The piece supportive of the singer, by critic Jon Pareles, went out of its way to avoid sounding any anti-establishment themes. The piece oozes with venom for critics of the police. Tierney doesn't bother expressing sympathy for Diallo. But he is firmly on record against the extra bullets. You might not have expected him to play to the mob.
Social tensions are high.
The majority of those interviewed by television and print journalists on the issue have been police, relatives of police and friends of police, with predictable results. These are non-people, as far as the media are concerned. Giuliani and the police officials speak for the entire ruling elite, in attempting to generate a political climate of repression and fear. Springsteen should be congratulated and defended for speaking out on the Diallo murder.