Rage Against the Machine Rages Against Bush at Coachella Music Festival

The current administration should be "hung, and tried, shot," so said the anti-war, anti-establishment Rage Against the Machine's lead singer Zack de la Rocha. De la Rocha's vile tirade against the Bush administration drew shouts from the anarchists at the Coachella Music Festival, in California.

A punk/rap group, Rage Against the Machine enjoyed some popularity in the late 80's and 90's. They have always been overtly anarchist. Their comments do not represent mainstream America, neither Democrats nor Republicans. The question their tirade raises is at what point do you take such words literally? A comment made in foolishness on a school yard can end in a suspension. Anarchy of heart led to a tragic shooting at Virginia Tech. Words have meaning. How do we determine who is serious, and poses a threat with comments such as these? Who is to say when comments are innocent hyperbole or real threats?

Situations such as these make it appear that in the interest of national and personal security our government strains at a gnat, while larger threats go unheeded. Young men are suspended from school for having a baseball bat in their car. Students are suspended for telling teachers how they feel, or writing artistic works which include threatening language. Yet, grown men walk on stage encouraging thousands of people to rebel against the status quo, and make life threatening statements. Who is the arbiter of linguistic judgment? If the same comment had been made against a school administration, the student would be expelled and referred for mental health treatment.