Let me present you with a scenario.
Let’s say that you’ve decided to drive drunk. Let’s then say that you get pulled over by the police and one of the officers asks you to blow in their face. Let’s say that because of the obvious presence of alcohol on your breath you are suspected of drinking and driving and one hour and fifty-six minutes after you were originally pulled over, your blood alcohol content registers .14, almost double the legal limit.
How would you plead in court?
Better yet, were you driving a rusted out 1978 Honda Civic and couldn’t afford the best defense attorneys in the Province of British Columbia, how would you plead? Chances are you’d plead guilty because you wouldn’t have the sort of financial resources at your disposal to try and get you off the hook for being stupid enough to endanger the lives of others.
Men take responsibility for their actions. Little boys that can afford it hire defense teams to attempt to get them off the hook. Even little boys that go on about their harsh impoverished upbringings.
Some years ago I made a comment during an interview with Chart Magazine. I said that many of the modern rock bands at the time sounded the same. Among those mentioned was Nickelback. Because of that statement the band’s lead singer, Chad Kroeger, eventually went so far as to say in an interview with Rolling Stone…
“I don’t know how city kids deal with things, but when you talk shit about somebody from a small town, they find you in a back alley and they deal with the situation. They beat the living piss out of you and then laugh at you the next day when you’re seen around town all marked up.”
I’m not going to get into the obvious insecurities that that statement displays. Being lumped into the same category as Creed is, I suppose, grounds for violence as far as Kroeger was concerned. But the truth is, in our business, no matter how many records you sell, be it the few that I sell primarily in Canada or the millions that Nickelback sells globally, there are always going to be people out there that don’t enjoy your work. So what are you going to do? Threaten them all?
I have no idea if Chad Kroeger actually did spend time in juvenile detention, which he also mentioned during the same interview with Rolling Stone. But one thing is for certain, juvenile detention is not prison, and prison isn’t the sort of place that multimillionaire rock stars that believe themselves above the law, and responsibility, want to find themselves. Then again, in this day and age, the likelihood of him actually serving a six month sentence if found guilty is unlikely. Because unlike poor kids from small towns, wealthy rock stars commonly don’t have to face the same severity of justice.
The bottom line here is simple. Were your average reckless individual found to have a blood alcohol content almost twice the legal limit almost two hours after being stopped, they’d probably have the hammer dropped on them. But even more than that, what sort of man attempts to squirm their way out of talking responsibility for making a decision to get into an automobile and endangering the lives of others?
Everyone makes mistakes, there’s no question about that. It’s whether or not someone has the integrity to own up to them that separates the boys from the men. And that applies to those from small towns and cities alike.
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Perhaps the irony is that if you are a known individual and actually take responsibility for your actions (even if it therefore means jail time), you get more press. Look at anyone in Hollywood who has gotten busted doing something. Chances are the jail is too full to take someone who was driving under the influence anyways, so you’ll get booked and released within a fraction of the time you were meant to spend there. Or, you can always go the route of community service to counter jail time if you ask for that. Celebs always get that. Spending the time in court never gets you press… and isn’t that what someone in a group like Nickelback wants? Because otherwise they aren’t heard of. So own up, admit to mistakes, and enjoy the press you get for attempting to be a role model by showing what not to do
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wow. class act, Kroeger. I don’t know about anyone else but when somebody i’m not terribly impressed with does something dumb and gets caught at it, it’s hard for me not to believe in the beauty of poetic justice. Drunk driving… nice. I hope he accepts his sentence with arms wide open.
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And long haired wannabees. Write him a nice letter Matthew.
I know for me, Id prefer to have 30 fans who loved me than 300,000 who thought I was alright, and a further 3 million who thought I was a cock.
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Sorry if this is blunt and/or rude, but Chad Kroeger is a douche.
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This is the quote, yes?
“Chad Kroeger once said something to the effect that he makes hamburgers because they’re popular and everyone likes them. That was his take on music. I tried making hamburgers once and burnt them. Since then I’ve largely stuck to sushi.”
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I read that article in the paper today. Time to man up and pay the price. What I didn’t see was the reason he was pulled over. Speeding? Crossing the center line?
Did you know that a driving while impaired bust will keep an American out of Canada but not a Canadian out of the United States. That will always bother me.
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Everybody makes mistakes, it is how we deal with the consequences that reveals our true character.
