Should Musicians use their concerts for political speech?

[simeon]

Many on here were apposed to Cindy McCain speaking out and as a matter of fact labeled her an idiot.
Well let's add Madonna to that sheet. Why can't musicians do what they do best and just perform their song's?
If I want to go to a political rally by big mouth Madonna let her advertise it.

http://www.usmagazine.com/news/madonna-jeckles-sarah-palin-at-nyc-concert

[Househead]

Why not?  That is the beauty of the First Amendment.

[Buddhagirl]

Last I checked, performers are allowed to say what they want. They're not running for office, nor are their husbands.

And honestly, would you ever go to a Madonna concert? Why does this matter to you?

[Dave Gray]

Many on here were apposed to Cindy McCain speaking out and as a matter of fact labeled her an idiot.

Nobody was opposed to her speaking out.  People caught on to the absurdity of her asking people to walk a mile in her shoes.

Politics is part of music.  ...and any art form, really.

[simeon]

Why not?  That is the beauty of the First Amendment.

For the same reason many on here attacked Cindy McCain, the first amendment protects even politicians wives and those running for office. Madonna can disguise her political aganda as a tour all she wants. Now if I would go to a Madonna concert the answer is no unless it was free, I grew up on heavy metal music from the early 70's and I wouldn't pay to go see my favorite group KISS talk politics, I just want to hear their music, that's what I paid for.

[StL FinFan]

Yes, they have to right to say anything they want.  However, the question is should they?  My answer is no.  I go to a  concert to hear music. If I want to hear about politics, I'll come to the TDMMC Off-Topic Board. 

[fyo]

For the same reason many on here attacked Cindy McCain

I think you are really stretching this partisan crap. Personally, I like both candidates - I think either one will make a fine president (the VPs are another matter) - but it's become completely impossible to read the off-topic forum due to the EXTREMISM exhibited by a few around here.

From what I read about the "attacks" on Cindy McCain, no one disputed her right to say anything. The wisdom of doing so - and the wisdom of what she said, certainly.

What pisses me off the most about politics is how deep the divide is between people who are VERY close to each other in actual political beliefs, but who for one reason or another identify with a particular PARTY. It's completely irrational - something that has actually been scientifically proven (the part of the brain that responds when discussing politics or listening to a candidate is the emotional part - the "reasoning" part is pretty much inactive).

Had Hillary been the candidate, I strongly believe that she would actually have been MORE Republican in her beliefs than McCain is (or at least was until recently - if he wins, it'll be interesting to see if he goes back to his "maverick" ways).

[MaineDolFan]

I wouldn't pay to go see my favorite group KISS talk politics, I just want to hear their music, that's what I paid for.

I don't think you'll ever have to worry about KISS talking politics on stage.  Just a feelin'.  So no worries, attend away.

[stinkfish]

No, musicians really shouldn't use their concerts as a soap box. I'd be pretty pissed if , after spending my money to attend a concert, I had to listen to the performer rant and rave on politics. Madonna, or anyone else owes it to their fans to give them  what they want, paid for, and are entitled to. Just sing.

[StL FinFan]

No, musicians really shouldn't use their concerts as a soap box. I'd be pretty pissed if , after spending my money to attend a concert, I had to listen to the performer rant and rave on politics. Madonna, or anyone else owes it to their fans to give them  what they want, paid for, and are entitled to. Just sing.

Or in Madonna's case, lip sync.

[jtex316]

For starters, I called Cindy McCain an idiot (are you surprised by this?). It is, as Househead just said, the beauty of the first ammendment. I have as much right to call Cindy McCain a blonde rich idiot as Cindy McCain does to make ridiculous, holier-than-thou type of statements towards Obama.

Can Musicians use their concerts for political speech? Yes, but I can use TDMMC.com to bitch about it.

SHOULD Musicians use their concerts for political speech? Absolutely not. And, not just their concerts, but their appearance and their "message" in general (U2, Bono, this means you clowns). Musicians should play music and that's about it. The lyrical content of your songs can be anything you want it to be - politics, religion, war, ice cream...but I don't want an explanation / rationalization of it - it's your art. I don't give a F what Serj from System of a Down thinks about the message that he's trying to send by writing "...lies from the tablecloth..." in his song. I don't care what Bono or "The Edge" want to say on Vh1 about the "tone" of their music - just write, record, and play your songs live. No one cares about the explanation. This is up to the listener / audience to rationalize for themselves.

[raptorsfan29]

Chalk one more up for the musicians shouldn't use their concerts for political speeches, i don't go to concerts to hear political speeches i go to listen to music. I don't go to concerts period, but if i would i would probably go to a Toby Keith Concert.

[stinkfish]

Was this latest Madonna thing in the US or abroad?

[Jim Gray]

For the same reason many on here attacked Cindy McCain, the first amendment protects even politicians wives and those running for office. Madonna can disguise her political aganda as a tour all she wants. Now if I would go to a Madonna concert the answer is no unless it was free, I grew up on heavy metal music from the early 70's and I wouldn't pay to go see my favorite group KISS talk politics, I just want to hear their music, that's what I paid for.

You are confused.  I don't recall anyone saying Cindy McCain has no right to speak.  The attack was on the cynical, deceitful message.  

Individuals have a right to voice their opinions, whether they are musicians or sports announcers.  If they exercise that right, they must deal with the consequences (re - Dixie Chicks).  I have no problem with Madonna, just as I have no problem with Toby Kieth or Tom Cruise.  People who make a living in the public eye shouldn't have to give up their right of free speech.  

People who make a living in the public eye answer to the public.  It's risky to say or do anything that could alienate part of your audience.  Michael Jordan was once asked to support a civil rights activist in running against Jesse Helms in NC.  Jordan refused and when asked why, his response was simple - "Republicans buy sneakers too".  

Over the course of 2 days I have seen threads supporting limitations on who can vote, and restricting the rights of free speech.  We can call them -

- Voter Enhancement Stars and Stripes Act
- God Blesses America When You Shut Your Mouth Act

then we can add them to the Patriot Act (domestic spying, removal of executive oversight) and Enhanced Interrogation (torture).  

Personally, I think it's very un-American.

P.S. - are you aware of the spell check feature in the reply box?  I'd hate to see you fail the voter intelligence test and lose your right to vote.

[run_to_win]

...it's become completely impossible to read the off-topic forum due to the EXTREMISM exhibited by a few around here.

The extremists here are extreme 24/7/365.

Performers can do whatever they want.  It's a bit unfair to those who aren't interested and just came for the show - a tiny bit of a bait and switch.  I suppose most concert goers will be ga-ga over anything the performer says or does.


Yes, spouses of candidates CAN say whatever they want, but should they?  Don't they cause problems as often as they help?