Thursday, October 28, 2004

Recent commentary: Linda Ronstadt

Linda Ronstadt incited near-riot in Las Vegas July 17 by praising Michael Moore during a concert. Who was the biggest loser?

(published 2-Aug-2004, Appleton Post-Crescent)

Some would call this a "violation of freedom of speech." It isn't. She was a paid performer. I rather doubt that any complaint Ms. Rondstadt might have would get very far if she decided to sue. She would just be made to look silly. Certainly if she had said something like, "Lets not forget to support our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and wherever they may be out there guarding democracy," the reaction would have been quite different. She might have had her membership card in the Left-Leaning Has-Been Chanteuses' guild revoked, but how important is that? As for Moore, every bit of controversy and fuss that's kicked up about his movie means more seats filled in the theatres. He couldn't care less; it's simply yet another opportunity for him to declaim against the President. Capitalism has served him well: about $105 million so far. That ain't chump change.

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