Hollywood Liberals Hate Free Speech

ChronWatch.com ^ | April 16, 2003 | Kevin Willmann

[Congressman Billybob]

My latest column on UPI deals with this precise subject. The title is, "Who's Next?" It is on my website, but not yet on UPI and FR. I think Freepers will especially like it.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, not yet up on UPI, and FR, "Who's Next?"

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

[zingzang]

Surely it's because you, and others, want to punish them for speaking out against the war, and deter others from doing the same. Am I wrong?

Yes, you are wrong. It's because we are offended by people who use celebrity status to promote their views, but when ordinary people decide to speak and act against them (in the form of boycotts, rescinding invitations to events) they cry foul. They want only one side of the story to be heard, and if you dare challenge them you are a right wing fanatic bent on silencing dissent. Not hardly. Tim and all the others can talk the talk, but they have to walk the walk as well.

[nightdriver]

"What I don't understand, as an American, is why you would want to?"

Not too difficult to answer.

Tim and Suzie express not just dissent, but sedition. Their voices are given amplification by their sponsors who enjoy the very freedoms that are threatened by what Suzie and Timmy say. We encourage their sponsors to cease and desist.

The sponsors have the freedom to either take our suggestions or not.

[Congressman Billybob]

I wish I had thought to include the line from Animal Farm that you quote, in my latest UPI article. It would have fit like a glove.

Congressman Billybob

[Congressman Billybob]

Susan Sarandon WAS in a "low-budget something." How quickly you have forgotten that classic in a category all its own, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Like most well-adjusted Americans, Felicity Fahrquar and I have large sections of the dialogue and music from that movie committed to memory.

Congressman Billybob

[Mr.Atos]

""And precisely which of your "cherished values" are you supporting in this instance? ""

To which instance are you referring? I don't think that I mentioned any specific action on my part with the exception of missing Children of Dune. But I will posit a scenario for the benefit of your ruse. Say I chose to launch a website that informed people of anti-semetic statements that were made by various world figures, listed the products with which they were associated and ask visitors not to buy those products. I would be supporting the value that I have for all human beings regardless of race, or religion.

In the case of Mr. Robbins, I would be acting with regard to my lack of value for stupidity.

[Congressman Billybob]

It seems like you missed some of Thomas Jefferson's works. As he explained, the purpose of the First Amendment is to "guarantee the free market of ideas." That's a good explanation.

The freedom to speech works exactly like the freedom to introduce a new product or service. If the people, using their freedoms, like what you have to offer, then you succeed and ride high. If, on the other hand, they disagree with what you offer, then you fail and get brought down.

Either way, your personal freedom is undiminished. You have it. You exercised it. You abide the consequences in a free society. There, got that?

My UPI column this week deals with the same subject.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, not yet up on UPI, and FR, "Who's Next?"

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

[katana]

Actually, the way I read the Constitution it prohibits the government from infringing on anyone's speech. I don't think the Baseball Hall of Fame is anywhere mentioned.

[PISANO]

The First Amendment just means the government has to stay out of it.

The problem here is that these socialist/marxists think that RIGHTS are granted by the GOVERNMENT and thereby can be taken away if one just shows how UNFAIR it is to be PERSECUTED like they have!

[vrwinger]

On judgement Day, will Robbins be complaining to God that his atheistic views are constitutionally protected, and that he therefore should not be sent to Hell?

He'll try, but it won't do one damned bit of good.

Philippians 2:10 & 11 - That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Tim will get it straight eventually...

[CyberAnt]

The Constitution guarantees the RIGHT TO SAY

It does not guarantee the RIGHT TO BE HEARD

The celebrities believe, because of their status, they have the RIGHT TO BE HEARD. The problem comes when what they SAY is not what the public wants to HEAR!!

But ... since most of them have barely a high school education, why do we expect them to understand.

[geedee]

Dimwit needs to realize that this isn't the "good old days" when only the left-wing side was heard.

Hear! Hear! You tell 'em, Jones!

[Desecrated]

Only liberals would go give a speech to the national press club, have it broadcast to millions around the world on both radio and TV, then go on a popular, nation-wide morning show, again, broadcast to millions, and claim that their "free speech" is being violated.

How much more airtime does this jackass want?

[peteram]

"It is a sorry day when disagreement with the administration is met with censorship"

Where do these lefties get the idea that the administration is censoring them? I've watched countless Pentagon briefings and Press briefings with Ari Fleisher and not once did I hear anyone speak out against the lefties speaking their minds.

It's the American public that takes offense to their comments and it's driving them nuts. They seem to think that this is the 60's all over again and everyone wants to protest, and it just isn't so.

One other thing occurred to me. Robbins, Sarandon, Sheen, The Dixie Twits and all the rest of them see their economic base eroding away and this greatly upsets them. Among other things, lefties believe that the ability to earn a living is a right - an entitlement. Well, it's not. And if the American public wants to FIRE your butt vis-a-vis the Box Office and record stores over something you said or did, that is THEIR perogotive. These lefties need to learn to take responsibility for their own actions and deal with the consequences that may result from them.

[OpusatFR]

"And if these are your intentions, then how do you figure Robbins et al are so far off base in suggesting there's a conspiracy to suppress dissent in this country?"

You are suggesting that the function of the marketplace is a conspiracy? I hardly think those who disagree and withhold their cash are conspirators.

"What I don't understand, as an American, is why you would want to?

You do not have have to ~understand~ someone's desire to express their opinion nor do you have to ~understand~ their motivation any more than you would have to ~understand~ why Susan Sarandon or Jeane Garafolo continue to show up on stage. You are not seriously suggesting that anyone who disagrees with a position, feels strongly and takes action according to their position has to justify their opinion to you, are you?

[xJones]

Obviously you never read of the Boston Tea Party.

Example: If there is wree a locally owned resturant owned by known KKK sympathizers, I would refuse to patronize them. They are free to have their beliefs, but I don't have to eat there. Is that unfair punishment? No, it simply means I don't agree with them. I have the right to disagree and go somewhere else. And millions of Americans are turning away from the far left-wing media. What's wrong with that?

[Mr.Atos]

Gordon Smith is an elected spokesman for me by the grace of my vote. When he demonstrates, by words and deeds, that he does not represent my values, I cast my vote for someone who does. If I am really motivated, I may oncourage others to vote likewise. Similarly, I elected Mr. Robbins to a popular front by the grace of my dollar spent to see the Shawshank Redemption, Bull Durham, and High Fidelity. When Mr. Robbins uses the pulpit of his popular position to speak and act in opposition to my values, against the leaders I elected, and in opposition to the troops that are on the line defending my existence, I will see to it that he no longer finds himself with access to that popular pulpit form which he can pretend to speak as my representative. How will I do that. By removing the popularity that I provide... by eliminating the expenditure of my dollars on products that channel money into his pocket in the form of royalties and salary. Now, that in no way alters his opinion or his ability speak or act in accordance with his own values.