Pop stars such as Mariah Carey may well be fooled by publicists into thinking that, by performing in countries ruled by abhorrent regimes, they will advance progressive causes. They do no such thing: they simply help legitimise tyranny. They became pop stars because of their love of music. They must surely ask themselves if they really ever aspired to become the propaganda devices of one of the worst regimes on Earth.
We’re awaiting your apologies for praising Chavez and Maduro even now…..in fact, didn’t you go there to do so?
Watching the left twist and turn themselves in to Gordian knots in their efforts to blame the USA in general and Trump in particular is quite amusing.
Livingston* was on This Week with Andrew Neil making the claim that it was oil sanctions that trashed the economy. No matter how many times he’s asked for evidence he waffles on and mutters something about the Venezuelan ambassador. The follow up tweets are also amusing.
Chris Snowden does a good take down of the idea its all the USA’s fault. Apparently a lot of the left are quoting using this article as their evidence.
There’s a list of sanctions here and not only dd they start with Obama sanctioning corrupt officials, they were long after the economy had been trashed.
*Why he’s still being given oxygen, let alone the oxygen of publicity for his barmy ides is beyond me.
She has a career in music. Unlike Affleck, di Caprio and de Niro, she sticks to being an entertainer. If someone in Saudi Arabia downloads her music, is that giving succour? Oh by the way Owen, Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country and therefore at the top of the victimhood pecking order. I believe they also own a large chunk of your employer’s business? How about resigning in protest?
“This is painfully naive.” – depends how much Mariah covers up.
Western rock music did have a significant role in the downfall of the Soviet Union. So Jones isn’t just a dumbass, but an ignorant dumbass.
Wiki:
‘Rock music played a role in subverting the political order of the Soviet Union and its satellites. The attraction of the unique form of music served to undermine Soviet authority by humanizing the West, helped alienate a generation from the political system, and sparked a youth revolution.’
I have always admired Elton John for refusing to give in to the crybullies and their incredibly gay boycott of Israel*.
Dunno when or why we decided that minstrels, mummers and jesters were supposed to be authorities on politics and morality, but it’s a little bit funny if you ask Steve.
*And for his heartbreakingly beautiful work with Bernie Taupin. If you don’t get something in your eye when you hear “Daniel”, you’re probably an emotionless robot from the future trying to find John Connor.
What Steve said.
Watching last year’s football entertainment in Russia must have really hurt the psyche of the boy-faced stealer.
If any players declined to go then I must have missed it.
Every technology company of note sells products and services to nations that either imprison or execute homosexuals, or condone female genital mutilation, or condone honor killings, or deny women legal protections and voting rights.
When Owen gives up his computer, printer and internet service, I’ll listen to him. Until then, he can fuck off.
*And for his heartbreakingly beautiful work with Bernie Taupin. If you don’t get something in your eye when you hear “Daniel”, you’re probably an emotionless robot from the future trying to find John Connor.
I’m pretty sure you weren’t trying to be funny here, but nevertheless…
Southerner,
“She has a career in music. Unlike Affleck, di Caprio and de Niro, she sticks to being an entertainer.”
It’s quite liberating doing things like RnB and rap because it mostly sells to working/lower-middle class people and it’s aspirational and fun. Indie bands generally have to say they support Labour, even if they don’t, and look serious and miserable.
“They became pop stars because of their love of music”: an unwarranted assumption, I’d think.
Several very well paid footballers have said that they have no love for the game, it’s just a job.
And anyone can think of several managers/coaches who evidently have no love for the game.
Venezuela – Corbyn and Owen “boy” Jones et al should read
Inside the hell of ‘communist heaven’: Corpses dug up for jewellery, children jailed and a gangster regime that has looted billions
Well done BoE
Dennis – whaddayamean? Are you rocketmanophobic or what?
I did a brief Google search and couldn’t find anything: Did Owen Jones have anything to say about Mesut Özil’s cozying up to Turkey’s dictatorship and the resulting “You can’t criticize me because I’m a minority!” kerfuffle?