Linda Rondstadt!

[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.

 

[faithinkarma]

and all this took place at the Alladin during the Rondstadt concert? Wow, I missed that. I didn't notice any mention of arrests at the Alladin. Perhaps thats because the cases you mentioned have nothing to do with what happend at the concert.

These examples do have something to do with free speech, which is where the topic was headed. I do, however appreciate your reluctance to bring anything as negative as these arrests to the discussion. But last time I checked, free speech was still alive here.

 

[Serena]

She had a job to do, and chose not to do it. She made a scene and the hotel didn't appreciate it.

 

[sgtdisney]

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.

I have to disagree. What you are suggesting would smack of McCarthyism. Refusing to hire someone simply because they have different political beliefs. Obviously, Linda has a right to her political leanings. She can speak of them all she wants, but not when she is being paid to perform in my opinion.

 

[RitaZ.]

Originally posted by goofygirl
So a casino won't let you speak your mind, but they'll be happy to let you gamble til you're bankrupt and drink til you're drunk.

Yeah, makes lots of sense!

Actually, it does make sense. They are still in business, aren't they?

 

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Doug123

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.

Really, I thought we were discussing the inappropriateness of using your employer's time to promote your political beliefs The Alladin knew Ronstadt was a singer, they had every right to believe she would sing, not lecture or brief on Her political beliefs.

 

[inaminute]

I thought she also refused to go back on stage? The concert was left unfinished. Therefore, the remaining 3/4 of the audience were also upset.

The people who walked out had every right to do so. The customers who remained had every right to the complete concert.

The only person completely in the wrong was Linda Ronstadt. She should have kept her political views out of the entertainment venue. When that proved impossible, she should have, at the very least, completed the concert.

The Aladdin did the right thing in removing her from the hotel. Too bad they thought to hire her in the first place.

 

[OceanAnnie]

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.

Not on my dime. Sorry. If I'm paying for entertainment it's like getting a sucker punch to hear someone else's political opinions. It wouldn't be enjoyable. If I paid to have a good time, tolerance doesn't factor in at all.

It's not the place. Period. Tolerance has nothing to do with it.

 

[faithinkarma]

Originally posted by Grog
Actually, I would like to read about that. Can you provided a link to an unbiased source for us? One that states that it is an ongoing problem and not just a one time thing were a cop went over the line? If this did happen then the cop(s) should be punished.

I am looking. I have read of three separate incidents so far. But I have read so many local newspapers in the past few months, I am having a hard time tracing my way back. If you are going to insist on one that states that it is an ongoing problem, I can stop looking right now. The determination that it was ongoing was my own after I read of the third occasion.

 

[Mercy]

Sounds like she got what she was looking for... Publicity!

I could give a rats &*% what celebrities political views are.

 

[Grog]

The determination that it was ongoing was my own after I read of the third occasion.

And I would agree with you if that is the case, which is why I wanted to read about it. I'd like to know if it's different incidents, or different reporters writing about the same incident. If it is ongoing, then it needs to be looked into immediately, and someone punished for it. Even if it happened once someone needs to be punished for it, as long as the arrestees in question weren't doing more than just heckling.

 

[Hillbeans]

The Dixie Chicks did this during their last concert. They dedicated a song to Michael Moore, and this was last summer. I pretty much decided then never to go to another one of their shows again, no matter how much I love the music. There is nothing I can't stand more than being lectured by a celebrity who thinks you care a rats a** who they like as a politician.

 

[Funkyzeit mit Bruno]

Faithinkarma was right. Here are some links about people being ejected because of anti-bush t-shirts. I don't see what this has to do with Bush though because it was a decision of local police.City OKs apology to 2 men arrested over T-shirt slogan
T-shirt charges dropped

Faithinkarma was telling the truth, Michael Moore, on the other hand, LIES in Fahrenheit 9/11.

 

[Lanshark]

Really, I thought we were discussing the inappropriateness of using your employer's time to promote your political beliefs The Alladin knew Ronstadt was a singer, they had every right to believe she would sing, not lecture or brief on Her political beliefs.

Exactly Tori!

For the record, she is one of my all time favorite female singers. She has a very powerful voice.
BUT

It wouldn't matter if she is a republican, democrat or martian. She was paid to entertain not give a political endorsement. She was using her employers dime to promote a movie that is very polarizing.

From the article I read the concert goers were also expecting a greatest hits performance. I guess it was promoted that way but Linda Ronstadt informed them it was not a greatest hits tour and began singing remakes of older songs (30's, 40's and 50's). I'd be upset if I paid for one thing and got another. I have no idea whether that was her fault or the promoters. Point is the audience was probably a little ticked to begin with.

 

[JPN4265]

Originally posted by Tina
I read this yesterday and was shocked. I can't believe the hotel would not even let her back in her suite. I think some people go too far in this country. Everyone has a right to their opinions. The Aladdin Hotel was WRONG to kick her out.

The Aladdin Hotel is a PRIVATE business, they can kick anyone they want to out of the hotel if they are causing a public ruckess. If you don't agree, don't go to the Aladdin. Go to WDW instead. But be careful, you could get kicked out of WDW too. You have a right to your opinions, so do they. No freedom of speech was broken here. No jail time, just get out of my hotel!

Be careful in what you say, it could have consequences.

 

[PamOKW]

Here's a link to a Vegas paper's write-up of the event. Sounds like Linda was not in very good voice and was not performing "as advertised". The audience was riled up and caused minor damage. It was time for her to leave the premises. The upshot for her is that people are now talking about her and she's in the spotlight for another 15 minutes.

In recent years, she has begun to appeal to a much older audience with her Nelson Riddle style music. (Of course, her peers are also AARP members). She can believe whatever she likes and express her opinons. However, when she is being paid to entertain that's what she should do.

The majority of the entertainment industry is very liberal. However, when an entertainer does express an oppossing view they are very often attacked, too. One example -- Tom Selleck took a lot of abuse from Rosie O'Donnell when she invited him to appear as a guest on her show.

Ronstadt at Alladin

 

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by Joeblack
I am sure she would not have been asked to leave if she had said good things about the IRaq war or President Bush, would she?

Probably not at her Vegas show. But suppose she did some kind of concert in Berkley and praised Bush and the war, and criticized Michael Moore? The same thing would have happened, and probably worse.

It's called knowing your customer.

 

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by goofygirl
So a casino won't let you speak your mind, but they'll be happy to let you gamble til you're bankrupt and drink til you're drunk.

Yeah, makes lots of sense!

I'll bet if Linda Ronstadt performed drunk, they'd fire her. She's an employee of the hotel, and they have the right to expect her to act professionally. Heck, maybe she was drunk, who knows?

I, on the other hand, would be the hotel's customer, and there's different rules for how I'd expect to be treated. See the difference?

 

[Teejay32]

Desperado
why don't you come to your senses
you been out riding fences
for so long now

Maybe I have the wrong song, but I couldn't figure out why this would be an honor for anybody. I might have enjoyed this show.

 

[Grog]

Funkyzeit mit Bruno, thanks for the links.