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Why Morrissey, 45, would even interrupt his concert to announce the death of Reagan is odd enough. Reagan was 93 years old... the man would not live forever. It was hardly a loss to anyone outside of Reagan's circle of family and friends. Morrissey certainly made more money and won more fans than the former U.S. president, but Morrissey is odd, so the comment, said or not, isn't out of character. His recording company, Sanctuary Records, did not confirm or deny the superstar's comments and claim his Dublin play was not recorded.
Is Morrissey or any other pop icon entitled to make disparaging remarks against world leaders? It probably depends upon what they stand to lose. The Dixie Chicks made disparaging comments about George W Bush in 2003, which resulted in their decreased sales in the United States, and increased sales in other countries. Their comment, (much milder than wishing death,) only expressed shame at being from Texas, the home state of George W Bush. The Dixie Chicks found support from other musical artists, Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill, and Vince Gill.
| "It is okay for a world leader, of a democracy such as in the United States, to declare the capture and death of another world leader for a price.... it is most certainly okay for world citizens to wish that world leader dead." |
Unlike the Dixie Chicks, Morrissey stands to lose nothing from making remarks of any kind. His past is already colored in controversy, but he is best known for his comments about remaining celibate. (Not a bad idea for single people.) However, Morrissey lives in Los Angeles, so, upon his return to the States, he may have to clarify the remark as he flashes his passport at airport militia.
Wishing George W Bush were "dead;" however, is an interesting comment to make in public. I've certainly wished it in private. And I've stated my wish to friends who generally support the idea -- although they are not as vocal. I hypothesis that, "had" Morrissey made such a comment in the U.S., he'd been arrested afterwards and be damned as an international threat to U.S. security. Wishing George W Bush was dead is safer said in a democracy, as in Ireland. Morrissey may have spoken his way into a nice jail cell making a similar comment in the States; but then again, he lives in Los Angeles -- that is quite punishment enough, don't you think?
Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon has placed a bounty upon Yasser Arafat. George W Bush placed a bounty on Saddam Hussien prior to his capture, however millions of dollars worth of bounties remain on "suspected" al Qaeda members --suspected, not proven through democratic channels. So, it is publicly acceptable for a world leader to wish or announce intent that another leader should die or be overthrown, and yet, it is controversial for an individual to wish the same? That is simply a double-standard. No world leader is better than any human.
"I wish President George W Bush" was dead.... "Was dead" could be replaced by any number of verbs and adjectives... "was black," "was gay," "is kind," "is a woman," "is a protestant." Words, after all, are only words. Fantasies described through words and placed into sentences are quite fun to contemplate and may prove to be an exciting way to pass time in the evening inbetween thinking up a fifth way to make chicken broth into a meal. (A liberal comment you think, intended to illicit sympathy? No. You try to think of ways to stretch chicken broth as a full meal after five months of unemployment. )
With the first 30 minutes of monitoring the Associated Press story about Morrissey's comment on Yahoo!, nearly 3,000 messages were posted on the Yahoo! bulletin board regarding Morrissey's alleged remark. Many were outraged. Many were in support. The comments bordered insanity. Supporters of George W Bush blasted Morrissey and anyone who wrote anti-Bush comments. However, this current White House administration doesn't have much support in the middle. You either like George W Bush, or you hate George W Bush. ("You are with us or you are against us," is the common thread.)
As the temperament of the Internet is what it is, people type away their thoughts momentarily and then forget an hour later. Should I be in George W Bush's shoes, I'd be thankful that people who hate me post their comments online and vent frustration, rather than plan a very detailed assassination attempt -- which, with good planning might work.
Whoever assassinated John Fitzgerald Kennedy; and for whatever reason Reagan saw an attempt on his life... history shows that both men really never gave cause for losing their life to a bullet. George W Bush, on the other hand, must know differently. He wears bulletproof undergarments that protect his body from an attempt on his life. Curious that he thinks to protect his body and not his skull. Curious that he calls himself a compassionate conservative, and still knows he is hated enough that his death would only give cause for celebration.
It is okay for a world leader, of a democracy such as in the United States, to declare the capture and death of another world leader for a price.... it is most certainly okay for world citizens to wish that world leader dead. Albeit literally or figurately, dead, in the case of George W Bush, idealistically his form of death is a one-way ticket from Washington D.C. to Texas in November 2004. The alternative plan, in the mean time, seems to be only a wish.
Sent from anonymous service:
"I agree with Morrissey and wish Bush was being buried instead of Reagan, but by saying this I fear for my saftey."
Brian
(from an Akron, Ohio IP address.)
"Your a fucking-fag-cunt. I hope someone puts rope around your
balls and drags you through the street driving 100 miles an hour. George Bush is a greatest president we've ever had."
George Osborne
Seattle
"I can understand why people don't always agree with Bush, but
to wish him dead is beyond human. We fight to preserve life, not
end it. Your site should not allow print ill-will towards our good president."
Alex Profaci
Key West (FL)
"ROCK ON!"