Drunk driving is not cool (stating the obvious), I am glad for the fact that laws are finally becoming stricter towards it. It’s a shame laws can be so easily bended at the most inappropriate of times.
On another note, after having first read that quote of Kroeger’s way back when, I distinctly remember thinking to myself, “What a douche.” I’ve never liked Nickelback, their music is plain, weak and feels like it just got formed in a cookie cutter for “rock and roll”. That’s just my own personal opinion. When it comes to Kroeger though, I don’t want to pretend I know him but from having seen him on various interviews and whatnot while perusing the media, he gives off a certain brand of griminess that I have not yet seen duplicated. So he gets points for that brand of originality. Also he has hair that would look better on a doll. (it’s not important, the hair thing, I just can’t help but think it every time I hear his name)
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Why don’t these so called celebrities have someone to drive them home when their drunk?
I’d call a cab. Why can’t Lindsy and Paris and Chad do the same thing?
If their so damn popular and rich why don’t they have an entourage and a chauffeur?
I don’t know lock his ass up, then he’ll see what’s its really like to be a tough guy.
Maybe he’ll cry and get out.
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That is what I always wonder.. helloooooooo, call your driver Chad, Brit, Paris.. Doh, there’s an idea.
I can’t remember what celebrity it is, I belive it might be Tony Bennet.. He has admitted he can’t drive worth crap, so he’s always driven around… I have someone on phone telling me it’s Keanu Reeves….
Why is it so hard to admit you can’t drive.. it’s cut throat out there, man… call a limo, jay sus
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Your right everyone makes mistake…but seriously, why do people…rich…famous…from a small town…big city….or where ever they may be from risk drinking and driving, not saying that i am a saint…far from it, but i would never risk my license, my well being or anyone elses for that matter on drinking and driving. The risks are way to much. BUT when you are famous…it is true, you get less of a punishment..look at Paris Hilton, she served what like 3 minutes in jail for her drinking and driving? if i was to do it and get caught i would plead guilty, i did the crime i deserve the time!
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I love how people who can avoid responsibilty will do so at all costs. I also love when celebs who are busted for drinking and driving release a statement that “drinking and driving is bad and should not be done by anyone and avoided at all costs.” What hypocrisy.
Chad’s not the first and he won’t be the last. Everyone should pay for endangering other people’s lives, no matter who you are and how much money you have. Just because you have more money than Joe Blow does not mean you should be granted special priveleges.
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I wonder if, after Kroeger made that statement, he was embarrassed to realize he’d just channeled a sixth-grade bully. I really hope he was… otherwise, that’s a staggering display of asininity and immaturity.
As for the drunk driving situation… well, that’s a staggering display of all sorts of things, none of them remotely admirable. I won’t outline them, though, because I don’t want to talk shit about someone from a small town.
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Bands like Nickelback and Avril are sooooo bad that when I hear them on the radio…I turn it off - seriously! Have you ever listened to what these folks are spewing out? Nothing, stupidness and zero talent! It hurts my brain to have to hear not only their awful voices but the dumbest things they make up.
As for his DUI - better prison than living after taking a life….loser.
I hope he goes to jail - let’s see him try and make that cool….it’ll look uncomfortably good on him.
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As much as I hate drunks and drunk drivers, alcololism is another sickness and weakness. The drunk generally hates himself and his actions more than anyone would know. The bottle always brings out the boy over the man. Perhaps he was drunk when he made threats or perhaps he hates himself in interviews or perhaps not. I’d rather listen to Chad the Celine. I don’t get why this band gets so criticized when so many other artists have people they sound very similar to. Must kind of piss them off.
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Obviously this small town “rock star” in his designer jeans and perfectly manicured mane has never been affected by drunk driving because if he had, he would have taken some of his millions and called a cab. I’m sure the “rock star” ego came shinning through that particular night and he thought that because he was Chad Kroeger he could do whatever the hell he wanted and nobody was going to stop him. Stick to what you know Chad, making shitty, unoriginal music to be overplayed and jammed down the throat of those that still listen to modern rock radio.
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Did he contact Gordon Campbell’s lawyer?
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lol
Kellyj, I don’t think he needed to do a damn thang… the car he was driving said ROCKSTAR.
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Drunk driving… nice. I hope he accepts his sentence with arms wide open.
