We still don't have an approved budget. And by "we", I mean the United States Government. How is it mid-April, and we don't have an official breakdown for government spending? I have an idea: maybe it's because we spend "our" money on frivolous things, like sending FBI agents and Secret Service men to follow a few punk bands around on tour.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004 – Bad Religion was headlining the Electric Factory, one of the greatest concert venues in Philadelphia. Supporting, on their first national tour, was Rise Against, along with the fledgling band From First To Last, who were hand picked by Bad Religion to be part of the bill. The tour was called the “Rock Against Bush Tour” and was supported by Punk Voter.Com, an organization striving to educate young voters on the issues surrounding the upcoming election, and urge them to get out and vote. Oh, and they were trying to get those two dictators out of office as well.
Much like I have been prone to do in the past, I arrived at the show early to make sure I caught each act’s set in its entirety. I expected the usual when I approached the front doors: the men and women would queue in separate lines to be patted down. I would empty my pockets of their contents to make the pat down easier. I’d present my ID to get a wristband to enter the bar area, although I rarely ever drank at shows. I’d go inside, do a lap to see if any of the regulars were in attendance before finding the best vantage point to watch the opening acts and prime myself for movement into the pit.
This night, however, followed a different chain of events. The usual concert “Security” wasn’t guarding the door to the musical palace, dawning their yellow polo shirts. Tonight, there were men in black suits waiting to assist me with my concert experience. I felt a little uneasy. I emptied my pockets as per usual, but instead of being spun a hundred and eighty degrees for the normal frisk, I was told to put all my belongings in a bowl to be scanned by a metal detector. I was then asked to stand against a wall and “spread ‘em” (how cliché). I was examined so thoroughly that if I repeated the same routine outside of this situation, I would probably be slapped with an assault charge.
After I was stamped “safe” by a gentleman wearing sunglasses at night (who the fuck does that?), I was escorted to a table where I had to show my driver’s license to another man in a black suit. At this point, I realized something was up. My first thought was during a prior show, someone, somehow got a weapon in, past security, creating an unsafe situation, which served no legitimate purpose, and the E-Factory was taking all the necessary precautions.
I showed this next sir my driver’s license, which he wrote down every detail, asked me several times if this was my real address. It wasn’t technically; I still had my parents’ address on my license. I had to give them both of my parents’ full names before revealing my current residence. They tried to get as much of my personal information out of me before telling me to “enjoy myself.” I’ve never been more confused in my life. Why does the E-Factory care what my car’s license plate number is?
The show started and I put the weird greeting behind me. That was until Bad Religion took the stage. After their opening number, Greg Graffin addressed the crowd. He welcomed everyone to the show, thanked the opening acts, and thanked the masses for being in attendance. Who he thanked next brought everything out into the open and enlightened us all to what we were all a part of this particular night. He individually pointed out, by first and last name, each of the Secret Service agents who were keeping a close eye on the multitudes. I looked around each time he introduced one, feeling Big Brother bearing down on me more and more, and for the first time noticing the only yellow polo shirted “Security” working, manned the four corners and the front of the stage. Men in black suits had us surrounded.
Greg explained then-President (and I use that term loosely) Bush was worried the “Rock Against Bush Tours” (there were a few gallivanting across our country at the time) would insight riots; teenagers and young adults pouring out into the streets with (GASP) their own thoughts on politics, creating a world filled with anarchy. We were told Cheney didn’t trust the message Bad Religion, Rise Against, and Punk Voter were preaching, and had his men take down the names and personal information of everyone in attendance at these shows. We would all be put on a list to be kept watch over. Our “fearless” leader was scared; scared the youth would, for the first time in a very long time, stand up for what is right and just.
Newspapers and statisticians all claimed the tours had no effect at all on the young voter turn out from the previous election. What was left out, however, from all of these reports was the explanation of THE FACTS. The youth vote represented seventeen percent of the total votes counted, exactly the same percentage as the 2000 election. However, the 2004 election set a record for the greatest voter turn out for an election ever. To put it simply, seventeen percent of a greater number of total voters from the 2000 election, means more younger voters made their way to voter booths in 2004. I’d say whatever “we” did was a success. (And by we, I mean those of us wearing t-shirts sporting Bush’s ugly mug with “Not My President” printed underneath.)
This government action made me realize two things this night: 1). Bush & Cheney wouldn't have sent agents of the government out on this assignment if they honestly didn't think the "youth vote" was a serious threat, and 2). For the first time the power and drive young voters have in this country wasn’t underestimated.
Leaders, politicians, and power whores are in line to receive your choice… And you bet your ass, if you give it to them, they will gladly take your voice…
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