Why would Elton John perform at Rush Limbaugh's wedding?

[Empowerer]

Is there something I'm missing?

I'm serious.

[JI7]

1. money, he got paid a million dollars , and he isn't really a political activist

as some entertainers are.

[Empowerer]

9. A million dollars for someone who owns the rights to the Elton John catalog doesn't seem to be a big

incentive to me. And I don't think one needs to be a political activist to have a conscience. My mother's not a political activist, but I doubt anyone could pay her enough money to go kiss up to someone who hates black women.

I just don't get it.

[niceypoo]

59. Maybe he is a conservative

Something like a British version of a log cabin Republican.

[Dulcinea]

80. Everyone has their price.

And Rush Limbaugh can afford to have anyone he likes play at his wedding. Plus, Elton John isn't really political, but he does donate a lot of money to good causes.

[secondwind]

2. everyone is at a loss about this. Cannot imagine it was for the $$..............

Although at first I thought it was because #4 was a big fan of his.

[azmouse]

3. I can't understand why everyone cares so much....

It was Elton John's decision to make and no one elses.

[AmericaIsGreat]

14. Nobody is saying it should have been someone else's choice

We can respond to his decision, however. And to me it was a fucking terrible one.

[azmouse]

16. So DU needs 100 threads to respond to a decision

that wasn't anyone's decision to make.

[Warren Stupidity]

33. Yeah, it is like some people think this is a place where you get to

express your opinions about current events or something! What the fuck? That's crazy talk!

[azmouse]

58. One or two threads wouldn't do the job, huh?

Whatever.... :eyes:

[muffin1]

64. I see you're here. Do you care? nt

[azmouse]

67. Not. One. Bit.

[Boudica the Lyoness]

4. Another question is...

why would anyone marry Limbaugh?
No, I don't understand why Elton John would have anything to do with that POS.

[NoPasaran]

89. Because Larry King has a waiting list?

[Cha]

5. First I heard of it.. wouldn't want it on

my resume..gross.

[MrSlayer]

6. A million bucks is a million bucks.

Quite simple really.

[nevergiveup]

7. Maybe Elton needs his meds checked.

Seriously, I am still trying to grasp the concept of Elton John performing at this homophobic racist scumbag buffoon's wedding.

[Empowerer]

11. Maybe, just maybe, he gave the money to a cause that he knew Limbaugh would never support

I hope there's some rational explanation for it. A million dollars doesn't explain it.

[JI7]

21. there was some news about EJ being in debt

[Dr. Hemlock]

76. If Limbaugh was a homophobic ....

...it would certainly be within his power to not hire Elton John.

:toast:

[woo me with science]

8. If you sell cars, do you screen the political affliations of everyone you sell to?

If you sell furniture, do you screen the political affiliations of your customers?

If you sell paper clips, do you....?


Why do people expect it will be different when someone sells music?

[Empowerer]

12. This is more than "selling music"

Much more. I'd have little problem selling my car to a bigot. But I would not take the car to his house, pick him up and drive him and his new bride around in it.

[woo me with science]

26. People who sell luxury cars do that all the time.

And people who perform for a living go to people's homes for special occasions.

[Name removed]

61. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[harkadog]

70. No.

The 14th amendment says what States can't do. It has nothing to do with persons. It also has nothing to do with political affiliation.

[provis99]

34. on the basis of your logic,

we should never organize boycotts, because we shouldn't car about what the sellers (eg white-ruled South Africa) are doing. We shouldn't care what corporations are doing with their money, and we shouldn't care who we are selling guns, germs, or nuclear weapons to, because we shouldn't care about their politics.

What an asinine argument you give.

[woo me with science]

40. LOL, and what an emotional response from you!

Truly, you needn't worry your head about that. You're still perfectly free to boycott Elton John to your heart's desire.

IMO you just look kinda silly doing it, given his track record. :hi:

[Warren Stupidity]

39. So John needs the money?

'cause the reason car dealers sell their cars to anyone is that they need the money. If John was a starving musician, you might have a point, but instead he is incredibly wealthy, so he doesn't actually have to do anything at all: everything he does he does by choice.

[woo me with science]

43. By your logic,

businesses and private salespeople who are doing well should start screening all their customers?