That was effin great. I almost peed my pants…
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Quoting jnifer:
That was effin great. I almost peed my pants…
~~~~trasker~~~~ I was laughing cause of your quote…..Dont know what happened there. Why can’t I edit. OMG it is driving me crazy….
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I couldn’t agree more. How someone as ‘famous’ (I use that term very loosely) as kroeger could be so stupid as to drive his stand out lambo while being completely tanked is unbelievable. Besides the obvious danger to himself or any other poor sucker out there driving near him, he is supposed to be some sort of ‘role model’ (another term up for interpretation) Its bad enough that he was irresponsible enough to do this but to drag it out through the already swamped court system is just mind boggling. He is setting a great example for anyone who thinks drinking and driving is cool and has no consequences. If he wins his court case I may just have to move to another country.
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Rockstars, ishhh…LOL
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That’s ridiculous, just like Keifer Sutherland’d DUI, but at least he served time in jail for it.
I don’t like Nickelback at all. Not just because you can play Someday and How You Remind Me simultaneously, one through the left channel and one through the right, and you’ll find the same chords, same song structure (yes loud and soft and chorus at the same time - even the drums come in at the same time). I don’t like their attitudes or their music.
And I don’t care if CK cares or not. As anyone who has ever created anything (music, or art or even software applications or some dinner) you will find not everyone likes your stuff.
Learn to deal with it!
And to Kroeger, you really should think a little bit before you do something stupid like that. You can’t get away with things like you think you can. If you can pull strings and bypass the law, so can others!
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Quoting misinformation:
your comment wins! there’s no prize except knowing that you had me laughing and reminded me of those tee shirts that were available for a short time that had his face hidden in the sunset of a shirt for hawaii… gosh i wish i had one of those
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Quoting pyemaster:
Something similar was said about the Velvet Underground…only 30 people would show up at their show, but every single one of them started a band.
You know what’s strange about the whole Nickelback love/hate thing? When I was in the UK, my cousins and their friends told me they adore them and couldn’t believe when I said the majority of the folks back home can’t stand them. I personally told them I don’t hate them by any means (I’ve heard a lot worse over the years), but there are very valid reasons why a lot of Canadians hate them…arrogance being one of them…
And to Chad: from one country hick to another: where I come from, we don’t beat the living piss out of anyone - it’s just as effective to just let everyone in town know of the situation and let rumours fly - but if anyone dares catches you were pulled over, you find out quickly you are NOT holier than thou…
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Just because they’ve sold millions of records doesn’t mean their music isn’t complete and utter garbage. Chad Kroeger has the song-writing ability of a pea.
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The worst part of this whole thing is that he will probably write some shitty song about this experience, and make millions.
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I’ve never been a fan of Chad Kroeger and this just adds to the many reasoins I detest the guy. I’ve seen him talk about the DUI and he really does come off like he’s above rules and responsibility. As someone stated earlier, he should just take responsibilty like Kiefer Sutherland did and accept whatever punishment is fiitting of the crime. Although, that seems like a hell of a lot to ask of someone of his calibre.
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I completely agree with you Matt, he should def. man up and suffer the consequences of his actions…
On a side note, Nickleback is one of the worst bands around. The fact that they win awards and accolades says something about how little those fucking things mean…and also how they are not based off of who has the most talent….
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I’d not heard of the Chad Kroeger story until reading this, but I just heard this story about celebrity drug use on the radio and it boils down to the same thing.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1307996,00.html
Quoting Susie:
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Without getting into specifics, Chad’s defense is going to have a hard time getting him out of this one.
On a somewhat-related note, would you like fries with that impaired driving charge?
http://www.nowpublic.com/crime/surrey-bc-serving-fries-and-jail-dui
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the guy was bullied when he was younger? so sad.
i hope he joined this campaign and wore pink on february 27th :
http://www.ctvbc.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080227/BC_pink_bullying_080227/20080227/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome
Quoting soundstruck:
holy! quote from that link: “Surrey RCMP Const. Brian Nanton holds french fries at a restaurant window. Project WULF (’Would U Like Fries?’) uses undercover officers to catch drunk drivers.”
project WULF– that killed me~
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People actually buy Nickleback albums?
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Ah yes, Chad Kroeger - the egocentric front man from Nickleback……making millions with that crap they put out. Ever been to a Nickleback show? Way way over produced with lots of tracks running in the background to make them sound nice and big….bubblegum bullshit and try and tell me that this success hasn’t gone to his head. It’s a crime that they actually sell so much when there is much better music out there that does not sell.
