Punk, Quotation Marks, and the Dilemma of Making a Point

First there's this (Minor Threat shirts at Urban Outfitters).

Then there's this (Punk at New York fashion week).

And finally this (the Descendents play the America's Cup).

Then I felt compelled to post this status update on Facebook: The Descendants are playing the America's Cup, Minor Threat shirts are being sold at Urban Outfitters, and "Pink is Punk" is a theme at NY Fashion Week. WTF?! When did Punk die?

Seriously, I'm not a "punk," I don't live in the gutter, I have a full time job, I'm a dad with two kids, I worry about bills, and I don't drink myself stupid every night. That said, punk isn't only what I just described. It means different things to different people. I'm only trying to make a point that I'm not a stereotypical "punk." 

So saying, I do subscribe to a "punk ethos" (e.g., DIY, anti-corporate, f.everything, dowhatchulike, etc.) and grew up listening the music, skateboarding, and acting like a "punk." Does this make me an authority on what qualifies as "punk?" Moreover, does this authorize me to comment on my interpretation of what the "punk scene" is and should be? Obviously not, but the music and people who create and listen to it matter to me, so I can't help but feel a connection to "punk," even to this day. 

THUS, when I read about the above mentioned "synergies" between the bands, music, and culture I value with the bloodsucking corporate suck (nod to Ed Templeton) which is the America's Cup, Urban Outfitters, etc., I can't help but get bummed on it. 

That's it. I'm bummed on it, but I'll get over it. I'll keep listening to the bands, keep watching their old concerts on youtube, and keep trying to get my kids to learn these songs.

In essence, trying to think of creative and relevant ways to rant about this topic on my unknown blog is an exercise in futility because it's stupid to talk about "punk" as a thing. Moreover, any points I can make have been said a million times before, so seriously, what's the point? In my humble opinion, only self-important critics feel the need to make a real statement about the relationship between punk, corporate dollars, and the watering down of what punk rock means, or what it should mean, or what it shouldn't mean...See? It's ridiculous to even try to make a valid point about all this. 

Maybe I'm more of a nihilist who's too self-aware about my insignificance in this world. Maybe I'm a neo-post-modernist. Or maybe not. Who knows? Who cares? Whatever.