Jon Bon Jovi Harassed for Supporting Kerry

Jon Bon Jovi’s career in music may not be what it once was, but it can still capture the spotlight when he really wants. Apparently he supports the campaign of John Kerry and has translated that support into a USD $1 million donation. Unfortunately, some disapprove of liberal candidates so much that Bon Jovi has received threats over this.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

Bon Jovi said he had been harassed for supporting Kerry. "I've received hate mail at my house. I've had people drive by my home and shout things out," he said. "And I think that they question my patriotism because I decided to stand up and have a voice. And I stood up to have a voice because I think that's the most American thing that you can do."

This is often how fascism starts: people who disagree with and dissent from those in power are harassed, intimidated, and threatened. When people become too afraid to seek out alternatives or changes, it is easier with those who have a vested interest in the status quo to continue with their agenda without having to stop and explain themselves.

If people disagree with Bon Jovi’s work and ideas, fine. Threatening and harassing him because he raises funds for a Democratic candidate, however, is not even remotely fine. It suggests that it is illegitimate to support a liberal, to support a Democrat, to disagree with conservatives, to disagree with George W. Bush, or to dissent from the government. There is absolutely nothing justified or reasonable about such positions or messages; those who adopt them should be ashamed of themselves.

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