Two clips have been removed from a video sequence used during Black Sabbath's set at Ozzfest because of their anti-Bush sentiments. The video in question accompanies performances of track 'War Pigs' and features an image juxtaposing Georgie Boy Bush with Adolf Hitler accompanied by the strapline "same shit, different asshole". Another image shows the Prez with bearing a red nose with the strapline 'White House Clown'.
Despite reports the scenes had been cut from the sequence because of external media or political pressure, it is most likely the decision came from within, most notably from Sabbath drummer Bill Ward who wrote on his website recently: "It has been brought to my attention that the widescreen portrays President George W. Bush with a clown nose appearing with past warmongers, including Adolf Hitler. I wish to say this video structure does not represent my personal views towards President Bush. This video was made without my prior knowledge or consent."
Ozzfest organisers said the images had not been picked to be intentionally controversial, and explained they had been removed because they didn't want media attention to be distracted from the music to the pictures. A spokesman said yesterday: "The Ozzfest 'War Pigs' clip is a video montage of conflicts and war protests from the last century to today with stock footage secured from third parties. The image of President Bush and Hitler is taken from a CNN news feature that shows a protestor holding a sign with President Bush and Hitler. The video is part of a musical performance and the images should not be taken out of context. The montage was edited because too many media outlets were taking the footage out of context, and it steered attention away from Black Sabbath's performance."