Obviously this was a set-up: VULGAR BABS RIPS BUSH - AND FAN - AT MSG

[wndycty]

Of course everyone will criticize Streisand for cursing a fan, but does anyone really believe that when people by tickets to her concert that she is not going to bash Bush. While she will get critcized for cursing a fan, I would not be too surprised to find out that the fan went with the intent to heckle Streisand.


VULGAR BABS RIPS BUSH - AND FAN - AT MSG
By BRIGITTE WILLIAMS

October 10, 2006 -- Liberal diva Barbra Streisand gave fans an earful of Bush-bashing last night at Madison Square Garden - then told a man in the audience to "shut the f- - - up" after he heckled her for poking fun at the president.

After serenading fans with some of her greatest hits, Streisand mocked President Bush.

A few dozen people began to heckle her with one man shouting, "What is this, a fund-raiser?"

An incensed Streisand shot back, "Why don't you shut the f- - - up. If you can't take a joke, why don't you leave and get your money back."
-snip-

http://www.nypost.com/seven/10102006/news/regionalnews/vulgar_babs_rips_bush___and_fan___at_msg_regionalnews_brigitte_williams.htm

[Ian David]

1. Apparently, the man was a "professional heckler."

I guess that's one job we haven't outsourced yet?

[Buzz Clik]

12. Maybe he came for the music.

Not everyone goes to a Streisand concert to hear her polical leanings.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

14. Then maybe he should've stayed home and listened to her CD...

And he should definitely stay away from a Steve Earle concert. :evilgrin:

[Buzz Clik]

17. So everything has to be a political rally?

If I paid $80 to hear Streisand or anyone else perform, I'd be a bit put off by political asides. I think we can be assured that those in the audience who either like Bush or hate being partisan lectures by marginally informed entertainers will most definitely stay home next time.

If Streisand has the luxury to lose part of her audience as a result of her lack of self control, more power to her.

[Buzz Clik]

18. dupe...

[wndycty]

23. Considering the press had been reporting her Bush bashing. . .

. . .this guy knew what he would get when he plunked down his $80. He set her up.

[tenshi816]

24. How do you know Streisand is only

"marginally informed"?

Also, I doubt she gives a flying f**k if the people who like Bush stay home. Her fan base is broad enough that they won't be missed.

[Buzz Clik]

43. ummm... that's a toughie. Because I'm informed?

[tenshi816]

55. Yeah, and maybe she reads the same things you do.

[Booster]

61. Nah, that ain't it.

[Buzz Clik]

65. Beg to differ, but Streisand's contribution to the cause is next to zero.

She makes silly, embarrassing statements constantly. She needs to either hire a political writer or shut up and sing.

[kitkat65]

79. That's a familiar phrase ala The Dixie Chicks

Free speech, eh? Babs can say whatever the fuck she wants.

[Buzz Clik]

89. You're missing the point. Intentionally?

This is not a free speech issue. It's a matter of judgment first and accepting the consequences of one's comments -- that's the price of free speech. Free speech does not mean being to say what you please with no backlash. As you said -- ask the Dixie Chicks: no one is supressing their free speech, but they are feeling the sting of their brave stance.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

26. Politics and music have long been intertwined.

Would you have gone to a Dylan concert or a CSNY concert in the early 70s and not expect to have heard some politics?

Well, that's where we are today: go to a Streisand concert, a Steve Earle concert, a Dixie Chicks concert, a John Mellencamp concert, a Bruce Springsteen concert (I could go on and on and on...), and you are probably going to get an earful about how fucked up this administration is. All of these performers (and this includes actors like Clooney and Brad Pitt, too) are citizens of this country and have the right to speak out. They are not paid monkeys. They sing about politics and talk about it between songs. They know they have the stage and the opportunity to maybe fire some people up. Good for them.

And how do you know Streisand is "marginally informed"? I personally have no idea, I'm not a Streisand fan.

But it's not a "lack of self control", it's entirely within her rights to say whatever she wants at her concerts.

(Edited for that really horrible spelling error in the subject line. Egads.)

[Buzz Clik]

47. LOL! You're comparing the 70s Dylan to Streisand?

Dylan embodied political music. When you listened to Dylan, you got politics and social commentary.

Streisand's paper thin lyrics aren't my style, but I can tell you that she is NOT about politics in her music.

For certain, though -- anyone attending a Streisand croon fest had better be prepared for a dose of political commentary.

But it's not a "lack of self control", it's entirely within her rights to say whatever she wants at her concerts. Right. And the guy who just pissed away a day's wages to listen to her has every right to tell her to shut up and sing.

