[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[MWS]

Does America understand the concept of free speech?

Apparently yes! The mindset that "free speech" applies only to the proponents of liberalism and not to those who wish to protest liberals never ceases to amaze me!

Personally, I am getting quite sick of those who are trying to censor conservative protest on the grounds that we are censoring them!

[TrebleRebel]

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?

She just won't shut up, will she? She just rambles on like some disjointed whiner. She wasn't 'raising awareness,' she was indulging in commerce. She began her comment with 'just so you know'...in other words, 'in case you're waffling on whether or not to buy an album, t-shirt, tickets to our next concert, or any other item that will put money in our pockets, listen to what I have to say next and it may change your mind...' This could have blown over weeks ago, but its this bird-brain that won't let it die. And as long as she keeps squawking, they're going to continue to be maligned. Someone should teach them the saying 'least said, soonest mended.'

[jwalsh07]

I sent the author a link to this thread. Hopefully he will come away with the knowledge that speech is a two way street.

But I have my doubts.

[BillCompton]

We clearly need a new constitutional amendment:

The right to be free from responsibility for one's actions shall not be abridged.

Were this to become an amendment, then the Dixie Chicks would have a constitutional arguement and we could, most of us, feel like McCarthyites.

[4mycountry]

Reaction a shock to the Dixie Chicks

Shocked.

[tuna_battle_slight_return]

Tim Duncan is ashamed that the Dixie Chicks are from Texas.

[TSgt]

The Chicks can say what they want when they want HOWEVER:

They should not disrespect the honor or memory of those who have given their lives or are/were currently giving their lives to allow the Chicks to spew their hate talk.

This is not an issue of free speech and I'm continually perplexed by those who think it is. Saying what she said in another country during a war was treasonous.

The Chicks need to learn how to be more accepting of other people's free speech when they tell them to go to hell.

Piss on them.