One of the best things about being a performer is that:

you get to say things, other people wouldn't dare!

One of the worst things about being a performer is that:

you get to say things, other people wouldn't dare!



I agree with Mick about business practicess & expectations but I don't think this leaves the realm of free speach. An evening with a performer is a presentation by that performer on a stage given to him\her for that purpose. I can accept that there are economic repurcussions for pissing people off but I think Linda Ronstadt was right to speak her mind.

She was also brave (IMHO). She shouldn't whine if it costs her business but she should have some legal protection for voicing her views. The stage is also her workplace and we should all be able to hold our own views in our workplace. She is a Canary in the coal mines of democracy.

I believe its a question and a burden for every performer. Most of the time I think its not an issue but I think you have to preserve voice to preserve liberty.


To make too heavy a point, Hitler silenced Brecht. Bush could not silence Moore. To whatever extent Moore met opposition to presenting a very popular movie we have a potential danger. To whatever extent that the US enshrined Moore's right to decent I think the USA can be proud.

NB: This is not meant to create a clear association between Hitler and Bush.


Sigurd