Five For Fighting's New Song 'Blood On My Hands' Shreds Biden To Pieces
'Five For Fighting' released a new song dedicated to Joe Biden and his failed withdrawal out of Afghanistan. The song, titled 'Blood on my hands' scorched Biden's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan as the Taliban was taking hold. The Grammy-nominated artist, John Ondrasik explained what motivated him in a statement released on the band's website:
"Like all Americans, I was stunned and horrified at the images of falling bodies from planes, mothers handing babies over walls, and terrified Afghans being crushed to death at checkpoints due to our precipitous withdrawal from Afghanistan. I am deeply troubled by the plight of Afghan women forced to live under the return of Taliban rule and felt great sadness when reading a story about a popular folk singer, Fawad Andarabi, being dragged from his home and shot by the Taliban."
Ondrasik explained that he understands and agrees with the decision to withdraw but slammed Biden for creating a dangerous situation for all:
"Though I believe the decision to withdraw or not from Afghanistan has good arguments on both sides, I cannot comprehend why the Biden administration would not extend the August 31 deadline thus leaving American citizens, SIV holders, and Afghan allies behind to a terrorist Taliban regime. As a life-long supporter of our military I believe “no man left behind” applied to all Americans as well as those we promise to protect."
"On the day 13 of our soldiers and over 60 Afghans were killed by a suicide bomber I sat down to write this song," Ondrasik explained. "After our last solider left Afghanistan, I received a call from a friend organizing rescue evacs of “AM-CITS” and SIV holders. It was a highly emotional call and moment of clarity," he continued.
Ondrasik went on to explain how private citizens shouldn't be burden with the task of rescuing Americans left behind by Biden.
"America was built on the foundational freedom to criticize one’s leaders and hold them accountable. It is what separates us from our communist and dictatorship adversaries. How else can we as a nation learn from our mistakes and make better decisions moving forward without honest reflection on our actions? To date, I have not seen that accountability," his statement read.
Ondrasik explained that he would have written the song no matter who was president, adding:
"After hearing “Blood on My Hands,” a friend said he found the song to be politically neutral, but morally-forward. My hope is that this song helps demand accountability, so the American promise is never again forsaken."
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The Taliban had moved quickly through the country ahead of the planned U.S. withdrawal at the end of August, catching the U.S. off guard and leading to chaotic scenes at Kabul airport. Throughout it all, Biden was criticized for sticking to the plan and noting that there was overwhelming support for the U.S. to withdraw.