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.
Seriously, these guys just need to get over it. The backlash, if any, is coming from the PEOPLE, not the government. And that is entirely justified---and it is certainly not unconstitutional censorship.
If an entertainer wants to entertain, fine. But if they want to mix politics in, too bad for them if people just don't like it, and suddenly they aren't entertainers anymore.
Good......
What a wanker
One more thought......Anti war is politically incorrect.
The jerk should follow Laura Ingraham's advice.
(shrugging shoulders) Yeah? So?
How fast he has forgotten who made him famous.....and who could take all that away from him just as easily. These famous stars just continue to shoot themselves in the foot.....and blame W for their own problems.
As far as I know, the government has completely ignored the Dixie Chicks, not even commenting on their behavior. If they have suffered, it's because they have offended their fans.
If there is any censorship in the arts today, it all comes from the left. People can wreck their careers by coming out in favor of President Bush, but nobody in Hollywood is going to wreck their careers by supporting the Two Johns, unless they happen to have a conservative fan base.
As for the charge of McCarthyism, maybe Sir Elton hasn't heard that Anne Coulter has pretty cut the ground out from under that creaking leftist canard in "Treason."
Back before this flamer got wealthy and began to believe his own highly paid PR, he probably spoke only of things he knew something of, unlike today.
You'd think he'd figure out that this means that Americans don't agree - in fact very much disagree - with today's Hollywierd lefties.
Just STFU and sing.
whether they are willing or not to pay the price reveals how much more they care about money and a career rather than defending something they believe to be true.
Elton, you are a flaming idiot.
The administration is doing absolutely nothing. WE THE PEOPLE are the ones who are deciding that we will or will not support big mouthed idiots by buying their products.
If they are willing to alienate half their customer base as were the dixie twits that is their right. And it is my right as a alienated fan to stick my hard earned dollar back in my pocket and go elsewhere.
But unlike your friend BC speaking out against this administration does not result in a visit from the IRS or USSS. Put down the crack pipe and learn the difference.
The administration didn't get Whoopi fired, I did.
The administration didn't get the dixie chick off Country radio, I did.
Me. Jane Q Public. And I am proud of it.
Who is Elton John to come over here and open his ignorant yap about censorship??? This idiot and all of the Hollywierd leftists don't seem to understand the difference between CONSUMER backlash and government censorship.
To date, not a single leftist entertainer has faced government censorship or even government suppression of their anti-war/anti-Bush comments.
Perhaps if a few more of them were as smart as they think they are, they would spend a little more time reading their Civics books and develop a better understanding of government, rights, etc., etc. - all the stuff they have become self-declared experts about.
As for Elton - he has just proven that all he is is a KNIGHTED British twit.
And who shot them down? The PEOPLE!
'Celebrity' is nothing more than a popularity contest, so if you say something unpopular, (bzztt) you lose.
The sooner these my-poo-don't-stink cankers learn that, the better.
All I hear is anti-war, anti-Bush bigotry from the American Left by the minute.
Several months ago, he calls American Idol racist. The top two contestants were Black!
Perhaps bending over too much results in loss of blood to the brain.
Memo to Elton Jane:
You are not an American Citizen. Your opinion about American politics means nothing.
No one here gives a rip what a fat grandma foreigner like you thinks.
I didn't change channels quick enough after Dennis Miller last night, and caught his intro on the McEnroe show....Elton John is approaching Michael Moore in the tonnage department.
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