Eric Clapton stands by Enoch Powell

(btw, uncut was not the first publication to offer me work)

i like what robin has to say upthread in regard to clapton and, much more so, i would say, jagger

It speaks volumes, too, that you're unable to respond to the many positive points in my original post.

Oh, well, that would seem to be that.

Apologies to everyone else for this dreary exchange. It has depressed me hugely.

David

He said it from of Stephen Stills and Bonnie Bramlett, he claims to wind them up - what with him being a real hardcore punker and all (chortle). To her eternal credit, Bonnie Bramlett walloped the little weasel.

He said it in front of Stephen Stills...

(Could someone with a UK law degree give some legal perspective on this on the moderator board?)

(oops xpost)

if his comment wasnt well received, he would never have apologised.

wasn't it 'blind, ignorant nigger'?

as for the carlin/uncut dust-up.....Jesus H.Clapton.

Wait they asked HIM to tweak the line and he got pissed off?

!!!

As someone with some legal training I can confirm that this is every bit as valid as most of Marcello's opinions.

However, he is by no means racist.

http://www.clarence.com/contents/musica/speciali/030527him/images/intro.jpg

Wasn't he also shitfaced when he said it? Not that that excuses it, of course, but I'd put it nearer to Bowie's coked-up nazi chic folly than Clapton's unapologetic Powell support.

He was the first musician to drop the N-bomb on a UK top 10 single as well, remember ("Oliver's Army").

also, dave and thesplooge: I've never called anyone a nigger whilst drunk either, or indeed witnessed anyone doing so. I have, however, seen friends and acquaintances indulge in talk and behaviour that, if I thought that it was a genuine reflection of their personality, I'd be *very* worried about them; and frankly, the thought of someone judging *me* based on drunken behaviour on my part very much frightens me, too.

ie, he liked them as a construct, not a reality, they were nice in the pretty picture books and on the records, and even in the studio! but, please, dont move next door to eric!

and, also, you could argue that his pro-powellist racism was primarily aimed at pakistani and indian (and, given the time frame, especially ugandan indians fleeing amin) rather than at britains black population, and that he saw no contradiction here.

i believe this to be racist behaviour

That anyone can seriously believe that Elvis Costello thought Ray Charles was a "blind ignorant nigger" is amazing.

Belief that other races are intrinsically inferior to your own is clearly racism.

The belief that too rapid an influx of people from other races and cultures into your own may lead to negative consequences is more problematic. I think it is at least possible to hold that view without being racist (ie if you believe the trouble will be caused by aspects of human nature common to all races).

But I also know absolutley nothing about British politics.

I go to civil rights rallies
And I put down the old D.A.R.
I love Harry and Sidney and Sammy
I hope every coloured boy becomes a star
But don't talk about revolution
That's going a little bit too far
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I cheered when Humphrey was chosen
My faith in the system restored
I'm glad the commies were thrown out
of the AFL-CIO board
I love Puerto Ricans and Negros
as long as they don't move next door
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

The people of old Mississippi
Should all hang their heads in shame
I can't understand how their minds work
What's the matter don't they watch Les Crain?
But if you ask me to bus my children
I hope the cops take down your name
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I read New Republic and Nation
I've learned to take every view
You know, I've memorized Lerner and Golden
I feel like I'm almost a Jew
But when it comes to times like Korea
There's no one more red, white and blue
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

I vote for the Democratic Party.
They want the U.N. to be strong
I go to all the Pete Seeger concerts
He sure gets me singing those songs
I'll send all the money you ask for
But don't ask me to come on along
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal

Once I was young and impulsive
I wore every conceivable pin
Even went to the socialist meetings
Learned all the old union hymns
But I've grown older and wiser
And that's why I'm turning you in
So love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal