By Dan Miller
May 3, 2007
Not everyone will agree with the premise of my pondering.... but I'm struggling to understand something.
Why in the world was singer Joan Baez banned from a scheduled performance for recovering troops at Walter Reed Army Hospital?
Last week, she'd been invited by John Mellencamp to join him in a show for sick and wounded patients at Walter Reed.... but hospital officials wouldn't let her perform, telling Mellencamp that Joan Baez "can't fit here, period."
Now, I don't mean to get into the middle of a political squabble, but I'm troubled by the perception that this woman -- who has spoken so often for "peace" -- is barred from entertaining men and women who have paid a heavy price trying to bring "peace" to the middle east.
Why is a person who promotes "nonviolence" automatically categorized as someone who doesn't appreciate and support our troops.... or even as "un-American"?
Have we reached a point where we must be vocally "pro-war" or even "pro-violence" to be considered good, solid American citizens?
About 15 years ago I interviewed Joan Baez on my TNN show, and I wrote here in my Notebook a couple of years ago (A DIAMOND WITH NO RUST) about what a pleasant and thoughtful person I found her to be.... a person who not only loves her country and the opportunities it has provided for her.... but has high hopes for what she believes this country and the world can be.
Sure, back in the 1960s she was critical of the Vietnam war, and felt our military shouldn't stay there.... but she was in harmony with millions of good Americans.
And, as I recall, she never once slammed or criticized the young men and women serving there.... it was the war she criticized.
Now, in 2007, at a time when the vast majority of Americans feel we should bring our troops home from Iraq.... out of harm's way.... why is a person like Joan Baez -- so dedicated to peace and nonviolence -- considered "unfit" to be around sick and wounded troops who're working toward that same noble goal?
Somebody help me understand.
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