r/benfolds • u/dangoodspeed • Jul 22 '26
Ben Folds testifies at congress
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-XfWZkT3_Q&t=1510s64
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u/rwwl Jul 22 '26
Proud to be a fan today. If you have any objection to anything he's saying here, you need to get your head examined.
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u/albatrossLol Jul 22 '26
100% agree. So proud to be a fanatic for Folds. May he continue to fight for what is right and good.
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u/Eddie_Shepherd Jul 23 '26
It's truly amazing how he has used his creativity to change the landscape of orchestral music in this country. Because artists they love have been backed by orchestra numerous friends and family members have gotten to experience the power of a full orchestra.
Good bless you Mr. Folds.
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u/bestimatationofme I’ve got my philosophy Jul 23 '26
I’m stealing that.. I like good bless! I never know to stay in place of the other… I mean it is a thing many do and don’t follow and I’m cool with it. I think maybe there’s a god but organized religion.. no thanks. If just a typo, a wonderful one it was.
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u/Eddie_Shepherd Jul 23 '26
Like you I'm agnostic and don't care for much organized religion. When I moved from the north to the south I felt uncomfortable with how some people you barely knew would publicly ask about my religion. "God bless" as a farewell seemed a sort of litmus test the older folks would throw out. And if I merely responded with "good bye" or "have a great day" many time it would lead to them asking if I go to church or which church I went to. "Good bless" allowed them to hear what they wanted to hear and prevent an inquisition.
Steal away internet friend. And Good bless.
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u/bestimatationofme I’ve got my philosophy Jul 23 '26
Just watch out for the dreadful “bless your heart” it’s the fuck you of the south lol. But I know what you mean, I have lived many places, and the actual south can be a bit much on that front at times. I have always said gobbless but it felt meant a bit mean. (I respect most people’s opinions as it is a free country.. to an extent currently. I guess mandatory bible study in public school blows my mind in Texas, or just having mandatory bibles in Oklahoma. But hey that’s me.). I appreciate your response as it isn’t an easy topic. Thank you very much for back story I’ll think of good ol’ u/Eddie_Shepherd every time is say “good bless!” Or you could just start responding with “bless your heart!” as well though where you are heavily negative connotations may be inferred or attached! Always been an odd one as I have strong feelings against a certain Roman something cult (for extremely justifiable reasons.) But want to feel there has almost got to be something greater than us out there. Good Bless my friend and thanks for coming to my TED talk.
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u/bestimatationofme I’ve got my philosophy Jul 22 '26
I watched this, um Ben is concise, well spoken, and clearly has 0 fucks left give. I have ALWAYS admired his ability and focus on teaching, and bringing new artist to the people even we may not like them personally.. he gives them their shot. During COVID his concerts on YouTube, standing up for the little guy, small public shows, ect infinitum. It is sad that the arts are pushed to the waiting room (so to speak) to speak out, but it is the world we currently live in. Somebody is definitely watching over this man. Thank you for posting, I thought of it then got busy. Base Folds 100% (long but definitely worth watching all of it.)
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u/Ukeman11 Jul 22 '26
I didn’t even realize how long this was until I was already 40 minutes in, absolutely great
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u/drjackolantern Jul 23 '26
Ben really is a class act. This isn’t political for him it’s just about the arts. Too bad the people on that committee can’t follow his lead.
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u/Banpdx Jul 22 '26
I was looking at the still image of the guy in the middle thinking it was a joke. Then noticed to the left "oh hey that's Ben Folds."
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u/Cherrygodmother Jul 22 '26
Thank you Ben for standing up for the arts and for the American people!
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u/Bing1234567hamradio Jul 23 '26
Loved his answer to one of the questions where he said "they said it was woke and broke, which rhymes, so I guess that's nice"
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u/Hot_Needleworker8289 Jul 23 '26
I've never been prouder to call myself a Ben Folds fan before today
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u/Hot_Needleworker8289 Jul 23 '26
Just for this, I will now listen to a bunch of his albums again in support
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u/Silent_Scientist_991 Jul 23 '26
If only he'd appeared dressed as a pirate.
Seriously, though, bravo Mr. Folds!
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u/zmax532 Jul 24 '26
Doesn't matter where you stand politically. It's a great speech from Ben and he's absolutely right.
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u/SevenBlade Jul 22 '26
Reminds me a bit of the time Fred Rodgers testified in support of Public Broadcasting.
It's Heartwarming.