# World's Weirdest Grudge Match: Elton John v. The Dalai Lama **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 24, 2001, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-weirdest-grudge-match-elton-john-v-the-dalai-lama/89241 "2001-10-24T03:08:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-weirdest-grudge-match-elton-john-v-the-dalai-lama/89241/21 "2001-10-24T18:26:40Z")
i haven’t said it yet, but i’m sure i’ll say it again: i hate elton john. ---
**Author:** ![Drastic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Drastic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drastic)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-weirdest-grudge-match-elton-john-v-the-dalai-lama/89241/22 "2001-10-24T23:18:40Z")
> [@](#): > > Well, to some extent, Elton John’s got a point. I mean, the TV shows were interviewing every goddamn military and war expert they could get their hands on, just after the attack. We never heard from any credible, experienced, respected advocates of peaceful resolution. To that extent, the Dalai Lama has left it to the amateurs to advocate a legitimate (although decidedly unfamiliar, to the U.S.) worldview. Which makes it easier for people to dismiss them as freaks and unrealistic nutjobs. > … > Back the rant at hand. At any rate, however, maybe the DL is good to lie low. I know many people have felt that any expression of peace is insensitive to those who have suffered from the 9/11 tragedies. I disagree pretty strongly with that, but the sentiment on the other side is strong and persistent. If the DL spoke out, he’d probably be labeled a huge prick by a lot of people. One of the folds of the eightfold path is “right speech.” It’s a recognition and ongoing committment to the fact (belief, if generic-you would prefer) that the words a person utters have an impact on the world. Generally speaking, it boils down to speaking such that it, as much as possible, does not increase the amount of misery in the world. Part of that, I think, lies in not shoving one’s speech into others’ ears–it rests in speaking, and letting others hear when they’re ready to. I doubt he’s “lying low”–I think rather that he’s simply never been all that interested in grabbing a media spotlight. He wrote a letter of deep regret and sympathy, and made a sizeable donation. I’m quite positive that he’d be happy to discuss his views on peace with those who ask him–just not to use the power he does have by status to force spotlights onto him. He’s one of those people I’m sorry I most likely won’t ever get a chance to meet. Elton John, on the other hand, is just another celebrity. Couldn’t care less about that. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2001, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-weirdest-grudge-match-elton-john-v-the-dalai-lama/89241/23 "2001-10-24T23:24:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*Re: the OP. Yikes! As **Matt** pointed out, any gay guy who pals with Eminem and disses the Dalai Lama needs to get booted out of the gay club. For shame! > > \*\* No way, guys. If we can’t pawn an occasional Falwell or Phelps off on your team, we can’t be expected to take your guys when they get out of line, now can we? 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worlds-weirdest-grudge-match-elton-john-v-the-dalai-lama/89241.md?page=1)