Andrea Bocelli may be blind, but even he could clearly see the writing on the wall. The gifted Italian tenor knew that his career would take a big-time hit if he dared to perform at Donald Trump's upcoming inauguration.
After initial reports that Bocelli would take part in the celebration, he was savaged by left-wingers on social media and warned by his fellow performers.
Bocelli is just one of many entertainers who have been intimidated in this 2017 version of a blacklist. Too strong a term? Well, here's how Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines 'blacklist:' A list of persons who are disapproved of or are to be punished or boycotted.
And that is precisely what has happened in the entertainment world since Donald Trump defeated Hollywood's leading woman. Don't believe us?
This was veteran actor and singer Robert Davi on Fox News this week: 'I know singers and artists that were for Trump but will not come out and say it because of the bias … This is the blacklist of the 50s, but in reverse.' There's that word again!
So who will be performing? The Radio City Rockettes will be on hand (or leg?) to dance. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is also scheduled to sing, as is America's Got Talent star Jackie Evancho. How nasty is the left? Nasty enough to flood the 16-year-old Evancho with vicious hate messages.
But what about all the other big-name entertainers? They have politely said no. Or not so politely. Elton John declared, 'Why not ask Ted f-ing Nugent or one of those f-ing country stars?' Very beknighted of you, Sir Elton.
Could it be that some celebrities are simply standing on principle because they disagree with the President-elect? No doubt, but their 'principles' can be very, very flexible. Consider the following:
- Rapper Nicki Minaj gladly accepted $2-million to perform for the brutal dictator of Angola.
- Jennifer Lopez sang 'Happy Birthday' to the thuggish leader of Turkmenistan, described as 'one of the world's most repressive countries.'
- Beyonce actually helped the murderous sons of Muammar Gaddafi ring in the New Year in 2010, charging a million bucks for five songs.
- Mariah Carey also charged $1-million to help one of the Gaddafi son's celebrate New Year's Eve. Presumably her earpiece was working that night and she didn't storm off the stage.
- Kanye West topped the despot charts by pocketing $3-million to rap at the wedding of Kazakhstan's brutal tyrant.
Were any of them placed on some sort of blacklist by their ever-so-socially-conscious colleagues? Did they lose any bookings? Did they feel shame? No, no, and not that we can tell.
It's not merely that Hollywood types disapprove of Donald Trump's policies, some are actively trying to sabotage his presidency before it has begun. A band of minor actors is now in a video begging Congress to 'obstruct, obstruct, obstruct.' They seem blissfully unaware of how much the foolish antics of narcissists like Lena Dunham, Madonna, and Katy Perry alienated working Americans. But, hey, it gives them street cred, at least on the mean streets of Rodeo Drive and Santa Monica Boulevard.
Keep in mind that we are talking about the Inauguration of the President of the United States, a man who was fairly elected by the American citizens. This deserves to be celebrated as a peaceful transfer of power, something that is very rare around the world. Look no further than the nations in which Beyoncé and Kanye and Mariah strutted their stuff.
Of course, entertainers have every right to withhold their talents. But it is downright un-American that many are facing intimidation and threats. Does this qualify as full-fledged McCarthyism? Not really, because no one in government is accusing these people of treason or restricting their speech. But let's just say that the late Senator Joseph McCarthy, whose name is synonymous with repression, would probably admire their tactics.
Tail Gunner Joe might even be lifting a glass or two and toasting today's left-wing bullies with a Mariah Carey song: 'We Belong Together.' Yes, yes you do.
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