Reaction a shock to Dixie Chicks

(Mansfield, OH) News Journal ^ | May 22, 2003 | John Benson

[fightinJAG]

It is somewhat ironic that the Dixie Chicks, one of country music's biggest acts over the past five years with nearly 25 million albums sold, decided to call their latest disc "Home," a place they were not welcome earlier this spring.

[fightinJAG]

We never in a million years knew people were listening to what we said," said Maines

Stupid Chick.

And you never believed people would read your "F.U.T.K." t-shirt that you wore in the performance beamed to CMA.

(NOTE: T.K. stands for Toby Keith, you can figure out the rest.)

I guess you never believed that people would read the t-shirt you wore for your performance in Kansas City: "fight war, not wars."

Stupid, stupid Chick.

[Ramcat]

F.U.D.C.

[Randjuke]

What a whiny, self-serving editorial. I haven't heard anyone argue Maines right to free speech - what the author does not realize is that Maines offended a large part of her fan base, quite a different situation than drug-crazed David Crosby speking out against Nixon. Celebrities have every right to speak out, but the media often fails to remind us that their opinions are not worth any more than yours or mine, giving their opinions much more exposure than they deserve.

[Welsh Rabbit]

Does America understand the concept of free speech? Apparently, the actions of the Dixie Chicks and America mean "No" to all of the above.

No, it seems Mr. Benson is the one who doesn't understand free speech.

[mewzilla]

Which is especially ironic when one notes the guy writes for a newspaper. Notice his editor didn't catch this, either...

[Always Right]

Does America understand the concept of free speech? Apparently, the actions of the Dixie Chicks and America mean "No" to all of the above.

Will the media ever understand that the people have free speech too, and if they dislike something someones says they are free to respond. Hey media, you ain't the only ones who have free speech!

[Savage Beast]

Every time these Chicks open their beaks, they just make it worse.

[whereasandsoforth]

As the fervor subsides with a contrite Maines and the Chicks being warmly received wherever they go, the lesson learned from their
free speech endeavor remains unclear. Why does protest for a war automatically make you against the troops? Will artists continue
to speak their mind? Does America understand the concept of free speech? Apparently, the actions of the Dixie Chicks and America
mean "No" to all of the above.


DOES AMERICA UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF FREE SPEECH???? It ain't the average American consumer that has the problem grasping this concept! This writer is either really dense or too stupid to be anywhere near a word program.

[randog]

No, it seems Mr. Benson is the one who doesn't understand free speech.

Zackly.

[friendly]

It is astonishing that the democrats and their Mini-Me liberal media winged monkeys truly have no idea what free speech means. Just amazing, is it not?

Freedom of expression for these 'rats is found in their tin-horn god Fidel Castro's Cuba.

[BOBWADE]

All Maines had to do was to say "I am sorry" but she wasn't and still isn't so she just tries to spin. I respect her right to free speech but she doesn't repect the rights of her fans to express themselves by not buying their product. Typical left attitude.

[gitmo]

"We never in a million years knew people were listening to what we said," said Maines. "Like Emily (Robison) said, we never use the stage as a place to preach our political beliefs or spiritual beliefs. And we still won't. And that's not what I was doing that night, either. It seemed odd to not mention anything about what was going on, granted I mentioned it in the wrong way."

Why are they talking on stage if they think no one is listening? And yes, you absolutely were preaching your political beliefs on stage that night. What the heck did you think you were doing? If you're going to talk to yourself, do it in the shower. Alone.

When contemplating Maines' opinionated statement and her subsequent apology, the problem that arises surrounds free speech. If artists aren't going to speak out and raise awareness of issues, that they feel -- right or wrong -- are close to their heart, then who will?

FReepers?

As the fervor subsides with a contrite Maines and the Chicks being warmly received wherever they go, the lesson learned from their free speech endeavor remains unclear. Why does protest for a war automatically make you against the troops? Will artists continue to speak their mind? Does America understand the concept of free speech? Apparently, the actions of the Dixie Chicks and America mean "No" to all of the above.

She needs to understand that America's response to the Dipstick Chicks' statements IS free speech. When you don't have an international stage to speak from, you use the stage you have. Free speech is a two edged sword. It can cut the speaker as well, especially when you are attacking the side of good.

Liberals have been destroying Conservatives for decades for their speech. It's called PC. But now they're attacking the US when we're struggling for our existance against a deadly enemy. Traitors get what they deserve.

[mewzilla]

And his paper obviously is unable to distinguish between a correspondent and a columnist.

[dead]

Natalie Maines exercised her first amendment right to free speech, saying...

This reporter is a total moron.

Ms. Maines has no first amendment rights to excercise in England.

Even the English don't have first amendment rights in England.

[Erik Latranyi]

"Free Speech", according to the above, only applies to liberal speech.

[MissAmericanPie]

"Does America understand the concept of free speech?"

Yeah, we understand the concept of free speech, we also understand the concept of paying the consequences for ones own actions and the concept of backing up your mouth or shutting up.

[GailA]

We understand the concept of "free speech" ...we choose to react to maines 'free speech' by NOT BUYING her product.

The blixie chicken stripers forgot the old saying for every action there is a "REACTION".

[lonestar]

If artists aren't going to speak out and raise awareness of issues, that they feel -- right or wrong -- are close to their heart, then who will?

Who cares what artists, think? They're paid to sing, not think! These idiots are chirping without thinking.

I think most of them don't have a clue as to how totally irrelevant they are.

"Stars aren't important; they just ride around in limos. When your commode stops up, you don't call a star. Plumbers are important."--Anne Murray

[Pharmboy]

What a maroon this guy is: his concept of free speech is that if you don't agree with anything anybody says, you are against free speech! As they say, free speech ain't free...