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And who is Chad Kroeger to be making comments about beating the living piss out of anything?
Have you seen that guy?
I could physically snap that guy in half.
Not that I would but you shouldn’t write cheques your ass can’t cash, no matter how much money you have in the bank.
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Maybe Kroeger likes little boys - at which point he might be among his kind in prison.
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Quoting filbertfancy:
True… but driving drunk doesn’t necessarily mean he’s an alcoholic. A lot of times, drunk drivers are just stupid assholes making foolish decisions.
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My first car was a rusted out 1978 Honda Civic. I’m sure I drove over the legal limit back then. Lucky no one ever got hurt.
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http://www.explosm.net/comics/1156/
you’ll get a laugh out of that webcomic.
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Nickelback has sucked since I walked out in the middle of their performance at the Picadilly over 10 years ago just for ripping off Pearl Jam’s sound! After being subjected to all of the unoriginal ilk they put out now, I kind of wish they had stuck to ripping off Pearl Jam! I mean seriously, every one of their songs sounds the same!
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everytime Nickleback is played, God kills a lama
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I couldnt agree more Matt.
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what a loser. as if he couldn’t hire someone to drive his drunk ass home. lame.
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There are two bottom lines here. The first. Nickelback sucks.. always have always will.. you know what separates you Matthew from them (aside from the obvious not being a douche) Ask how many of your fans have listened to your music for ten years …. I bet there is a vast majority of them . I know I have you are the only artist in my collection who’s career I have followed since day one. Everyone else comes and goes you have a real following of people who don’t just flock over money or popularity but of people who are truly in awe of your talent and your ethics.
The other bottom line. Drinking and driving is not a mistake a mistake is accidentally dropping the dinner plate, or bumping in to someone at the super market. Not purposely getting hammered wherever you are and not being adult enough to plan for a safe ride home. It’s not rocket science. Dont drive if you are going to drink. Get a cab, call Keys Please — Men don’t drink and drive. little sissy piss face boys do
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Great point made Strangedays3 - nobody drinks and drives by accident and if it were you or I tipping the breathalyzer at a lovely 1.4 or more we’d get the fucking book thrown at us, however because CK has his fame and fortune behind him he’ll likely get a slap on the wrist…..shouldn’t matter who you are!
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Wow, I just reset my password because of this post. I will never defend drunk driving, in fact the fact that many of my friends do drive while legally impaired has actually led me to cut them out of my life entirely. I rarely drink it’s purely something I do at home or while I am out at a restaurant. I usally top off at one glass of wine or one beer. I myself am not compelled to need to drink more than that. I find it difficult reading this post by Matthew because yes I do get the point you are trying to make but it almost seems you’re coming from a haha you’re a dumbass point of view towards the person involved. I think it is kind of silly to have revisited the whole Rolling Stone issue when you could have probably just as easily found his mugshot, sent it to MADD and had them aggressively pursue CHAD and his record label to produce a MADD campaign featuring his catchy little rockstar song and have it end up with his mugshot as well as the pictures of other drunk drivers. They could even use his likeness in print or even the word rockstar and have the names of regionally convicted drunk drivers names make up the work or likeness.
I digress, Matt I get what you’re trying to say but based on the comments afterwards I do not see how your point can be validated in this forum. In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere in this wide world of internet Rockstar himself is writing on his blog about your accidental overdose and trying to compare the two.
Don’t take that as personal attack by me I am just saying why let history repeat itself or even give it a chance to repeat itself? Drunk driving is dumb and based on the facts I’d say a few of the above authors will receive a ticket/ charge of drunk driving in their lifetime, I know this is your blog and I am the last person that should be giving any advice but why take such a personal stand that seems to be based on on the past? It is foolish because I’m not sure how prevalent that guy is in the world while someone such as yourself has been fairly consistent and a sought after voice on varous issues that you speak about. Anyways, keep up the great work on helping people like me gain insight on the things in this world that are going on and being swept under the rug.
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What a tool.
He’s rich enough for a driver. Why even take the chance that you may just end up killing someone? To me it just doesn’t make sense. They will spend thousands on a bottle of champagne, but can’t spring for a driver? He should be in jail anyways because of his shitty “music”. Same with Avril.
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He hasn’t taken responsibility for what he did because there’s no rockstar way of saying I was an idiot and drove drunk.
