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July 17, 2004

Elton John does not understand what Censorship means

Elton attacks 'censorship' in US

Sir Elton John is currently performing in New York
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.

What Elton John does not understand is that the US government does not and has never censored any entertainer's free speech. We, the public, have made purchasing decisions based on the words and actions of some celebrities. We have exercised our own freedom and boycotted the Dixie Chicks, for example. Personally, I liked their music, but when they went to England to put down the President, I made the decision not to play or buy their music again.

That's what a free country is all about - we the 'little people' get to decide what we buy.
Apparently, Mr. John does not understand that normal people get to make the buying decisions in this country - not the Royals.

Elton John said

" 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."

And they are accountable to their consumers, dullboy.
Again, what this thick-headed Englishman does not understand is that people like you and me made the decision to boycott the Dixie Chicks because of what they said.

No one prevented the Chicks from saying what they said about the President. The government did not prevent their records from being sold. The government had nothing whatsoever to do with anything that may have happened to their careers. If the Dixie Chicks lost a chunk of country fans, well, that was their own damn fault, and if they had a brain between them, they would have known more about their fans, and what is important to their fans.

In this free country - with greater free speech rights than in Great Britain - the consumer decides whether or not they want to listen to or purchase or pay to see an actor, singer or whatever who doesn't agree with them.

This has nothing whatsoever to do with censorship. Blaming the government for the public's anger at the Dixie Chicks is just plain stupid, ignorant and ludicrous.

By the way, I have not liked anything Elton John has writen or sung since about 1973.

I'm not censoring him. I just don't care for his music anymore.

Posted by Beth at July 17, 2004 06:55 PM