# Censorship at the Grammys: CBS executives to forbid anti-war statements **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 21, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652 "2003-02-21T22:38:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2003, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/1 "2003-02-21T22:38:49Z")
[From Drudge](http://www.drudgereport.com/cbs.htm) > [@](#): > > \*\*Top CBS executives are deeply concerned that Sunday night’s GRAMMY Awards may turn from a celebration of music – into a giant anti-war political rally, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned. > > The GRAMMY broadcast, which is set to air live from New York City, will feature performances by Eminem, Sheryl Crow, Springsteen, Coldplay, James Taylor and others. > > Word has reached network suites how one star is allegedly planning a dramatic anti-war gesture.\*\* God forbid rock mucisians make political statements. You would have never caught Bob Dylan doing that, or Neil Young or John Lennon. One self-righteous douche bag has this to say > [@](#): > > **"I would hope the artists will remember they are on stage because of their music,"** Music is a form of political expression, Fuckbubble > [@](#): > > \*\* > The CBS executive warned microphones may be unplugged on Sunday night if live performances turn political. > > “It, of course, is a final option [to cut the microphone.] But it’s a very real option,” said the top source, who demanded anonymity. > > “There is a time for political commentary, this is not one of them!”\*\* Really? The brink of war is not the time for political commentary? Then when the fuck is the time. pray tell? Fuck these gutless assholes. I hope this thing turns into an unplugged marathon of anti-war monologues. I hope Springsteen plays “War.” If rock muscians can’t make anti-war statements then the terrorists really have won. ---
**Author:** ![Antimanics](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/71c47a/32.png) [@Antimanics](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antimanics)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2003, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/2 "2003-02-21T22:56:14Z")
CBS does not want celebrities to use the GRAMMY Awards as a soapbox, seems reasonable to me. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2003, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/3 "2003-02-21T23:17:52Z")
I agree with Antimanics. If they want to spout off on a political topic, they can do so in any number of ways. There’s no need to hijack an awards show just to get your views out there. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2003, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/4 "2003-02-21T23:27:41Z")
I also agree. It is a night to celebrate the best in the business, and honor creativity and service to the music industry. There is a time and a place for the political statements, and the Grammy Awards is neither. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2003, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/5 "2003-02-21T23:44:55Z")
Does anyone even watch the Grammys? ---
**Author:** ![SweetLucy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@SweetLucy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetLucy)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2003, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/6 "2003-02-21T23:49:03Z")
CBS can kiss my ass! :mad: But then I forget- nowadays, if one believes in freedom of speech and thought then that person must be a dangerous terrorist who should die!!! We’ve gotten to be like a nation of damn sissified sheep. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/7 "2003-02-22T00:00:53Z")
This isn’t a freedom of speech issue, it is an appropriate time and place issue. ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/8 "2003-02-22T00:02:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SweetLucy \* > \*\*CBS can kiss my ass! :mad: But then I forget- nowadays, if one believes in freedom of speech and thought then that person must be a dangerous terrorist who should die!!! We’ve gotten to be like a nation of damn sissified sheep. :rolleyes: \*\* This is not a freedom of speech issue, as neither CBS nor The Grammys are the government. ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/9 "2003-02-22T00:05:09Z")
Or, what **Gangster Octopus** just said. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/10 "2003-02-22T00:23:24Z")
**C1505:** _It is a night to celebrate the best in the business, and honor creativity and service to the music industry. There is a time and a place for the political statements, and the Grammy Awards is neither._ Really? They didn’t seem to mind providing a soapbox last year for [Recording Academy president Michael Greene](http://www.eonline.com/Features/Awards/Grammys2002/Blow/index9.html) to make political statements about music piracy: > [@](#): > > With that, Greene breaks into some dicier territory: “In recent years, industry consolidation…has created a disturbing disconnect. But no question, the most insidious virus is piracy on the 'Net. This illegal file-sharing and ripping of music is out of control…and oh so criminal.” > > Greene then introduces “three college-age students,” who were asked to spend three days downloading as many song files as possible. “In a couple of days, they’ve downloaded nearly 6,000 songs,” Greene warns. > > The grand total elicits a couple cheers from the crowd, but Greene isn’t flustered. “This problem is not going to be solved in short order,” he says, calling it a “life-or-death” issue. > > At least he didn’t say Napster was “letting the terrorists win.” Sounds like CBS doesn’t have a problem with political statements in the Grammys, as long as they happen to be political statements that CBS endorses. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/11 "2003-02-22T00:29:56Z")
Where is SOY BOMB when we need him? ---