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LMAO….
Chad Kroeger’s real name is Chad Turton… he changed his name from Turton to Kroeger? Why the hell did he do that? Kroeger doesn’t sound any “cooler” than Turton. Not like Slash (Saul Hudson) or Sting (Gordon Sumner)… as napoleon would say “Idiot…..gosh”….
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But…they did kinda all sound the same! I noticed it too! So what was he so upset about? Nothing wrong with telling the truth.
Anyway, I agree 100% - if you have clearly done something wrong, then just own up to it instead of trying to worm your way out (er, and by “you” I mean Chad K. and all the other stupid people out there).
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Chad and the Boys used to jam at our Pub every Sunday Night….
never liked them that much…..
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At least Chad didn’t send you flowers. Count yourself lucky.
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Quoting Boreal:
That’s just hilarious. Apparently, Chad should have been a boxer, not a singer. Though, I really wish he’d stop justifying his personal desire to beat the crap out of someone by attributing the practice to entire groups of people (first small town folk, and now apparently Canadians in general). No, Chad, that’s actually not how “we do it in Canada.” Just because you do something and you happen to be Canadian does not mean it reflects upon the rest of the 33 million people in the country.
(My favourite line was this: “The paying customer’s crime was to show Nickelback his middle fingers, rather than choosing the more sensible option of placing these fingers in his ears.”)
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I immediately thought about Gordo’s “slip up” too.
I don’t listen to the radio but, from what I’ve been reading about Chad, he reminds me of a teenage punk who refuses to grow up. And he’s in his 30’s, so it’s probably time.
He was speeding in his Lamborghini when he was pulled over…I guess we’re just lucky he didn’t take someone out while doing so.
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The following that this man has will never cease to amaze me. Irresponsible is just the beginning. In my opinion, he is a complete and utter tool. It seems that everything I read lately in which ‘Nickelback’ is mentioned just proves that point further.
I have been in the company of Chad Kroeger, as he spends a fair amount of time out in the valley where I grew up, and I must say that every single time, I have felt absolutely overwhelmed by what a douchebag he is…Seriously.
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i bet Chad Kroeger hates Chad Kroeger
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Let’s hear it for The Chad.
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I bet Chad Turdons lawyers are rubbing their scaly hands together right now
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How can people have so much hate for someone they don’t even know? We expect to fix world problems and find peace- what a joke. We condemn politicians and day to day people basically suck. I have dealt with many parents working with sports teams and some of the worst selfish and critical people did social work for a career. In war torn countries its apparent who the enemies are, but so many in our society share a home with people who abuse, degrade, criticize and control. Poor kids, poor mankind. Whatever happen to basic reason.
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Quoting filbertfancy:
Thank You
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Quoting entropy71:
Dude, I lost it after reading this. That is brilliant. :D
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I have this mental image in my head that goes something like this (and no, this is not by any means, shape or form an account of what happened, as I have no idea. This is just how it plays out in my simple mind):
Police officer approaches Mr. Nickleback’s car: “Roll down your window please”
Mr. Nickelback mouths through closed window: “fuck you”. Flips the bird.
PO: “I’m asking you to roll down your window please”
Mr. Nickelback: sticks tongue out and puts fingers in ears, waving others in a “nananananana” fashion.
PO opens door and is overwhelmed by smell of alcohol.
PO wants to affirm that Mr. Nickelback has, in fact, been drinking.
PO: “Blow please”
MN: “YOU blow. A-hole”
MN: “I can take you”
PO: “Put your hands behind your back please”
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The guy is a douche. What else can you expect?
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Quoting Shayne Menecola:
Here’s the difference in what Matt experienced vs driving drunk.
One happened in the privacy of someone’s home and only endangered themselves. Wasn’t done intentionally but, rather, because of some confusion with prescribed medicine.
The other was out in public and had the potential to endanger other’s lives. It was against the law and done despite this.
Two totally separate things that can’t have the dots connect them in my view.
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I visit this site everyday.
Everyday there is compelling posts.
Everyday something new to ponder.
A day does not go by where there isn’t something informative to write about, think about, or learn about.
But then you get days like today.
Days when there is a great issue about genocide or other political matters that need our attention.
And rather than respond to something intellectually stimulating, there are 56 comments posted in awe of Chad (whatever his name is), and people claim to not like him, but yet, have something to say about him, like they know him and seem to know more about him than they do the actual world. So, here’s a question: Who’s following who?
