So I recorded Jimmy Buffet’s charity concert to help the people of the Gulf he had last week. I have always been a parrothead. Then I find out Jimmy Buffet, the genius that he is, seems to know who to blame for the oil spill. After reading this, I haven’t brought myself to watch it yet:
The Obama-supporting musician told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he believed the Bush administration was responsible for the crisis, due to its alleged ties to oil companies.
“To me it was more about eight years of bad policy before [Obama] got there that let this happen,” said Buffett. “It was Dracula running the blood bank in terms of oil and leases.”
While celebrities from Larry King to James Cameron have already lined up to offer aid to people impacted by the oil spill, Buffett says he also hopes that his sea-side concert next Sunday in Gulf Shores, Alabama will soothe people’s anger over the crisis.
“People were going, ‘What are you going to do about things?’ I mean, hell, I can’t stick my finger in that hole. Everybody wishes they could,” Buffett told the Associated Press on Tuesday. “What I’m best at is two hours of escapism for people that have to go back and either live jobs that they don’t like or whatever…it’s that Mardi Gras mentality.”
Jimmy Buffet, splitting atoms with. His. Mind!!
Perhaps we should remind Captain Sun Bake that in the last 20 years, it was Obama receiving by far and away the majority of campaign cash from BP. Something apparently lost on our famous beach bum. Seriously Jimmy, can you just shut the hell up with the incoherent ramblings of the “Bush did it” syndrome? Jesus f-ing Christ already.
Look, I openly admit to enjoying his music and have seen him in concert four times. Really, once you get past the obnoxious overplayed ones he’s most known for, he has written some pretty good tunes. And the Margaritaville restaurants are good fun, despite the food tasting like ball sweat. I imagine he’s being asked his take on the Gulf because he grew up in Mobile and started his career in New Orleans. His career took off after he spent some time in Key West. And–not coincidentally–he just opened a gigantic name-branded resort in Pensacola. So, obviously he’s got some over sun-exposed skin in the game.
His music has always had a left leaning tilt to it and when he was interviewed on CNN, he was careful not to seem too partisan one way or another. Why? Well because he’s a businessman, and the central part of his fanbase is middle class redstaters who like to blender it up one night a year in an amphitheater parking lot. I mean really, is there anyone who represents the American dream more than Buffett? Mediocre so-so talent, incredible marketer, tours in the summer to replenish his bank account……seriously, more power to him.
The guy is worth million and millions of dollars a year. A year! And he didn’t get there on the pure residuals of “Cheesburger in Paradise.” The man owns something like four airplanes and the cash making those bad boys run isn’t cheap. It’s the concert tickets, the branded margarita maker, the Buffett beer, the tee shirts, the lawn chairs, the baseball caps, and the Lost Shaker of Salt ($7.99, Margaritaville Cafe.)…basically the fleecing of the midwestern boob.
He’s made his millions, and bless him for it. He keeps a lot of people employed and I for one enjoy his music. Politically, well Jimmy, just STFU about politics. Let’s not veer off the path allowing you to attain your incredibly comfortable livilyhood.
