‘Occupy With Aloha’: Obama & World Leaders Hear Surprise 45-Minute ‘Protest Ballad’ at Honolulu Gala
- Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:33pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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“You enforce your monopolies with guns/ While sacrificing our daughters and sons/ But certain things belong to everyone/ Your thievery has left the people none.”
If you guessed those were Occupy Wall Street-inspired song lyrics, you’d be right. But can you guess where they were sung — or more importantly — who they were sung in front of?
That would be President Barack Obama and a whole host of world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit gala in Honolulu, Hawaii Saturday night.
Hawaiian guitarist Makana was expected to play instrumental background music during the gala. But, as he said Sunday, when he stepped on stage he unbuttoned his jacket to reveal a T-shirt that bore the handwritten words, “Occupy with Aloha.” Instead of the planned background music, he spent 45 minutes playing his Occupy-inspired protest ballad, “We are the Many.”
He uploaded a video to YouTube in which he spoke about his performance and which also included footage of him playing the gala — tricky to record, he said, because Secret Service protocol made it difficult for his crew to sneak a camera in.
“It was an incredible experience to sing the words, those words, to that group of people,” said Makana, who goes by one name. “My goal was not to disturb the guests in an offensive fashion but rather to subliminally fill their ears and the entire dinner atmosphere with a message that might be more effectively received in a subconscious manner.”
Describing the room’s reaction, which reportedly included Hu Jintao of China, Stephen Harper of Canada and more than a dozen other heads of state, Makana said no one objected to his lyrics — even the ones that repeated, “the bidding of the many, not the few.”
“The event protocol was such that everyone there kept their expressions quite muffled,” he said. “Now and then I would get strange, befuddled stares from heads of state. It was a very quiet room with no waiters; only myself, the sound techs, and the leaders of almost half the world’s population.”
Saturday was not the 33-year-old musician’s first audience with the president. Makana — born Matthew Swalinkavich — performed at the White House in 2009 during a holiday reception.
Of Saturday’s guerrilla performance, he told news agency AFP, “I was pretty nervous. In fact I was terrified. I kept thinking ‘what are the consequences going to be?’”
“It was incredibly comical. I was terrified but also enjoying it,” he said.
Despite the surprised glances he got from some of the audience members, he told AFP the Obamas seemed too absorbed with their guests to realize what was going on.
The White House has not responded to the incident.
h/t ThinkProgress
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Comments (160)
jas0707
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:24pmLOL ! What a Moron !
Report Post »I support God's Israel!
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:41pmYou may be the ‘many’, but YOU ARE NOT THE MAJORITY!
Report Post »coindexter
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 5:44pmeasy blazers…this is funny stuff. look at it from the standpoint that all of the world leaders at the APEC were probably pissed at the poor quality of the “entertainment” or having found out later ,from their own security detail, that this was not a breach and that Hawaii Barrii knew this was coming. what an insult to APEC and a black eye on Hawaii Barrii’s lack of security.
Report Post »Brooke Lorren
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 5:54pmSo who’s the president of China again? Sorry, my kids love that joke.
This guy is even more of a joke. That, and the people that hired him, and didn‘t eject him from the stage when he didn’t do what he said he was going to do.
Report Post »brickmoon
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 5:56pmMaybe he’ll be invited to perform a duet with Lang Lang:
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/did-chinese-pianist-play-anti-american-tune-at-white-house/
They could sing the new Occupy anthem, “Your Blood is Our Paint.”
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/grammy-nominated-singers-violent-occupy-anthem-%E2%80%98strung-up-you%E2%80%99ll-bleed%E2%80%99-your-blood-is-our-paint/
Of course, as Staythecourse suggested below, if a Tea Party member tried to sing a patriotic song filled with “dangerous rhetoric” at a similar venue, His Majesty’s Service would have his face planted on the carpet in a millisecond.
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 6:16pm“You enforce your monopolies with guns/ While sacrificing our daughters and sons/ Obama your thievery has left the people none./ While you fly to the Orient to visit with everyone.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 6:34pmWho invited this person to perform there? Who vetted him? When was he cleared and who cleared him. How did he get to Hawaii? Was he already there or did someone pay his plane fare? Were the other Countries told about this in advance? Did any Country object and the “concert” take place anyways? There are just too many questions that need to be answered about this.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 6:41pm@INOGAWD
Report Post »I guess he surpassed the 17 minute drum solo from Iron Butterfly… Ino Gawd of Da Vida.
ishka4me
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 6:44pmthese are Barry’s people.
Report Post »YoungBloodNews
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 6:46pmLIVE LIVE LIVE
http://www.therightscoop.com/koin-local-6-occupy-portland-live-stream/
Occupy Portland standoff looks to get ugly.
