Posted on 03/24/2006 8:24:13 AM PST by areafiftyone
B>Liverpool poet Roger McGough has pulled out of a gala concert to welcome Condoleezza Rice to the city, amid protests by anti-war campaigners.
The US Secretary of State arrives in Liverpool later this month as part of an official visit to the UK.
McGough was due to compere a performance by the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.
Anti-war campaigners, including the Merseyside Stop the War Coalition, are expected to protest outside the event.
McGough is former member of 1960s pop band The Scaffold, along with Paul McCartney's brother Mike. Their most memorable hit was Lily the Pink.
McGough said he did not want to take sides over the issue.
A spokesman for the poet said: "What started out as a celebration of the city's ocean-crossing cultural life has morphed inevitably into a vigorous single-issue debate over the rights and wrongs of the Iraq war.
"As an artist, Roger McGough has no appetite for crossing the scheduled picket line or being linked with a particular agenda, even less to an event which divides rather than unites public enthusiasm locally.
'Man of conscience'
"With regret therefore, he is withdrawing from involvement in the evening concert."
McGough's unique style of poetry was nurtured in the clubs and coffee bars of the Toxteth district of Liverpool in the wake of Beatlemania.
Dr Rice is due to arrive in Liverpool on 31 March.
The Merseyside Stop the War Coalition wrote to McGough to praise him for his "very brave, honorable decision."
"I think it shows that you are a man of conscience and principle," wrote Mike Holt, the group's chair.
You just did, you idiot!
Nothing says git-R-done like a poet boycott.
WHO?
along with Paul McCartney's brother Mike
Oh, THAT Scaffold, riiight. Now I remember. NOT
Their most memorable hit was Lily the Pink.
For some reason I am drawing a blank - bwabwabwa
To Lily the Pink. The Pink. The Pink.
The Saviour of the Human Ra-a-ace!"
Let's compare the achievements of these people:
Rice: First female U.S. Secretary of State who has never been mistaken for a cleaning lady
McGough: Lame poet who no one has ever heard of
Case closed.
ANOTHER LIBERAL "PU--Y".
Anybody know what this poet's politics actually are? If he's taken a public stand on something, then he's probably a hypocrite for claiming to be above the fray.
ANOTHER CHILDISH LIBERAL "PU--Y".
Liverpool poet Roger McGough has pulled out of a gala concert to welcome Condoleezza Rice to the city, amid protests by anti-war campaigners.
What a spineless wimp!
This makes the news?????
Poet = Unemployed Jingle Writer
LOL On the BBC I guess it does.
Two words to the poet: SO WHAT!!!
Who cares if he shows up or not. Will the world stop turning? I doubt it.
Racist.
"This makes the news?????"
Just what I was thinking!! Ranks right up there with "dog bites man!" LOL!
"Dr. Rice! Dr.Rice!
You are not nice!
Just because your so smart
And make me look like a longhaired senile old Fart!
Dr. Rice! Dr.Rice!
Your Foreigner's 'Cold As Ice!
Because your the most powerful woman in the land!
And I am talentless to even write Green Eggs and Ham!
Dr. Rice! Dr.Rice!"
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