Axl Rose Calls out … Vladimir Putin? – Opinion

Conservatives are more divided than ever about Ukraine. It is difficult to find common ground among the core beliefs of these two groups. One group believes that the country is innocently suffering from Russian aggression. Therefore, it deserves any support other than war. Another side views Ukraine as corrupt and deserving of no thought. Furthermore, the liberals back Ukraine so that it is wrong.

Reality is more complex. Both support Ukraine and hold it accountable for billions spent on its war efforts is possible. The supporters of Ukraine should demand transparency and proper verification for every dollar that is sent to Kyiv. It is also possible to acknowledge that while Ukraine isn’t exactly the Snow White of foreign governments, the Russian invasion, bringing destruction, death, and displacement of civilians, is something one can and should firmly oppose.

All of which leads to Guns N’ Roses.

The band with a well-earned reputation regarding its appetite for self-destruction recently concluded a European tour that by GN’R standards went off nearly without a hitch. Carrie Underwood — yes, the country singer — returned Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose’s favor of appearing at her show during this year’s Stagecoach Festival by joining the band for a couple of numbers during their London appearances earlier this month. Unspecified medical reasons forced the cancellation of one concert, however, things ran smoothly given that there were no riots and on-stage chaos.

Rose used Twitter to post on July 16^ThTo express his thanks.

pic.twitter.com/2XARyYUtTO

— Axl Rose (@axlrose) July 16, 2022

Rose may not be a Trump fan, but it’s interesting that he specifically mentioned Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

I’d also like to thank everyone for showing such love and support during the tour for the people of Ukraine and their noble and horrifying fight for freedom against an increasingly totalitarian regime ran by a callous, lying, murderous, little man with outdated ambitions and no regard for human life.

It’s safe to say Guns N’ Roses won’t be playing in Red Square anytime soon.

China is unlikely to be a destination for the band, as they have a long history. In 2008, Guns N’ Roses, which at the time was Rose and whoever else was in the room as Rose and lead guitarist Slash were on the outs, released Chinese Democracy. As if the album title alone wasn’t enough to rouse Beijing’s ire, the title track’s lyrics, which Rose wrote, definitely didn’t score any CCP brownie points.

If they were missionaries
Real-time visionaries
You can sit in a Chinese stew.
View my disinterest
I know that I’m a classic case
Check out my disenchanted expression
Blame the Falun Gong
They’ve seen the end and you can’t hold on now

‘Cause it would take a lot more hate than you
This is the end of fascination
Even with an iron fist
Rule the Nation with more power than you can handle
When all I’ve got is precious time

According to the report at that time:

In an article headlined “American band releases album venomously attacking China,” the Global Times said unidentified Chinese Internet users had described the album as part of a plot by some in the West to “grasp and control the world using democracy as a pawn.”

The album “turns its spear point on China,” the article said.

Touchy, aren’t they?

When Axl Rose has a better grip on foreign policy than the present Administration, you know you’ve got problems.