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Quoting Giant:
LOL. and it will probably sound the same as Someday and How You Remind Me.
can’t stand their music, can’t stand Chad Kroeger’s attitude either
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Quoting Becca Steps:
For me personally, I don’t know alot about the genocide issue or politics for that matter so it’s better for me (and everyone else) that I keep my comments out of those topics. I read them so that I can educate myself, but replying isn’t something I like to do.
It’s very likely that many people know more about Chad then they do about the issues that should be front page and centre such as genocide. I blame the media.
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Quoting Becca Steps:
The displays of “hate” to put it harshly and “harmless ranting” are being taken too personally.
I’m sorry that there are displays of hate here but you’re forgetting one very important aspect
of this post. The guy got in a car.. and endangered people’s lives. Look at it this way, he got lucky and
no one died. It could have been you. It could have been your children.
Personally I don’t need to know someone on a personal level to justify my hate of their actions.
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Good points becca.
But, may I remind you, YOU felt the need to both read and respond to this like the rest of us.
Now here’s my spin on it:
We have something to say about “him” because he represents an increasing number of people who think it’s o.k. to get behind the wheel drunk. And we’ve all seen the stories on the news about the tragic outcome that can have. Some of us have even been affected by that (my cousin was broadsided by a police cruiser that was chasing a drunk driver. Although she spent a few years trying to recover from that, she died not long ago. And left her husband and children behind.)
So it’s not necessarily a matter of just commenting on a person, it’s based on our strong feelings about an accident waiting to happen and the irresponsible decisions this person made that could’ve had a terrible ending. It’s not our fault that he’s a “rock star” and I think we would’ve commented on a drunk driver no matter who he was. I would’ve.
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Remember the time Paris Hilton had to go to jail for those few weeks? I bet she wasnt in jail, she was holed up in a recording studio working on a greatest hits cd for that one album she put out….
Oh, an Martha Stewart! She wasnt in jail either….she was working with a publicist on memoires and coming up with new recipies for her show…
Famous people dont go to jail….that would mean we wouldnt see them on tv or hear them on the radio anymore and well, if the number of celebrities who should go to jail did, God for bid we’d loose half of hollywood!
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I’m really not trying to jump on any bandwagon here, really. But I now have yet another reason to love you so much Matt Good. I really don’t like Nickeback. At all. If I hear them I change the station - everyone knows not to play their music around me. I think its mind sucking poison, right up there with soap operas. And so, of course I just had to join this Facebook group, in fact, it was the very first one I joined.
Everytime Nickelback Is Played God Kills A Llama
Uh, oh and i just have to add, i have a friend that is friends with their tour manager, so he has this “in” with them or something and i have to listen to how much he hangs out with them and such, how “cool” they are and I just want to scream that if I were him I would really not admit in public that I know them ..*sigh*
he told me once that Chad had 500 songs already written waiting to be recorded….yes I actually cringed
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looks like I should have read the posts before posting…not the only one in the Llama group lol
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Quoting jennybean:
yea, its the same song written 500 times….very impressive….
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I wonder if Chad is familiar with “Prison Justice”. Gonna make his “Back-Alley/Small town” justice look pretty lame, I would surmise.
I agree with the “Whay are rich people too stupid to call a cab?’ comments.
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Quoting jeni25:
Absolutely horrifying.
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Wow, I had a feeling he was a giant douche, but had really no evidence to confirm it. but, from what i’ve read from various sites, i think it can now be confirmed :).
He should take he’s punishment like a man. Same goes for when his bent over by his cell mate…..
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Are there even back alleys in small towns? I don’t think so.
He should take some responsbility for annoying me and many others with all the Nickleback tunes that are put on shuffle at the local radio stations…
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Quoting kanji:
Awards havent meant anything for years…believe me, there are much more shittier bands getting recognition for their pieces of shi…art.
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Are their back alleys in small towns? See,cause i thought it was the other way around,you know because in cities……………..you get it.
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Please do not retract this post. Let this one stand.
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Quoting deb:
I’m not trying to curb the issue that people shouldn’t drive drunk or say that it’s invalid. It’s an all out no brainer that drunk driving is a bad thing to do. I don’t need to write a report about it.
