Bruce Dickinson on BBC Radio 4 "Any Questions" (2nd November)

Forostar said:
I get that but what is international friendship worth if laws are not very helpful and if political relations are not that excellent?

The EU is also about rules. Laws and rights. There's probably lots of rules he doesn't like but there are also lots of them that are very helpful to people. E.g., of all people, international artists and people in the air flight business can realize that the EU makes it easier for people of different nationalities to travel and stay in other countries.
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I realize that there are benefits as well as drawbacks to the overall concept. I was not attempting to initiate a political debate, I was just trying to clarify that one should not construe Bruce's opposition to the EU as an opposition to international friendship or cooperation, especially when we're talking about individuals (as he does in the Blood Brothers speech) as opposed to nations.
 
Yes and I was trying to clarify than one should not be ignorant of laws, especially when we're talking about individuals (as he does in the Blood Brothers speech). Individuals live in nations.
 
He is so blatant against the EU that I imagine he is ignorant of beneficial EU laws. See also my last post on the previous page.
 
Ah no. It was a well meant speech focused on the comradery, the unity of all these people going mental at an Iron Maiden concert. At that moment he was busy with that.

Still I think that a metal community consisting out of individuals of all kinds of nations certainly looks more like the EU (and is provided with better things because of the EU) than separate countries, solely defending their own interest (29 UK's).

EDIT:
I admit that it's hard to believe that Bruce is ignorant of such matters. I think he had a hard time founding his company (according to EU rules) and that's what's more on his mind now.
 
So Bruce doesn't share the liberal political views of the majority of the internet message board public. Big deal. I wouldn't hold it against a friend to be of conservative leanings so I won't hold it against a musician. Besides, Bruce has always struck me as a fairly arrogant individual. Even a bit of an arse. He's still one of my favourite rock stars.
 
Great Sage said:
Besides, Bruce has always struck me as a fairly arrogant individual. Even a bit of an arse.
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Yeah, indeed. Conservative individual, arrogant individual. What's the difference.
Arrogant/arse musician, arrogant/arse friend. What's the difference.
 
I'll have to watch that interview now, but I bet I know what Bruce is talking about.
 
Forostar said:
Yeah, indeed. Conservative individual, arrogant individual. What's the difference.
Arrogant/arse musician, arrogant/arse friend. What's the difference.
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I never said there wasn't a difference. I just meant that I don't need a musician to have likable views or personality to respect their work. As long as it's not far right wing stuff.
 
Forostar said:
Yeah, indeed. Conservative individual, arrogant individual. What's the difference.
Arrogant/arse musician, arrogant/arse friend. What's the difference.
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I never said there wasn't a difference. I just meant that I don't need a musician to have likable views or personality to respect their work. As long as it's not far right wing stuff.
 
Great Sage said:
I never said there wasn't a difference.
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Alright. But in that post, a friend and musician were put on the same level (at least the treatment of them). And Bruce always having been a arrogant arse came right after being conservative. Like it didn't make much of a difference anymore.
 
Besides, judging someone by their political views (if they aren't "extreme") is completely wrong. Everyone thinks their views are right. All it matters is that you keep an open, critical mind and treat people with respect.
Bruce is trying to get that company back on their feet, he surely has financial, intellectual and leadership resources to do so, but seems like government regulations and laws are slowing it down. From his perspective, he's right to have those kind of views, he knows he can make a change and create healthy jobs for a number of people. From my perspective of a simple "worker", I do want a degree of system protection against murky businessmen, managers, and generally people who just want to exploit the labour force. If I were in his position, I'd probably have similar political views like him.

Don't get so buffed up about politics. It's not about someone's views, it's about how those views would reflect on society if that someone came to power. IMHO, Bruce would make a fine employer, he's that kind of person that chases vision, not profit. Besides, there are two basic components of political views, social ones, and economic ones. If Bruce is conservative in economics domain, doesn't mean he's right-winger when it comes to people, races, nations, etc. Hell, we've got every possible proof that he's completely the other way around.

And to conclude, his conservatism is pretty logical. In current European situation, working class is leaning towards stronger governments, because in their general opinion banks and big private enterprises are to blame, while entrepreneurs see those governments and regulations as obstacles for growth and employment. Surely he isn't going to lobby for quasi-communist rule where the state gives you job and house and whatever, because he thinks he, and people like him, can do it better. I'd say that neither of those types are right, but what matters is, IMHO, Bruce has a sincere motive, and that's why I, as a left winger, won't judge his views.
 
Well said, Zare. It is particularly important to distinguish between the different kinds of "right-wing". As you say, it is perfectly possible to be right-leaning in economy (that is, wanting less control and regulations from the authoritites) without being what is normally labeled right-leaning in social questions (moral-conservative, nationalist).

It is also possible (and we've seen examples) of the opposite - left-leaning in economics and at the same time nationalist as hell. For example, few beat the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics in their investment in national pride. And, more locally, I definitely have the impression that the old guard of the Norwegian Labour Party are fairly strict in terms of immigration policy - normally associated with the right flank.

Generally, the one-dimensional left-right axis is useless in classifying the political views of a person, a party or a society.
 
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