Rondstadt was about to begin her encore for the night, a cover of The Eagles “Desperado” when she introduced the song and reportedly dedicated it to controversial film maker Michael Moore, whom she was said to have called a “great American patriot" and "someone who is spreading the truth." She encouraged the audience to see go see Moore’s current film, "Fahrenheit 9/11", which gives Moore’s opinions on the Bush administration and their policies in the ‘War on Terror’. 

The singer has reportedly been using the same introduction during all of her recent performances. 

Timmins told the Associated press that, “It was a very ugly scene. She praised him and all of a sudden all bedlam broke loose."  

According to press accounts the singer’s comments were met with boos from a portion of the 4,500 people in the audience, some of whom reportedly stormed out of theater, while others ripped down posters for the show and tossed drinks.  

Timmins said that he felt Rondstadt "spoiled a wonderful evening for our guests and we had to do something about it". His action was making the decision that Rondstadt had to removed from the casino property.  She was escorted out without being allowed to return to her suite.   

Rondstadt, who was booked to perform only one show, will not be invited back. "As long as I'm here, she's not going to play," Timmins told the Associated Press. 

The singer did not immediately comment about the incident, but on Tuesday she did a phone interview with Los Angeles Times. "I think it was a modest thing I did," Rondstadt said.  

"This is an election year. I want people to get their head up out of their mashed potatoes and learn something about the issues and go and vote," the singer told the Times. "I'm not telling them how to vote. I'm saying, get information about the issues."  

Rondstadt denied that she was thrown out of the casino and said that she didn’t even know that the casino operators were angry over the comments. 
Not everyone had a negative reaction, some in attendance cheered Rondstadt comments. The singer told the Times that the experience really showed the political divide that is facing the country at the moment, but this is the first time she has seen such a negative reaction. "You know how they say we are just polarized down the middle? I've done this all across the country and I'm telling you, it's like my independent poll. I have never seen a reaction like this, in all my years of touring."

See The Los Angeles Times Story (requires registration)
 
 

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