Linda Ronstadt: You're No Good
At a concert Saturday night, Linda Ronstadt praised Michael Moore, calling him a “great American patriot.”
In return, she was soundly booed, her audience walked out on her, and the management escorted her off the property.
If you’re going to praise the anti-Americans, expect the Americans to take offense. Entertainers ought to remember that they’re entertainers, not political pundits. If they take a controversial position on any subject, half of their audience will hate it.
I’m sure tomorrow there will be the usual noise that this is censorship in America, but it’s not: she can sing the praises of Michael Moore all day long if she wishes. She just won’t get paid for it.
I’m just curious as to why anyone would go to one of her concerts to begin with.
And yes the word censorship will be used as well as McCarthyism – - and these people forget that Freedom of Speech is not a one way street that goes down through the middle of Los Angeles – - it is a two way street that goes all across America and that in exercising our First Amendment right does not in any way guarantee it is consequence free.
I’m glad people walked out. I’m also glad the hotel threw her out. She said what she wanted and the people spoke back. Now she just has to accept the consequences of her actions. Somehow though I think Bush will be blamed in some round about way.
Uptown Girl
July 20, 2004
I think this is well said. She can say anything she wants, but the repercussions are that many people will no longer pay to hear her say it.
Michael
July 20, 2004
Predictably, Michael Moore writes a letter to the casino complaining about the First Amendment rights were violated…
Michael
July 20, 2004
And the NY Times blames it on the audience.
Michael
July 21, 2004
Why do they constantly whine about their First Amendment rights being stomped on? She said it. She wasn’t arrested. No one stapled her lips together. No one cut out her tongue. She exercised her first amendment and then the audience did too as did the hotel.
Why do they think they can exercise theirs and the rest of the world has to shut up and just take it.
Whiners!
Uptown Girl
July 22, 2004
It’s interesting that the NY Times thinks the casino is repressing her free speech.
Do you think the same rules apply to the NY Times? That they should publish every letter or risk abridging somebody’s rights? Of course not, they’re a business, too.
Michael
July 22, 2004