Ricky Martin Defends Middle Fingered Salute To Bush

Ricky Martin communicated with The Associated Press via e-mail after making a middle finger gesture last Friday towards President Bush during a concert, prompting cheers from thousands of fans in the San Juan stadium. “My convictions of peace and life go beyond any government and political agenda and as long as I have a voice onstage and offstage, I will always condemn war and those who promulgate it,” said Martin, who was a headliner at the 2001 inauguration ball for Bush.