Madonna forgives M.I.A. for finger, world keeps turning

While headlines seem to be falling on the side of singer Madonna remaining angry with singer M.I.A. for flipping the bird at the Super Bowl half-time show, Madonna forgives her.

The Material Girl did the forgiving yesterday on Ryan Seacrest's radio show, that though she did not like M.I.A.'s gesture, saying that it was "just out of place." She did have some harsh words to say about it. “I was really surprised," Madonna told Seacrest. "I didn’t know anything about it. I wasn’t happy about it. I understand it’s punk rock and everything, but to me there was such a feeling of love and good energy, and positivity it seemed negative. It’s such a teenager, irrelevant thing to do. There was such a feeling of love and unity there - what was the point?" Madonna: Like a Prayer "religious experience" Madonna spokesperson Liz Rosenberg issued a statement saying that M.I.A. apologized for the middle finger salute and Madonna accepted her apology, forgave her and is still a fan of hers. Despite that, many headlines continue to imply otherwise. Here's a sampling of headlines implying Madonna is more angry than forgiving: Madonna lashes out at M.I.A. for Super Bowl middle finger (National Post, Canada); Madonna breaks silence, rips M.I.A. for Super Bowl 'bird' (L.A. Times, U.S.); Madonna MIA's Middle Finger Stunt Was Stupid and Childish (TMZ). The aspect of forgiveness was not a part of most stories on the subject, that despite them using the same quotes from the Seacrest show reproduced above. Madonna: Live Nation World Tour Madonna told Seacrest that doing the half-time show was a great experience and that while she was performing Like a Prayer with Cee Lo Green she became "overwhelmed. I started crying. I felt an incredible sense of warmth, love, and support. To see an entire stadium light up like candles it was like a religious experience.” Two days after the Super Bowel half-time show, Live Nation announced Madonna's new world tour that begins May 29 in Tel Aviv, Israel and continues in Europe until August 21 in Nice, France, for a total of 26 dates. Madonna moves to North America for another 26 shows beginning in Philadelphia on August 28. There will also be dates in South America and Australia.