where the SmartPower generation connects

concert

Sun, 10/28/2012 - 6:49pm

Ah, Madonna is back in the news yet again this week.  Most of the comment-sphere is not surprised on this one, though it does continue to bring up issues about celebrities making their political views known.  Many people are just not comfortable with this behavior believing that entertainers (though citizens) should entertain without ever an intersection of politics. Many entertainers, of course, do not subscribe to this point of view and refuse to be silenced.  Is it because we rarely hear much from celebs when it's not a presidential election year?  Look for this to become a greater talking point as social issues and notoriety converge in the new era.  In the meantime, we have to agree with the last comment:  Republicans go to Madonna concerts?!?  LOL

During her performance in New Orleans, Madonna asked the crowd whether or not they had registered to vote. Subsequently she said she was ambivalent as to who they voted for as long as it was President Barack Obama.  Media reports that the statement drew boos from the crowd and caused many to walk out. This is not the first of Madonna's public acts, she also repeatedly flashed her breasts at a concert in Paris, painted a swastika on leader Marine Le Pen's forehead and caused controversy doing a strip-tease tribute to Malala. Is the comment sphere surprised by this act, or is not one truly shocked by Madonna any longer? 

What Others Are Saying...

Hey if a loser like Ted Nugent can tell President Obama to "suck this!" (referring to a gun) during a concert, this seems pretty tame...

Source:

Its funny how people are saying she should just keep her mouth closed and stay out of politics, yet if she endorsed Romney I don't think she would get as much flack, I don't really know what people expected, everyone knows Madonna is a liberal its nothing new, is it really that much of a surprise? People need to grow up!

Source:

Madonna is a master entertainer which we appreciate. We don't appreciate her using that venue for political purposes. She should stay on thread and shut up...P.S. Republicans go to Madonna concerts?

Source:

Wed, 10/24/2012 - 12:12am

There's more to this issue than meets the eye.  Ck out our SmartPower podcast today to get the full analysis in just minutes....bit.ly/vLoibJ  Click & Listen Now!

At a recent concert in Los Angeles, Madonna stripped for her audience revealing the name 'Malala' imprinted in big letters on her lower back. The singer went on to dedicate a song to the 15-year-old girl who is currently being treated in a Britain hospital after being shot in the head by a Taliban gunman. Malala Yousafzai was on her way to school when a Taliban gang stopped the bus and shot the young activist for her open activism on women's education and freedom. Although Madonna's intentions were supportive in nature, the Taliban is outraged and says Malala's activism condones the performer's lewd and outrageous behavior. What does the commentsphere have to say about the grammy winner's performance...

What Others Are Saying...

 "Madonna" is a twisted soul, a narcissistic proverbial Whore of the Mass Media who believes in her own reflection far more than the cause of this young girl....

Source:

  Madonna's Strip Tease for Malala any reason isn't helping matters...

Source:

  Madonna we love you for this. It is such a super gesture to tell the world that girls in Pakistan want equal opportunities and education...[They] can take on the bullying of Talibans head on.

Source:

Tue, 10/09/2012 - 10:04am

Jay-Z under social fire yet again?  This even made today's podcast of ours, SmartPower. Listen now at bit.ly/vLoibJ and let us know what you think by leaving a comment here!

Grammy winning rapper Jay-Z rode the subway to work this past weekend. His choice of commute might be the same as just a regular New Yorker but his place of work definitely wasn't. The Bed-Stuy native was on his way to perform his last of 8 concerts at the new Barclays center. He had policemen and some bodyguards with him along for the ride. Subway riders were obviously surprised to see him, some snapping pictures and gawking. Let's see what the online community has to say about this not-so-every day phenomenon...

What Others Are Saying...

...Are we supposed to be impressed?

Source:

He wants us to think he is such a commoner...but he had 2 armed bodyguards with him...

Source:

It's not about [Jay-Z] pretending to be a "regular guy"...[He] was just doing a nice thing for his fans before the show...I know I'd be excited if I got a glimpse of him. 

