Commenters invoke political philosophy on neutrality
4 Sep 21 10:25 AM · 2d ago · 108 comments · 1 source · development 4 of 4
Multiple commenters argue that choosing not to act is itself a political choice, citing neutrality as impossible and drawing parallels to complicity with injustice.
“To claim that one is "apolitical" is itself a political act. There is no shield behind which one can claim exemption.”
@bicklepentameter.bsky.social
Ed Sheeran Recording artist and tour headlinerMacklemore Supporting act and rapper
Robert Kraft Venue owner and organizer of pressure campaignMarina Purkiss Bluesky commentator
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What people said 24 voices · best of 139 · verbatim
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Now's a good time to remember Kraft is in the Trump Pedo Files.
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I saw a video analysis of this over on the other socials. He could have still said "I don't do politics" (even if it's BS) and stood with Macklemore. "That's my friend and I'm sticking by him. We all play or we walk." One show missed at most. But nope. He did the dumb thing. Sucks to suck.
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Sheeran will be the last artist to give another artist a platform to express his political views when on tour. Too costly to risk the livelihoods of everyone involved. How many people are boycotting the stadiums? Billionaires got what they want and everyone is blaming the artist. Win-Win!
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To claim that one is “apolitical” is itself a political act. There is no shield behind which one can claim exemption. Just as those who claim a right to “not vote” because they would rather not get involved are the same as those who witness a murder and then turn away in denial, claiming blindness
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M
Like George Clooney. His statement supporting Mark Ruffalo was such a weasel move in that he didn’t mention the subject, but you know what it also didn’t do? Generate backlash. Ed could’ve done that. Instead he both sided a genocide
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Ed said he did not get involved in politics. He just plays his music. Doesn't he understand that when he allowed someone else to dictate his concert lineup based on their right wing political views, he,very much, got involved with politics!
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Why not both? We can walk and chew gum at the same time
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Rush: If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
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Some guy of mixed Northern Irish Protestant and Republic Catholic whose family left for England and who identifies culturally as Irish appears to know nothing about oppression. Say it ain't so Paddy.
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Exactly. Many use the argument that an artist should not need to speak up about politics. But that's not the issue here. His support act spoke up and got SILENCED and boycotted for speaking up about GENOCIDE. That goes beyond politics and hits morality.
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Never was a Sheeran fan. Have always thought his music was uninspired and cookie cutter (like it was written by AI even though I know it wasn't). Never disliked him as a person though until now. He folded in front of what should have been an easy choice to stand up for free speech. What a coward
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Can we please, in the same breath, talk about the stadium owners who lit the effing fire? Compared to the Sheeran pile-on they are getting a complete pass.
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Kraft & his allied stadium / venue owners are far more culpable. Sheeran should have consulted with his band & all other performers, researched how The Beatles handled similar situations before accepting Kraft's demands. There are likely 1,000s of paychecks involved in the tour.
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Russians shouldn't be playing in NHL. But then again the NHL has gone all in with the Betting Houses.
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I forget which novel, but CS Lewis wrote that (paraphrased from memory) "most times don't require people to take sides for or against anything, but there are rare times in which there is no middle ground, and one must choose a side." Sheerhan missed the chance history gave him.
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Robert Kraft's silencing of NFL athletes for taking a stand against racism wasn't enough to stop Ed from playing Kraft's wedding and saying afterwards he's a lovely man who he shares a lovely relationship with. Men like Kraft are directing funding this genocide given the politicians he funds.
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Interesting that he's totally forgot the concert he was part of in 2022 in support for Ukraine, amongst other political stances. Times Ed Sheeran Used Platform For Politics
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Nah. Fuck ed. He didn't "fumble" he's a fucking coward who hung Macklemore out to dry. And, NO. I DO NOT believe ed tried to keep Macklemore on the tour. He didn't argue for him at all, I'd bet.
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Ed was supposedly good friends with Macklemore. I guess 💰💰💰 is more important than friendship. Ol’ Ed might as well retire.
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Please. I’m sick of this story. Stop making a singer the worst villain on the planet.
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But he wants to be accepted by the oppressers!!! See hispanics supporting MAGA.
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L
And how Zionists have made Palestine UNINHABITABLE!
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Come on Bluesky, let's make this goal for Marc. He is fighting hard for all of us. We are still 380 subscribers short of our weekend goal. If you want to help Democracy Docket grow its influence and scale, sign-up now (free or paid).
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I don't think he even gave Macklemore a platform, according to Sheeran's camp Macklemore told them he wasn't going to get too political.
All 4 developments of Ed Sheeran under fire for removing Macklemore from tour… →
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