I’m just saying it’s not new and why even waste our time thinking about people like that (Celebrities). The more attention the Media gives people like this, the more exposure they get. It’s useless brain power.
I can prove it with countless other stories and issues that involve celebrities over the last 25 to 30 years. Do you think just because people made a stink about Paris Hilton that her “jail sentence” really changed her?
And if you noticed a lot of the post mostly bitched about the shitty music and personal opinions on the guy than spent time evaluating the actual issue. I read all the posts on here. You bet, I’m just as guilty for responding. But, I’ve been on here long enough to say that only a bare minimum of the posts actually have something of relevance to carry on the conversation.
Anyone found guilty of drunk driving should be ashamed of themselves. Period.
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Quoting brianjs:
Small towns have 7-11 parking lots. In the town I grew up in, the parking lot even had an alley attached to it.
Last year I had a dream where everyone was using “Chad” as an insult. Heh.
Don’t be a Chad, call a cab.
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Anyone wondering why people act so negatively towards people who make the choice (yes, it is) to drink and drive need only to flip to today’s Province newspaper, pages A7-9. There you’ll read heart-wrenching accounts of how people have lost their lost ones because of the actions of those who decide to drink and drive.
So, yes, I think that a grown man who gets behind the wheel of their sports car and speeds down the road despite being well over the designated drinking/driving limit is a douchebag. And I don’t need to know much more about him to decide that.
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*lost their loved ones
wish there was an edit option for us slackers
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I thought that was what you meant :)
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I was about to make the argument that his lackadaisical attitude towards drunk driving probably comes from being a celebrity in the jungle that is Los Angeles, with it’s “Get Out of Jail in 5 Minutes” cards for celebs, but in Googling the incident for some info, I found out that this particular DUI incident happened nearly TWO years ago in Surrey, and Kroeger still hasn’t faced a judge. Whether it’s a court backlog or lawyer’s appeals, I’m SO sure that Chad has kept his nose clean since then, great guy that we’ve found him out to be. You must hand it to a guy with the imagination to turn a stint in juvie into lyrics about hard time behind bars… too bad the “fans” have turned it so profitable for him.
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I love the implication that because you’re from a small town you’re automatically tougher than everyone else.
Maybe it’s that long, pretty hair of his that makes him so tough.
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Well said Matthew.
Chad Kroeger….little boy indeed. He acts like he’s 15 years old on a good day. Think he has low self esteem much??
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Quoting Shayne Menecola:
How could you possibly compare the two? An ACCIDENTAL overdose, and drunk driving. They are two completely different things. Somebody else sais it already, but I’ll say it again for you. Matt didn’t endanger anybody else. It was an accident. What Chad did wasn’t. He chose to get behind the wheel and take that risk. It was probably jst a publicity stunt. Maybe he wants street cred or something. ANyways, I thought your entry was stupid. Just thought I’d tell you.
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Quoting Becca Steps:
Um… I can’t help but notice that your comments are missing on the post about Uribe and Chavez. And the previous one about Sunni insurgents. And the one before that, about Israel and Palestine…
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Yo, Becca. Chill out. And enjoy this post. Or perhaps this one.
Betcha loved them…
Y’know, life doesn’t have to be full of dire or otherwise socially redeeming doom and gloom. Besides, hating Chad Kreuger is very socially redeeming.
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Wow. There seems to be alot of people arguing back and forth here. My question is if I went running around with scissors in my hand, fell and stabbed myself in the heart, people would say that was stupid and I should have known better. Whats the difference here? He COULD have killed someone and that is that. He deserves the same punishment as the next guy. Rockstar or not, it was a dumb move. What was common sense telling him?
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Quoting deb:
DEB, I think you mis-read what I typed I never meant to connect the two but given the volatility that has existed between these two in the past I wouldn’t put it past the other to bring something like that up.
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Quoting mackenzie:
How old are you? For christs sake in no way shape or fashion did I compare the two in anyway. SOme of you people really need to get a grip on your devotion and learn how to read and comprehend. When you have the experience in working with clients with mental health disorders and diseases that I have come to me. I was simply stating as a fan …shall I quote…..”"In fact I wouldn’t be surprised if somewhere in this wide world of internet Rockstar himself is writing on his blog about your accidental overdose and trying to compare the two.”
holy frig already. By the way if you read the whole post you’d realize my support for the MADD program (mothers against drunk driving) and my total disdain towards people who make such impaired decisions.
