Gene Simmons, frontman for the legendary rock group KISS and one of the 2025 Kennedy Center Award winners — that's Gene in the middle of the back row, as if you didn't already know — suggested during a recent interview that people should stop getting wrapped around the axle about what their neighbors believe — or don't believe about politics, or whom they support.
Simmons being Simmons — a pretty smart guy — went bottom-line, which I admire, even if I don't always agree with his politics or whatever else. Even though he largely downplayed politics in the interview, you didn't have wonder what was on the rocker's mind when he did talk about the sticky issue:
It's nobody’s business who you support. Nowadays, people engage in, 'So are you pro or,' and my first question is, ‘Who the f*** are you? Who are you?’ Since when does who I support or not support is the business of anyone except my conscience?
Sounds like an awesome idea.
Unfortunately, the fly in the political ointment is that tens of millions of Americans are incapable of heeding the advice offered by Simmons, or similar advice offered by anyone else.
I mean, a quick trip through Facebook, X, or any other social media site instantaneously lays bare the ridiculous anger, incessant trolling and hate-mongering, et al., that's far too prevalent in today's hyperpartisan political environment.
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CNN host Manu Raju of course asked Simmons what he thought about the MAGA wing of the Republican Party, to which he replied:
Some of it makes sense and some not. But literally, have a sense of humor. Take a pill, shut up, and stop worrying what your next-door neighbor believes or doesn't believe. It’s their America too.
For the record, I agree — all counts.
Moreover, the politics of those with whom we disagree is none on our business, either. Besides, when was the last time you changed the mind of a TDS-ridden Democrat? Never, you say? Me neither.
Truth be told, I don't given a damn what others think — including friends and family members — politically. I really don't. Besides, as I long ago learned, you'd have a better chance of teaching a mouse to fly a fighter jet than changing the minds of those with whom you disagree, politically.
Anyway, Simmons also said he had an opportunity to talk with President Donald Trump after receiving his Kennedy Center Honor:
Had some face time with Senator Tillis and Blackburn and met Mr. Schiff and so on. But the telling moment was after we all got our Kennedy Center awards, I had some face time alone with the president," he said.
And I actually met the president and on and off for years and years, decades before he entered politics. And the conversation was what human beings do. How‘s the family? How are the kids? And, you know, all that stuff. It‘s not always about politics.
Imagine that (I say in jest), Gene Simmons and Donald Trump having a normal conversation — without as much as a word about politics. Who knew?
The Bottom Line
Wouldn't it be nice if we could fire up Facebook or X, and not see incessant name-calling, rage-baiting, ridiculous, trolling, or other behavior that has turned social media into a smelly cesspool?
Hey, it's almost Christmas — one can at least dream.
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