Elton John attacks new 'era of censorship' in America
"There's an atmosphere of fear in America right now that is deadly. Everyone is too career-conscious. They're all too scared."

British singer 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. Entertainment consumers "do not look for us to take sides", Elton continued.
Sir Elton, who is being paid $50 million (£33 million) to perform in 75 shows in Las Vegas, was particularly critical of the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, which regulates radio and television. Its "watchdogging", he said, was tantamount to censorship.

"Things have changed. I don't know if there's been a time when the fear factor played such an important role in America since McCarthyism in the 1950s, as it does now," he added. Sen Joseph McCarthy was the leading figure behind the "red scare" of the 1950s. At the height of the anti-communist hysteria, an investigation of Hollywood by the House Committee on Un-American Activities led to a "blacklist" of actors and writers who were then denied employment.
Sir Elton, currently in the middle of five sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall in Manhattan, told the New York magazine Interview that "surprisingly, it seems to be a very apathetic age in America". He recalled playing at Kent State University in 1970 shortly after National Guard troops fired on Vietnam War protesters on campus, killing four, and wounding nine.
Sir Elton said: "People were taking to the streets. With the war in Iraq and all that's gone on with it, that's not happening - yet. I don't know why."

In the 1960s, "people like Bob Dylan, Nina Simone, The Beatles and Pete Seeger were constantly writing and talking about what was going on", he said. Now, "hardly any are doing it . . ." The era of protest songs by major artists was long gone. "That's not happening now. As of this spring, there have been virtually no anti-war concerts - or anti-war songs that catch on, for that matter."

One reason for the reluctance of performers to speak out, according to Sir Elton, "might be that they are frightened by the current administration's bullying tactics when it comes to free speech".
He continued: "There was a moment about a year ago when you couldn't say a word about anything in this country for fear of your career being shot down by people saying you are un-American."
He singled out the country singer Toby Keith, who wrote Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) and has led the attacks on the Dixie Chicks. "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.

But Sir Elton may have spoken too soon. As the presidential election approaches, many stars seem eager to nail their colours to a mast. 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.

(Daily Telegraph)