Posted 2/22/2012 05:43:00 PM by Douglas

Fans, or should I say ex-fans of the band Sugarland were told that they were partially at fault for being under a stage that collapsed during a concert last year. Ex-fans because they're either no longer fond of Sugarland or they're dead.

Calling the powerful winds that toppled the stage on Aug. 13 an "act of God," Sugarland's attorneys said fair officials and Mid-America Sound Corp. were responsible for the stage setup, and that the fans voluntarily assumed risk by attending the show.

Huh? It's tragic that so many people were hurt and killed, and it's sad that the band is being sued because the event and the venue were mismanaged. But how is it the people's fault? I realize that every person is infinitely more responsible for their own well being than Sugarland is, but what "assumed risk" are they talking about? Is each person at the concert expected to review the structural drawings of the stage and calculate the wind loading to ensure it's stable?

"Some or all of the plaintiffs' claimed injuries resulted from their own fault," according to the band's response. Sugarland attorney James H. Milstone did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment Tuesday.

So let me get this straight: There was an unexpected storm that blew over the stage, and the band's stance is "you should have known better and left?" Wow, what balls. If they had any sense at all, they would not be in Indiana in the first place, much less a Sugarland concert.

So I guess what Sugarland is really saying is that they need smarter fans. Or at least some that can run faster.