The Backlash Grows Against Celebrity Activists (Freerepublic mentioned)

NYT ^

[Sub-Driver]

The Backlash Grows Against Celebrity Activists By WARREN ST. JOHN

OR a few days after the Dixie Chicks' lead singer, Natalie Maines, told a London audience, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas," there was not a ripple about the remark. The American ambassador to Britain, William S. Farish, was at the show on March 10, and made it a point to greet the Texas trio at a reception afterward. Though six critics reviewed the concert, only one mentioned the comment in print.

Four days later, all that had changed. Reports of the remark spread to the United States through Web sites — notably the Drudge Report and a conservative site called Freerepublic.com — and in no time, the Dixie Chicks, who had been riding the top of the charts with their album "Home" after winning Grammy Awards in February, found themselves the subject of radio boycotts and public CD burnings. Ms. Maines apologized for the remark, but by week's end, the boycotts had contributed to a 20 percent drop in airplay

[TLBSHOW]

Looks like we have another leftist scum bag showing up.
This time from Rage against the Machine singer with these words

...from protest against the U.S. led war against Iraq in a new song, "March of Death."

de la Rocha rails against U.S. President George W. Bush's decision to attempt to remove Iraqi president Saddam Hussein by force: "Here it comes, the sound of terror from above / he flew his Texas twisted tongue / the poor lined up to kill in desert slums / for oil that burn beneath the desert sun."

"Lies, sanctions, and cruise missiles have never created a free and just society," de la Rocha said in a statement. "Only everyday people can do that, which is why I'm joining the millions worldwide who have stood up to oppose the Bush administration's attempt to expand the U.S. empire at the expense of human rights at home and abroad. In this spirit, I'm releasing this song for anyone who is willing to listen. I hope it not only makes us think, but also inspires us to act and raise our voices."

Shadow added, "As an American, my government's actions give me cause for great concern. I'm proud to support Zack de la Rocha in giving a musical voice to that concern." According to Shadow's official Web site, "March of Death" is one of three songs he has produced for de la Rocha's solo album, the rest of which is being helmed by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor.

"March of Death" comes on the heels of the online release of anti-war songs by such acts as the Beastie Boys and John Mellencamp. De la Rocha has long been an outspoken advocate for peace and leftist politics; Rage Against The Machine appeared at the 1999 Tibetan Freedom Festival and even appeared naked onstage to a wail of feedback instead of playing a set at the Philadelphia stop on Lollapalooza, in protest of the Parents Musical Resource Council's efforts to place warning labels on CDs.

http://www.billboard.com/billboard/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1846465

[LauraJean]

Mike Farrell can say anything he wants. However I cannot recall seeing him in anything lately. Maybe he wants
to use his political opinion as an excuse for his career being in the toilet.

[philetus]

I don't believe that.
Billboard is probably artifically keeping them up to try to make us think we are having no effect.

[fightu4it]

See thread: The Other Hollywood

[TLBSHOW]

Needs looking into but I beleive they go by scaned sales each week!

[ODDITHER]

"They have a free speech right to criticize America at a time of war, but if anyone criticizes them, then gee whiz, they're being violated. They need to toughen up."

Celebrities don't believe in free speech, because with free speech comes the responsibility of accepting the consequences for exercising that speech.

Yes those celebs have the right to say un-American, stupid, and idiotic things - they even have a right not to say anything. However they better darn well be ready to accept the consequences to saying those things. That includes, e-mails, letters to share their stupidity with others. The most effective way to show my displeasure with these leftist idiots is to boycott their advertisers, movies, songs and the Oscars.

Freedom of speech comes with a price, and that price may very well be them not being able to get work. If freedom of speech is important to them they should be willing to sacrifice their popularity for it.

[Bernard Marx]

Gee, piss off your customers, then complain about the drop in sales. Go figure.

You're probably "mean-spirited" or something to expect a Commie like Farrell to understand the free market. After all, elitism has its privileges.

[catpuppy]

Mike Farrell ... said such tactics amount to "an orchestrated attempt to undermine free speech and the right to dissent." "If they want to call me a Saddam lover that's their right," he said. "But if they set out to affect me professionally, that's different."

Yet this poor, wounded and washed up "actor" gives no thought to the American blood he is spilling by giving aid and comfort and encouragement to Saddam's murderous regime.

[NYCVirago]

While the Dixie Chicks suffered the drop in airplay, their album is at No. 4 on the Billboard charts. Many shows on their coming tour are sold out, Mr. Renshaw said.

Geez, I guess it's too much to expect the New York Times to do some research. Yes, the Dixie Chicks have a sold-out tour coming up, but the tickets were sold out BEFORE Natalie opened her big mouth about Bush!

[Lockbox]

Sorry I forgot the commie rule

[Dante3]

George's statement was disgusting. But not great outrage, nothing like about Rocker's trivial comments which amounted to nothing.

As for Dixie Chicks, sure a stupid comment. But too much has been made of it, IMHO. Far worse statements have been made and they have received a pass. Look at Moran. No great backlash that I can see, just a few feeble criticisms.

[Blue Collar Christian]

I thought Moran had been encouraged by Dem. leaders not to run for re-election, no?

[Dante3]

From what I hear Rep. Moran remains popular in his district. Even though the district went big for Bush and Moran has had his share of scandals as well as strong Republican opponents he has always managed not only to win but win big according to reports.

He got publicity for saying that the Jewish lobby is behind the war and he got publicity for apologizing for saying it. And that seems to be the end of it. Dixie Chicks (who also apologized) sure are getting a lot more attention, overshadowing Moran. Must make him happy.

[Tigercap]

THe Hollywood Left is so very confused when it comes to "freedom of speech".

THye think that boycotts are a violation. Boycotting, organized or not, is a very pure form of freedom of speech itself.

We should all refuse to give our money to people that we disagree with.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Well, I guess the apathy of the general public doesn't measure up to the caginess of country music fans. It's still troubling, though, to see continued sales success dispite cuts in airplay.

[The Right Stuff]

Great graphic, got a printable version?

[Mamzelle]

re: "But if they set out to affect me professionally, that's different."--Mike Farrell, ferret-face )))

That's not different, ferret face, that's a boycott. But a high-school dropout like yourself might not know what the word means.

[Blue Collar Christian]

"We should all refuse to give our money to people that we disagree with."

I don't mind someone disagreeing with me, or US, I just have a problem with them exploiting freedom of speech at my country's expense. Which one of us FReepers has the tag line that goes something like;"Having the right to do something does not make it right to do it."?

I want people with a different opinion than mine to still shop at my motorcycle shop, and I will still do business with the liberal that respects my right to my opinion. BUT, when his actions endanger me, my family, my business, my country or my rights, he will not get any more money from me. That's why I don't wear LEVIS, buy Hallmark products etc. and reason enough to let the sponsers of "Left Wing" know we will not be buying their products until they pull their ads.

[BunnySlippers]

From the article:

Web sites with names like Boycott-hollywood.us and Famousidiot.com are spearheading e-mail and telephone campaigns against stars and, in the case of television performers, the companies that advertise on their shows. Together with talk radio and evening political talk shows, the online organizing has created a formidable gantlet for celebrities who choose to make their politics known.

[sonofatpatcher2]