"Ron- once again seeger and smothers projected only one view unless you can demonstrate otherwise. They may have operated their own programs and concerts but they were also ambassadors of the folk movememnt at large as they were the only folk stages and outlets. Therefore they should have been more responsible and projected a wider range of opinion so that the folk movement would not have been branded as it was."

Conrad, that makes absolutely no sense. You have expectations that have no basis in reality. Art is subjective, it is not all encompassing. I don't care what song you are listening to, you are hearing the viewpoint of the singer and or writer.

"Did seeger and smothers et all turn down material or refuse artists the ability to share the stage."

Again, that makes no sense at all. It is their stage at that point in time and they are entitled to do as they choose.   THEY DO NOT OWN THAT STAGE - IT WAS SIMPLY THEIR TURN TO BE ON IT!!! Capish?

Freedom of speech does not require the artist to make such conditions as you are seeking. Your suggestion actually flies in the face of what freedom of speech is all about.

The responsibility for obtaining diverse opinions belongs to the audience, not the artist. It has always been so, it will always be so. If that ever changes, we are all in trouble.

You cannot regulate art.