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‘The Nuge’ speaks at Union tonight
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by Nick Penzenstadler
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Most of today's students were not even alive to see Ted "The Nuge" Nugent take the stage at sold-out venues to perform his hit "Cat Scratch Fever." Instead, they may know him for his fanatic hunting and outspoken conservative views.
Star of Outdoor Life Network's "Surviving Ted," "Wanted, Ted or Alive" and VH1's "Supergroup," Nugent will speak at Memorial Union Theater tonight in an event sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Collegians For a Constructive Tomorrow.
"[It's] about the American Dream and how accessible it is to people with spirit and soul and work ethic — and an attitude and piss and vinegar," Ted Nugent said in an exclusive interview with The Badger Herald. "It's worked for me for 58 years, and is available to anybody who applies themselves."
According to Nugent, his lecture Wednesday will focus on living by the moral code outlined in the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule and the Declaration of Independence.
Adam Ostrum, president of CFACT, said he is hopeful the program will garner exposure for the organization.
Ostrum said Nugent's opinions may be controversial but added controversy should just add to the excitement of his presentation.
"I think some of his political views will come up with his stance on the environment," Ostrum said. "And a lot of that has to do with bipartisan issues that the student body is interested in."
The old rocker said conservation has always been an important part of his life.
In order to optimize biodiversity, Nugent added, he urges environmentally minded individuals to become hunters, fishermen or trappers — which also require licenses and tags supporting habitat rehabilitation and management.
"If you don't harvest the surplus of certain game species, you cannot have the air, soil and water management," he said. "In ecosystems where there's no trapping allowed, mange, distemper and rabies runs amuck."
But Eli Lewien, chair of the UW College Democrats, said Nugent's views regarding citizens' rights to the pursuit of happiness are backwards.
"I think he fails to understand that extreme hunting laws and gun laws can infringe upon people's pursuit of happiness," he said. "When society decides to draw lines or laws, he seems to feel that he has the right to step over them."
Nugent will also speak about his reality TV shows "Surviving Ted" and "Wanted: Ted or Alive."
Nugent said his shows were successful because they represent the way he actually lives rather than a scripted version of life. The "honesty" the Nugent family lives contributes to the entertainment value of the shows, he added.
According to Nugent, his family is "ultra-aware" of the gluttony and wastefulness that occur in typical American society.
Nugent also said he will bring his anti-substance viewpoint to campus.
Without the use of mind-altering drugs, Nugent said, he enjoys a life full of energy and excitement.
"My message is that nobody has more fun than I do, and I've always been clean and sober," Nugent said. "Nobody rocks harder, nobody hunts and fishes more, nobody smiles and laughs more than I do."
The show is sure to be entertaining, Lewien said, but may not be completely accurate or politically balanced.
"I recommend going to this presentation for the show, and to sit through what you hear very carefully," he said. "Nugent is not an expert, but a character known for his radical conservative views. I would take him lightly."
For those interested in attending, free tickets are required and can be picked up at the Memorial Union Box Office with a student ID, according to CFACT's web site. His lecture begins at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Theatre.
Anonymous (October 25, 2006 @ 7:11am):
I wish I was a one-hit-wonder turned political hack.
Anonymous (October 25, 2006 @ 4:41pm):
Nugent's conservatism is a refreshing change from this island of liberalism called Madison. Looking forward to hearing his views. Great warm-up story.
Anonymous (October 25, 2006 @ 8:54pm):
Hey 4:41, you do know that Nugent thinks Republicans are idiots too, don't you? You go hear what he has to say and ask him about BushCo's environmental policies.
Anonymous (October 25, 2006 @ 9:33pm):
I didn't agree with everything he had to say, but I gave him the time of day to air his views, and that's what's important. He's certainly a character, though.
