Right-Wing Enemy Number #1- Linda Ronstadt
First, we had the Dixie Chicks. Then there was the latest hoopla over Whoopi Goldberg’s comments. Now, the latest target of right-wing demagoguery is singer Linda Ronstadt. I know very little about the music of Ms. Ronstadt. I remember her more as the girlfriend of former California Governor and Presidential candidate Jerry Brown. Anyways, last weekend she had a performance at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/19/ronstadt.reut/
Evidently, she dedicated one of her songs to “Fahrenheit 9/11” filmmaker Michael Moore. I’m not aware that she gave any additional political comments. She just mentioned his name and wanted to give him some props. It seemed like an innocent enough gesture. I’ve heard singers dedicate performances to various people, including celebrities. Anyways, the fundie right-wingers in the crowd would have nothing to do with her. They started a ruckus and demanded the Aladdin give them their money back. Eventually, the hotel ejected Ronstadt from the premises, without allowing her even to go back to her room.
This is just another case of fake outrage on the part of conservatives. It is no secret that the performer generally subscribes to a liberal set of beliefs. They act like she has committed an act of treason by opposing King George II. It seems rather ridiculous to behave in this manner. I do respect their right to free speech. They certainly have the right to behave how they did. However, it seems rather ridiculous and petty. I have a hard time seeing liberals behaving the same way if the roles were reversed. Say Toby Keith or Lee Greenwood dedicated one of their patriotic (Nazi) hymns to George W. Bush or Michael Savage. It might make me less receptive to their music, but I would never wreak havoc and demand my money back.
Finally, the Aladdin said that they were not in the business of politics. This is the common explanation by the likes of country radio and Slim Fast. Of course, Vegas is not in the business of politics. On the contrary, they’re in the business of getting people drunk and taking their mortgage money (Thanks to Bill Maher for that joke). I would agree with them if she used her concert time to profess her views. That does not appear to be the case. She made a comment that might have lasted a whole five seconds. It certainly does not warrant the extreme action taken by the Aladdin. Not that it matters, since I am not rich, but I will boycott the Aladdin Hotel if I visit Las Vegas in the future.
Evidently, she dedicated one of her songs to “Fahrenheit 9/11” filmmaker Michael Moore. I’m not aware that she gave any additional political comments. She just mentioned his name and wanted to give him some props. It seemed like an innocent enough gesture. I’ve heard singers dedicate performances to various people, including celebrities. Anyways, the fundie right-wingers in the crowd would have nothing to do with her. They started a ruckus and demanded the Aladdin give them their money back. Eventually, the hotel ejected Ronstadt from the premises, without allowing her even to go back to her room.
This is just another case of fake outrage on the part of conservatives. It is no secret that the performer generally subscribes to a liberal set of beliefs. They act like she has committed an act of treason by opposing King George II. It seems rather ridiculous to behave in this manner. I do respect their right to free speech. They certainly have the right to behave how they did. However, it seems rather ridiculous and petty. I have a hard time seeing liberals behaving the same way if the roles were reversed. Say Toby Keith or Lee Greenwood dedicated one of their patriotic (Nazi) hymns to George W. Bush or Michael Savage. It might make me less receptive to their music, but I would never wreak havoc and demand my money back.
Finally, the Aladdin said that they were not in the business of politics. This is the common explanation by the likes of country radio and Slim Fast. Of course, Vegas is not in the business of politics. On the contrary, they’re in the business of getting people drunk and taking their mortgage money (Thanks to Bill Maher for that joke). I would agree with them if she used her concert time to profess her views. That does not appear to be the case. She made a comment that might have lasted a whole five seconds. It certainly does not warrant the extreme action taken by the Aladdin. Not that it matters, since I am not rich, but I will boycott the Aladdin Hotel if I visit Las Vegas in the future.
1 Comments:
It's getting really bad. It seems like the CONservatives find somebody else to go after every week now.
They're strategy is going down the tubes though. People aren't taking them as seriously as they were in the beginning.
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