I don’t expect anything better than this from Russell Simmons, who has always been a moron.

Asserting that the loose coalition — called Musicians United to Win Without War — is joining a growing chorus of protest against war with Iraq, Def Jam Recordings founder Russell Simmons promised a mobilization of younger Americans.

Referring to Def Jam artists, he said, “Puffy is certainly more well-liked and well-known across the world than George Bush” and “Jay-Z is much more liked and well-known across the world than Colin Powell.” …

Simmons wants the money that may be spent on war — which some observers have projected as high as $200 billion — to be spent on fighting the war on poverty.

“We are threatened as Americans because of the way our president carries himself,” Simmons said. “He’s the biggest threat in the world.”

He added, “Don’t misunderstand me,” about Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. “But Saddam is the Iraqi’s problem. George Bush is our problem as Americans.”

So Russell Simmons is perfectly happy for Iraqis to continue to be tortured and murdered by Saddam Hussein, as long as Puffy and Jay Z are well-liked. Not his problem! What an ass.

But David Byrne and Peter Gabriel too?

In response to a question about musicians feeling pressure not to speak out for fear of retribution, Byrne remarked, “You’re talking about the Grammys, right? We weren’t allowed to say anything, right?” implying that CBS, the network that aired the awards show, did stifle artists’ desire to speak out against the war during the live broadcast. …

Tom Andrews, the national director of Win Without War, joined the musicians in the press conference and welcomed them to the coalition.

The group provided a long list of musicians who are taking part, including Rosanne Cash, R.E.M. lead singer Michael Stipe, Dave Matthews, Peter Gabriel and Suzanne Vega.

Now I know why Byrne and Gabriel haven’t done any good work for years—their brains have softened and begun to decay.