Ricky Martin defends anti-Bush gesture

[RiverStone]

:applause:

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Ricky Martin, who was a headliner at the 2001 inauguration ball for President George W. Bush, has a message for the American commander in chief about war.

At a recent concert, the 35-year-old singer stuck up his middle finger when he sang the president's name in his song "Asignatura Pendiente," which includes the words, "a photo with Bush." The gesture last Friday prompted cheers from thousands of fans in the San Juan stadium.

On Thursday, the Puerto Rican heartthrob repeated his criticism of the Iraq war and explained his changed position on Bush.

"My convictions of peace and life go beyond any government and political agenda and as long as I have a voice onstage and offstage, I will always condemn war and those who promulgate it," Martin said about his action in an e-mail statement sent to The Associated Press via a spokesman.

full story:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/16/people.rickymartin.ap/index.html

[AlCzervik]

1. no need to defend it.

good on ya Ricky.

[saracat]

2. I think Ricky as are some country stars , opportunistically

changing sides to revive dead careers. Ricky may be a star in Puerto Rico but he hasn't been one in the US for a while.

[bahrbearian]

3. He should first apologize ,for supporting him in the 1st place.

All of a sudden he's against all war?

[AndyA]

8. In my opinion, that's all Martin needs to apologize for.

I think given the opportunity, most people would like to flip the bird to *.

[WinkyDink]

9. Ricky sang; he NEVER endorsed Bush. I've been a fan since 1999,

and I am a hard-core Democrat.

[DemoTex]

4. But the lede reads:"Ricky Martin defends giving Bush the finger."

Home page "Latest News" lede: http://www.cnn.com/

[lligrd]

5. Another News Story Had Him Defending "Obcene Gesture"

I find it funny that is is an obcene gesture when someone does it to the pResident but when the pResident does it to reporters it a "thumbs up" gesture. How many photos of Dumya are there with him displaying the gesture? And when Cheney says it to a member of Congress it is hardly even news worthy.

[AspenRose]

6. I ain't mad at him

Good for him.

[partylessinOhio]

7. Way to go, Ricky Chick!

[KharmaTrain]

10. The Feeling's Mutual I'm Sure...

Puerto Rico has had to send their sons and daughters into the meatgrinder that is the "deciders" war of choice. The big difference is these people had no vote, no say in the matter. They still have limited participation in some House committees, but they have no true voice...just a delegate who sits in the House and tries to look busy.

Hispanics were wooed by the Repugnicans big time in '00...and in the wake of the Elian Gonzalez fiasco, the GOOP thought they could buy proxies and friends...which did get his assholiness around 40% of the Hispanic vote. That was then. He never delivered on promises...and then launched wars that Puerto Ricans have been dragged into with no redress. Sadly, this is all that the Puerto Rican people can say or do right now.

[treestar]

11. The freepers should have no problem with this

Unlike the Dixie Chicks, it was done on U.S. soil! :sarcasm: :rofl: