Clarkston rocker Kid Rock’s views recently shared at The Guardian.com struck a chord with local folks.
The article shared on The Clarkston News Facebook page reached 10,968 people, with 120 likes and 32 more “shares.”
Born Robert Ritchie, the singer shared his views on a variety of topics, including politics, guns, and his music, including:
? ‘I don’t FaceTweet or whatever people do. I understand that I’m the old guy now. I turn on my computer and look at porn a little bit, see what’s going on in the news, but that’s about it. I’m comfortable with that?;
? ‘I am definitely a Republican’on fiscal issues and the military, but I lean to the middle on social issues. I am no fan of abortion, but it’s not up to a man to tell a woman what to do. As an ordained minister I don’t look forward to marrying gay people, but I’m not opposed to it?;
? ‘I played Barack Obama’s inauguration’even though I didn’t vote for him. I didn’t agree with his policies, but there was an exciting sense of change in the air. That promise hasn’t been fulfilled ? the country is more divided than ever?;
? ‘I’m not just wealthy, I’m loaded.’I can say that because I’m not embarrassed ? I’ve never made a dishonest dollar. I try to do right by the people around me?;
? ‘I’m 43 and about to become a grandfather,’but it keeps my redneck street cred up?;
? ‘The partying gene skips a generation.’I was really wild and I never saw that in my son. He’ll have a few drinks, but that’s it?;
? ‘My success with women picked up’around the 14 millionth record I sold. I’know what it was about ? I don’t exactly look like Brad Pitt. I learned to be careful. I didn’t want 10 kids around. But there have been a lot of women. I’could have set a better example for my son?;
? ‘I don’t smoke much weed, it makes me dumb. But they should legalize and tax everything: pot, cocaine, heroin. Has it not been proven that people will always find a way to get what they want??;
? ‘I’m always buying more guns.’I have everything from a Civil War cannon to an MP-5 machine gun and old police guns. If someone invades your house, yeah, you can shoot them. I don’t think crazy people should have guns?;
? ‘Rap-rock was what people wanted at the time,’and they still love those songs at shows. But it turned into a lot of bulls*** and it turned out to be pretty gay ? if someone says you can’t say ‘gay? like that you tell them to go f*** themselves. You’re not going to get anything politically correct out of me.?
A Facebooker responding to the Kid Rock story on The Clarkston News page posted a link to a story calling him ‘homophobic? for his views, but other comments were complimentary.
“I still like him and his music. Love the fact that he gives back to the military and veterans…congrats on becoming a grandpop,” posted Michelle Beuter.
This past December, Kid Rock helped raise over $33,000 to send over 10,000 care packages to troops serving overseas.
Said Chuck Kelterborn, “I think he is a stand up guy that seems confident in his views and he is not out to hurt or belittle people.”
Jade Nicole has “nothing but love for this guy. Keeps it real.”
“I think it’s great,” posted Kristy Brandon. “He’s got opinions and he’s consistent with them. I may not agree with all of them, but I respect that he is in touch and not afraid to speak them. I’ve lived in Michigan for the last several years and regularly hear he gives back. And I get the sense that he is probably the kind of guy that does a whole lot more the press never picks up on. He does it for the right reasons, not to improve his image.”
Sharla Davis said she personally shares similar views.
“Love it,” she said. “Bottom line is he is an excellent businessman, a genius. I love his comments about earning his wealth. Right on!?
Kid Rock’s new album “First Kiss” comes out Feb. 24. Check www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/03/kid-rock-this-much-i-know for the complete article.