Linda Rondstadt!

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by year2late
Rondstat (any performer actually) takes a big chance when they let their political views be know on stage.


I have no problem when a performer does this, but they shouldn't be surprised when they lose part of their fan base (and revenue) when they are judged on their craft and their politics and not just their craft alone.

Totally agree with this!

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

Linda Rondstadt has a right to speak her mind, and the hotel had a right to fire her for ticking off their customers.

I love LR, but it seems she knew what she was doing when she opened her mouth. She must have thought that it was worth getting fired over. I have to admire someone who stands up for their convictions to that extent.

 

[Lanshark]

Publicity is almost never a bad thing. Her name is in the news and the hotel's name in in the news.

 

[MosMom]

This is what I find funny. If she would have praised Bush and the war in Iraq nobody would have boo'd. Even if they disagreed, they wouldn't have boo'd. How do I know this? Because I hear praises for Bush all the time and people either cheer wildly or sit quietly. Why do I notice this? Because I'm one of the people sitting quietly. If I had boo'd, I would most likely be risking my life! Why is the violence and insanity so one sided? I don't see many liberals sending death threats and putting bombs in mailboxes for political reasons.

Anyone who would deny that the reaction would have been wildly different if she had supported Bush is lying to themselves and the rest of us. There is a blatant double standard in this nation right now and frankly, I feel a little scared to admit I am against this war and Bush. I am afraid to put a Kerry sticker on my car because there is a definite bloodlust for liberals right now.

I recall Bush saying he would unite not divide. I'm still relatively young but I've never seen a nation more divided. Pretty scary! I don't expect everyone to agree with me but I expect decency and respect from those who don't. If you don't agree with Linda Rondstadt or what she said, you are free to excuse yourself. Acting like barbarians is obsurd and uncalled for. Get a grip people.

Do I think the hotel had every right to end her performance that night? Sure! They will have to deal with whatever contractual obligations are ahead though.

Edited to add: Of course there are extremists on both sides but it seems the "regular" folk are getting in on the action.

 

[faithinkarma]

MosMom

I recognize that it took courage for you to make that post. I applaud you.

 

[Lanshark]

Of course there are extremists on both sides but it seems the "regular" folk are getting in on the action.

I agree with this statement. It does seem from what I've read on this this board that the majority of public bashing it towards Bush and the majority of private bashing is towards Kerry. I don't agree with it no matter whose doing it and who they're doing it to. Civility on both sides seems to be at a premium.

I think this Ronstadt thing has been blown WAY out of proportion for the purposes of publicity. Either by the hotel or Ronstadt. I think the audience over reacted for reasons other than her dedication to MM.

She still has an incredible voice and is still on of my favorite female singers. Her political views do not effect that in the least.

 

[TexasErin]

MosMom,
I know exactly what you mean. I have considered putting a Kerry bumpersticker on my car or a "Texas Democrat" sticker on my car. However its not worth having my vehicle vandalized or my children put in danger. Too many rednecks in Texas (and I am a native Texan, myself).
The violence (for the most part) does seem rather one-sided. If someone around me makes a pro-Bush comment (whether at work or out in public), I don't start carrying on and getting upset. I just think they have their opinion and are free to have it- as I am mine.

 

[jrydberg]

I agree that I expect those who disagree with me to behave decently and respect the fact that it is possible to make an intelligent, informed decision that differs from theirs.

The people at the performance certainly seemed to step over those bounds and should be ashamed of their behavior. However, let's be perfectly clear that extremist "liberals" are equally boorish and uncivil.

Any "bloodlust" for liberals can be matched by barbaric behavior towards conservatives. Both are unacceptable and should be condemned with equal vigor. Highlighting one aspect without mentioning the other really isn't helpful and actually contributes to the divisions we see.

 

[Elwood Blues]

Originally posted by Doug123
Like Disney when they took on Michael Moore, the Alladin certainly knew what they were getting when they hired Linda Rondstadt. If you don't want someone politically involved, who might express themselves in and through their work, then don't hire them.

People are certainly free to leave the show if someone says something political during one of their shows. But how about a little bit of tolerance, people? Sit back, enjoy the show, and take in the experience of hearing a sentence or two of an opinion different from your own.

Whether they're legally allowed to do it or not (I have not seen her contract, for example), the Alladin certainly overreacted.

We all need to tolerate alternative opinions to our own a bit more. Opposition to the war and Bush's policies should not automatically label you anti-American.

Keep in mind, we're discussing this event not because of her beliefs, but because of the intolerance of a bunch of concert goers and a corporation's management.

You are more than welcome to tolerate whatever you want.

I do not have to if I don't want to and can achieve that by closing my wallet.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I agree with jrdyberg. People this year go NUTS when anyone opposing their viewpoint dares to speak. And it gets nasty and personal very fast. Unlike Texas Erin, I would like to put a Bush sticker on my car--but as my union just came out for Kerry (AFT) I would get a lot of flack about it from the 75% of the teachers. And they can't just accept my viewpoint, they want to argue and argue and try to change it--and when I refuse to argue, they just say I don't know what I'm talking about. Notice I said 25%--the conservatives on the teaching staff have learned to keep quiet lately for their own good, or so they don't get their ear talked off by people trying to convert them.
Why can't we all just say "well that's your opinion and you are entitled to it" without saying "that idiot, how can she possibly vote for (insert opposing candidate here)? She must be a moron." Either way, it's wrong to get personal and nasty about things. I'm hoping politics goes back to being a little bit civilized someday, and Texas Erin and I can support our candidates the way we want to!
Robin M.

 

[TexasErin]

Maybe it has a lot to do with what state you live in and what the majority seems to support. In Texas, the OVERWHELMING majority is Republican. But I'm sure, for example, if you lived in California, you might be reluctant to advertise support for Democrats.
Having a very conservative FIL, I have learned that debating politics often does no good. I won't change your mind and you won't change mine. It usually just ends up in frustration and anger and nobody has benefitted.
I also agree that it is wrong to get personal and nasty no matter what side you are on.

 

[Galahad]

I recall Bush saying he would unite not divide.

I've seen the quote thrown about a lot lately. An any division, it takes two parties to decide there is a divide. To blame the division in the country on one side simply confirms the suspicion that what is really meant by "uniting" the country is ensure that "everyone agrees with "me"".

 

[faithinkarma]

Honestly Galahad, I have felt for a long time that this area is one of the biggest failures of the Bush administration. After 9/11 the country was united in a way that is almost hard to imagine now. America had more good will through out the world than at any time in its history. That should have been expanded upon instead of being used as a license to do as he wished. I know we will disagree on this, but I truly feel he handled it very very badly, which makes his claim of being a uniter simply ludicrous.

 

[Galahad]

That should have been expanded upon instead of being used as a license to do as he wished.

What we disagree on is the above assumption. That he 1) Had the obligation to pander (which he has done quite a lot of) and that 2) that he simply ran roughshod over everything and simply did what he wished. It is true that he did what he thought was right regardless of its popularity. But from 9/11 to Iraq was a painfully arduous period that nobody can make a good case was rushed or ram-rodded. The debate was wide and loud. That the debate was won by a somewhat narrow margin and that the loud debate continued after action started is not the fault of the president. To do other than what he thought was right would, under the circumstances, have just been allowing himself to be frozen by opinion.

But the larger point is that if we are divided, why is that division the President's fault and NOT his oppositions fault? It's not a one way street.