Boos for Bush silenced at AMA?

MSNBC.com ^ | 1/15/03 | Jeanette Walls

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Did ABC censor a crowd’s disapproval of George H. Bush? The former president — and father of the current president — delivered a taped message at the American Music Awards on Monday night, and sources who were there tell The Scoop that the crowd booed him.

WHEN THE BAND Alabama received the Award of Merit, the elder Bush’s face appeared on screen. “I’m very proud to be part of tonight’s tribute honoring one of the most highly successful bands country music has ever known,” said the former president, but his image was met with a loud chorus of boos. One source says Randy Owen, the lead singer for the band, was “pretty shaken” by the crowd’s reaction.

The boos from the crowd, however, were not audible in the broadcast, leading some to believe that they were deleted by censors. “To be honest, I can’t tell you,” a spokesman for ABC told The Scoop, who referred the question to a spokesman for the production company.

[San Jacinto]

It's about the editing.

You are correct. And it's about the motivation for the editing. In one case to protect hillary, and in the other case to protect the "entertainment" program itself from controversy.

[hellinahandcart]

I find it hard to believe that ABC edited boos for Bush (unless it was to AMPLIFY them),

Me too, especially remembering the World Series in 2001 when Bush was supposed to throw out the first pitch, and Peter Jennings could barely suppress his glee at the thought that the Yankee Stadium crowd might boo him.

But I'm confused---the awards weren't broadcast live? If they were, I don't see how boos could be "censored" except by turning down the sound on the crowd; which would probably have been done in advance for a taped message.

The point being, even if the sound was turned down, if there was audible applause there'd still be audible boos too.

[ruppertdog]

I'm sure Alabama was disgusted. I saw them this summer and they are a great live show. They are are also patriotic Americans who are from Ft. Payne, Alabama, not Hollyweird

[dennisw]

Dude can't be all bad.

[Constitutional Patriot]

I'm sure the 50 or so people nation-wide who were watching at home were booing too.

[San Jacinto]

Ya--hoo! Go, Pat Go! (And I ain't no Buchananite.)

[Citizen of the United States]

I frankly fail to see how you could interpret my comment as being defensive of General Noriega. I detest the General, and I similarly have contempt for the Central Intelligence Agency for having helped to install him in power in the first place -- and I have contempt for George Herbert Walker Bush, who, as Director of Central Intelligence, gave General Noriega a pay raise.

"A job well done"? The CIA and Citizen Bush created a mess in Panamá, and then used grossly excessive force in Operation JUST CAUSE to clean it up. I see nothing in the entire affair that could be described as "a job well done". JUST CAUSE wouldn't have been needed had not poor decisions been made in dealing with Panamá in the first place.

[new cruelty]

If indeed there was booing, keep in mind, this is the same crowd that booed Republicans during the Wellstone 'We Will Win' Festival.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I think that neither incident should have been edited. Anyone watching should know what firefighters and policemen think of Hillary Clinton, and what limousine liberals think of George H. Bush.

Could not agree more.

[Citizen of the United States]

I am disappointed that you should think that necessary, sir. I regret that you have such a low opinion of me, but I suppose I cannot help that one way or another.

It is often said that even a broken clock is right twice a day. If I must join drug addicts and harlots in having a less than kind opinion of a man, then I suppose I must. But I assure you that it is for different reasons, and I approve of neither party.

[Centurion2000]

Well let's see.... GHWB is reviled by the Dems because he's a pubbie. He's reviled by the wealthy for raising taxes. He's reviled by gunowners for the assault weapons bans passed in his term. He's reviled by America firsters for his New World Order comments.

Why wouldn't he get booed?? He's a pubbie equivalent of Judas Iscariot.

[wbill]

If I were George H. Bush, I would consider it a badge of honor to be bood by the likes of them.

I suspect that he could give a rat's a$$ what they think. Those that are booing will never vote for him or support his ideas.

These small-minded peons are only displaying themselves for what they are. If they choose to do it on National TV, so much the better. Look what happened in Minnesota - Dems turned a memorial service into a Bush-bashing poltical rally. The next week they were tossed out on their ear.

Last I checked, Bush's popularity was still around 60%. This is an absolutely incredible number, when you consider the 40/40 rule. (40% of the people always vote Republican, 40% always vote Democrat, 20% swing. To quote Tom Clancy, it doesn't matter if Hitler was running against FDR, this is always the case.)

[Luis Gonzalez]

So, you find yourself cheering for the actions of a bunch of lefty entertainment types?

Do you also side with Barbra Streisand when she blasts Bush?

You and Babs, just two concerned Americans I guess.

[Citizen of the United States]

No, sir, I should not do so at all. I despise General Noriega, and others of his kind. Had he appeared on the screen in Citizen Bush's place, I should have boo-ed just as loudly, if not more so.

You -- and many others -- appear to ascribe to the fallcy of alternate syllogism: If not A, then B. If not B, then A.

I condemn Citizen Bush's actions; you conclude that I must approve of General Noriega's. Not so; non sequitur. Your logic is invalid. I can -- and do -- have equal measures of contempt for General Noriega and for Citizen Bush in the matter.

I fail to see why you conclude that I dislike the United States. I criticised the first Bush Administration; how does that translate to general hatred for the Union as a whole? Must I implicitly approve of every action taken by them? Must I support every operation?

If I condemned the United States' involvement in the Balkans under Citizen Clinton, would you demand that I leave? If I remarked that I would boo the former President for the actions taken in Serbia, would you conclude that I would cheer wildly had former President Milosevic appeared in Citizen Clinton's place?

[dts32041]

Don't worry the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) will get your beloved home land straighten out.

Then you can move back and celebrate your homeland they way it should be.

[ventana]

Tell it! V's wife.

[skeeter]

How do you feel about Jimmy Carter?

[shiva]

Last time I looked Panamá was still there. Bye! Don't let the door hit your culo.

[N. Theknow]

American Music Awards, huh?

Three cheers for Kazaa and other download sites.

[myrabach]

As much as I despised Clinton as president, I would not have bood him. I am proud that we have freedom of speech and can dissent and vote, but once an elected official is in office, I consider it my place as a citizen to act respectfully.

But then that kind of classiness is lost on audiences such as attending the music awards and those of your ilk.