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Wish You Were (not) Here: Pink Floyd's Waters slammed for U.N. speech on Ukraine

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Hard not to attribute it to dementia when one of your music or comedy heroes starts spouting nonsense. There have been a few in recent years.

-2 ( +16 / -18 )

"The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was illegal. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms," the British musician said via video.

Waters used the 'invasion' word. Doesn't he know that it isn't allowed? He was probably supposed to say 'incursion', which implies that the Soviets are just in town for a while to do a bit of shopping and not the murderous rampage of violence that it appears to be.

1 ( +15 / -14 )

Roger Waters sounds like an arrogant tart.

-10 ( +12 / -22 )

Almost all the musicians from the 60s and 70s were anti-war.

Most still are, including Roger Waters. He is misguided in his support for Russia but still condemns the war.

Read paragraph 3 and tell me what you think it means.

4 ( +13 / -9 )

Negotiations with Russia must mean their total withdrawal from all Ukraine territory.

2 ( +17 / -15 )

Roger Waters was not 'just another brick in the wall', he was actually speaking to the wall, for all the effectiveness which his intervention achieved.

This disingenuous, self-serving, puffed-up rabble parading under the alleged title of UN Security Council, need disbanding - they are a fraud, totally useless and unfit for purpose. Over 200,000 dead on the Russian side, over 125,000 dead on the Ukrainian side, and still they keep on talking platitudes and never, ever condemn Putin for his totally vile, sadistic campaign to satisfy his repulsive blood-lust.

In any other walk of life they would have been sacked-off 10 months ago, and possibly prosecuted for the enablement and promotion of allowing war-crimes to be committed.

When will the real free democratic countries of the world wake up and take this matter seriously, before the next (and possibly bloodiest phase) of this war takes place, on the first anniversary of its' commencement ?

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Hmmmm, lets see, trust and believe a great singer-songwriter-world performer who has always questioned illegitimate power in his songs, or a Ukrainian UN Rep?

hahaha

Roger Waters gets it. Seymour (the CIA blew up the Nord Stream II) Hersh gets it. Many many others get it. Some never will.

invalid CSRF

-6 ( +11 / -17 )

When will the real free democratic countries of the world wake up and take this matter seriously,

What do you suggest that they do that they aren't doing now? Try and be specific.

5 ( +14 / -9 )

I disagree with a lot of Waters' political views, but you have to admit, he got this one right.

-9 ( +13 / -22 )

I disagree with a lot of Waters' political views, but you have to admit, he got this one right.

Do you mean the bit about the Russian invasion being illegal? Or is that the bit that you skipped over?

Hmmmm, lets see, trust and believe a great singer-songwriter-world performer who has always questioned illegitimate power in his songs, or a Ukrainian UN Rep?

Suddenly musical artists are back in favour for right-wingers. Can we add great Hollywood actors to your list of people to be trusted?

1 ( +11 / -10 )

I am a huge fan of Pink Floyd and Roger Waters, but this just goes to show that "celebrities," whether on the left or right, should stick to their art.

0 ( +11 / -11 )

ClippetyClopToday  08:25 am JST

Do you mean the bit about the Russian invasion being illegal? Or is that the bit that you skipped over?

It's the bit in the first sentence of the article.

Which you skipped over.

-13 ( +3 / -16 )

It's the bit in the first sentence of the article

So you agree with him in that the invasion is illegal but it was provoked?

If it’s illegal then obviously the provocation wasn’t enough to make it legal or justified.

Glad you see that Waters wasn’t giving Russia the ringing endorsement of its ‘special military operation’ that you thought he would.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

ClippetyClopToday  09:16 am JST

So you agree with him in that the invasion is illegal but it was provoked? 

Do you agree with him that Russia was provoked?

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

Do you agree with him that Russia was provoked?

Provoked enough into launching an invasion to obliterate an an entire nation?

Weirdly, no. You do, we get that.

What provocations do you think justified the invasion that has killed hundreds of thousands of people? They better be good.

