't think is a big deal. He could have just as easily not come. Doesn't he realize that by coming here and spending time and money here that he's contributing taxes to the very government he dislikes?

 

[darkbeaver]

I'm buying two of his CDs.

 

[L Gilbert]

You great hairy lumbering Philistine, I suppose you believe in the irrelevance of Mozart and Bach, you must be mad as a hatter and tone deaf toboot to discount the power and relevance of musicians and music.

roflmao How many musicians were around back then? How many are there now? I love classical music but I hardly think any particular musician's political philosophies are any more important than anyone else's.
lol BTW, I am Canadian Irish, not Philistine. nor and I particularly hairy and my fields are mechanics and firefighting, not lumber.

 

[L Gilbert]

Also btw, I am boycotting Mexico because of its draconian and corrupt legal system. Think anyone else gives a damn? Think I care that others probably don't give a damn? lol

 

[darkbeaver]

roflmao How many musicians were around back then? How many are there now? I love classical music but I hardly think any particular musician's political philosophies are any more important than anyone else's.
lol BTW, I am Canadian Irish, not Philistine. nor and I particularly hairy and my fields are mechanics and firefighting, not lumber.

I believe you its just so quiet here this evening, I thought to start a huge fight about music but I see you're being reasonable again.:smile:

 

[L Gilbert]

Hey, I added a funny. Wasn't being completely serious, you know.

 

[MHz]

Also btw, I am boycotting Mexico because of its draconian and corrupt legal system. Think anyone else gives a damn? Think I care that others probably don't give a damn? lol

I hope you run over an egg-laying chicken if you are ever down there, you will find just how valuable they deem them to be, almost equal to being a family members Lots of $$$$$ when the law gives you the going price before you can move on. What's corrupt about that?

 

[darkbeaver]

Hey, I added a funny. Wasn't being completely serious, you know.

Lets just forget it OK.

 

[Zzarchov]

Russia overbearing??? The US installed missiles and Russia is the one that is overbearing, that's quite the slant. Not quite as good as your next comment though, a defense against Iran. Jut what target is there that would send a missile over Poland, Greenland is not that big of a threat to anybody. From the number the US installed they must not be very accurate or Iran has 100's upon 100's of ICBM's.

Ya, in Poland, they don't tend to forget that whole "Shot us, robbed us, raped our wives to get us to snap in line and beat us with sticks" bit just because 20 years have rolled around. The middle aged people in Poland grew up being shot at by Russians.

They have a different view by and large over how likely Russia is to attack them and how much they care if Russia gets nuked into a pile of ashes by the USA.

And the USA did not install missiles, there is no need , ICBM's breach oceans. The USA installed missile interceptors. That means Russia can't slaughter Poland as easily.

Its akin to someone yelling at you for putting on a Bullet Proof Vest. There shouldn't be a problem unless they are planning to shoot you anyways.

 

[L Gilbert]

I hope you run over an egg-laying chicken if you are ever down there, you will find just how valuable they deem them to be, almost equal to being a family members Lots of $$$$$ when the law gives you the going price before you can move on. What's corrupt about that?

Upn a cursory glance, nothing. The corruption part is how law extort bribes for better treatment in prisons, police officers accept bribes for lookinbg the other way sometimes, courts hold people on the testimony of said corrupt police, etc.
BTW, upon your next visit, Speaking of hopes, I hope you are arrested for carrying dope there even if you weren't actually carrying dope.