Backlash against celebrity soapbox is growing (Free Republic mentioned)

New York Times ^

[clueless idiot]

For 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 Farish, was at the show and made it a point to greet the Texas trio at a reception afterward. Although six critics reviewed the March 10 concert, only one mentioned the comment in print.

[clueless idiot]

This NYT article was run in the Minneapolis Star Diaper Tribune 04/03/2003.

[Samurai_Jack]

The thing that bothers me about these 'celebrity pundits' is that they have the means to escape the misery that they inflict upon everyone else with their good intentions.

[lavaroise]

Janeane Garofalo, a comedian and actress who has been outspoken in opposition to the war, says the antipatriotism charge seems meant to "shut down debate and thwart First Amendment rights.

"We are extremely supportive of the troops," she said. "Anyone who says yes to peace and diplomacy is saying yes to the troops."

This is a patent adaptation of antiUS propaganda and reasons to support Saddam Hussein when the former ones do not work. These people are marshmallows.

And, no they are not supportive of troops. No they are not supportive of truth and peace for truth. And no, the first amendment is not shut down when denounciation and refusal to spend time on lies is enacted. There is a limit to freedom of speech, and it is proselytism and fake currencying and deception.

[lavaroise]

The thing that bothers me about these 'celebrity pundits' is that they have the means to escape the misery that they inflict upon everyone else with their good intentions.

Exactly. They blame the very process of representation that threatens their overly hyped status.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Janeane Garofalo...says the antipatriotism charge seems meant to "shut down debate and thwart First Amendment rights.

Or, Janeane, this is simply your opposition using their First Amendment rights and enouraging a debate of your (misguided?) statements. ~~ Get used to it; your free ride is OVER!

[Professional]

I hope they don't mind my "right", "freedom", "choice" to boycott them. Hope that "stuns" and "chills" them into "silence".

[eureka!]

"For all the talk of boycotts and damaging careers, though, there's little evidence that the campaigns have significant economic impact. While the Dixie Chicks suffered the drop in airplay, their album was at No. 7 on the Billboard charts"

Au contraire Clymer. I heard tell there was also a 40% drop in sales. BTW, where was the album on the charts before the comments? *foot tapping*

[ewing]

memo to NY Times.. just get the address right

[dfwgator]

The tickets for the Blixie Chicks sold-out show were already sold before Natalie put her foot in her mouth.

[OriginalV]

Here's what kills me about these protesters...

1) Martin Sheen, I read recently that he is guided by his religous/moral convictions, that is why he is against this "unjust" war. I guess he must've forgotten about them for about eight years, because I don't recall him protesting clinton bombing Kosovo, or protesting the fact that clinton turned the oval office into the oral office.

2) Thank god Garafalo is a complete retard, because she completely outed all of these actor-activist smucks, by saying it wasn't hip to protest Clinton.

3) Lastly, they know that since they are "celebrities" that regardless of how irresponible their baseless arguments are, that sadly they do reach an audience. They take all this protesting so seriously, yet the spread their propaganda around like it was the truth. Like Garafalo said, she is well informed because she watches Satellite T.V. How anyone in this world could take her seriously, or give her the time of day is beyond me.

[IYAS9YAS]

Mike Farrell, who played B.J. Hunnicut on the "M*A*S*H" TV series and who is a strong supporter of many liberal causes, said such tactics amount to "an orchestrated attempt to undermine free speech and the right to dissent."

And yet, the liberals try to shut out speech that does not meet their requirements. If you are going to be political about any issue, you are going to suffer the backlash of those who disagree with you. These idiots have been doing this to conservatives for years and now they want to whine about it when it happens to them...wahhhh, mommmmy, he hurt my feeeelllinnngss.

[N. Theknow]

Here's something really simple so that the uneducated, illiterate, sophmoric, inane, entertainment dunderheads can understand since most of them have only a secondary level education.

The right to free speech doesn't make what you say right.

[Dr.Deth]

"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."

Well, this just in, Saddam-lover: as a performer, shooting your mouth off and making people want to turn the channel affects you professionally.

What, you're going to sue everyone who changes channels when they see your smarmy face because they're denying your livelihood?

Where do they hatch these nincompoops anyway?

[js1138]

http://freerepublic.com

You get your 15 minutes of fame and they spell your name wrong.

[mewzilla]

People who make their livings on the basis of public approval (ex: ticket sales, cd sales, ratings) had better be prepared to kiss the public's behind. They don't like it, they can try to find another day job.

[RooRoobird14]

"If they want to call me a Saddam-lover, that's their right," he (@sshole Farrell) said. "But if they set out to affect me professionally, that's different."

I have news for you, Mr. Sadam-loving Farrell: WE have a right to express ourselves, too, and I hope like hell it costs you your job and your spoiled brat lifestyle. You don't have a constitutional right to be employed as an overpaid mediocre actor on a mediocre TV series. You've dished it out, @sshole, and now you're going to have to live with the consequences of your 'free speech.' It's your problem if your'e too spineless and b@lless to take back what you dish out so freely.

[eureka!]

"The tickets for the Blixie Chicks sold-out show were already sold before Natalie put her foot in her mouth."

True. And those former fans should still go to the concert. Give a hearty welcome to the warm-up act. When the Blixi Chicks appear they should stand up with "Support our CIC in times of war/you should be ashamed" banners, boo and then walk out. I would think a 20 to 30 percent (or more) of the audience would join....

[RooRoobird14]

"If they want to call me a Saddam-lover, that's their right," he (@sshole Farrell) said. "But if they set out to affect me professionally, that's different."

I have news for you, Mr. Sadam-loving Farrell: WE have a right to express ourselves, too, and I hope like hell it costs you your job and your spoiled brat lifestyle. You don't have a constitutional right to be employed as an overpaid mediocre actor on a mediocre TV series. You've dished it out, @sshole, and now you're going to have to live with the consequences of your 'free speech.' It's your problem if your'e too spineless and b@lless to take back what you dish out so freely.

[techcor]

I think people should go to "Dr." Farrell for foreign policy advice as much as they do for medical advice.

*Paging Dr. Farrell and Nurse Garafallo* our patience is up.

[eleni121]

The Hollywood liberal limousines operate from a conscious or subconcious pathology of guilt - the guilt that they make money doing essentially unreal things - and that they are as even tottering ol' Al Anon member O'Toole explicitly reminded them "entertainers" nothing more and nothing less.

Since they essentially survive by creating and selling fantasy, they need to expiate/atone for their guilt - and what better way than to hide behind the first amendment, by bashing the "real" actors - those dying for their freedoms.