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If Everyone Cared no one would die as the result of a drunk driver.
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Quoting Shayne Menecola:
Well, honestly, I didn’t really get where you were going with it. Thanks for clearing it up.
But I still don’t think it would matter much if “he” put up a post of his own nor should it affect the decision to address this issue here. Because, if there were to be a post about Matt’s incident, it wouldn’t do a thing to rationalize this particular incident or make for a good comparison at all. One is an accident that could’ve killed the person in question, the other very easily could’ve resulted in an accident with the potential to kill others. One was done accidentally and unintentionally, the other, irresponsibly.
So I still don’t think Matt needed to feel threatened by a comparison to or factor in his own personal experience when making the decision to post on this topic. They are two totally different things and Chad would be a fool to try and deflect from his issue by focusing on someone else’s near death experience. It would just further prove the point of not manning up by trying to evade his own predicament. Whew, I talk a lot.
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This is entertainment, hell I might even crack open a cold one.
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I’m just going to have to play devil’s advocate here, not because I enjoy arguing, but I feel like there are points that are either not being made, or being made and ignored, or being made and being misconstrued. But before I do, let me say this so you all understand: I DON’T CONDONE DRINKING AND DRIVING, AND IF THE GUY IS GUILTY, HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR IT. I don’t think that could be taken out of context, but we’ll see.
Shayne NEVER EVER compared Matt’s overdose with Chad’s drinking and driving. Shayne said he wouldn’t be surprised if Chad was blogging about Matt’s overdose in the same fashion as Matt is blogging about Chad’s personal indiscretions. That’s making a comment on the shit slinging of all of this, not personally comparing the two situations. Smoe people need to learn to read objectively. Yes, of course one is more serious in nature because it involved innocent lives, but that wasn’t the point Shayne was making.
Yes, Chad made an off-hand remark about beating the crap out of someone. To be honest with you, from the shit that Matt was saying in the media about this band and this artist and all that in the 90’s, it would have pissed me off too. It actually did piss me off any time I’d turn on Much Music to see who he was slagging this week. I never once understood how any artist would be able to convince themselves that that was constructive. He was blatantly insulting someone’s art, and in the grand scheme of things, with how many people listen to Matt like he is Lord and Saviour, could potentionally hurt someone’s record sales (Nickelback weren’t that huge at the time), so yeah, that would piss me off. So I can’t really say I blame Chad for that reaction. And I agree with someone’s comment above: what does that incident have to do with his drinking and driving arrest? Just adding fuel to the fire, I guess.
It also gets very tiring how people on this site tend to judge others so quickly. I cannot believe for one second that with all of these posters, that not one of these people has gotten behind the wheel after too many to drink, or gotten in the car with someone who had. Yes, everyone makes mistakes, as Matt said, but come on, get out of your towers, people!
And you know what? About this “take your punishment like a man” business and “own up to your mistakes”? That’s crap. If you had made a mistake, and whether you regretted it or not, or felt remorse or not, you are STILL going to do everything the legal system allows you to do to stay out of jail. If you don’t, you’re a complete idiot. Who the hell ever goes to a judge, without hurting someone, and says “you know what, your honour, I know you are probably just going to take my licence away, but I’d really like to go to prison, because that’s what the public is crying out for”. I don’t give a shit if he can afford a kick ass lawyer or not? So he has the money, why wouldn’t he? Is he going to get his drummer to defend him, just because the public would deam that more fair? Gimme a break, people. You get the best defense your money can buy, case closed.
I hate Nickleback’s music, but I could never claim to know the guy personally just because I’ve seen the guy in interviews on TV. Much like I tried my best not to judge Matt when I saw him insulting others on TV. I don’t know the guy.
I’m getting a bit tired of the whole “famous people get special treatment” bit. So what. Is it the fault of the famous people? No. When a child is spoiled, and has a tantrum until they get more candy, who do you blame, the kid or the parent who could punish them? Obviously, famous people aren’t children. But my point is this: how can you blame Paris Hilton for only serving a small amount of time in jail. Was it her decision to be let out? No, some judge did. And about Keifer Sutherland. Yes, he served time. Did he volunteer to serve time, as someone suggested he is more of a man than Chad is because he was in jail? Of course not. The guy is a drunk, and finally got punished for his outlandish behaviour.
God I hate Nickleback, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to jump on the “Chad is an asshole” bandwagon