*sigh*

There isn't half a load of pompous shite talked on Mudcat in pursuit of "free speech".

Firstly, when Richard Bridge referred to a male anti-abortionist, he was referring to a specific British folk singer who wrote an anti-abortion song. So in this case, the political opinions are indeed part of his performance. It has been a source of contention on the British folk scene ever since.

Secondly, the originator of the thread on Facebook sent me a message, telling me that he had walked out of a Richard Digance performance because RD referred to his "good friend" Jim Davidson (for American readers, a comedian who tells a lot of racist jokes) and that RD proceeded to tell some dubious jokes during this performance.

As I have absolutely no way of substantiating this claim (or otherwise), I took the thread down. Even if this happened, I thought it was possible that the reference was tongue-in-cheek, but in the absence of evidence, I decided to take the thread down. It's only because the issue was revived here that I felt compelled to respond and explain.

Thirdly: tellya what, Joe - why not book a member of the Ku Klux Klan at your next festival or shindig. See how well their "improper ideas" go down.


I won't bother to respond to some of the other gratuitous nonsense on this thread (some people will take any opportunity for a pathetic pop) except to say, in the words of my friend Ian Anderson, Life is too bloody short.


As you were.