Posted on 07/17/2004 7:56:58 AM PDT by mcg1969
Elton John has said stars are scared to speak out against war in Iraq because of "bullying tactics" used by the US government to hinder free speech.
"There's an atmosphere of fear in America right now that is deadly. Everyone is too career-conscious," he told New York magazine, Interview.
Sir Elton said performers could be "frightened by the current administration's bullying tactics",
The singer likened the current "fear factor" to McCarthyism in the 1950s.
"There was a moment about a year ago when you couldn't say a word about anything in this country for fear of your career being shot down by people saying you are un-American," he told the magazine.
The singer said things were different in the 1960s.
"People like Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, The Beatles and Pete Seeger were constantly writing and talking about what was going on.
Backlash
"That's not happening now. As of this spring, there have been virtually no anti-war concerts - or anti-war songs that catch on, for that matter," he said.
He voiced concern that it appeared acceptable to speak out if you were pro-Bush, using the example of country singer Toby Keith, but not if you were critical of the President, as in the case of country rock band, the Dixie Chicks.
"On the one hand, you have someone like Toby Keith, who has come out and been very supportive of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq - which is OK because America is a democracy and Toby Keith is entitled to say what he thinks and feels.
"But, on the other hand, the Dixie Chicks got shot down in flames last year for criticising the president. They were treated like they were being un-American, when in fact they have every right to say whatever they want about him because he's freely elected, and therefore accountable."
Sir Elton is currently in New York playing a series of concerts.
>>>"There's an atmosphere of fear in America right now that is deadly. Everyone is too career-concious."<<<
I clearly remember that day I read about Elton John marrying a woman. Valentines Day late 80's. I laughed so hard and to this day, I call him Little Rock(Hudson). Talk about "career-concious"!
When you do that, you run the risk of having your lucrative paydays shut down when the "little people" complain about your obscene, hate-filled rants.
Hey, Sir Fag-a-lot! Name ONE thing the USG has done to hinder free speech -- especially in music! Just ONE! Can't do it? That's because the rejection of anti-American hate speech is coming from the people themselves!
This is not 'Nam. This war was brought to US. And we intend to win it. And that starts by supporting the war efforts.
Compare this to the 40's not the 60's.
Elton,you are such a fancy lad.
Apparently not scared enough .... yet.
Being conservative or Republican in Hollywood is professional death.
When talking about Elton, I think the correct quote would be "Everyone is rear-concious..."
On the other hand, think of what Elton is saying here: "I have strong beliefs, but I'm willing to compromise them for money."
Boo hoo.
Yeah, right...the government MADE us send those e-mails to SlimFast
Actually, don't sing. I never liked Elton John save for that song "I'm Still Standing" back in the early 80s which is kinda cool.
It never ceases to amaze me how these morons twist the facts and lie.
HEY ELTON & THE BBC:
IT WAS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THAT SHOT DOWN THE DIXIE CHICKS.
He lives in Atlanta. He's been doing his "Red Piano" show in Las Vegas. He pays US taxes, why can't he speak his mind here too?
Maybe he'll use some of this invective on his next album? At least it has the chance of being vaguely social redeeming and *melodic* unlike the current Hot 100.
If a star falls in a forest,
will anyone give a rat's arse?
Perhaps the simpering idiot will provide a single example of the *government" hindering free speech in this manner.
No? You mean the distinction between the government and the people is lost on this fool?
Good thing you did, elton would have probably taken you up on that offer.
Oh, he didn't speak out and put his career on the line? Never mind.
These silly "entertainers" are too dumb to realize that there is a difference between the 60's and today. They all thought it would be such a lark to become the heroic anti-war protesters and they're probably quite confused about the fact that most of America is smart enough to see the difference.
In the early part of WW II the Brits were getting their collective ashes bombed to pieces by Hitler. The hired a guy to run their Air Force and fight back. The first thing he said was " The Nazis are under the mistaken impression that they will bomb our cities but we won't bomb their cities. They are wrong." The liberals always assume that they can attack us and we won't attack back. They are wrong and they don't like it.
By the way, the feckless Brits fired Sir Arthur Harris about two mins after the war. They were embarrassed at the way he bombed the Gerrys into the stone age.
Sir Elton is a sad old poofter..
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