**Author:** ![Doc\_Nickel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@Doc\_Nickel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Nickel)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/12 "2003-02-22T00:35:13Z")
Well, considering the advertisers that jumped ship when Bill Mahr insinuated (and that’s about all he did) the military were cowards and the terrorists were ‘courageous’ (freely admit it got blown out of proportion like the whole Al Gore/Internet thing) and the subsequent cancellation/rehosting of the show, I’d say CBS has a legit worry. Next, CBS pays the bills and provides the broadcast for the show. They can, if they want, tell those that attend that there will be certain restrictions. This isn’t censorship- not in the Constitutional way anyway- it’s business. Those attending are free not to attend- just as those concerned about being searched at a concert or when parking near a Post Office (both detailed on these pages recently) are free to not attend the concert or take their business elsewhere. And last, considering that most of these so-called celebrities know just as much about this potential war as I do (meaning very little past what’s publicly published and broadcast) and considering that surprisingly few celebs have whole divisions of intelligence-gathering operatives, don’t see the U2 mission photographs and don’t have their own constellations of KH-11 surveillance satellites, why is their _opinion_ any more important than anyone elses’? Eminem’s gonna be at the Grammys? That must mean his opinion on the potential Iraq War is more important than, say, 50 Cent’s. I assume that also means Springsteens’ opinion is more important than Pete Townsends, or David Gilmores’. ---
**Author:** ![Doc\_Nickel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5fc32e/32.png) [@Doc\_Nickel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doc_Nickel)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/13 "2003-02-22T00:40:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kimstu \* > \*\*Sounds like CBS doesn’t have a problem with political statements in the Grammys, as long as they happen to be political statements that CBS endorses. \*\* -Recording-industry people speaking out against what they see as recorded-media theft during a recording-industry event, is political? That seems an odd definition of politics. ---
**Author:** ![Rhum\_Runner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rhum\_Runner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhum_Runner)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/14 "2003-02-22T00:45:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SweetLucy \* > \*\*CBS can kiss my ass! :mad: But then I forget- nowadays, if one believes in freedom of speech and thought then that person must be a dangerous terrorist who should die!!! We’ve gotten to be like a nation of damn sissified sheep. :rolleyes: \*\* God but you are an idiot. You are obviously not aware what freedom of speech means. Before you jerk your knees, why don’t you go finish the third grade. Fucking moron. ---
**Author:** ![Truth\_Seeker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5fc32e/32.png) [@Truth\_Seeker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truth_Seeker)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/15 "2003-02-22T01:07:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*Music is a form of political expression, Fuckbubble. \*\* I’m sorry, but this just ruined your whole rant for me. Popular music is about as political as breakfast cereal. It’s all about marketing, even rap. Anyway, I, too, get incredibly annoyed at celebrities who use media access to spout fuzzy drivel that for many (though not all) passes for an intelligent opinion. Sorry, but I’d much rather hear a debate by a handful of random dopers than listen to Britney Spears babbling trite, half-baked opinions. On the other hand, [maybe she doesn’t get enough credit.](http://britneyspears.ac/lasers.htm) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@The\_Tim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tim)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/16 "2003-02-22T01:13:35Z")
I’m reminded of a classic SNL skit with, I believe, the Oscars being hijacked for political speeches. Dan Akroid as Jimmy Carter condemns individuals who use the oppertunity of an award ceremony to honor creative achievement and not spout political rhetoric. I think CBS should try to keep the grammys on topic. If I want to hear about politics I’ll watch C-SPAN. If I want to see worthless statues being passed out I’ll watch the grammys. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/17 "2003-02-22T01:17:09Z")
I agree with other’s that CBS’s edict is reasonable. I do however wish they would let celebrities soapbox because I’d have a better idea of who to hate. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/18 "2003-02-22T01:18:15Z")
other’s, oh boy. Where was that thread about grammar and old age? ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/19 "2003-02-22T01:19:51Z")
> [@](#): > > ## quote: > > ## “I would hope the artists will remember they are on stage because of their music,” > > Music is a form of political expression, Fuckbubble Sadly, this is far from true, at least as far as the artists who will be at the Grammys. Neither **Pink** , nor **Britney Spears** , nor **Norah Jones** , nor the **Dixie Chicks** , nor **Ashanti** , nor **'NSYNC** have based their careers in any way on political expression. The truly sad thing about this is that in this case, you’re wrong and the exec is right (at least as far as what the music is about). ---
**Author:** ![petcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5fc32e/32.png) [@petcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/petcat)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2003, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652/20 "2003-02-22T01:29:47Z")
Corporations may not want artists to speak freely, either informed or drivelous, but that’s what free speech is about, the freedom to say what you want, however inappropriate. There may be consequences, such as the mic being unplugged or a contract being revoked, but that’s the price you pay for freedom. It’s about time some celebrities used that precious and expensive air time to voice some anti-war sentiment, the mainstream media isn’t doing it. How much better would we think of any pop diva who spoke intelligently for the need for America to show the world that peace is more important than killing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/censorship-at-the-grammys-cbs-executives-to-forbid-anti-war-statements/156652.md?page=2)