The Perils Of Protest

By Desa Philadelphia

Madonna censors herself? It sure looked that way when the singer decided not to release a video for her album American Life because of controversy over its war-related imagery--like a scene in which she tosses a hand grenade to a George W. Bush look-alike, who uses it to light a cigar. Madonna, who has described herself as "not pro-Iraq" but "pro-peace," said she did not "want to risk offending anyone." She's just the latest star to feel the new wartime mood. --By Desa Philadelphia

DIXIE CHICKS

Though singer Natalie Maines apologized for trashing Bush at a London concert, album sales continued to slide

MARTIN SHEEN

Visa said a discontinued spot featuring the West Wing star and his son Charlie had simply run its course. Sheen said, "Bull____"

SEAN PENN

He sued producer Steve Bing for firing him from a movie, allegedly because of Penn's antiwar stance following his recent trip to Iraq. Bing has countersued

SUSAN SARANDON

The United Way canceled her Florida speech, saying it would be "divisive." Her reaction: "Disturbing"