This is the Dixie Chicks all over again, but with a totally different demographic. I applaud the Dixid Chicks and their courage in giving Bush the finger; but when you do that, you better plan to pay the price. And when the bill comes due, you have no right to complain.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

54. Sorry. Hanging my head in shame.

There is no comparison, I was just trying to make a point to the people suggesting that buying a concert ticket should mean not having to hear about politics. What a crock.

Of course the guy in the audience has the right to speak up, but how is it he didn't know what he was going into? Just as Dan Quayle had the right to walk out of the John Mellencamp concert, he's still a fool for thinking he wasn't going to get a load of anti-Bush sentiment from Mellencamp.

Listen, as a huge Steve Earle fan (can you tell?), I know he lost some fans when he stopped singing so much about women and started singing about politics and being outspoken during and in between his shows. These performers know what they are risking, and I applaud them for being brave enough to speak out, especially now.

[blogslut]

29. I once saw Ray Charles in concert

It was an intimate setting and a hell of a show.

Near the start, when there was a pause between songs, members of the crowd began shouting out requests. Ray listened for a bit and then held up his hand and spoke:

"I've been in show business for almost 40 years. I think I can pick my own songs."

He picked well.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

35. Lack of self control?

Criticizing President Bush is a lack of self control?

[Buzz Clik]

48. Damned straight -- particularly with her inability to handle criticism.

What did she expect from a crowd of middle aged fans of mushy music? A bunch of anti-war hippies? I'm guessing at least 50% of her audience voted for Bush at least once. And she's pissed when ONLY ONE is chapped that she won't keep her views to herself during a very pricey concert?

What a friggin joke.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

56. The fool who pays $100 or whatever it costs to see Streisand....

and doesn't bother to notice that she's been outspoken about Bush for a long time has only himself to blame.

[skygazer]

63. "Anti-war hippies?"

Is that what we are? I wasn't aware of that - I thought we were politically conscious, concerned citizens. What an eye opener this is.

[Buzz Clik]

64. Good one.

Care to join the conversation, or are you content to stand on the sidelines tossing peanut shells?

[skygazer]

69. I think I just did

Obviously, you're too obtuse to understand it. I'll lay it out - first of all, it's pretty insulting to insinuate (am I using words too large for you?) that anyone who agrees with Barbra Streisand's views is an "anti-war hippie." Why can't they simply be concerned citizens with liberal views? For someone on a progressive message board, you certainly use dismissive language to describe people who presumably share your politics.

Secondly, I think she has every right to say whatever the hell she wants to at her show and I think it's pretty ridiculous that anyone who knows enough about her to want a ticket would not be aware of her political views since she's never bothered to hide them.

How's that? Do I get a gold star for joining the conversation now?

[kitkat65]

80. I seriously doubt it.

"I'm guessing at least 50% of her audience voted for Bush at least once."

Call it a hunch.

[Ian David]

30. Our country was FOUNDED on mixing music and politics.

From "Yankee Doodle" to "The Star-Spangled Banner."
From "Strange Fruit" to "Southern Man."
From "Imagine" to "Turn, Turn, Turn."
From "I'm Not Gonna Play Sun City" to "We Are The World."

All the way back to cavemen with bone flutes to The 1812 Overture to Canterbury Tales... music and poetry have been (when they're at their best) political.

If you don't like mixing music and politics, then download one of those programs that create randomly generated techno-music on your computer.

[Buzz Clik]

49. Yeah. And? Dissent wasn't part of the mix?

Is it your impression that everyone who goes to a Streisand concert is there for their daily affirmation of Liberal politics? Or, do you think they're there to hear her sing her standard mix of feel-good songs?

I don't understand why people are surprised by the reaction Streisand received. (If I were misguided enough to pay $100 for a Pat Boone concert, I'd be furious if the no-talent piece of shit started thumping his chest about the horrors of abortion. And I wouldn't sit politely and listen to his bullshit.)

[Ian David]

82. I wouldn't go to a Pat Boone concert because he's a right-wing shithead

I think those people who heckled Barbara went there for the sole purpose of doing so.

[Buzz Clik]

90. And look at the coverage they got because Streisand lost control.

Bummer, eh?

[Ian David]

92. How humiliating. How does Barbara Streisand sleep at night?

On a huge bed full of money.

Poor Barbara.

Every time they mention her name, she sells more albums.

Please.

Think of the children.

