[Snuffington]

... which means the two biggest free-speech moments of 2003 (Dixie Chicks and Pearl Jam) found the participants capitulating faster than the Republican Guard.

Um... yeah, right. These were great "free-speech" moments. Celebrities mouthing off about geo-politics, only to discover they misread their usually sycophantic fan-base. Then they frantically back-track so they don't end up destroying their pop-culture careers. Heady and deep stuff.

[Becki]

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.

Then what was F.U.T.K?

Becki

[wingnuts'nbolts]

No one is questoning the right of these "important" people to free speech, they can say whatever they like whenever they like, we however, the beneficiaries of their utterings, do not have to be pleased with what we hear, or agree with what we hear, or even care about what they think.

We can voice our rights and call radio stations and complain about the DChick's verbal droppings and refuse to listen to their music, we can stay away from their performances in droves if we so wish, and we can opine at thier individual and collective stupidity without in any way hindering their constitution right to say what they want, known as free speech.

[Reaganesque]

Reaction a shock to Dixie Chicks

Maybe initially. But now this has become a publicity stunt for them. They are keeping this before the public. They are continually generating interviews, editorials, articles about it. They are trying to capitalize on their notoriety and with some success. Don't be surprised if she does it again to remind us later on when the Dixie Chicks put out another album.

[MichiganMan]

Open letter. CCed to John Benson


Maines exercised her Freedom of Speech by saying mean things about President Bush. A bunch of Americans exercised their Freedom of Speech by saying mean things about Maines. Obviously you think the latter should not have occurred.

Its regrettable that you obviously appear to think that the people protesting her don't have the same rights as she. Perhaps Americans should just shut up when the rich beautiful people speak? Does the 1st amendment guarantee you the right not to have people criticize your statements? Or perhaps only when they speak against conservatives?

As for boycotts, does the 1st amendment take from us our choice of whether we give money to people we disagree with? Ms. Maines is entitled to my money? Or perhaps only people that criticize conservatives are entitled to financial immunity from their own actions? Did you also shed tears for Dr. Laura as her attempted television show endured a similar firestorm for her expressed views?

No? Interesting.

[cabbieguy]

F.U.N.M.

[sweetliberty]

Perhaps their president, Martin Sheen, will grant them a pardon.

US actor (Sheen) 'pardons' Irish war protesters

[arasina]

Note to Dixie Chicks: Your right to free speech is intact. You were allowed to say what you "think" without being dragged off to prison or something. Those who disagree with you have their right to free speech as well. (Do you think our First Amendment doesn't apply to them?) Go ahead. Keep saying and singing what you think and believe. The Constitution protects you. Just don't be surprised when a lot of people quit buying your CDs or attending your concerts.

[woofie]

I am ashamed of Mass. as it is the home of the president who got us into Viet Nam

[RWG]

Why does protest for a war automatically make you against the troops?

If everything could be compressed into symbols then we could suppose a dixie chick talking to a symbol of the military. She would say something to the effect that she supported him but not what he was doing. The military symbol would answer her by saying that he needed to go to war as a last result because everything that could have been done was done but the danger remains. How could anyone separate the soldier from the war? What percentage of the military had been in the military-reservists and all other categories included-a long time before the war was even considered a necessary option? By becoming a soldier before there is a specific war to fight, the soldier is stating who he is and what he stands for and most importantly what he will do.

Can you separate a rapist from his crime? Can you separate a saint from his good deeds? What a person does or does not do on his own and with his free will defines what a person is or is not.

The support for the troops but not the war cannot be applied to the iraq war but it can be the vietnam war. The distinction here is that of an all volunteer army and a conscripted one.

[KellyAdmirer]

Had David Crosby of the political '70s folk-rock act Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young made the same statement about then President Nixon, that he was ashamed the president came from his home state of California, as the Vietnam War raged with body bags by the dozens coming home day after day, the media and public would have chalked up the incident as hippie talk and nothing more.

And Jane Fonda posing in a North Vietnamese antiaircraft gun would have been forgotten the next day....

I see that the Dixie Chicks, who are being "so warmly received everywhere," had their album fall on the Billboard charts this past week from 31 to 46. Tours are supposed to help album sales, not hurt them.

I reckon Ms. Maines' exercise of her free speech has cost the group at least several million dollars in the short term, and maybe much more long term. But, then, this is about principles, not cash, right? So what are they complaining about? LOL

[MeekOneGOP]

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?

Apology ????? I think SORRY FOR THE BACKLASH is more the case. $$$$$$

Dixie Chicks launch full-frontal attack -
"not...standing their ground...pushing it even farther"

[FierceDraka]

Restrictions of civil liberties, my a$$. The gub'mint hasn't lifted a finger to restrict anyone's free speech, and I defy anyone to point to a single instance of that occurring.

These celebs are so blinded by ego and self-adoration, that they find it almost impossible to comprehend that the people who have been kissing their a$$es and making them rich for so long might turn on them when they open their pie-holes and spew anti-American garbage during wartime.

On a side note, I never, ever was a fan of Bruce Springsteen. Sometime during my teen years (mid-80's), that gravelly-voice sack of 'Rat turds made some scathing remarks about Ronaldus Maximus, and I knew right then that even though he wrapped himself in our flag, his heart was with the Hammer and Sickle. His music SUCKED, too. I wanted to see Bruce Dinkinson of Iron Maiden run him through with a rapier.

[fish hawk]

Springsteen sucks too. "restrictions of civil liberties", like we dont have the right to not buy their records?

[The Real Eddie01]

"Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

[Houmatt]

And John Benson shows everyone what a biased, liberal moron he is by beating the "free speech" drum and Maines once again acting like Miss Naive.

In reality, Benson is full of crap and Maines, unlike Lennon who made an apology during a press conference, is being defiant and giving Americans (read: the people who would buy her CDs) the finger.

And by the way, things are not going as smoothly as the liberal media wants you to think. The Chicks were booed at the CMAs and there were a lot of empty seats at what would otherwise have been a sold out show in Austin.

F.U.T.K.? Who is on the charts and who isn't, Natalie? Just who is getting screwed, you female dog?

[Consort]

[KC_for_Freedom]

Perhaps Maines' sentiment could have been phrased in a more innocuous fashion but the question that begs to be asked is whether it really needed to be. Had David Crosby of the political '70s folk-rock act Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young made the same statement about then President Nixon, that he was ashamed the president came from his home state of California, as the Vietnam War raged with body bags by the dozens coming home day after day, the media and public would have chalked up the incident as hippie talk and nothing more.

Can't see anything different between Vietnam and Iraq? How about 9-11? How about mid east oil? What about Israel? There are a host of differences that this author does not get. It is not surprising that he does not "get" that the dixie chicks have squandered their careers in country music and now must go after the pop hollywood culture and the left to save what is left of their music.

I am ashamed that the chicks come from south of the Mason Dixon line.

[RedWhiteBlue]

Why does protest for a war automatically make you against the troops?

Uh, maybe because the troops are the people that are executing the war ....

Will artists continue to speak their mind? Does America understand the concept of free speech?

They sure will. But when someone, a celebrity or an ordinary Joe, spouts their opinion, the people that hear it will always be free to either agree or disagree with it. Do they think that "freedom of speech" means that people are free to speak, but those that hear the words are not free to disagree in turn?

They still don't get it.

[demosthenes the elder]

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

Yes, we do. Better than does the author of this extended whine, if this piece is an honest indication of the depths of his delusion.