Yet Another Whiner

I'm sorry this is a bit long, but I think it represents the feelings of the Hollywood elitists.

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.

In my humble opinion, if the US government wanted to hinder free speech, they're doing a lousy job of it, Michael Moore being a prime example.

"There's an atmosphere of fear in America right now that is deadly. Everyone is too career-conscious," he told New York magazine, Interview.

Since when is being "career-conscious" a bad thing? I can't say mean, nasty, things about public figures without my job being in jeopardy. I have bills to pay, so I keep my opinions to myself.

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.

What "bullying tactics"? McCarthyism? Who's been blacklisted? Is there censorship going on that I don't know about? I haven't heard about anyone not producing CD's or movies or books that are against the current administration. Indeed, it seems that the flavor of the day are those who are supposedly telling the truth about the Bush Administration. Sir Elton "said performers could be frightened...." Are they or aren't they? Is he expressing his opinion of what has happened or what might happen?

"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.

Sure, by Americans who refused to pay for the products of people and companies they thought were expressing opinions they didn't share.

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.

Maybe because these people understand the concept of free speech and realize that other people may not agree and choose not to speak out at this time. Anti-war is not popular in the mainstream right now. And mainstream sells.

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.

The Dixie Chicks, or as they are know in my circle, The Dixie Twits, also didn't understand the concept of free speech. They whined about the backlash too. They forgot about free speech being a two way street.

"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.

Here is someone, Sir Elton in this case, who doesn't understand that American is not a democracy, it's a republic. A democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for dinner.

"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."

Finally..the word accountable. The Twits are also accountable for what they say. They are not just three girls who get together once in a while to warble a few tunes. They are public figures every bit as much as the President and are also accountable for their own words.

Harry Truman once said, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. I, myself, have been known to say, don't dish it out if you can't take it. It's especially true if you are thin skinned or a public figure.

Sir Elton is currently in New York playing a series of concerts.

Story from BBC NEWS:http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/entertainment/3902833.stm

Published: 2004/07/17 11:08:15 GMT© BBC MMIV