Buddy Holly Crosswalk in Texas Removed // Cher vs. the Machine

Buddy Holly Crosswalk in Texas Hometown to be Removed Following Governor’s Order on Road Safety BOOOOO! By Juan A. Lozano, The Independent | Fans of the Buddy Holly crosswalk in his hometown of Lubbock, Texas, with a painted depiction of the rock and roll legend’s iconic glasses, will soon have to say goodbye to it. That day will possibly make them cry.

Lubbock City Council members said this week they have no choice but to remove it, to comply with a directive from the Trump administration and Republicans to rid the public roadways of any political messages or artwork.

Laredo, in South Texas, removed a mural in October that protested the border wall along the southern border with Mexico. In August, Florida officials removed a rainbow-colored crosswalk outside the Pulse nightclub where 49 people were gunned down.

Lubbock’s crosswalk was first installed in 2020 and is near the Buddy Holly Center, a downtown museum with exhibits honoring Lubbock’s most famous native son.

“It’s such a tasteful cross section and people like it. But what do you do?” said City Council Member Christy Martinez-Garcia, who was among those questioning why it had to go.
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Read the full story here, along with a photo of the “offending” crosswalk:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/buddy-holly-crosswalk-in-texas-hometown-to-be-removed-following-governor-s-order-on-road-safety/

[Actually, in my experience, drivers slow WAY DOWN to go over these kind of “street art.” Don’t know if they were looking at them, were afraid they’d ruin them somehow, or that other drivers may be distracted. Whatever. I thought they actually were life savers.]

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Cher vs. the Machine: Why the Icon Took Aim at Jeff Bezos and Karoline Leavitt

In a moment that electrified both Hollywood and Wall Street, music legend Cher stunned viewers during a live television broadcast when she declared, “TURN OFF THE MONEY MACHINE, JEFF.” Within seconds, social media exploded.

The 78 year old star just announced she would pull her entire music catalog from Amazon, a move few artists of her stature have ever attempted.

Her reason?

What she described as Jeff Bezos’ open support for Karoline Levitt, the rising conservative firebrand whose rapid ascent has polarized the political landscape.

The Spark That Lit the Fire
According to those close to the singer, Cher’s frustration has been building for months.

While she has long been vocal about social causes – from LGTBQ+ rights to climate action – this was different.
. . . . .
Karoline Levitt wasted no time firing back on X (formerly Twitter) calling Cher “a washed-up rebel looking for relevance.”

[Apparently “in the know” Ms. Levitt missed the part about Cher being the only artist to have top 10 selling records in the last 7 decades, with sold out shows whenever she performs. Cher may be old but, like Dolly, she ain’t dead yet!]
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Read the whole story here:
https://virevo.feji.io/posts/cher-vs-machine-why-icon-took-aim-jeff-bezos-karoline-leavitt-cz-trinh123