It’s too bad Frank Zappa’s not alive. Not only was he a brilliant musician, but he was one of free speech’s biggest champions. We recently discovered two great pieces of video (thanks Maashi) of Zappa on CNN’s “Crossfire,” where he goes head to head with a gang of right wingers over whether or not the government should step in to censor rock records with objectionable lyricals. While his fellow panelists hoot and holler, Zappa eloquently and articulately deconstructs their arguments, all the while maintaining an almost zen-like state. He goes on to decry that the government has no business in our homes. He also goes on to say that he thinks the country is creeping closer and closer to a fascist theocracy. This statement rings particularly prophetic considering today’s Bush-led landscape.

In his appearance the following year, Zappa is less talkative, but still effective, making his point by what he doesn’t say:
Peter Gemma: Frank Zappa, the sexual revolution failed, and now we enter the age of AIDS, what are you and your compatriots in the rock industry doing to handle the responsibility?
Zappa: It’s not my responsibility.
Gemma: You don’t think that the power and persuasion music has over young people in America has anything to do with the problem we’re having with sex?
Zappa: No.
Gemma: It’s as simple as that?
Zappa: Yes.
Gemma: So you don’t think three thousand kids getting pregnant a day, and a thousand of them getting an abortion a day is a problem that relates to rock music and sex lyrics?
Zappa: No.

Whether you agree with Zappa’s politics or not, you’d be hard pressed to find a contemporary musician equally as opinionated and well spoken. Despite the fact that we often frown upon musicians who mix their music and their politics, we’re completely forgiving of folks like Zappa and Dylan and Bob Geldof — musicians who are clearly much smarter than the majority of our politicians.