Bush Declares Monday "Journey Appreciation Day"

[Barb]

Bush Declares Monday "Journey Appreciation Day"
WASHINGTON (CAP) - At the urging of Congressional lawmakers and aging fans seeking what they call "necessary respect" for a band celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, President Bush has declared Monday to be Journey Appreciation Day. Political insiders say it's Bush's attempt to regain relevancy as his ratings continue to tank.

"This isn't about politics. This isn't about me desperately looking for something to hang my hat on," Bush said as he made the declaration. "This is about the masterful guitar work of Neal Schon, the rocking keyboards of Jonathan Cain, the lyrical stylings of Steve Perry."

Reaction from the blogosphere has been mixed, with critics pointing to Bush's reference of Steve Perry as an indication the president ceased being relevant some time ago, since the group has gone through three lead singers after Perry left in 1998. Scott Lapatine of the popular music blog Stereogum said just having a tour with the likes of Heart and Cheap Trick does not make a band relevant.

"This is a band who claims Randy Jackson among its many alums," said Lapatine. "And a president who claims Alberto Gonzalez and Donald Rumsfeld among his many alums. Do you follow where I'm going here?"

Band members who have been with Journey the longest fondly remembered their first Appreciation Day, a 1976 event seen as a last-gasp attempt by President Gerald Ford to sway the younger vote away from Jimmy Carter in the November election. It didn't work, and now Ford is dead but Journey lives on.

"I appreciate the appreciation day," said founding member Neal Schon. "But these days, I appreciate it more when that appreciation shows up in my wallet, if you know what I mean. Wanna buy a t-shirt?"

Some House members remain hesitant to approve the president's declaration, even as a symbolic vote, afraid it will "open the floodgates" for other bands seeking one more shot at the limelight. Rep. John Hall (D-NY), former lead singer of the '70s band Orleans, has been particularly vocal.

"Listen, I love Def Leppard as much as the next guy, but I'm not advocating they get their own holiday," said Hall. "Just a drummer with two arms. It's bad enough these old groups think we want to see their wrinkly asses on tour, let alone devote a whole day to them."

President Bush's declaration is for 2008 only, but word out of the White House is that he is working with members of Congress to introduce a bill to make it an annual event, in the hopes that Journey Appreciation Day will become his lasting legacy.

http://www.crystalair.com/content.php?id=77200805012

[TRAGChick]

Oh good GOD....could NOT get past THIS: LMAO right now

[STORY_TELLER]

The tone of the GQ article coupled with the unabated bashing in this mock article highlights why Journey will never be in the R&R HOF.

Regardless of the longevity of its fan base and the pop culture status of its songs, the music establishment will never give them respect.

[Michigan Girl]

Bush Declares Monday "Journey Appreciation Day"
WASHINGTON (CAP) - At the urging of Congressional lawmakers and aging fans seeking what they call "necessary respect" for a band celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, President Bush has declared Monday to be Journey Appreciation Day. Political insiders say it's Bush's attempt to regain relevancy as his ratings continue to tank.

"This isn't about politics. This isn't about me desperately looking for something to hang my hat on," Bush said as he made the declaration. "This is about the masterful guitar work of Neal Schon, the rocking keyboards of Jonathan Cain, the lyrical stylings of Steve Perry."

Reaction from the blogosphere has been mixed, with critics pointing to Bush's reference of Steve Perry as an indication the president ceased being relevant some time ago, since the group has gone through three lead singers after Perry left in 1998. Scott Lapatine of the popular music blog Stereogum said just having a tour with the likes of Heart and Cheap Trick does not make a band relevant.

"This is a band who claims Randy Jackson among its many alums," said Lapatine. "And a president who claims Alberto Gonzalez and Donald Rumsfeld among his many alums. Do you follow where I'm going here?"

Band members who have been with Journey the longest fondly remembered their first Appreciation Day, a 1976 event seen as a last-gasp attempt by President Gerald Ford to sway the younger vote away from Jimmy Carter in the November election. It didn't work, and now Ford is dead but Journey lives on.

"I appreciate the appreciation day," said founding member Neal Schon. "But these days, I appreciate it more when that appreciation shows up in my wallet, if you know what I mean. Wanna buy a t-shirt?"
Some House members remain hesitant to approve the president's declaration, even as a symbolic vote, afraid it will "open the floodgates" for other bands seeking one more shot at the limelight. Rep. John Hall (D-NY), former lead singer of the '70s band Orleans, has been particularly vocal.

"Listen, I love Def Leppard as much as the next guy, but I'm not advocating they get their own holiday," said Hall. "Just a drummer with two arms. It's bad enough these old groups think we want to see their wrinkly asses on tour, let alone devote a whole day to them."

