Best of Both Worlds

Yesterday I passed along a reader's account of the Van Halen concert in St. Paul last week, specifically regarding some perceived anti-Bush shenanigans by the band.  Today I got this conflicting account, from Steve S:

As an avid reader of Fraters, I was a bit stunned to read the piece you posted yesterday regarding the VH concert and the guy's friend who witnessed Pro-Left Bush Bashing by one of the greatest rock bands of all time.  I don't know where he got the 'shrooms he was doing, but I was at the Xcel Energy Center last Thursday, and it never happened.  During the song "Right Now," there was a video playing during the song.  Most of it was the original video shot when the 'For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge' album came out some 12 years ago.  A few pieces were new, and it included bits of soldiers and helicopters and, yes, even of Bush and Cheney.

But the message was clear to those of us drug-free and sober enough to remember:  support the troops.  That's it.  No stance left OR right.  It's incredibly disappointing that some jackrat would go purposefully looking for something like that at a concert.  It's one thing if an entertainer hangs themselves, see Pearl Jam, Dixie Chicks, etc., it's another make-up something that never happened.  Note to this Dave guy:  next time actually go to the concert and lay off the drugs/booze when you do go.  At the very least, get your facts straight from somebody that WAS there.

Whom to believe?  The third hand account yesterday or this second hand story today?  I'll let you decide, but it wouldn't surprise me if there are elements of truth in each.  Perceptions can be tricky things.  Tune in later today for the debate on whether or not the group that opened for Van Halen on Thursday was a 14 man Syrian band called Dry Run.

This whole debate does emphasize the importance of first hand observations when reporting the news.  (Becaue I trust no one's biases like I trust my own.)   Something our friend Ed Morrissey is going to be providing in late August.  That's right, Captain Ed, live from Madison Square Garden!  He's been credentialed as a blogging journalist for the Republican convention and we look forward to his reports on Captain's Quarters and on Northern Alliance Radio.  Congratulations Ed.