Thugs in Religious Clothing, Lady Gaga, and the Dangers of Liberalism

[rug]

May 29, 2012 | by Olin Monteiro

Does anybody really believe that a concert can stir a mass of people to devote themselves to the devil, let alone change them to become immoral individuals? I don't buy that.

The cancellation of Lady Gaga's Jakarta show, triggered by a bunch of thugs dressed in religious attire, made headlines all over the world. But do these people even know who Lady Gaga is? Prior to her cancelled Jakarta concert, did they even listen to her songs?

- snip -

The most shocking statement, however, came from the Jakarta Globe's editorial piece on Monday. It said the cancellation "was definitely the right decision." The title itself, "Gaga Concert Is Too Hot for Indonesia," was a larger issue, as it insinuates the country cannot handle a superstar as big as Gaga.

What surprised me most was the editorial's last paragraph: "We must accept that Indonesian society is different and that we cannot be expected to be as liberal as other societies." Cannot be as liberal as other societies? Shocking, isn't it?

http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/talkback/thugs-in-religious-clothing-lady-gaga-and-the-dangers-of-liberalism/520843#Scene_1

[mr_liberal]

1. Jakarta Globe may be on the government payroll

Thats what it makes me think.

[rug]

2. If it is, it's an article critical of it.

[cynatnite]

3. She cancelled it because Indonesia has a nasty reputation of suicide bombers...

It's likely a suicide bomber would get in the middle of an audience and detonate him or herself and take as many with them as possible...including Lady Gaga.

This was not a wrong decision even though it sucks.

[mr_liberal]

4. There was a video of an Islamist parade protest

against her concert a couple days before she canceled. I think that was the last straw. There were several hundred people in it and there was one guy shown that said she will die in Jakarta.

I think that ended it. The threat of 150 Islamists with tickets seemed real then. My guess is her Mom insisted that she cancel.