Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Apparently Mr. Donohue Forgot The Definition Of Free Speech Again

The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights is up in arms over an off Broadway show featuring Twisted Sister drummer A.J. Pero entitled "Stairway to Hell". The synopsis is a band called WARTHOG "is tragically killed during their botched attempt to break the world record for onstage pyrotechnics. Somehow on the journey to the afterlife, they accidentally end up in heaven. Faced with the horror of an eternity in Heaven, our band of hard rockers petition the Devil for one last concert here on earth to prove to him they belong in Hell. This final concert is STAIRWAY TO HELL.". You can take a peak of a promotional video for the show here. Wow, it looks like some of G.W.A.R.'s early stuff to me, nothing that hasn't been done before.

What gets me is good old Catholic League president Bill Donohue's comments about the show, especially THIS SENTENCE:"It is sickening to note that some young Americans think freedom means the right to insult, degrade and abuse the sensibilities of Christians."

OK, I think ol' Bill has every right to say what he thinks about the show. That's his right of free speech protected under the First Amendment. What Bill has forgotten is that the same Amendment that allows him to protest this show also allows the people behind this show to perform it for the public. The public also has the right to not to go and see it if they are offended. The best way to hurt a performer is in the pocket. If you don't like it don't go. The more they complain and protest, that's more free publicity for the show. Plus if they keep ranting about it, you're gonna have people going just to see what the fuss is about.

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