Springsteen on "Today"

Bruce Springsteen looked like he had just rolled out of bed, but his performance on Today was anything but groggy.

It was early for Springsteen and the E Street Band, but they brought it for the large crowd in Rockefeller Plaza and the viewers at home.

First, "Promised Land."

Then, Matt Lauer talked to Bruce for a bit.

He asked about the theme of the new album, Magic.

Springsteen said, "It's pretty much what's happening now... comments on the events of the day."

I think Lauer was baiting Springsteen to be more specific, to go off and rip the current administration. He didn't take the bait which was wise if he hopes to convince some of his alienated conservative fans to rejoin the fold.

Then, "Radio Nowhere," followed by "Livin' in the Future."

When Springsteen introduced that song, he said, "I must really want to sell some records bad to be up here this early singing, singing these songs. It's a little desperate, but it's alright."

No kidding.

It was at this point that Springsteen delivered his NBC-sponsored political rant, going on national TV to give an "in your face" attack on life in George Bush's America.

SPRINGSTEEN: This is a song called "Livin' in the Future" but it's really about what's happening now, right now. It's kind of about how... the things that we love about America - cheeseburgers, french fries, the Yankees battlin' Boston, the Bill of Rights, V-twin motorcyles, Tim Russert's haircut, transfat, and the Jersey shore. We love all those things, and that the way the women folk love on Matt Lauer. That's right.

But over the past 6 years we've had to add to the American picture rendition, illegal wiretapping, voter suppression, no habeas corpus, to the neglect of our great city of New Orleans and her people, an attack on the Constitution, and the loss of our best young men and women in a tragic war. This is a song about things that shouldn't happen here happening here. And so right now we plan to do something about it. We plan to sing about it. I know it's early, but it's late. So come and join us.

What's a conservative Springsteen fan to do?

Tune that stuff out?

I try to do that. I can easily do it while listening to Springsteen's early music. But with the newer material, it doesn't always work for me.

I understand Springsteen's need to express himself on things he feels passionately about.

Here's the problem: In his desire to make a difference in terms of the direction of the country, he's bent on being divisive.

Rather than finding common ground, he seems to be going out of his way to exclude.

I don't think that's an effective way to go about addressing the issues we face in America today.

Conservatives care about the ILLEGAL wiretapping of law-abiding Americans, voter suppression and fraud, the Bill of Rights, protecting the Constitution, the horrible response to Hurricane Katrina on the LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL levels, and the deaths of young Americans in war. I care deeply.

Those aren't just concerns of Democrats or the liberal elite or the pampered glitterati. They're concerns that bridge the political spectrum.

It's one thing to promote one's political views. It's another thing to demonize those with different opinions, to depict them as the enemy and evil.

I think it's sad that Springsteen chooses to play an active role in the polarization of the country. It doesn't have to be that way. He could use his performances to bring people together. He could emphasize what we share and reconciliation.

His music could be part of the healing.
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Magic