(UPDATE, Feb. 17, 9:21 p.m. PT: Rolling Stone has issued a correction adding to the quote in the third paragraph of this story.)
Typically, when Justin Bieber opens his mouth, the resultant screaming comes from tweener girls. But his most recent utterances, to "Rolling Stone" magazine, might elicit howls from certain segments of the political spectrum.
The 16-year-old "Baby" singer, whose 3D movie, "Justin Bieber: Never Say Never," raked in $29.5 million during its first three days of release last weekend, graces the cover of the upcoming issue of the magazine (on newsstands Friday). Among the topics that Bieb discusses in the accompanying interview are America's heath-care system and abortion.
"I really don't believe in abortion. It's like killing a baby?" he says of the latter topic. Pressed further on whether his stance applies to instances of rape, he offers, somewhat cryptically, "Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."
As for health care, Bieber — who was born in Stratford, Ontario — is far more forthright. As he sees it, Canada soundly beats America when it comes to caring for ill citizens.
Declaring his disinterest in gaining American citizenship, Bieber posits, "Canada's the best country in the world. We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you're broke because of medical bills. My bodyguard's baby was premature, and now he has to pay for it. In Canada, if your baby's premature, he stays in the hospital as long as he needs to, and then you go home."
One positive aspect of Bieber's comments, in regard to America's health-care system? They might slightly quell the epidemic of Bieber Fever that's been sweeping the nation, lessening the burden on the nation's hospitals.
Bieber's record label, Island Def Jam, and manager, Scott "Scooter" Braun, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