[Zhade]

75. It's her show. FUCK HIM.

If he's too ignorant of a "fan" to not know she does this kind of thing (attack the traitor-in-chief at concerts), oh fucking well.

[Buzz Clik]

86. It's what she did. It's what she said.

Now, she gets to suffer the consequences, which includes absorbing criticism from people like me who happen to 1) agree with her political philosophy, 2) support her right to speak out at her own concert but 3) have no sympathy for those who show questionable judgment and then wonder why there are repercussions.

[lectrobyte]

51. Where did you hear that? I didn't that in the article the OP posted.

Thanks!

[hootinholler]

68. I heard it on the Today show...

It's probably out on the web too.

-Hoot

[OzarkDem]

2. Good for her! n/t

[Ian David]

3. Show your support: Buy a Barbara Streisand album!

Just NOT from Amazon!

Barnes & Noble:
http://music.barnesandnoble.com/search/results.asp?SRT=P&z=y&CTR=67303&SIG=Y&Go%21.x=7&Go%21.y=14

[Buzz Clik]

57. God knows Babs is starving to death.

[theHandpuppet]

4. It was reported this morning that the guy was a professional heckler

I didn't know there was such a job description. :shrug:

Anyway, when you go to a Streisand concert you have to know what you're getting and that means the whole package, just as you would if you went to a Toby Keith concert. Babs offered the guy a refund, which IMHO was generous.

[depakid]

6. Well, the far right buys- or sells out everything else these days

and there always seems to be a willing taker.

This is why I won't willingly associate with Repubicans. I feel disgusted even being near them.

[zbdent]

7. It's a cottage industry ... one of the few jobs "millionaires" created

you know, the entire "Hate Clinton" network ... Scaife, Murdoch, Regnery, NBC, Fox, CNN, Dobson, ...

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

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

[RevolutionStartsNow]

27. Huh?

Talent should be "bipartisan"? What the hell does that mean?

[Ian David]

32. How dare Barbara waste the three hours she has with her audience of 300...

to speak her mind against Bush, when Fox "News" only has twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to catapult Der Chimpenfuhrer's propaganda to millions of people.

Oh, it's grossly unfair for a singer/songwriter-- a professional story teller-- to actually SAY SOMETHING they believe.

If she has an opinion, she should purchase a cable TV network, and disguise her opinion as "news".

[Buzz Clik]

91. Fox News has something to do with this?

Try to stay on topic.

[Ian David]

94. The point is, why are Liberals the only ones called-out 4 having opinions

[LostinVA]

36. That means Liberals should STFU and like it

[LostinVA]

33. Come on, you can do better than that n/t

[Hell Hath No Fury]

53. You notice too, huh?

;)

Sniff sniff.... :D

[LostinVA]

74. Oh yeah

[TahitiNut]

39. ?

[Ian David]

31. All the professional heckler jobs have been outsourced to India

That's why he called her an untouchable daughter of a snake charmer.

And then he put her on hold for five minutes while he found a supervisor capable of answering her comeback.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

42. LOL! Thanks, I needed a laugh! nt

[brentspeak]

45. Link to the report?

[zbdent]

5. She has class enough to tell the guy to get his money back ...

just think ... if this were a Toby Keith concert, the "heckler" (unpaid) would be "escorted" out and fined, if not arrested ...

[Buzz Clik]

58. Class? Um. Er. No.

She got angry and cursed him.

[zbdent]

70. Cursed him, yes ... but she would have refunded his money

if it were the other way around, do you think you'd get your money back after being thrown out of a concert you paid for (and "heckled"?)??

I didn't say that she was total class ... but enough to offer to refund his money ...

[JohnnyLib2]

8. My kind of woman.....

but she's fueled ol' Rush for another decade, I'm afraid.

[Solly Mack]

9. Huge fan all my life.

grinning ear to ear

[Bitwit1234]

10. Heckler

Ever notice -- when someone says something about bush and things like this happen. What type of people are republicans. They threaten 12 year old video makers, they threaten 16 and 17 year old pages, coulter calls for people to kill judges and editorial room staff. So called preachers call for the assassination of the leader of a country.

No where do you see the dems/liberals acting like this. The republicans stand up in front of audiences and call the dems/libs the hysterical left and talk about them being the ones who hate. Well all you have to do is see that the republicans are the bunch of hate filled nuts.

[Generic Other]

11. Hooray for Streisand

We are lucky there are so many talented and influential people with the courage to speak out.

We will not be silenced by paid hecklers and other disruptors!

