Silence, old chap: Entertainers can really keep political comments to themselves.

Paul McCartney is a great singer and songwriter -- and he probably deserved the special prize he won for popular music this week.

But as usual -- and as is becoming customary with foreign nationals, and sometimes our own nationals -- he could not resist insulting a former president.

It is not that McCartney does not have the right to feel any way he wants about former President George Bush. It is that it is classless and rude to make political comments that are insulting to a country and one of its leaders in public, prominently, when you are there to receive an honor that comes from an agent of the American people.

It would be like an American actor going overseas to London to receive an honor for his or her acting prowess and making a comment about "those nut case Royals who can't stay out of the tabloids" during the ceremony as the queen handed him the certificate.

So here is a message that we as Americans should send to anyone who might be receiving an honor or performing in our country this year.

Keep your views to yourself until you are in an appropriate venue to express them -- and even then, think twice. If we wanted your political advice, we would ask for it -- or elect you.

Try simply saying "thank you" or just putting on your show. Believe it or not, that is why we are paying to see you and why we invited you over.

We will let you know if we need anything else.

Published in Editorials on June 4, 2010 10:48 AM