3 ( +12 / -9 )

….and once again, do you agree with Waters that the invasion is illegal?

6 ( +13 / -7 )

Hmmmm, lets see, trust and believe a great singer-songwriter-world performer who has always questioned illegitimate power in his songs, or a Ukrainian UN Rep?

I rate Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney more highly as songwriters but Roger Waters is good. I think Dylan’s and McCartney’s input on this would be more valid.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

I would say Waters has a better voice than Dylan though. That would add weight to his opinions here.

I saw Motörhead live and Lenny was a great performer. A pity he isn’t with us to offer his view.

RIP.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Lemmy

0 ( +3 / -3 )

I knew Lemmy from Camden Town, and when I worked for Hawkwind. "Lemmy" came from him asking everyone then to "lend me a quid". Lemmy.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

A music star speaking in UN about an actual bloody war? What a circus this place has become. If so, I demand Terminator to speak on the next session!

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

I knew Lemmy from Camden Town, and when I worked for Hawkwind. "Lemmy" came from him asking everyone then to "lend me a quid". Lemmy

I saw him in interviews and he came across as a really good fella. Great presence on stage.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Jimizo

he was a good guy to enjoy a pint with and especially when he wasn't paying. Down to earth guy. Wasn't into the fame?

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Thankfully there are people like Roger Waters unafraid and intelligent enough to see and speak the truth.

-5 ( +10 / -15 )

Thankfully there are people like Roger Waters unafraid and intelligent enough to see and speak the truth.

Roger Waters : “The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was illegal. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms”

Don't agree with Waters on much, but he is right. 

Roger Waters : “The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was illegal. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms”

0 ( +9 / -9 )

ClippetyClopToday  09:32 am JST

….and once again, do you agree with Waters that the invasion is illegal?

It was definitely a provoked invasion. But Russia might have a legal claim of self defense.

wallaceToday  10:05 am JST

I knew Lemmy from Camden Town, and when I worked for Hawkwind. 

Condos in Florida and now this gem?

-11 ( +4 / -15 )

RKL

Have you even heard of Hawkwind?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

It was definitely a provoked invasion. But Russia might have a legal claim of self defense.

Right, so when you said, "I disagree with a lot of Waters' political views, but you have to admit, he got this one right." you were mistaken, because actually you don't agree with him that Russia's invasion is illegal.

Either that or you are just all over the place.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

If Russia wants to be taken seriously they need Screech from Saved By The Bell.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Wrong, because if you read my easy to understand comment, I agreed Russia was provoked.

But you disagree that Russia's invasion is illegal, do you not? These are your actual words we are talking about. It's quite easy to show that you are confused by what Waters actually said. He's not quite the fellow Putin spokesman that you imagined him to be.

Furthermore, you previously stated that Putin was provoked by Biden, not Ukraine. So in fact you disagree with everything that Waters said. Russia cannot have "a legal claim of self defense" against a country that did not provoke it.

But all your clear confusion is irrelevant. You want Russia to crush Ukraine because it's beneficial for the politics in your own country. This we can all see very clearly, but you can't admit it.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

I’ve heard prog rock fans tell me that genre of music requires a higher level of musicianship than folk or pop for example.

Should that be factored in when we consider the views of musicians on international affairs?

2 ( +6 / -4 )

I loved the Pink Floyd music at their pinnacle and went to many concerts and festivals. So many good memories. They all flash back whenever I listen to their music.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I disagree with a lot of Waters' political views, but you have to admit, he got this one right.

Not at all. He is positively wrong. That is obvious for all to see.

Russia was not provoked. If you think a sovereign nation, exercising its right to decide its own destiny and future is a provocation to any other nation, then I suggest you return to school. If anyone was provoked it was Ukraine by Russia, yet they did not invade Russia for it.

The only way a cease fire will work is if it is accompanied by a full Russia withdrawal to its own recognized borders.

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

ClippetyClopToday  12:36 pm JST

But you disagree that Russia's invasion is illegal, do you not? These are your actual words we are talking about.