[Warren Stupidity]

44. Yeah, if you are worth in the hundred's of millions

as John is, then as I said, every morning you wake up free to do whatever it is you choose to do. This is beyond 'doing well'. Businesses are not 'people' USSC decision or not, so they are not relevant. Elton John is not a business, he is an individual.

A 'private salesperson', whatever the heck that is, who is worth $250,000,000 or so, is a 'private salesperson' because that is what that person chooses to do, absolutely freely, and thus, for this person, who you sell to, what you sell, and how you sell it are all unconstrained free choices you make, and this person should indeed be judged by these choices. Unlike, for example, the loser at the local car dealership who is just another slob trying to pay the rent.

[woo me with science]

45. Are you also angry at the people who sell Rush Limbaugh a car?

Or an expensive piece of art? Many luxury art dealers do very well.

How is this any different?

[Name removed]

62. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. 
[link:www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html|Click
here] to review the message board rules.

[Empowerer]

73. Are you actually comparing denial of public accommodations to blacks with not performing a personal

service for Rush Limbaugh?

Wow.

[thelordofhell]

10. Because Chrissie Hynde wasn't available

:shrug:

[snake in the grass]

27. He still owes her a lot!

[Scurrilous]

13. Meanwhile:

Group asks Elton John to cancel Israel gigs (05/20/10)

<snip>

"The British Committee for Universities for Palestine called on British icon Elton John to cancel his shows in Israel, seeking him to re-consider the move.

BRICUP said it had sent an open letter to John in February asking him not to play in Israel but "we have had no response from him despite worldwide appeals to him."

Other UK artists including Elvis Costello, Massive Attack and Gil Scott-Heron have cancelled their shows in Israel, as well as famed guitarist Carlos Santana.

The group said it would send a second open letter to John."

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=285641


More Musicians Cancel Shows In Israel

<snip>

"A music promoter in Israel said that the country was being subjected to “cultural terrorism” as more artists canceled performances there, Agence France-Presse reported. Over the weekend the alternative-rock band the Pixies withdrew from what would have been its first show in Israel, as part of the Pic.Nic music festival scheduled in Tel Aviv this week. “We’d like to extend our deepest apologies to the fans, but events beyond all our control have conspired against us,” the group said in a statement. The bands Gorillaz and the Klaxons have also withdrawn from the festival after the raid by Israeli commandos on a Gaza-bound flotilla. Last month Elvis Costello canceled two concerts in Israel this summer, citing the complexities of the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After the announcement of the Pixies’ cancellation, Shuki Weiss, the promoter of the Pic.Nic festival, said in a statement, “I am full of both sorrow and pain in light of the fact that our repeated attempts to present quality acts and festivals in Israel have increasingly been falling victim to what I can only describe as a form of cultural terrorism which is targeting Israel and the arts worldwide."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/arts/music/08arts-MOREMUSICIAN_BRF.html

[oberliner]

77. Elton John rocks Israel

Superstar Elton John performed last night in front of a screaming crowd at Tel Aviv stadium in Israel.

http://www.necn.com/06/18/10/Elton-John-rocks-Israel-/landing.html?blockID=256097&feedID=4215

Elton John: No one could have stopped me from coming

Refusing to bow to the pressure of anti-Israel activists, Sir Elton John arrived in Israel on Thursday and performed in front of tens of thousands of Israelis at the Ramat Gan stadium.

http://www.haaretz.com/culture/elton-john-no-one-could-have-stopped-me-from-coming-1.296877

[DCBob]

15. He did it for the money.. pathetic.

simply pathetic.

[msongs]

17. because Obama says we need to reach out to our opponents - ? nt

[dionysus]

52. i was waiting for SOMEONE to bring Obama into the elton john kerfluffle! you didn't dissappoint.

:rofl::spray:

[DrToast]

18. I'd rather know why James Carville was there

I suppose he went with his wife, but still. That alone deserves an explanation.

[Empowerer]

19. Wow

[Stardust]

29. I long ago decided Carville is no liberal. It's an act.

[handmade34]

35. we probably could count

on one hand the number of politicians and commentators, that for them it is not an act...

