Free Speech, Part I

Reuters is reporting that 80's singer Linda Ronstadt was booed off the stage when she made pro-Michael Moore and anti-Bush statements at a show in the Alladin Hotel in Las Vegas.  Most of her audience walked out demanding their money back.  Ms. Ronstadt was escorted out of the hotel and asked never to return.  Base10 thinks this is hysterical.  First, fans support what is left of Kinda Ronstadt's career by going to these shows out of a sense of nostalgia (and perhaps because they honestly like her music).  They do not go to hear the singer's political views.  ("We really need to fix Social Security and continue the war on terror.  Hmmm...let's ask a singer what to do!")   Second, while Base10 is not arguing that Ms. Ronstadt should not be permitted to hold political views--as sound as this position might be--she should realize that her fans are predominantly middle-American and do not like these kinds of political diatribes.  Ms. Ronstadt, let's not be so polemic as to insult the fans that actually pay your bills.  Third, Base10 expects that this event will be described as "censorship" by the left.  Readers should note it is not.  Las Vegas vacationers have a right to free speech too.


- posted by Base10 @ 9:54 AM