B E L L A C I A O - Sir Elton attacks new 'era of censorship' in America

B E L L A C I A O - Sir Elton attacks new 'era of censorship' in America -: "Sir Elton John has attacked what he calls a McCarthy-like 'era of censorship' in America. Entertainers who speak out against the Bush administration or its policy on Iraq, he claimed, risk scorn and damage to their livelihood.
'There's an atmosphere of fear in America right now that is deadly. Everyone is too career-conscious. They're all too scared,' he added.
Just why the singer, who is not noted for his political views, decided to express his concern now was unclear.

It is more than a year since a number of US radio stations banned the Dixie Chicks, claiming their anti-war rhetoric was unpatriotic.
However, there is no doubt that corporate America can still be stung by criticism of George W Bush.

"On the one hand, you have someone like Toby Keith, who has come out and been very supportive of the Bush administration and the war in Iraq - which is OK because America is a democracy and Toby Keith is entitled to say what he thinks and feels.

"But, on the other hand, the Dixie Chicks got shot down in flames last year for criticising the president. They were treated like they were being un-American, when in fact they have every right to say whatever they want about him because he's freely elected, and therefore accountable."

In London last year Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, told an audience: "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." After protesters burned their CDs and radio stations banned their songs, the band apologised. Death threats led to metal detectors being installed at stadiums where they were singing.

In a defiant gesture against their critics, the band posed nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly last year with provocative slogans painted on their bodies.

Within months the Dixie Chicks were back on track, attracting huge crowds in Los Angeles, after Bruce Springsteen branded radio stations that refused to play their recordings "un-American".

Jon Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews, Moby, James Taylor, Wyclef Jean and Mary J Blige now openly rail against Mr Bush.

Ozzy Osbourne sings War Pigs in his latest stage act as giant screens show photographs of President Bush juxtaposed with pictures of Adolf Hitler.

Last night Steve Earle, a renegade country lyricist, released an album called The Revolution Starts . . .Now, which includes a satirical song called On Condi, Condi - addressed to Dr Condoleezza Rice, the White House national security adviser."


By Hugh Davies