Odds & Ends: Ted Nugent, Juggalos

The short story on Ted Nugent’s latest controversy is pretty much like most Nugent escapades.  The Motor City Madman said something about a current issue; folks complained about what he said and Nugent stirred things up even more by responding to what people said about him.

This time the issue was about what the guitarist said about Trayvon Martin, the black teenager who was shot and killed in Florida by George Zimmerman.  Zimmerman was recently acquitted of all charges regarding the shooting.

In an article posted on conservative website Rare.us, Nugent described Martin as a “17-year-old dope smoking, racist gangsta wannabe” and that “the only racism on that night was perpetrated by” the teen.

Nugent also defended the jury’s verdict.

“The jury got it right, and non-racist America rejoices that there is still common sense, honesty and decency aware of identifying justice in this country.  America also believes that the entire prosecutorial team should be ashamed of themselves and disbarred for ignoring the obvious and kowtowing to the pure racism that forced the politically correct lie that only black lives killed by non-blacks matter, which is why there are no headlines, no protests, no prosecutions and no Barak Obama or Eric Holder meddling in the nonstop black-on-black slaughter in their gun-free zone of Chicago.”

Evidently some folks in New Haven, Conn., heard about Nugent’s remarks because people began protesting the gonzo rocker’s planned Aug. 6 performance at Toad’s Place. While calling for the show’s cancellation, a July 19 New Haven Register editorial described the guitarist as a “racist misogynistic, homophobic hate-monter who has demeaned and even threatened violence against the people who live in our community.

Of course, Nugent had a response for the protesters as well as the Register’s editorial board.  Appearing on nationally syndicated radio program “The Weekend,” Nugent told show host Joe Pags that “You and I stand on the line of reason,” and described the newspaper’s editorial writers and people protesting his New Haven appearance as “subhuman numb-nuts.”

Despite the controversy, Nugent’s gig went on as planned while protesters marched outside the venue.  During the show Nugent called the protesters “dumb” and made many expletive-filled comments about them, reported the Associated Press.  The guitarist also praised the audience for coming to the show and said every single person in the venue was  “a bad-ass, freedom-loving American.”

It’s that time of year when fans of Insane Clown Posse gather in Illinois for a weekend of, well, insanity, clowns and, perhaps, posses.  And this time local law enforcement officials say they’re ready for them.

An estimated 10,000 people are expected to converge on Cave-In-Rock for the latest Gathering Of The Juggalos running now through Sunday.  While Illinois State Police and Hardin County sheriff’s authorities say they’re prepared for this year’s blow-out, it appears law enforcement is reaching out to local residents to help keep the event from getting out of hand.

“Residents should report any suspicious persons or activity to the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department or Illinois State Police by calling 9-1-1- or alerting an officer,” reports the local Daily Register. 

However, the newspaper doesn’t say anything about how one might recognize a suspicious person among 10,000 Juggalos.  We’re guessing a lack of face paint, beer and controlled substances coupled with a case of obvious sobriety might be a start.