I think the fact that folks still argue about Wagner (or Leni Reifenstahl for that matter) usually means that their work was damn good. If they were total hacks we'd just drop it. It's a real fine line isn't it, and we all draw it from personal or family experience.

I worked at Toronto Children's Aid Society, and found that most of the young teenagers I was supposed to help had been used sexually by adults (usually their parents) so paedophilia ranks right up at the top for me on the disgust scale. But I also know that puts me in the same camp with a lot of ignorant queer-bashers. It's not a comfortable position as I'm certainly pro gay-rights. (I could hardly be such a fan of Quentin Crisp, if I wasn't) I've listened to Wagner, but if I was Jewish, I'd have a HUGE dillema. The guy was a pig, but a good musician. Don't forget H.G. Welles...another talented bigot.

I've known some really fine musicians who simply were not nice people. I TRY to appreciate their music alone....but it's difficult. I go back and forth on this one.

Rick