[devilgrrl]

13. The NY Post....

come on people! :eyes:

[earth mom]

15. Good for Streisand!

:applause:

The thugs want to control the dialogue everywhere, everyplace. Well they CAN NOT! Fuck em! Glad Barbra told the asshole to get the hell out if he didn't like it since he was obviously not a fan in the first place!

[chitty]

16. The title should have read

"HOT BUTTA"

[Buzz Clik]

19. But Dennis Miller is a dick?

I get it now...

[tabasco]

34. Dennis Miller is a right-wing hack.

Barbara Steisand is a strident liberal.

If you go to see either of them, you will hear their message, whether you like it or not.

As a liberal, I choose not to go to Dennis Miller shows. This RW loon should have made the same choice. I respect his right to heckle, but I also respect the right of the other fans to hear Streisand without the heckling.

What, exactly, is wrong with that?

BTW, comparing Miller to Streisand is really quite a leap. And yes, Miller is an asshole.

Get out much?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

37. Of course Dennis Miller is a dick.

You disagree?

[LostinVA]

38. Oh yes, I'm sure you do

Your other posts prove you do, too.

IGNORE.

[Buzz Clik]

60. I despise Dennis Miller. (Actually, I can't stand Streisand, either)

But my reactions are for different reasons. Miller sniffed the political winds and changed his routine to hate Clinton -- immediately after the 2000 election cycle and prior to 9/11. Now, he claims he's "all about supporting the troops." Gee, Dennis -- been to Afghanistan yet? No? Franken's been there. Yeah, Miller's a dick.

Streisand blindsides her audience by ranting on about Bush. She has every right to do so, but why? It seems pretty foolish considering her fan base. They don't buy high-dollar tickets to listen to her shallow commentaries.

So, yeah, I get it. Miller is a favorite demon on DU for being a Bush sycophant, but Babs is a hero for hating his guts and fucking up a concert for the white-haired middle-aged set. It's not like I give a shit, but I don't have to put up with hypocritical bullshit from the locals.

[skygazer]

67. Okay, I'm not a Barbra Streisand fan

But I do have to take offence to your characterization of her fan base as a bunch of little old ladies - I grew up during the years she was very popular and putting out albums and I'm not some little white-haired old lady tottering around. You've said this a couple of times and it's pretty goddamned insulting.

I have no idea how old you are but I think you need to get your head out of your ass.

[Buzz Clik]

78. I made no reference to gender.

And I don't care if my assessment offended you. It's my right to make stupid comments -- just like Babs, right?

[skygazer]

81. And you are certainly using your right to the fullest

[Buzz Clik]

87. As did she -- which is the sole point of my comments.

[UTUSN]

71. How does she "BLINDSIDE" her audience if her views are well known?

Her fans are well aware of her views and are fans of her whole package. Otoh, wingnuts detest her for her politics and prize their wingnuttiness WAY more than any musical appreciation they might have, which is nil.

[novalib]

20. Barbra Was MUCH TOO POLITE!!!

Someone in Barbra's crowd was actually DEFENDING the slimeball in the White HOUSE???!!!!

WTF??!!!

Barbra was far too polite in dealing with the doofus who heckled her!!

She should have "suggested" to the other fans at MSG that they show their "appreciation" to the heckler.

[Subdivisions]

21. I like it. I like it even more that she

is taking the opportunity to spread the word to the thousands that go to see her perform. I always say that every way we can get the word out and drill it into sheeple's heads, the better off we'll be.

[npincus]

25. OK- in an alternative universe

I pay 100 bucks or more on a concert ticket to hear a singer, and they stop and ramble on about how they love Chimp and insult my favorite Democrats...

Frankly, don't give a shit about this incident either way. I think performers have a right to express themselves, and recipients of these views have a right to respond.

[LostinVA]

40. Totally your fault if you go see someone who is KNOWN to be

politically outspoken... like Streisand, Darrell Worley, etc. If you go see someone who you KNOW is totally 18-0 of your political views, then too bad too sad. If I was dumb enough to go to a Toby Keith concert, I have no right to get upset if he snarks on the Chicks. And vice versa.

[npincus]

44. yes.. but, not to parse

the guy could have anticipated that Babs would express her well-known views. That's true.

But her 'art' she produces is really apolitical- love songs, ballads, easy lsitening music, soundtracks, "Evergreen" comes to mind-- the art she produces is not political in nature and not designed to appeal to one particular politcal group over another. I'm sure there are people of all political stripes who enjoy her music. Just like I like to watch Clint Eastwood movies, though I know he is Republican. I enjoy his art, I don't think about his politics when i'm watching one of his flicks.

