But this time, it was not Britney who stomped off stage, it was Morrissey. The singer abruptly left the stage during his set at the Coachella festival in California last Friday after screaming to the crowd that he could "smell burning flesh". Well, yeah. It's a festival and there were probably some hots and burgers grilling nearby. Now, If a singer finds the smell of meat cooking offensive, then he should have known better than to take a gig at an outdoor festival in the first place. And what if it had really been Bobby Flay just grilling up some slices of fresh Zuchini? Would that have been equally offensive?

Now, I fully respect his right to eat whatever he wants whenever he wants, but when I've bought and paid for a ticket (I wasn't there, I speak only as an advocate on behalf of the fans who were thoroughly pissed by the performer's actions) I expect a performance or at least an apology and some form of compensation (maybe a free burger?). To make matters worse, some festival goers claimed that he followed his "Smell burning flesh" remark with, "And I hope to God it's human." Now that IS offensive, vegetarian or not.

One contributor to the Coachella message board said the 49 year old singer was "totally choked up and gagged on his way through 'Some Girls' and left the stage only to come back and gag some more". A contributor from the fan site Morrissey-Solo said: "I know a lot of people think he's being precious about the smell of burning flesh, but I wholeheartedly agree with Morrissey; it's hard to be joyous and uplifting when you're confronted with something that you find so offensive." Well then, to quote the late Harry Chapin, "Full time consideration of another endeavour, might be in order." (Morrissey was formerly with The Smiths, who released an album called Meat Is Murder in 1985).

Earlier in the month, Britney Spears lit up the ire of her fans when she left the stage for more than 30 minutes at a concert in Vancouver when she deemed the atmosphere too "smoky." During the unplanned intermission, ushers went through the crowd telling people it was a non-smoking facility and they had better cut it out, while that cool music they play during hockey games blared through the P.A. (According to People Magazine: When she did return, Spears, 27, delivered a well-received Bollywood take on "Me Against the Music," followed by "Everytime" – during which she asked the crowd "What's up, Vancouver?" before she again left the stage, some 90 seconds before the end of the song. The concert concluded with Spears singing "Womanizer" and advising the still-restless crowd, "Vancouver, don't smoke weed." Her sign-off was also peppered with a couple of X-rated expletives and a warning to "drive safe.")

Personally, I think both artists have lost sight of the fact that they work for the fans, just as any of us do, and you don't just walk out on your fans just because a few happen to enjoy a burger, fries and a smoke. 

Ever since a video of the POTUS bowing before Saudi King Abdullah made it's way to multiple YouTube locations, it's been a popular topic for discussion on talk radio shows and on blogs, comment boards and twitter. Last night, in an informal, unscientific review, the vast majority of the comments ran from mild disdain to total disgust at the site of an American President caught in such a subservient act.

Callers to talk shows have also had little good to say, and even those who still defend Obama's constant unpresidential behaviors were having a rough time coming up with a strong defense (see comments below). Now, less than 12 hours later, the video has vanished from several YouTube sites (ironically, ones that had had the most views). I've embedded a link here where you can (hopefully) still see it, if not, try searching YouTube for "Obama bows to Saudi King.", but don't be surprised if you get "We're sorry, this video is no longer available."

Here's a sampling of comments from various sites where the video is (was) being offered:

"The "Obama apology tour" ends in a sickening display !!! Why in the world is our elected leader BOWING to an unelected monarch? What a disgusting display!!! I'm so embarassed of our president."

"That was NO bow. The Saudi Prince dropped a nickel and Obama thought it was a quarter. He had to look down to see."

"What a ******** disgrace. A United States President bowing to a muslim dictator. I thought I'd seen it all. And the sad, pathetic irony of it all is that of a black man bowing to a sexist, brutal, tyrant who's country and men officialy have brutalized and marginalized women for centuries. So pathetic. Wheres Gloria Steinham and the women's groups? Hypocrites. Where's the bought and sold for press? TAKE AMERICA BACK!!!!"

"Big falking deal! I recall that Bush had his tongue stuck down his throat and was acting like he was the Saudi King's prison bitch. Would you losers prefer that he acted like Bush did? Begging for more oil while holding hands and french kissing?"

"Obama camp (the Junior Cubs) now claims it was simply Obama using TWO hands in a handshake with a shorter man, um, er, shorter I'll give you (although not 4 ft 2 in like QE), but then who's hand is that in front in Obama's crotch? My bad, probably just Chris Matthews."

"At least when he's in that position he's not giving another speech...at least until he trains his ass to read the teleprompter"

"The white house is saying that wasn't a bow, so they're quite embarrassed. Obama is a B actor in a lead role as president and has no experience or ability to fill the shoes, he's winging it. Then to tell the American people that he didn't bow is an insult to our intelligence. Did he reach down to zip the guys fly or what, it sure looked like a bow to me."

"What's wrong with bowing with the king anyway?! Is just show some bit of respect to a head of state."

"Gesture of respect? Learn some history deadpool ... we threw out a monarchy over 230 years ago. I think you need to learn some American history, maybe get an education before you cast your ignorance out to the world. Oh and let's just remember that most of the 9/11 hijackers were SAUDIS! No bowing to Kings, especially of Saudi Arabia, the incubator of Bin Laden and his (many Saudi) followers."

"He wasn't bowing, he had a sudden attack of gas and bent over in pain before releasing that gastric bubble, he clearly wasnt bowing"

"He was not bowing, he was looking to make sure his shoes were tied before shaking the mans hand and some have suggested he was passing a gas bubble or something, but he's clearly not bowing so I agree with the White House statement."

"I am disappointed, as a Saudi, from some Americans' comments. Obama, your president that we respect a lot, is the one who bow. Why you guys saying bad thing about us and our King. There are a lot of disgusting comments about us such as desert slave, women haters, and many other comments. Is this the way that you treat others? Is this is Americans values? if so, I can understand that Obama is one of the most polite American in the whole America."

"What a weak president we have in Obama. He bows down to the Saudi King and has no response for North Koreas ballistic missile test after he warned them not to launch it. Iran and Russia must be licking their chops right about now."

"I wish all the idiots that voted for him would watch this. The man is truely an embarrassment! This handbasket is on the move. First stop? Hell!"

"Are people seriously discussing this?! — No offense, but get a life."

"Shut your pie hole."