[Warren Stupidity]

38. Carville and his lizard-mate are boot-lickers.

[Politics_Guy27]

47. Carville is not a democrat

He was loyal to President Clinton and other DLCers alone. His loyalty obviously does not extend to the democratic party as a whole. Furthermore, he probably still hasn't forgiven President Obama for winning the 2008 democratic nomination.

Sorry, I'm in a bit of a mood tonight but I think it's reasonable to assume.

[DrToast]

49. It's the fact that he was loyal to Clinton that makes you wonder why he would go.

[Blue Owl]

51. They know who their oily overlords are

n/t

[totodeinhere]

65. So liberals should not go to conservatives' weddings?

Have things got so polarized in this country that one group can't even associate with the other anymore?

[DrToast]

66. If you consider Rush Limbaugh your run of the mill conservative, knock yourself out

Maybe you'll get invited to wedding #5.

[arcadian]

20. The fact of the matter is...

Elton John has way more in common with Rush Limbaugh then he ever will with anybody on DU.

[Mimosa]

36. Woo Hoo, that is so true Arcadian! LOL n/t

[MrMickeysMom]

42. You are SO right!

Plus, you have given me a great Crusty brand icon. This is truly an end to a good day!

[DeschutesRiver]

71. That is exactly the reason why, in a nutshell. nt

[mwooldri]

82. Including playing at Hillary Clinton fundraisers (for free)....

... and making statements like that he loves America again because Barack Obama got elected President.

Sir Elton has his politics... and they're not the same as Mr. Limbaugh's. However Sir Elton will play odd places for his reasons, and it's his human right to play music for whatever audience he wants to.

[depakid]

22. Reminds me of the old joke about the prostitute and haggling for money

But hey, at least a significant portion of the payment will be directed toward taxes in the UK.

[mucifer]

23. attention, he got your attention didn't he. I think he likes to be in the news.

[BlueJazz]

24. Birds of a feather Fly together. Elton is on my shit-list.

[golfguru]

25. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ that is why

Like a Million US dollars is the price for Elton
to sell himself. And US $$ is currently stronger by 25%
over a year ago Vs the Euro, and 15% over the pound.

[Eric Condon]

28. If what I heard on Countdown tonight is correct, EJ's private party fees go to his AIDS Foundation

If I knew I could generate $1m for AIDS research by playing a few songs I wrote, I wouldn't care what the venue was. It'd frankly be more insulting for him to NOT have done it, considering the ease with which he was able to generate that money. And sure, you can say "EJ could've just donated that money himself," but he's the one who set up the foundation in the first place, I hardly think he's slacking in that area.

Ultimately, this is $1 million less in Rush Limbaugh's pocket, and $1 million more in the pockets of AIDS research. I'm honestly surprised people aren't applauding Elton for this.

[Empowerer]

37. If that's the case, I say more power to him.

That's $1 million that Limbaugh would never have given to that cause and if at least a percentage of Limbaugh's ill-gotten gains could be directed toward something meaningful, that's an very good thing.

I sincerely hope that - or something else similarly redeeming - is the case.

[jberryhill]

57. Correct /nt

[cigsandcoffee]

30. Because the very rich have their own club...

...and the exclusivity of it supercedes politics. And for the money, of course. Mansions and Rolls-Royces don't grow on trees.

[Cha]

31. "Faux's Megyn Kelly: "Elton John had nothing but nice things to say about Rush.."

Course, faux lies but then so does fucking rush limpbaugh.

Cross post GD..

MadBadger (1000+ posts) Mon Jun-07-10 11:20 PM
Original message

"Faux's Megyn Kelly: "Elton John had nothing but nice things to say about Rush Limbaugh"

"But Kelly says everyone got along very well – and slammed The View host in the process. “Joy Behar wasn’t there, I was,” she said. “And I can tell you that Elton John had nothing but nice things to say about Rush Limbaugh and the happy couple.”

Also, maybe a double date in the future? “He even invited the happy couple to come visit him and his partner in London, England,” said Kelly."

Oh boy, sounds like it was such a nice affair!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8509803

I'll always remember elton john refering to Obama supporters as misogynists during the primaries.

[Warren Stupidity]

32. Total Asshole?

That is my estimation.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

41. Don't underestimate Elton !

Elton John is quite open about the fact that his addiction and abuse of himself through cocaine will have been the means to his end.He talks about having flown over a mountain top on a particular occasion and it occurred to him that he probably put more cocaine up his nose than there is snow on that mountain top. And how cocaine distorted his personality.

Clearly you see how it is Elton John might identify with What A Rush's sad self proclaimed drug history which should have killed him ! But killer Carry's on.

Now after having cleaned up and having left cocaine behind, Elton stopped pretending to be bi sexual and admitted to himself he is simply gay.

I do agree that his cause is noble in that the proceeds will be donated to the aids foundation.
But I think Elton has a hidden agenda where it comes down to What A Rush. Think about it now, don't you think Rush can use a friendly helping hand being guided out of the closet !

Wouldn't to just love to hear Rush's story over the air waves !
Elton most likely understands What A Rush's dilemma.
After all when Elton was confused he married his sound coordinator,but that didn't last very long.

It's all in the logistics !

Just ask rocket man.

[Politics_Guy27]

46. Come on...

I don't mean to be rude but we know the answer to this: He is a log-cabin Republican teabagger. No one with liberal views would EVER perform at that man's wedding.

[Ter]

48. Maybe they are (or were) hooking up with each other

Possible.

[dionysus]

54. thanks for *that* mental image! jabba the rush... ewwww

:puke:

[WI_DEM]

50. because apparently for somebody who has all the $ he needs, he wants even more.

[jberryhill]

56. So that's a "no" vote on AIDS research, correct?

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/06/elton-john-performs-at-rush-limbaughs-wedding-of-all-things.html

In 2009, Reuters found that of all wedding performers, “Elton John is the second most expensive, charging over $2 million for private performances although all earnings from his private concerts go to his charity, the Elton John AIDS Foundation.”

[maxsolomon]

53. A gig is a gig

Johnny Cash played for thieves, murderers and rapists. Twice.

Elton John is a POP SINGER, not the voice of righteousness - he tours with freakin' Billy Joel, not Fugazi. His lifestyle requires cashflow, and a million bucks is cashflow.

[jberryhill]

55. To Get A Million Dollars For Aids Research With Hardly Any Effort

How much did you raise for AIDS research this week?

[Sebastian Doyle]

60. Here's a theory I just now came up with

Maybe Elton was really trying to bring attention to how ridiculous it is to restrict marriage to only heterosexuals, by using a celebrity Repuke's 4th marriage, which will more than likely fail as fast as his other three have.

[totodeinhere]

63. Probably because he doesn't have a problem with Limbaugh.

The rich and the privileged tend to stick together regardless of politics.

[montanto]

68. Money? Just a guess.

[harun]

69. Because he is rich and Limbaugh is pro-rich.

[DailyGrind51]

72. He is just another big sell-out!

[branders seine]

74. dinero

he needs new shoes.

[Old Troop]

75. Money

[cleveramerican]

78. for the $$$$ and the irony of it

[dionysus]

79. he got a cool million dollars for his AIDS charity.

[area51]

81. Maybe

one gay man plays for another gay man's wedding? :shrug:

[Clear Blue Sky]

83. A million reasons...

[Uzybone]

84. because most of the cultural and media elite are whores

from MSNBC, to talk radio, to CNN, to FAUX, to pop music...most of them will do whatever it takes to make more money.

At their level, it really doesn't matter who is in power.

[Name removed]

85. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[TheKentuckian]

86. The best and most abundant drugs and depravity on the planet

[vaberella]

87. Money. n/t

[Name removed]

88. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[NYC Liberal]

90. How about an explanation in his own words?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/06/15/elton.john.rush.limbaugh.ppl/

"To put it in Elton's exact words, when he got the invitation, he was 'a little surprised,' " his partner David Furnish told PEOPLE on Sunday at the Tony Awards in New York. "And then, when it turned out to be a genuinely sincere invitation ... Elton said, 'Life is about building bridges, not walls.' "

John also saw it as another opportunity, in his words, "to go where people wouldn't expect me to go."

"And maybe if I can make a great impression," Furnish quoted him as saying, "people might change their perspectives on life."

...

"Elton, during the performance made a lot of cracks: 'I suppose you all wonder why I'm here tonight?' " says Furnish. "But ultimately, it's a bit like an olive branch, I guess."