Madonna drops swastika from France concert; backs Pussy Riot

World Aug. 22, 2012 - 11:31AM JST ( 15 )

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15 Comments

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Aizo YureiAug. 22, 2012 - 02:32PM JST

The ole bag-o-bones will back anything to keep herself in the trendy spotlight
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TigersTokyoDomeAug. 22, 2012 - 05:11PM JST

I was never a big fan of hers until this. Now I have a lot of respect for Madonna telling the truth - that Le Pen is a nazi disguised in patriotic politics. The Le Pen family are a disgrace to mankind. And nazis.
-3

MadvertsAug. 22, 2012 - 05:41PM JST

Madonna has enough issues to tackle in her own country if she really wants to.

What makes pop starts think they are qualified to make political statements?
1

TigersTokyoDomeAug. 22, 2012 - 07:47PM JST

What makes pop starts think they are qualified to make political statements?

I don't see the problem here. Madonna is quite rightly using her fame and stardom to shame a neo-nazi right wing party who use anti-semitism and anti-muslim rhetoric. They are not a political party. They are bigots. So good for her.
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MadvertsAug. 22, 2012 - 10:46PM JST

I'm sorry but calling Le Pen a "neo-Nazi" is ridiculous.

'They are not a political party'

Last time I checked they were. I get the impression you giving in to exaggeration somewhat.
0

TigersTokyoDomeAug. 22, 2012 - 11:50PM JST

Do I really have to spell it out? Le Pen is the leader of the French National Front. Their international description is 'extreme right-wing nationalism'. The French National Front is opposed to immigration (that means no non-French allowed to live or work in France in case you don't understand) and deportation for unemployed immigrants. Le Pen is against multi-culturism (that means different nationalities and religions living together) and she is for a 'French first' policy on jobs and accomodation. According to Le Pen an 'ethnic, religious category of nationality' (French) should have preferential treatment.

After reading the above manifesto, does it remind you of some other historical 'political party' in Germany around 1920..?
0

MadvertsAug. 23, 2012 - 12:15AM JST

You're howling at the wrong person, I certainly didn't vote for Le Pen, and I'm sure you're not French by your comments.

"Do I really have to spell it out?"

Yes, you do.

You've claimed the NF "are not a political party" which is so woefully wrong I don't know where to start. How did a party that isn't a party according to you get some 18 odd percent in the recent general election?

You claim that Marine le Pen is a "neo-Nazi", which is as ridiculous as our Republican nuts calling Obama a "Marxist".

She's a right wing idiot I'll agree, but she's only enjoying popular support through voter discontentment and economic woes. That is about the only comparison I see with Hitler's rise to power. I don't understand all the hyperbole when there is enough to criticise ze Front Nationale legitimately without making stupid comments.

If you want to worry about this woman then worry about the performance of the fool the French just put in office. If he really rides the pooch hard with his tax and spend lunacy then she's a shoe-in for 2017. Hopefully I'll have left Europe for good by then anyway :)
1

TigersTokyoDomeAug. 23, 2012 - 12:47AM JST

No fingers pointed at you Madverts. But the daughter of Le Pen is far more dangerous than her father. He was fairly direct and you knew what he stood for. But she is hiding behind her democratic and republic face to earn the votes and that is far more intelligent and lethal from a far right politician.
1

MadvertsAug. 23, 2012 - 01:02AM JST

"But the daughter of Le Pen is far more dangerous than her father."

What facts led you to that opinion (honest question)?

As far as I could tell she has pushed out the more radical, racist elements of the old guard from her father's era and it was exactly that which helped her appeal to younger voters. I find all these radical types to be the same - all mouth but nothing of substance. They have no real program behind them, other than seizing current issues to which disenchanted voters have been drawn too.

There is a hoohar over immigration in France and the whole EU, and it is an issue that the EU needs to address urgently (but sensibly) about the influx of illegal immigrants but the problem begins in Greece and works it way up to the UK. I submit that the more our EU politicians dither about taking massive tax free salaries at our expense while achieving absolutely nothing other than creating more debt, the more far right parties across Europe will gather strength.

I don't think someone like Madonna helps the situation. I imagine she's pretty clueless to the reality on the ground as the Nazi slogan (which she pulled BTW) shows. That is why I go with Aizo Yurei's initial post that she is actually making a stand for herself and her waning popularity not through altruistic reasons. Let's not forget she also made her latest tour sound like an ecstasy tablet.....MDNA. Pretty desperate if you ask me.

The only artists I have ever really known to successfully mix music with poetry and political fervour are Pink Floyd, and even then that is what tore the group apart.
1

globalwatcherAug. 23, 2012 - 01:08AM JST

It is very regrettable Madonna was very insensitive to history. French suffered too much during WWII while Hitler invaded France.. I just do not see any connection between Madonna wearing swastika to her propaganda protesting against Russian government.

Was she ill advised or is she simply stupid? Whatever....

Well, I am glad she is finally learning the history of France. It is very humiliating that she is a branding image of America telling the world how stupid Americans really are. Shame on Madonna.
0

gelendestrasseAug. 23, 2012 - 01:49AM JST

I have to agree that Madonna will stoop to anything for self promotion and that her rather skewed world view - a little difficult to understand the middle class when you are uber rich - makes her a very poor commentator on politics. But there are people who will slavishly follow her lead just like they follow LePen. Funny how both extremes are, in reality, different sides of the same coin. Putin is probably laughing at them both.
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WolfpackAug. 23, 2012 - 07:25AM JST

Comparing a person whose politics you do not like to one of the worst mass murders in history is stupid. Therefore, Madonna is stupid.
1

AlternateUniverseAug. 23, 2012 - 07:39AM JST

So was the swastika the problem, or the fact that it appeared on a politician's forehead?
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Tuntematon SotilasAug. 24, 2012 - 04:34AM JST

Le Pen is not a Nazi. That's like saying Obama is Hitler, or a Communist. It's completely untrue no matter how you slice it. Do you know who's a Nazi? The leader of the Greek party Golden Dawn. They're much more like ACTUAL Nazis. Just look at their symbols and their views towards the Holocaust. You can't be a Nazi and support Israel the way Le Pen does. Madonna should be ashamed of herself. Apparently, if someone did not want 10,000,000 foreigners to live in their country they must be a Nazi.
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sfjp330Aug. 24, 2012 - 05:11AM JST

Madonna is a American, and she is the guest in other countries. She should respect the sensitivity of their country and the issues. Few years ago, in a performance of a song, Just Like A Prayer, there were burning crosses in the back ground. It was an image about racism. Rome's Catholic, Muslim and Jewish leaders condemn Madonna of mock-crucifixion.