http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9757841-7.html

AT&T calls censorship of Pearl Jam lyrics a mistake

Posted by Marguerite Reardon

Apparently, saying disparaging things about President George Bush is enough to get you censored. At least that's what happened to the band Pearl Jam Sunday night during AT&T's Webcast of the Lollapalooza concert in Chicago.

 

According to fans who watched the concert on AT&T's Blue Room Web site, portions of the song "Daughter," in which singer Eddie Vedder altered lyrics to include anti-Bush sentiments, were bleeped out. The lyrics came during a segue into Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall."

 

The lyrics that were missing from the Web cast went like this:

 

"George Bush, leave this world alone; George Bush find yourself another home."

 

Pearl Jam was outraged. And the band railed against AT&T on its blog Wednesday for censoring the song.

 

I'm not a very political person but knew this could be a hot topic on here. I also saw on MTV where they said that other bands such as the Flaming Lips did NOT have anti-Bush remarks censored. What do you think? Censorship or actual mistake? Remember, Eddie Vedder is very outspoken against Bush.

They didn't censor the Dixie Chicks over their outragouse comments and photos I can't see this, not in America

On the one hand, AT&T is footing the bill for all that. If they don't want it on their site, they have every right to block it, and Pearl Jam and everyone else can go pound sand. You and I practice censorship in our homes everyday, 'Ru practices censorship right here on this site. This is not government censorship, and Pearl Jam turns this into another one of their "causes" because the edited material was 'George Bush.'

 

On the other hand, I agree with Pearl Jam that companies that reap big profits off of advertising underwriting of concerts, et. al., need to expect some level of this and don't need to have zealots in the editing booth ready to strike at perceived slights. I really don't even agree with editing out cuss words.

On the one hand, AT&T is footing the bill for all that. If they don't want it on their site, they have every right to block it, and Pearl Jam and everyone else can go pound sand. You and I practice censorship in our homes everyday, 'Ru practices censorship right here on this site. This is not government censorship, and Pearl Jam turns this into another one of their "causes" because the edited material was 'George Bush.'

 

On the other hand, I agree with Pearl Jam that companies that reap big profits off of advertising underwriting of concerts, et. al., need to expect some level of this and don't need to have zealots in the editing booth ready to strike at perceived slights. I really don't even agree with editing out cuss words.

 

IF AT&T had censored all acts' anti-Bush lyrics, I'd say there was credibility in their action. As they seem to have selectively censored, I think it blows that credibility.

IF AT&T had censored all acts' anti-Bush lyrics, I'd say there was credibility in their action. As they seem to have selectively censored, I think it blows that credibility.

 

Actually, I agree with the blog article author that the one-time occurrence indicates that the editing was a mistake rather than intentional.

Actually, I agree with the blog article author that the one-time occurrence indicates that the editing was a mistake rather than intentional.

 

:lol: Now you tell me! :lol: You could have said that in your first post!

They didn't censor the Dixie Chicks over their outragouse comments and photos I can't see this, not in America

Maybe I misunderstand what censor is....but I could have sworn that the Dixie Chicks were censored by most, if not all, country music radio stations. They were almost completely destroyed by their remarks.

 

Of course, we all know what I think of all of this............if anyone needs to be censored...it would be Bush himself.

At least Pearl Jams lyrics are truthful, unlike what we hear from the white house.

This is THE one thing I dislike about PJ. I said to the guys with me that were watching the webcast at one point, "Just sing Eddie...".

 

Although, changing lyrics in a song doesn't bother me as much as preaching about your political views between songs. They even wrote a song to ask people to stop buying gas from BP.

I dislike George Bush as much as the next Democrat does but to stand up fora band like Pearl Jam . Really!!

This is THE one thing I dislike about PJ. I said to the guys with me that were watching the webcast at one point, "Just sing Eddie...".

 

Although, changing lyrics in a song doesn't bother me as much as preaching about your political views between songs. They even wrote a song to ask people to stop buying gas from BP.

 

Well said. I love Pearl Jam; they've been my favorite band for about fifteen years now. I've got every album and been to every show within 200 miles! But sometimes they get too preachy. I understand causes, I understand speaking out, and I understand anti-war (I'm very much anti-war myself); but often Pearl Jam (specifically Ed...it sometimes seems that Mike, Stone, Jeff and Matt are along for the ride) spend an entire show preaching when they could have given the crowd another song or two.

 

Since they've matured and gained wealth and women, some topics can no longer truthfully be made into songs. So their material seems to be very politically focused, which just tends to be tiresome.

I'm always amazed that anyone even cares what the political views are of a rock band or a Hollywood celebrity. Especially when they can log on to BGP and check out my views. It should carry about the same amount of weight.

The fact that anyone would be interested in anything said by Pearl Jam or the Dixie Chicks says a lot about the state of this country. Possibly we could get the learned thoughts of Paris Hilton or Sean Penn.

The fact that anyone would be interested in anything said by Pearl Jam or the Dixie Chicks says a lot about the state of this country. Possibly we could get the learned thoughts of Paris Hilton or Sean Penn.

Or Rush Limbaugh:banana:

I'm always amazed that anyone even cares what the political views are of a rock band or a Hollywood celebrity. Especially when they can log on to BGP and check out my views. It should carry about the same amount of weight.

 

Yet, if they espouse the views you hold, you'll be fine with an entertainer speaking out on his/her views. (Not just you specifically, you collectively)

 

IE-Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwar...., Fred Thompson.