There is a great difference between singing a song to create violence and singing a song of solidrity -a patriotic song for enjoyment, entertainment, wonder. A picture of a chainsaw for example is in a gallery for aesthetic purposes. A picture of a chainsaw in a gallery with a sign next to it telling people- get one of these and kill someone is creating violence.

All to do with purpose. At a political rally such a song would be to move people to action. (my point is that when smothers and seeger sang their political songs they were trying to move people to action that is they were then conducting a political rally rather than an entirely aesthetic experience.)

At a folk festival or general setting- radio programme the same song could be sung or played to provide entertainment. A good tune, great rhyme of lyrics, great fit between tune and lyrics- sort of like Enya- no one listening in the usa hardly knows a word she is singing yet the music is enjoyed. For all people know she could be singing a song of solidarity favoring one side in battle.

I would not advocate singing songs in general settings- a festival a concert or on the other media to cause violence. I do not believe in purposeful political use of songs or the media.

Censorship is telling a person that they can perform a song. You want to tell people that they can't perform songs because of their political beliefs or the content of the song-censorship. And in this thread just because they dont agree with you.

As for seeger and smothers No! I am looking for evidence for when they denied someone a place on their stage. I do know that generally they dominated the media and presented only one point of view. I also do not know of anyone from the opposition that they invited. This would make a good research paper.

Yes a person can dominate with one point of view that is their right.
Is it good when those in such positions limit what is heard to their point of view- no.

Although to hear some here one would think that the trashing of the songs of one side is something we have to do and will continue doing I say that the process is wasteful, limits the development of folk music and gives folklorists headaches as they then have to re discover lost, discarded, banned and forgotten music.

IMHO the best possible environment for music is one wherein the greatest number of songs, points of view, styles, traditions can co-exist and where the genre is not allowed to be branded as being entirely of one political flavor.

Conrad