Rocker's anthem creates discord

Singer John Mellencamp's new song "To Washington" isn't only raising questions about the nation's history and possible war with Iraq; it's also raising controversy among listeners.\nThe lyrics of "To Washington" begin in the years of the Clinton Administration, express frustration over the 2000 Election controversy and criticize the current actions of President Bush.\n"I think the song is relevant, irrespective of the ticking of a 'war clock'," Mellencamp said in a statement.\nThe album isn't scheduled for release until mid-May, but some students have already downloaded the song for free from Mellencamp's Web site.\n"The song is so powerful because it's not a subliminal message at all," sophomore Cassandra Cogswell said. "(Mellencamp) is definitely getting his point across and forcing Americans to face the reality of war."\nAlthough a long-time fan of Mellencamp, sophomore Scott Larson said he was somewhat offended by the song.\n"If Mellencamp is supposed to be a heartland singer, it seems hypocritical that he doesn't see the need to go to war," Larson said.\nSince the Sept. 11 attacks, many other musicians have released songs that take sides against the president and government. Some of these artists include Steve Earle ("Amerika v. 6.0"), Ani DiFranco ("Self Evident"), Toby Keith ("Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue"), Pearl Jam ("Bushleauger") and Daryl Worley ("Have you Forgotten?").\n"The song doesn't accurately reflect what's going on because Mellencamp isn't asking any valid questions," Larson said.\nMellencamp, originally from Seymour, Ind., has compiled 10 platinum or multi-platinum albums, 21 top 20 singles, was the recipient of the 2001 Billboard Century Award and has sold more than 25 million albums throughout his career. \nIn his more recent performances, Mellencamp has expressed his anti-war sentiment by projecting an Albert Einstein quotation on the main screen which reads "You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war."\nSkip Sluder, editor of the music program for the School of Music, said he believes musicians have the right to express their personal concerns and desires about the war. Sluder also said music has the power to reach everyone, anywhere.\n"Music speaks to the very basic emotions of all human beings in so many different ways," Sluder said. \n"What is the thought process, to take a human's life, what would be the reason, to think this is right" expresses Mellencamp in "To Washington," which can be downloaded for free at his Web site, www.mellencamp.com.