President Bush's declaration is for 2008 only, but word out of the White House is that he is working with members of Congress to introduce a bill to make it an annual event, in the hopes that Journey Appreciation Day will become his lasting legacy.

http://www.crystalair.com/content.php?id=77200805012

This CRACKS me up.....

[Carlitto H@kk]

Oh good GOD....could NOT get past THIS: LMAO right now

HOLY SHIT
I didn't catch that until your post, Nora!

BTW, is it just me or does Smitty look like that kid
from Transformers and the upcoming Indianna Jones movie???

[bluejeangirl76]

Oh good GOD....could NOT get past THIS: LMAO right now

HOLY SHIT
I didn't catch that until your post, Nora!

I didn't either.
Neal kinda has that same look of "Durrrr" so I didn't really notice a difference.

[KenTheDude]

Smitty looks like: "I wish Steve would change his damn cologne".
Ross looks like: "Whoa...everything's casual, dude."
Jonathan looks like: "Camera's scare the crap out of me."
Steve looks like: "Without me, these guys would still be touring in station wagons."
Neal, well he kinda looks like W. I guess that's what he'd actually look like without botox.

[Rhiannon]

Neal, well he kinda looks like W. I guess that's what he'd actually look like without botox.

You made a funny.

[tj]

Oh good GOD....could NOT get past THIS: LMAO right now

HOLY SHIT
I didn't catch that until your post, Nora!

I didn't either.
Neal kinda has that same look of "Durrrr" so I didn't really notice a difference.

At first I thought it was a '70s era Kevin Cronin pasted in. Spooky.

[Rick]

Oh good GOD....could NOT get past THIS: LMAO right now

HOLY SHIT
I didn't catch that until your post, Nora!

I didn't either.
Neal kinda has that same look of "Durrrr" so I didn't really notice a difference.

At first I thought it was a '70s era Kevin Cronin pasted in. Spooky.

OMFG! Bwahahahaha! Great catch.

[7 Wishes]

W Rocks America!

Worst. President. EVER.

[ProgRocker53]

If Bush really did this, his approval rating would go up a whole percentage point.

[stevew2]

If Bush really did this, his approval rating would go up a whole percentage point.

Bush might be gay

[walkslikealady]

The tone of the GQ article coupled with the unabated bashing in this mock article highlights why Journey will never be in the R&R HOF.

Regardless of the longevity of its fan base and the pop culture status of its songs, the music establishment will never give them respect.

Journey probably will get into the R&F HOF eventually. But will it really matter? Have you read some of the people the R&R HOF have inducted...lowers the R&R HOF's credibility IMO.

[hoagiepete]

W kind of looks like Kevin Cronin before Botox.

[mikemarrs]

affrika bombotta,grandmaster flash,,run dmc,madonna,blondie,beastie boys....all these are in the hall of fame if i'm correct while KISS(has more gold records than any american band ever),Journey(has sold about 80 million records and has its songs played in movies and by sports teams as anthems all the time),Rush(has probably one of the best lyricists ever not to mention the same lineup nearly 35 years and running plus over 20 gold albums),etc. all are left out of the hall of fame as of this time.

[texafana]

W Rocks America!

Worst. President. EVER.

So easy to sit back and mock isn't it. lame...

[CatEyes]

Neal, well he kinda looks like W. I guess that's what he'd actually look like without botox.

[lights1961]

too damn funny!!!

Rick

[walkslikealady]

affrika bombotta,grandmaster flash,,run dmc,madonna,blondie,beastie boys....all these are in the hall of fame if i'm correct while KISS(has more gold records than any american band ever),Journey(has sold about 80 million records and has its songs played in movies and by sports teams as anthems all the time),Rush(has probably one of the best lyricists ever not to mention the same lineup nearly 35 years and running plus over 20 gold albums),etc. all are left out of the hall of fame as of this time.

Never heard of some of these people inducted myself...that's why I don't care about the ROR Hall of Fame...lost any credibility. Oops, repeating myself.

I don't watch the Emmy show, the Oscars, Grammies, and other shows like that anymore either.

[mistiejourney]

Oh good GOD....could NOT get past THIS: LMAO right now

HOLY SHIT
I didn't catch that until your post, Nora!

BTW, is it just me or does Smitty look like that kid
from Transformers and the upcoming Indianna Jones movie???

I did not catch it at first either, and yes, Smitty looks like Shia LeBouffejeohoaeihao.....or whatever his name is.

Hey, he was good in "Even Stevens"!