Last Saturday evening, singer Linda Ronstadt ("Blue Bayou," "You're No Good") was ejected from the Aladdin casino in Las Vegas after dedicating a song to liberal filmmaker Michael Moore and recommending the audience support his new film, Fahrenheit 9/11.
Ronstadt, who had been hired for a one night performance, dedicated her version of The Eagles hit "Desperado" to Moore and his controversial anti-George Bush documentary, which criticizes the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
According to casino spokeswoman Sara Gorgon, the dedication angered many of the Aladdin guests who threw drinks towards the stage, tore down her posters and demanded their money back.
"We had quite a scene at the box office," she told Reuters.
Gorgon claims about a quarter of the 4,500 people in the audience left the show before her performance had ended.
Ironically, Ronstadt had jokingly told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that she hoped that the performance would be her last at the casino.
"I keep hoping that if I'm annoying enough to them, they won't hire me back," she was quoted.
A statement issued by the Aladdin said Ronstadt had been "escorted out of the hotel" immediately after the show and said she would "not be welcomed back."
"Ms. Ronstadt was hired to entertain the guests of the Aladdin, not to espouse political views," the casino statement read.
Ronstadt has not commented on the issue. However, Moore posted the following open letter to President Aladdin Casino and Hotel Bill Timmins on his Website this morning:
Dear Mr. Timmins:
I understand from the news reports I've read that, after Linda Ronstadt, one of America's greatest singers, dedicated a song to me from your stage on Saturday night, you instructed your security guards to remove her from the Aladdin, which they did.
What country do you live in? Last time I checked, Las Vegas is still in the United States. And in the United States, we have something called "The First Amendment." This constitutional right gives everyone here the right to say whatever they want to say. All Americans hold this right as sacred. Many of our young people put on a uniform and risk their lives to defend it. My film is all about asking the questions that should have been asked before those brave soldiers were sent into harms way.
For you to throw Linda Ronstadt off the premises because she dared to say a few words in support of me and my film, is simply stupid and Un-American. Frankly, I have never heard of such a thing happening. I read that you wouldn't even let her go back up to her room at your hotel! Are you crazy? For crying out loud, it was a song DEDICATION! To "Desperado!" Every American loves that song! Sure, some people didn't like the dedication, and that's their right. But neither they nor you have the right to remove her from your building when all she did was exercise her AMERICAN right to speak her mind.
Of all the things that go on in Las Vegas, this is what creates the need for serious action? What about the other half of the crowd at the Aladdin who, according to the Las Vegas Sun, cheered her when she made her remarks? Did you throw them out, too?
I think you owe Ms. Ronstadt an apology. And I have an idea how you can make it up to her -- and to the millions of Americans you have offended. Invite her back and I'll join her in singing "America the Beautiful" on your stage. Then I will show "Fahrenheit 9/11" free of charge to all your guests and anyone else in Las Vegas who wants to see it.
Mr. Timmins, as the song "Desperado" says -- "Come to your senses!" How can you refuse this offer? I await your reply.
Yours,
Michael Moore
Director, Fahrenheit 9/11
