Punk doesn't have to be synonymous with liberalism. I'm a moderate conservative, and I grew up on Bad Religion, Pennywise, Minor Threat, Circle Jerks, and Misfits. Just because punk has branched off into different states doesn't mean it's dead. Try telling that to kids who are still driving hours into bordering states to go see shows of indie bands or whoever. You don't have to protest war to be punk. Social or political commentary can be of any nature or on any side and still be punk music. I'm 20 now, so I guess I've been listening to this shit for like 9 or 10 years now. I don't care what you wear at a show. I've never been caught dead in bondage pants, spiked bracelets, or leather jackets. People wear clothes that are conducive to their lifestyle, and that is staying true to theirselves. That would seem to follow punk ideology if you ask me. I wear my 'skater' clothes (shoes, cargos, and probably a band or company t-shirt) to shows, like I wear them everywhere else. Kids in the scene may be pissed about bands being displayed on MTV, but they aren't abandoning the music because of it. Those kids that are drawn to that kind of music probably wouldn't have gotten into 'real' punk anyway. Who cares what MTV shows as punk, who cares that 'real' punk is misunderstood because of it. Isn't being misunderstood a niche punk has carried since its inception?