We are discussing the words from the first sentence of the article. How did you get so clearly confused? This is basic language,

Here, again:

"not unprovoked."

Peter14Today  01:03 pm JST

I disagree with a lot of Waters' political views, but you have to admit, he got this one right.

Not at all. He is positively wrong.

No, he was right.

That is obvious for all to see.

Not for all obviously.

Russia was not provoked.

Yes it obviously was.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Whether Russia were provoked or not, their response was in now way legitimate or proportionate. Hence the widespread condemnation. Even from Roger Waters, who clearly states it was an illegal invasion.

To suggest Russia have a claim for self defense is pure idiocy.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

@RKL

Its quite a simple question that you are unable to answer.

Do you agree with Waters when he says that the invasion is illegal?

You said you agree with him, so I assume that you believe it to be illegal in spite of the provocation.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

Us and Them.

Listen.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

in *no way

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

ClippetyClopToday  01:13 pm JST

Its quite a simple question that you are unable to answer. 

Again, and I'll write this slowly for you.

I answered that (read that slowly for full effect).

Scroll up--there you go--to my 11:25 comment.

There it is!

Do you agree with Waters when he says that the invasion is illegal? 

See. Above. Again.

You said you agree with him, so I assume that you believe it to be illegal in spite of the provocation.

We all agree! Me. You. And Roger.

Russia was provoked.

I knew we'd get through this together.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Russia was provoked.

Im starting to thing that you are just a bit dim.

The question wasnt about Russia being provoked. It was if you agree that the invasion is illegal.

Can you even read?

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

ClippetyClopToday  01:27 pm JST

Im starting to thing that you are just a bit dim. 

The question wasnt about Russia being provoked. It was if you agree that the invasion is illegal. 

Can you even read?

Was that your question? Are you sure what you are trying to say?

Did you write coherently? Did you understand the issue?

What are you trying to say?

You're having a hard time trying to express yourself.

Can you re-write whatever it is you are trying to ask? Ask a friend to proof read it maybe?

Just a suggestion.

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

Roger Waters has opinions and like many here, he believes he is right. He questions everything and is against authority and is anti war. To dismiss him as anti Semite, is so wrong.

I encourage people to watch his interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gNtJgRZNHA&ab_channel=Skavlan

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

To dismiss him as anti Semite, is so wrong.

In the UK anyone who supports the Palestinian cause and criticizes the world's last apartheid regime for murdering children and journalists is herd-smeared as an anti-Semite. That's how things work there now.

-2 ( +6 / -8 )

Maybe we should seek out Billy Idol and Beyonce for their sage advice?

Come on... pop stars? Really?

Bit like asking Elvis to stop the Vietnam War, or Steps to intervene in the Syrian civil war... they should stick to writing songs and leave the politics to those with shoulders big enough to carry the load.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

If you think a sovereign nation, exercising its right to decide its own destiny and future is a provocation to any other nation, then I suggest you return to school.

How to define a "sovereign nation"? Would you describe Syria as such? Yet other nations have been involved in warfare within its borders.

If Putin's intent was merely to remove the oppression of the largely Russian-speaking areas of Ukraine, I might understand. But his actions seem to go far beyond that. I think he is rightly condemned. But that doesn't mean the Ukraine government is the good guy. I still think Western countries should have applied pressure on Ukraine prior to the invasion to let the people of the contested areas decide their futures. But it's probably too late for that now.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

He's not wrong, but some people can't accept facts if they're inconvenient nowadays

Not wrong about what?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

He's not wrong, but some people can't accept facts if they're inconvenient nowadays

"The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation was illegal. I condemn it in the strongest possible terms," the British musician said via video”

I’m glad the 3 of us agree.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

These European should tell Zelensky,too get the best deal he can get ,while Ukraine is a viable country, Russian will eventually learn from their mistakes,and it will be to late,the US has moved on from Ukraine,the European should handle their own mess

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

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