If she were in a dirt bar singing this stuff and went off on a leftist rant in the middle of her set, she would get booed right offstage, and not collect her payday, and we would all nod and understand completely.
"I'd like to introduce my keyboard player Jimmy, give him a hand folks... he doesn't care if half of you don't care about the state of the country. Get up and dance people, unless you don't care about the landmines issue. Oh and please tip the waitresses, you morons."
Stipe once stopped a concert to complain about the brand of beer some fan was drinking. I don't get it: if we tell him to shut up and just sing, it's some kind of quashing of debate, but if Stipe wants to instruct the mob on what beers are politically correct it's not acting oppressive at all.
If they don't want certain people in the audience, or if they expect some sort of group-think, well I think they should print that on the tickets.
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