Kid Rock Unclear On The Meaning Behind The Word “Punishment”

noah | December 2, 2008 4:15 am

Was it really more than a year ago that Kid Rock got in a scrap at a Waffle House that resulted in him having to go for anger-management training and perform some community service? It was, and Kid figured that enough time had passed that he could get “creative” with his service time… by going on his already-scheduled trip to the Middle East to entertain the troops stationed over there. Sure, singing for the servicemen and women who are stuck in Iraq is a noble pursuit, but the judge who sentenced him didn’t exactly think that killing two birds with one high-publicity stone would allow Kid to properly reflect on scattering and smothering his parking-lot opponent. “Giving him credit for something he would otherwise love to do in front of a camera completely defeats the punitive purpose of performing community service,” the judge wrote in his decision denying Kid Rock’s request. Which is kind of a good point, given that the whole idea of “punishment” would seem to imply “doing something one really doesn’t want to do.” But Kid disagrees, and he’s mad enough to blog about it. The Skynyrd-recycling Detroit boy’s missive to his fans after the jump.

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Holiday and get something off my chest (as you all probably know I’m not a big blogger! But I do read my website and myspace page when I have time, and thank you for all the kind words and shout outs!).

I headed to Europe last Friday for a small tour and then am most likely going back to the Middle East to entertain our troops for the holidays (again!) I’d be lying if I didn’t mention it’s kind of bittersweet due to the fact that I petitioned the judge (Alvin T. Wong, Dekalb County, Georgia) in my “Waffle House” case so that the 80 hours of community service he sentenced me to would be served by my holiday trip to entertain our troops (for my 3rd Christmas and 4th time!). Apparently he thinks it’s more important that I do something else rather than sing, shake hands, take pictures and spend time with the men and women who put themselves in harms way to protect the very freedoms he and all of us live by. I really take it as a slap in the face, and really have trouble thinking of a better way to “serve the community,” especially at Christmas time when it’s obviously the hardest time for soldiers to be away from their families and home (and I try not to think about it when I’m there, but it’s a little freaky being in the middle of a war zone!). It’s not that I don’t take responsibility for my actions, because I do, and I have, in more ways than one. The case got so much press (a lot of it very silly press) that I decided before I even went to court that I would have a fundraiser at a local Georgia Waffle House and donate the money to a local Dekalb County homeless shelter that helps families get back on their feet (we raised close to 20 thousand dollars for that shelter).

I figured I would use the opportunity to turn a negative into a positive (The judge didn’t seem to care to much about that either, but whatever, that wasn’t about anything other than using the media BACK to do some good!). I’m sure a lot of you will comment on this and in a weird way it will make me feel a little better, but either way this judge will leave a bad taste of ignorance in my mouth, but I don’t let even the DEVIL get me down so, WHATEVA!! Well, that’s my rant, I hope I’m doing the right thing by sharing my feelings (I’m usually better at it on a song!!). So in ending I would just like to wish all of you, my friends, a happy holiday season. Thank you for all your support, I truly appreciate each and every one of you! God Bless!

Your Friend,

Kid Rock

Man, for a man of the people, he sure does want to be able to use his celebrity so he doesn’t have to pick shit up on the side of the road, huh?

Welcome [KidRock.com via Smoking Section]