Roger Waters, co-founder of the legendary rock group Pink Floyd, discusses the genocide in Gaza, the deterioration of the West and his new movie on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report.
Many blessings to Roger Waters. His voice speaks volumes to decency and morality in this era of darkness being normalized. But then in many ways darkness has been humming along just fine during Homo sapiens so-called “evolution.”
“They’re absolutely going gangbusters to make certain that war is permanent because that’s how they make their living and they’re entirely happy about it. And if they have to starve babies in Gaza, so be it. They couldn’t care less.”
Roger is absolutely correct.
According to OpenSecrets, in 2024 the US defense sector employed 950 registered lobbyists, spending $149.4 million to push the agendas of 385 clients on Capitol Hill. They’ve always done and will continue to do everything in their power to make sure these wars of aggression never stop.
It’s wrapped up in the Epstein files’ history of endurance the American policy allows for the ongoing killing. You understand now why the powerful want this info to stay tightly secured from the public
Roger is a jewel. I’d like to know if he has ever spoken to Bono, the guy who the establishment likes to make people think has the integrity of Roger Waters but is the worst self-dealing poseur and shill.
“It's capitalism at work. And capitalism could not be less interested in ordinary people, in you.” Since the end of the Soviet Union capitalism has taken over and the rest on the world needs to wake up to the accumulation of wealth at the top that will result in walked and domed enclaves of oligarchs and war lords in the rubble like Haiti, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and more Gaza.
The dissolution of the USSR, like the proxy war, like the slaughter of innocents in Gaza, all have served to amplify the lies of the imperial regime. In a tragic sense, the education of bamboozled multitudes has been the specter of death and destruction on a grand scale. Still, refusal to see and THINK is rampant. The economy has to collapse, money has to be worthless, and more people have to die.
As a Chris Hedges follower, I think from the beginning, this has got to be in the top 10. It's amusing as I have never listened to Pink Floyd and doubt that I'd like their music. I'm of the Frank Sinatra era. As humans we have taken steps forward and steps backward. Civil rights and ethnic cleansing. But as both of you said we can't lose hope. My concern is something in our DNA that can turn the abused into abusers. Both Roger and Chris spoke of the strong influence their fathers had on them. One an atheist. One a minister. Both motivated by love. We are in a dark period. It's not an exaggeration to say the forces of good and evil are battling. At 92 I hope I live to see who wins.
I had a chance to see Roger Waters play in San Francisco, maybe three years ago. The show was amazing and seemed like a particularly poignant mix of performance and politics.
Only because I know both he and Chris would support this struggle, I figured I’d share a link to a post I published yesterday about a young Black labor leader detained in Israel during a solidarity mission to Gaza. https://shahidbuttar.substack.com/p/the-empire-strikes-back-2c2
Thank you Roger Waters for your long time fight for peace, justice and human rights, while being unjustly attacked and at great personal scarifice. You are a hero and model for everyone to follow. You are the best!
Thank you for amplifying the voice of peace and offering a sense of hope. Thanks for your sacrifices like the eighty three years old Reverend Sue Parfitt and many of whom are taking part in activism. Please don’t forget to recognize Iranian sacrifices for over forty six years of brutal sanctions and war with Iraq and recently with the West.
I've just watched this magnificent interview. I was clueless about Pink Floyd and had never even heard of Roger Waters I am so struck by his humanity, courage, an devotion to truth. I love that phrase "living in truth" that you both spoke about. The attack on truth worldwide is so very serious. I will be watching this again and will make it known to others. Could I say, Chris Hedges, that I feel so enlivened by your material, your incisive commentary and questions, and the quality of those you invite to interview. I felt moved when Roger spoke about his atheism and you spoke about your Christianity, as I can plug into both experiences. I am a Catholic Sister and am blessed with some atheist friends. Your interview today grabbed hold of the essence of Jesus' message, which was that we love one another, and both you and Roger showed that that principle is the utter foundation of humanity, regardless of this or that belief. I loved the way you talked about your fathers, and I was thinking how important fathers are, and how sometimes they are overlooked. I remembered my dad - thank you!
"That's the world that I want, where we look after one another and we look after the weakest amongst us and so on and so forth. I am a socialist. Oh my God, no, wow, what could be, that's awful. You mean look after people?" I hope I'm too a good socialist
One of the best interviews I've read. This is not a book, or article, but the thoughts are presented so well, and the contents are so true (and what I wanted to hear), that it is like reading an article. Can conversation be the new reading?
I am usually suspicious of celebrity activists but Mr. Waters has been so committed and consistent over the years one can only admire his efforts. Thank you for an in depth exploration of his perspectives and values which are generally never discussed by the corporate media.
The codification of the word "antisemitism" is enshrining an intellectually respectable term popularized by antisemites themselves so they could euphemistically discuss what they really were promoting Jew-hatred. If you replace "Jew-hatred" wherever a charge of antisemitism is made it clarifies the truth very quickly. Roger Waters is no Jew-hater.
I rather doubt that the UK will arrest him but I am quite surprised the Trump Administration hasn't cancelled his O-1 visa and deported him somewhere. Then again, Mr. Waters is white and has access to legal resources so maybe they are giving him a pass--- for now.
ALSO the whole notion that Russia is going to march across Europe to the English channel (anytime in our lifetimes or Putin's) is such absurd nonsense. For God's sake they can't even invade and occupy Ukraine!
But, of course, the nonsense will make a lot of arms sales for some corporations.
Thanks Chris for revealing Roger more wholly (holy) to us. You are both awesome in your wisdom, courage in speaking truth to the world. Living the presence. „Doin the work of God“ for humanity; words through sweet music, as Cat Stevens also sang.
