Sometimes I agree with the general gist of your points but you really go too far with this 'Johnny Foreigner' thing, it's not needed.
As for the article - far worse has been printed about him, this was a copy-and-paste rehash of previous Press and a potted history of the Smiths.
I think, you are making (wind up comments) from other posts cloud that which I am saying here.
I thought you were one of the brighter ones here. So, I surprised you would take that stance. That said I don't come on here enough or read many people comments enough to really know anyone or have an informed opinion.
There are some wonderful people on here, who give and who love M and it's a lovely thing.
They are loyal and unashamed of fandom. They know M has given them joy and they are thankful
They are aware how much M has helped them, and will never forget it
We go to gigs, we buy records, we read interviews. we see M in us and us in him. There is a human connection. A real bond and connection, which is very strong
WE will not be swayed by anyone in suede boots telling us we should dislike M .
But that is it. We are our own people still.
The trouble among the rubble is, there are a hardcore of people who aren't very clever on here.
We all know who and don't need to name them (the type of person who think I was being literal when I said it may be a surprise that Morrissey is English) there are also people here ,who think Morrissey is a religious figure, more than human , god like- this is obviously a form of retardation. Its when you have something missing and have to worship someone or something to make up for it
When you lack self to such a degree, you have to ONLY like that which an artist likes. Personally, I wasn't even like that as a child, let alone an adult
What also springs from this a form of delusion is a lack of self to such a degree, you hate another human, just because you fave artist writes and "open letter"
These people are like people I have met in day to day life, its important for them to feel they are like M, even though they are not.
And I have heard a number say over and over M is American really, or even he's Mexican and go on about "shitty white boy bands" and say some pretty shitty things about the UK etc
So, excuse me for reminding this ilk of person, how English/Irish he is...How much it bleeds into his art and also why us working class brits watching a kitchen stink drama is different to a kid from America watching it. We are connecting to a lived experience, often. They are often watching for Anglophile "to be cool " way (not always but often)
Just as me watching Boyz In The Hood, with a cup of Earl grey, in green leaf England is a removed experience.
For the record, I am not a little Englander and am widely traveled and do not even live in the UK (mainly)
I do not agree with M's views on his political party of choice, and I tend to think he is avoiding being one dog on a chain, only to another kind of dog on another kind of chain - his views are very common, by about 52%
I'm not that Reel Around person, that used to come on here... I'm not keen on Tommy Robson (though i think he was picked on a bit)
Thus, I resent the suggestion that I am sitting on the cliffs of dover, in a deck chair, shaking my fists at incoming boats
Having lived in other places, bar simply England, I can see just how deeply entrenched Britishness/Irishness and all it involves is, I can see how we are different, to people raised in other places. I can also see how utterly English the likes of Ray Davis, Paul Weller and Brett Anderson and our M, is. That is all.
I would also say Springteen is very American in the art and ways, I love Bruce but I don't pretend his Americanness isn't counter to my Englishness and that goes for various other artists and places.
Of course, there is a human connection which goes further and deeper than nurtured ways. However, you would be daft to overlook its importance.
Lastly, I am aware I have gone on a touch, I am not saying objectively being English is better than being American, or German or French. I am just saying ... I am happy I am English .
I love America, but I personally am happy I grew up in England. I know other brits who would have rather grew up in America and I know some Americans who would have rather grown up in the UK or France etc.
Its simply a matter of opinion .
The funny thing is i was pointing out some of the negative points of the British mindset. That seemed to be overlooked