Source:

Tue, 07/31/2012 - 12:28pm

You gotta love that Snoop.  How many countries has this happened in by now?  He's getting a free pass from some commenters but not from others.  So many feel that this is a tired issue by now.  Will we soon experience a revolution of  thought on this just as we are experiencing that regarding marriage equality?  Who knows, but one thing is sure; that Snoop is always ultra- shall we say - relaxed.

Rapper Snoop Dogg was allegedly trying to smuggle marijuana in Norway last month and, as a result, was banned from entering the country for two years. Kjevik airport officials stopped Snoop Dogg and allegedly found eight grams of weed. The rapper is known to be a longtime supporter of legalizing marijuana. He was fined $1,980 but still let in to perform at an event. Lawyer says the rapper has no intention of appealing the decision.

What Others Are Saying...

I vote that Snoop get a pass on smoking trees. … Obama wouldn’t believe Snoop if he said he no longer get zooted. … After 21 years as a rapper, everyone should get used to Snoop Dogg smoking and being a mellow guy 24/7.

Source:

Why can’t people travel and leave the drugs at home? … This just shows that Snoop Dogg doesn’t represent most of America. … You know it will be there when you get back home.

Source:

Marijuana is one of the most harmless substances known to man. ... Safer than aspirin. The question that should be asked is what business do the governments … have getting involved in the relationship between a human and a plant?

Source:

Sat, 07/28/2012 - 2:38pm

Ouch. This one is a bit sensitive.  Celebs, particularly this one, are known for pushing boundaries but at what cost? If we look at the comments, apparently no cost at all; and this is where things get interesting.  Media sees one level, public sees another.  The public seems to continue to make it clear that it can distinquish between performance and life and over-riding more and more a corporate-owned news perspective of what is and is not appropriate.  Is it any wonder that news outlets are, therefore, experiencing lower ratings these days? 

Madonna is making the news with a controversial performance in Scotland. She used fake guns at a show hours after the theater shooting in Colorado. Reportedly, she ignored a police request not to use the displayed machine gun and pistol. A spokesman for Mothers Against Guns told the England's Daily Record that the singer “should know better.” One of Madonna’s touring staff members said to a media outlet: “Madonna would rather cancel her show than censor her art.”

What Others Are Saying...

About 25 people die a day by guns in the US every day. Does that mean we should we ban all TV shows and movies... with guns?

Source:

Madonna is an artist...All of her critics need to find something else in their lives to bring down. None of them would take a second thought whilst they blow the heads off people on a PS2 ! Well done Madonna for an extravagant and huge set beyond imagination.

Source:

 That is how the show has been since it started and that was before the tragic shooting. And it's not "taking it too far," because it's a part of the show, and people should realize it's a PROP! IT'S NOT REAL!

Source:

Subscribe to RSS - concert

Anyone can collect comments; but only here will you also get irreverent, fun analysis of public opinion!

Take one part tech power-player, one part Capitol Hill, add tax reform discussion, shake; and you've got a major Q&A in Washington, DC that seems to center on Apple and how... more

So, what is this really about, after all?  Posturing?  Power?  Manipulation?  Each of these and more plays a role, but at the foundation the discussion around the... more

Take one part tech power-player, one part Capitol Hill, add tax reform discussion, shake; and you've got a major Q&A in Washington, DC that seems to center on Apple and how... more

So, what is this really about, after all?  Posturing?  Power?  Manipulation?  Each of these and more plays a role, but at the foundation the discussion around the... more

Lots to say on the Tumblr purchase by Yahoo for reportedly $1.1 billion dollars. (yes, you read right).  Yahoo CEO is playing for keeps on this one, and there is much scrutiny... more

Well, the fact that Yahoo has said that they promise not to screw up the deal says a lot about what they already know the general public perception to be of this... more

What's the biggest chatter today in celeb, why, Kanye West, of course.  Not only he still currently a trending topic on Twitter with the release of the album coupled with... more

Issues here of not liking the messenger, liking the message, not liking the message nor the messenger, and so on.  This figure has become quite controversial. ... more