Many blessings to Roger Waters. His voice speaks volumes to decency and morality in this era of darkness being normalized. But then in many ways darkness has been humming along just fine during Homo sapiens so-called “evolution.”
“They’re absolutely going gangbusters to make certain that war is permanent because that’s how they make their living and they’re entirely happy about it. And if they have to starve babies in Gaza, so be it. They couldn’t care less.”
Roger is absolutely correct.
According to OpenSecrets, in 2024 the US defense sector employed 950 registered lobbyists, spending $149.4 million to push the agendas of 385 clients on Capitol Hill. They’ve always done and will continue to do everything in their power to make sure these wars of aggression never stop.
It’s wrapped up in the Epstein files’ history of endurance the American policy allows for the ongoing killing. You understand now why the powerful want this info to stay tightly secured from the public
Beautiful and uplifting interview despite the world horror show going on, thank you Chris and Roger.
I’m crying. Two beautiful artists, Chris and Roger, with huge hearts and keen minds. Inspiring. Thank you!
Roger is a jewel. I’d like to know if he has ever spoken to Bono, the guy who the establishment likes to make people think has the integrity of Roger Waters but is the worst self-dealing poseur and shill.
Great interview that left me with tears in my eyes. Stay strong guys.
“It's capitalism at work. And capitalism could not be less interested in ordinary people, in you.” Since the end of the Soviet Union capitalism has taken over and the rest on the world needs to wake up to the accumulation of wealth at the top that will result in walked and domed enclaves of oligarchs and war lords in the rubble like Haiti, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and more Gaza.
The dissolution of the USSR, like the proxy war, like the slaughter of innocents in Gaza, all have served to amplify the lies of the imperial regime. In a tragic sense, the education of bamboozled multitudes has been the specter of death and destruction on a grand scale. Still, refusal to see and THINK is rampant. The economy has to collapse, money has to be worthless, and more people have to die.
As a Chris Hedges follower, I think from the beginning, this has got to be in the top 10. It's amusing as I have never listened to Pink Floyd and doubt that I'd like their music. I'm of the Frank Sinatra era. As humans we have taken steps forward and steps backward. Civil rights and ethnic cleansing. But as both of you said we can't lose hope. My concern is something in our DNA that can turn the abused into abusers. Both Roger and Chris spoke of the strong influence their fathers had on them. One an atheist. One a minister. Both motivated by love. We are in a dark period. It's not an exaggeration to say the forces of good and evil are battling. At 92 I hope I live to see who wins.
I had a chance to see Roger Waters play in San Francisco, maybe three years ago. The show was amazing and seemed like a particularly poignant mix of performance and politics.
Only because I know both he and Chris would support this struggle, I figured I’d share a link to a post I published yesterday about a young Black labor leader detained in Israel during a solidarity mission to Gaza. https://shahidbuttar.substack.com/p/the-empire-strikes-back-2c2
Thank you Roger Waters for your long time fight for peace, justice and human rights, while being unjustly attacked and at great personal scarifice. You are a hero and model for everyone to follow. You are the best!
Thank you for amplifying the voice of peace and offering a sense of hope. Thanks for your sacrifices like the eighty three years old Reverend Sue Parfitt and many of whom are taking part in activism. Please don’t forget to recognize Iranian sacrifices for over forty six years of brutal sanctions and war with Iraq and recently with the West.
I've just watched this magnificent interview. I was clueless about Pink Floyd and had never even heard of Roger Waters I am so struck by his humanity, courage, an devotion to truth. I love that phrase "living in truth" that you both spoke about. The attack on truth worldwide is so very serious. I will be watching this again and will make it known to others. Could I say, Chris Hedges, that I feel so enlivened by your material, your incisive commentary and questions, and the quality of those you invite to interview. I felt moved when Roger spoke about his atheism and you spoke about your Christianity, as I can plug into both experiences. I am a Catholic Sister and am blessed with some atheist friends. Your interview today grabbed hold of the essence of Jesus' message, which was that we love one another, and both you and Roger showed that that principle is the utter foundation of humanity, regardless of this or that belief. I loved the way you talked about your fathers, and I was thinking how important fathers are, and how sometimes they are overlooked. I remembered my dad - thank you!
"That's the world that I want, where we look after one another and we look after the weakest amongst us and so on and so forth. I am a socialist. Oh my God, no, wow, what could be, that's awful. You mean look after people?" I hope I'm too a good socialist
One of the best interviews I've read. This is not a book, or article, but the thoughts are presented so well, and the contents are so true (and what I wanted to hear), that it is like reading an article. Can conversation be the new reading?
I am usually suspicious of celebrity activists but Mr. Waters has been so committed and consistent over the years one can only admire his efforts. Thank you for an in depth exploration of his perspectives and values which are generally never discussed by the corporate media.
The codification of the word "antisemitism" is enshrining an intellectually respectable term popularized by antisemites themselves so they could euphemistically discuss what they really were promoting Jew-hatred. If you replace "Jew-hatred" wherever a charge of antisemitism is made it clarifies the truth very quickly. Roger Waters is no Jew-hater.
I rather doubt that the UK will arrest him but I am quite surprised the Trump Administration hasn't cancelled his O-1 visa and deported him somewhere. Then again, Mr. Waters is white and has access to legal resources so maybe they are giving him a pass--- for now.
ALSO the whole notion that Russia is going to march across Europe to the English channel (anytime in our lifetimes or Putin's) is such absurd nonsense. For God's sake they can't even invade and occupy Ukraine!
But, of course, the nonsense will make a lot of arms sales for some corporations.
Thanks Chris for revealing Roger more wholly (holy) to us. You are both awesome in your wisdom, courage in speaking truth to the world. Living the presence. „Doin the work of God“ for humanity; words through sweet music, as Cat Stevens also sang.