I don't want a society where art is performed for the enjoyment or understanding of like-minded individuals. Art that is political in nature, that is produced to convey a political message, is designed to incite a reaction or thoughtfulness in those who are of the same ilk and those who are not. Babs' art is not in that category.

Anyway, I don't see either as a big deal- Streisand voicing her politics, and some Repub guy in the audience who came to hear showtunes- responding. First amendment, both ways.

Being in the arts myself, that's my view and I'm stickin' to it!

:)

[Buzz Clik]

50. Exactly.

[blogslut]

28. Go Babs

:)

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

41. Does anyone know if Phil Parlock was in Madison Square

Garden last night? After all, he's what a would I consider a "professional heckler".

[Chiyo-chichi]

76. Just what I was thinkin'.

Somebody should be keeping tabs on him.

[Kahuna]

46. I love that woman. I get verklempt just thinking about her. She's

like butter. :loveya:

[barb162]

66. I wanted to see her when she comes here

but didn't want to cough up the $$$$$$$. Cheapest tickets available were a few hundred bucks. Like butter, you're right

[RB TexLa]

52. It really does go both ways. The fan and the performer

I really don't care to hear politics from those people, I'd prefer them to "just shut up and sing," on both sides of the aisle. But as a fan if I go to a Barbra Streisand or a Toby Keith concert I know they have political views and I might have to hear them speak about them at sometime, makes no sense for me to get that upset at something I know might happen. At the same time they should try to have some respect regarding the fact that I paid my money for a concert and not a speech.

[jarnocan]

59. performers use the F word frequently-WTF? this is such bu**sh**

[Greybnk48]

62. "Vulgar Babs" made me immediately think of Barbara Bush

I was surprized this was about Streisand. Good for her!!! Saying "f*ck" is a heck of a lot less vulgar than not caring about people dying from the heat and hungar and thirst (Katrina) because they're Black and/or poor (or Democrats). Now that's vulgar---Babs.

[ComerPerro]

72. well, they NEED to feel persecuted. And she was right

if the guy is disgusted or disappointed, why not just leave and ask for his money back?

He obviously came to heckle. Kind of sad that he spent that much money just to try to make a point. But he's surely a FReeper hero now.


I like Adam Sandler's handling of disruptors in "The Wedding Singer" even better:

"Well, I have a microphone, so you will listen to EVERY DAMN WORD I HAVE TO SAY!!!!"

[Garbo 2004]

73. Another article says the audience applauded when she dealt with the

heckler:

There was Streisand, enduring a smattering of loud jeers as she and "George Bush" - a celebrity impersonator - muddled through a skit that portrayed the president as a bumbling idiot.

Though most of the crowd offered polite applause during the slightly humorous routine, it had gone on a bit too long, especially for those who just wanted to hear Streisand sing like she had been doing for the past hour.

"Come on, be polite!" the well-known liberal implored during the sketch as she and "Bush" exchanged zingers. But one heckler wouldn't let up. And finally, Streisand let him have it.

"Shut the (expletive) up!" Streisand bellowed, drawing wild applause. "Shut up if you can't take a joke!" http://www.forbes.com/entrepreneurs/feeds/ap/2006/10/10/ap3079718.html

NY Post of course doesn't have an agenda. :eyes:

[Strawman]

77. That just made her cool in my book

Barbara Streisand dropping f-bombs on Republican assholes in the crowd...Kickass. I hope that's on her next live album that I'm forced to listen to in my mom's car.

[Rockholm]

83. Those damned Log Cabin Republicans.

Sellouts. Party over their own humanity.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

84. I Really Don't See How It Matters.

Firstly, I find this whole incident to be completely irrelevant.

Secondly, I don't think it's the comments of the fan people who do care about the story are concerned with. It was her responses to them. Though I find the incident and the comments of both to be completely irrelevant, I doubt those who found problem with her reaction find it of importance whatsoever who the person she said them to was. Whether the person was a 'professional heckler' or some regular joe her comments were what they were, no?

But like I said, I give a big 'who gives a shit' to this whole story.

[distantearlywarning]

85. So what?

Cheney used profanity on the floor. Just tell the Repukes that she was taking her example from him.

[Toucano]

88. "Shut the fuck up!"

Every Bushbot should hear that AT LEAST once a day.

From their grocer, barber, doctor, preacher, teacher, dog walker, trash collector, and YES concert performer.

Good for her!

[SpreadItAround]

93. The Freepers are going to have a ball with this one

Nothing like a LIEbrul celebrity to whip them up into a frenzy