To the Point

Music, Politics and September 11

Slavery, the wars of the past, the civil rights movement, and other historic American turning points have all produced their own music. But the year since September 11, an event which has been described as so powerful that it changed America forever, has produced a deafening musical silence. Bruce Springsteen has taken a pass at consolation, and patriotism has sold a lot of records. What-s not being heard is music that questions conventional wisdom and makes listeners think. Are record companies worried about a backlash? Is a protest movement yet to be born? Are musicians and songwriters waiting until the anniversary is over? We ask people inside and outside the industry, including country legend Charlie Daniels, where-s the music? Newsmaker: US, OPEC Block UN Drive for Renewable Energy Goals Secretary of State Colin Powell won-t arrive at the Summit on Sustainable Development until tomorrow. In the meantime, the US delegation has accomplished one of the Bush administration-s major goals. The Wall Street Journal-s Jeffrey Ball, who-s reporting from the summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, says that the US and OPEC have effectively derailed UN efforts to speed up the timetable for switching the world to renewable energy. Reporter's Notebook: Bhopal Union Carbide Court Case In 1984, a gas leak from a plant run by America-s Union Carbide Company killed 3000 people in Bhopal, India. Regarded as one of history-s worst industrial accidents, people are still dying from the long-term health effects of toxic exposure. Rama Lakshmi, who is following the story from New Delhi for the Washington Post, says that the Indian government now feels that the battle has been won and wants to move on.