Report Post »Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 7:39pmKeep your eye on one of the most important words he used: SUBLIMINAL.
Where else has the left been using ‘subliminal messaging’ to brainwash Americans against their country? Television? Films? The internet? Music videos? School rooms? College? They’ve created a fifth column inside America.
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 7:53pmi dunno… did you listen to what he said in the video?
Report Post »Ohello
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 8:39pmI dunno… I thought his song was kind of catchy…. Half sounding like he is advocating elimination of monopolies and corruption, and threatening the governing elite. He stands in front of a US flag in his video, but dressed up like a Che follower. Like all good communist dupes he mixes a little bit of righteous indignation into the song but leaves unspoken issues of the communist infiltrated unions, and the abhorrent behavior of his comrades on the streets, and the corruption within the educational institutions. Also, being Che-like, his video leaves unspoken the millions of murders that communists have perpetrated on their own citizens over history.
Report Post »paperpushermj
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 10:43pmYou’re talking about Obama right? Only a moron would demonstrate to other world leaders his impotence at controlling the event they where invited to attend.
Report Post »Ari Ben TZion
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 10:47pmThis type nescient attitude is very common in this wonderful land of ours.
I would like to see this genius go to Cuba or Saudi Arabia and not be afraid to speak his nonsense.
I bet you Mr. Castro would put the fear of G-d in him in less than 30 seconds.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 11:06pmNot impressed at all! Disgusted in the way he has beat the heck out of that guitar though as the pick guard has been completely ripped off…he must be another SRV! Not!
Report Post »MomaGrisley2
Posted on November 14, 2011 at 12:17amLooks like this Tard is auditioning for the position of personal assistant and chief “body man”. When will MSM come clean about the real orientation of O-BUMer? I saw a ton about this two weeks ago on blogs and WHA-LA the attack on Cain to take up all the attention away from pending breaking news that they anticipated when “Reggie” left. Always look at what the other hand is doing…really, no sick pun intended.
Report Post »bestartist
Posted on November 14, 2011 at 2:34amhow incredibly embarrassing, in front of heads of state from around the world…our stupid “president” allows this cockroach to pollute the dinner….too bad they didn’t all walk out. Where was the “hot mic” when we needed it.
Report Post »apollo18
Posted on November 14, 2011 at 3:49amBut did they pay you, boy? Did the check bounce? (They let you play because Obama wanted you to play that.)
Heck, what do they care, it’s not their money.
Report Post »DDD
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:24pmWhat a waste of 45 minutes of peoples’ lives.
Report Post »INOGAWD
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 6:07pmBOWSer in Chief and MO probably enjoyed every minute.
and they say this TRIP will bring JOBS to the US…
anyone holding their breath ??????
all the while, CHINA is building Bridges in SF / Oakland
Miz‘s Pelosi’s District ??? WTF…..OBAMA ?????
You DON’T hear this publicized on MSNBC,CNN or ABC…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/8602786/New-San-Francisco-bridge-built-in-China-to-be-shipped-to-US.html
Report Post »freedommonger
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 6:34pmWhat a waste of human life!
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 7:19pm@INOGAWD
Report Post »Thanks for the link. I sent to GB’s team.
jb.kibs
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 7:54pmdid you guys hear what he said in the video?
Report Post »hi
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:19pmSorry. “Aloha” and “Marxism” are opposites just as “freedom” and “slavery” are opposites.
Report Post »sissykatz
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:37pmObama agreed with every word he said and the way he
Report Post »did it or he would have been thrown out…….Maybe even
had help……But as some posted,, the security left a lot to
be desired… Unless as I said they KNEW what he was going
to do.
showmerancher
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:14pmI have no problem with this. He saw his opportunity, said/sang his piece without violence, without breaking the law and without trampling the rights of others, so more power to him. I may totally disagree with his message, but congratulate him on his method for exercising his free speech right.
While he apparently broke the “rules” (not a law), by bringing in the camera, the world’s leaders should take this as a learning experience as to the vulnerability of their security. It could just as easily NOT have been a camera. I’m sure the Secret Service and all attendees are today more concerned about that fact than about the content of the lyrics. Certainly more than an “Oops!”.
Report Post »showmerancher
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:19pmAlso, I’d be interested to note what the White House response to such a security breach might be… has anyone thought to ask?
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:23pmlook out…you’re gonna rip the crotch right out of your brithes straddling that barb wire fence!
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:40pmThose guys who just sing songs in honor of Bank robbers and murderers I have no problem with that, hey they are giving the robbers and thieves praise, noting wrong with that!……….. sarcasm!
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:53pmIts the only kind of music obama deserves, crapy wall street occupiers music.Oh and great job security………..
