Re: Keets, In denial ??

["L. Bird" <pkeets@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> Hey Keets,
> before the "break", what was it you were saying about most Who fans being 
> "in denial" ??

Everyone in the US seems to have accepted the "Pete Cleared" headline and 
pretty much dropped the whole subject.  The US media seems to have done 
that, and also the US fans, who now expect to carry on like the episode 
didn't happen.  Some fans have even announced that they are tired of the 
issues.

But, regardless that some UK fans predicted that the caution was a small 
penalty (like a warning for a traffic offense), various folks in the UK are 
now carrying on like Pete was convicted of the possession charge.  Pete 
lives in the UK and he's got to deal with this.  When we pretend the problem 
has gone away and that he can go on as usual, we're in denial.

Actually, Pete will need to do quite a bit of work to rehabilitate his image 
in the UK, and considering the attitudes I'm seeing, it will be an uphill 
battle.  The Noncewatch guys are one example.  Here's another from the 
press:

http://www.londontonight.co.uk/00000008.htm

> Shamed Rock Star to Perform Live

> Shamed rock star Pete Townshend has revealed plans to perform live again - 
> two months after being put on the Sex Offenders Register.  (ha ha)


Right after Pete accepted the caution another article said he was "ruined" 
and "his career was over."  When I wrote and told them that it wasn't, that 
Whofans had supported him through the whole investigation, they revised the 
article on their website to take te part out about his career being over.  
Somewhere I read that the UK Sex Offender Register isn't supposed to be used 
as part of someone's punishment, but of course it is.  You can see the press 
trying to enforce the fact that Pete is now shamed and that this is going to 
end his career as a rock star.  This little note above is to remind people 
that they shouldn't attend Pete's shows.

By saying they're going to record and then tour, Roger is challenging this 
directly.  Good for him.  I hope there's a ton of support for shows in the 
UK and also in Europe.  The UK press may pretend that they're not 
successful, but it will be difficult to hide a stampede for tickets and sold 
out shows.  I think the UK fans are holding fast the same way the one guy 
advised Pete to do, but it would likely be helpful if they announce the 
schedule far enough in advance that US fans can get plane reservations, just 
in case.


keets

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