The Ronstadt ruckus: Just who raised it?

Linda RONSTADT mentions a movie and its director during her performance, the Vegas crowd boos, throws drinks and defaces posters, and it is the artist who is escorted off the premises [“Ronstadt Causes Ruckus in Vegas,” July 20]. Glad to see that free speech is appreciated and valued in Sin City.

John Zavesky

Riverside

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This is not a free speech issue! Ronstadt is free to make political speeches when she is not being paid to sing. What if airline pilots were to include personal political speeches during their in-air announcements? I work as a nurse; I do not make political speeches to my patients. That’s not what I am being paid to do.

If Ronstadt would like to offer her concerts free, then she would no longer be obligated to give her paying audience the service or product they pay for.

Valerie Saenz

Sherman Oaks

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Your headline “Ronstadt Causes Ruckus in Vegas” is misleading. Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that closed-minded hooligans started the ruckus? Ronstadt was merely exercising her 1st Amendment right of free speech. The criminals were the people throwing glasses and destroying property.

Joanne and Al Abney

Northridge

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When I buy a ticket to a performance, I am expecting to escape the world for an hour or two. I am expecting to enjoy the talents of the performer I have selected and not be subjected to his/her political views just because I am part of a pseudo-captive audience.

In my opinion, Ronstadt owes her fans an apology for choosing a poor time to exercise her right of free speech.

Mark Graybill

Westlake Village

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Punishing an artist for exercising her right of free speech is appalling and a distinct violation of the principles that have made our nation great. I will no longer patronize the Aladdin and will urge my friends and associates to avoid the Aladdin until they issue a formal public apology to Rondstadt for their un-American behavior.

Mark Ward

Montrose

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Ronstadt’s dedication of the song “Desperado” to Michael Moore makes a lot of sense when you read the first line: “Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses?” Since he never will, I’d much prefer she recognize him with a rendition of “You’re No Good.”

Robert McArthur

Los Angeles