Report Post »woodypynes
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 11:08pmI will tell you from personal experience, they knew a camera was present and being used. They also allowed the artist to play/sing what he wanted to (b/c it wasn’t some 45 minute version of an Ozzy song or something like that). I have performed at the WH 3 times for 2 diff. presidents, so I know what they will/won’t allow. NO SS agent can predict what is about to happen, however, 3 minutes into it and they all knew what was going on….no doubt. It simply was allowed to happen.
Report Post »garyM
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:10pm“Occupy with Aloha.” Instead of the planned background music, he spent 45 minutes playing his Occupy-inspired protest ballad, “We are the Many.”
Do they know there motto is in the Bible referring to demons?
Report Post »Mark 5:8-10
8For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
10And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
I support God's Israel!
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:43pmGood one, friend! EXACTLY RIGHT.
Report Post »apollo18
Posted on November 14, 2011 at 3:42amHu Jintao said “Hey, they’re shipping 2 divisions of GE to me, what do I care what the entertainment plays? I’m SUPPOSED to be communist!”
Report Post »staythecourse
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:09pm45 m inutes???? NO way was this not approved by Obama. If it had been a teaparty person singing about true freedom and America’s exceptionalism he would have been shut down in minutes… a call would have gone out to the militarybase to arrange for a back up replacement military band. This president is a disgrace to our nation. He continues his tour of appology for America by now saying that we are a “lazy” people MR PRESIDENT…. I AM NOT LAZY!
Report Post »tradexpertbuysell
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:04pmDo I have to speak my mind? OK
Pigs don’t know when pigs stink.
or
Stinking Thinking Comander in Chief. Top down, bottom up!
Report Post »conbones
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:03pmSo what if the camara he snuck in was a bomb?
Report Post »It wasnt because the camra was a plant.
They continue to insult my intelgents with a smug smile.
jp2feminist
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:01pmI am angry. . . .so I made up a song.
Report Post »UlyssesP
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 4:00pmWhat!?!
Report Post »“tricky to bomb, he said, because Secret Service protocol made it difficult for his crew to sneak explosives in.”
wtd
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 7:33pmthe direct quote was “. . . tricky to record, he said, because Secret Service protocol made it difficult for his crew to sneak a camera in.”
Report Post »But your comment (substituting the word ‘bomb’ for the words ‘record’ & ‘camera’ was the first thought that crossed my mind as well. Considering all the dignitaries present … wow.
GumRock
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:59pmanother thrill up a leg
Next !
Report Post »pwatkins
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:56pmGreat way to entertain communist thinkers.
Report Post »nobull14
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:54pmwhat a no talent moron?
Report Post »barber2
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 7:39pmI am one of the 100% who is TOTALLY SICK AND TIRED OF THIS 99% LIE ….
Report Post »Californiasodbuster
Posted on November 14, 2011 at 1:26amHe could have played inagodadavida, for 17 teen minutes, it would have sounded better, with non results.
Report Post »Reboot_My_Freedom
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:53pmThere are many people in the U.S that can’t speak their mind, and if they do an apology will soon follow. We have the left to thank for that. This guy is on the left so he gets a pass. He’s speaking their language
Report Post »mrawfull
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:53pmWow he really saved the world’s “99%” there didn’t he. Somebody give this man a medal, quick.
Report Post »freedom4ever
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:52pmOh yea didn’t expect that! That was planned by bo and his troops! He supports this and is pushing it where ever he can. Such a see through farce!
Report Post »FlatFoot
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:52pmThe motley fool at King’s Court.
The only bigger fool was the King himself.
Report Post »nuttyvet
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:49pmWow, you’re so deep man… barf!
Report Post »Boulderite
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:47pmI bet the president was happy–he supports all of the OWSers! And he wants the rest of the world to think we’re a bunch of losers.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 7:35pmI am so tired of the these International Left “protestors” hijacking the idea that they represent 99% of Americans They are a measly 10% at best but their egos and their brainwashed brains lead to al of this bunk and baloney. Thanks, agin, Obama for allowing your Lefty agenda to be spread at an leadership conference. He is the President of the I Hate America Crowd. I can not believe that he is an American let alone the president of this country.
Report Post »Teufel Hunden
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:46pmI wonder if Barry joined in on the chorus? This is his people. He must be so proud.
Report Post »heretic
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:45pmIt was background music~ no one listens to that pap.
Report Post »sheerterror
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:41pmWow, lost for words. Why did no one stop him.
Report Post »tankyjo
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:40pmThe 0.0099% speaks. Which way did they go George, which way did they go?
Report Post »NOBALONEY
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:39pmUnbelieable!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on November 13, 2011 at 3:39pmJust another of the failed Education System…. who does not comprehend the functioning of the Capitalistic System.
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