Post by the Scribe on Feb 23, 2022 8:21:37 GMT
Opinion
The Political Song of Linda Ronstadt (4 Letters)
www.nytimes.com/2004/07/22/opinion/the-political-song-of-linda-ronstadt-4-letters.html
July 22, 2004
To the Editor:
Re "Desperadoes'' (editorial, July 21):
The ejection of Linda Ronstadt from a Las Vegas hotel for the expression of her political views at the end of her concert performance is yet another example of how far our freedoms have been eroded since 9/11. More and more, it seems that a small but growing segment of the populace believes that freedom of speech applies only if you agree with the administration. To hold a different view is somehow anti-American.
How sad, but also how deeply disturbing this should be for all Americans. T. A. Masters
Victoria, Tex., July 21, 2004
To the Editor:
You correctly note that Linda Ronstadt and her audience both had the right to express their opinions. But you ignore the rights of the Aladdin Hotel and its management, who should be allowed to control their own venue and to serve their customers as they wish.
If the government had forced the ejection, you could say Ms. Ronstadt's rights were infringed. As it is, you're only crying wolf.
Matthew Rudary
Ann Arbor, Mich., July 21, 2004
To the Editor:
What is the purpose of art? Great art, in addition to providing enjoyment, should express the opinion of the free-thinking artist and challenge the perspective of an audience.
Linda Ronstadt had every right to interject her stance on Michael Moore into her art (in this case, music). The audience that tried to punish Ms. Ronstadt for creating music in the fashion befitting her opinion selfishly disregarded her fundamental right as an artist.
The Aladdin Hotel, by succumbing to the outraged crowd and asking Ms. Ronstadt to leave, indirectly admitted that an artist should be nothing but a slave who caters to the whims of a narrow-minded audience.
You don't have to agree with art, but it never hurts to consider its legitimacy as an opinion.
Katie L. Noe
Lexington, Ky., July 21, 2004
To the Editor:
Linda Ronstadt did not threaten only to sing during her Aladdin Hotel concert (editorial, July 21). Instead, she issued partisan comments that many in her audience found upsetting and unrelated to her music. You suggested that Ms. Ronstadt, in her paean to Michael Moore, was exercising the same rights as everyone else. Yes, she had those rights. She exercised them. She then faced the consequences. That's what can happen in a free market, and in a free society. Mark A. Kellner
The Political Song of Linda Ronstadt (4 Letters)
www.nytimes.com/2004/07/22/opinion/the-political-song-of-linda-ronstadt-4-letters.html
July 22, 2004
To the Editor:
Re "Desperadoes'' (editorial, July 21):
The ejection of Linda Ronstadt from a Las Vegas hotel for the expression of her political views at the end of her concert performance is yet another example of how far our freedoms have been eroded since 9/11. More and more, it seems that a small but growing segment of the populace believes that freedom of speech applies only if you agree with the administration. To hold a different view is somehow anti-American.
How sad, but also how deeply disturbing this should be for all Americans. T. A. Masters
Victoria, Tex., July 21, 2004
To the Editor:
You correctly note that Linda Ronstadt and her audience both had the right to express their opinions. But you ignore the rights of the Aladdin Hotel and its management, who should be allowed to control their own venue and to serve their customers as they wish.
If the government had forced the ejection, you could say Ms. Ronstadt's rights were infringed. As it is, you're only crying wolf.
Matthew Rudary
Ann Arbor, Mich., July 21, 2004
To the Editor:
What is the purpose of art? Great art, in addition to providing enjoyment, should express the opinion of the free-thinking artist and challenge the perspective of an audience.
Linda Ronstadt had every right to interject her stance on Michael Moore into her art (in this case, music). The audience that tried to punish Ms. Ronstadt for creating music in the fashion befitting her opinion selfishly disregarded her fundamental right as an artist.
The Aladdin Hotel, by succumbing to the outraged crowd and asking Ms. Ronstadt to leave, indirectly admitted that an artist should be nothing but a slave who caters to the whims of a narrow-minded audience.
You don't have to agree with art, but it never hurts to consider its legitimacy as an opinion.
Katie L. Noe
Lexington, Ky., July 21, 2004
To the Editor:
Linda Ronstadt did not threaten only to sing during her Aladdin Hotel concert (editorial, July 21). Instead, she issued partisan comments that many in her audience found upsetting and unrelated to her music. You suggested that Ms. Ronstadt, in her paean to Michael Moore, was exercising the same rights as everyone else. Yes, she had those rights. She exercised them. She then faced the consequences. That's what can happen in a free market, and in a free society. Mark A. Kellner