Just a thought
Why is it wrong for Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks to speak her mind about the president, and OK for Charlton Heston to go to Littleton, CO soon after the Columbine massacre and raise his musket over his head, intoning, “From my COLD DEAD HAND!”? Either celebrities have the same rights to speak out on issues they care about as every other citizen, or they don’t.
It’s easy to defend freedom of speech when you agree with the speech. It’s not so easy when people spout words that, as Grandpa Simpson used to say, “angry up the blood.”
No, Natalie Maines wouldn’t have the same freedom to speak out if she lived in Iraq. That’s sort of the point.
A few people complain and radio stations immediatley change their programming because someone like Natalie Maines expresses a legitimate opinion. Talk show hosts foam at the mouth – a ready-made week of shows with an easy “let’s get angry at her” topic.
But if the same number of vocal people complain about other speech, like pro-war programming or hatemongering Eminem songs or dozens of lies by dubya’s administration, nothing is done.
Is there some tiny bubble of approved free speech that is appropriate for boycotts? I missed that memo. Do we have to make a plea that it’s “for the children” or “anti-American” in order to be heard, or can reason ever rule the day?
“… or can reason ever rule the day?”
HA! That’s a good one. Snrk.
Over the last few days, listening to my coworkers complain about the cost of gas and banter excitedly about the number of bombs we’re dropping on Baghdad any minute now, while simultaneously showing off the latest photo spreads of their infants and toddlers and fingering their wedding rings, the horrifying truth about America has been sinking in: we’re rich enough to be this stupid.
Looks like the backlash failed. Their sales went down, but not as much as other albums. They actually rose on the charts.
One difference between the celebrity proclamations is simple: Charleton Heston (at the time of the Denver rally) was the vice-president of the political lobbying group who were putting on the event, as well as being a rather highly-recognizable celebrity spokesperson. Natalie Maines, on the other hand, does not represent any political organization or group other than her musical group. Equating their celebrity status, then, is a misdirection that confuses the real point: why do people hate celebrities, especially when they say things not all of us can agree on?
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I go now.
I would also say it’s not so much a matter of Natalie’s right to speak out so much as that she didn’t consider her audience. I know it’s a gross generalization, but country fans tend to subscribe to the Toby Keith attitude of ass-kicking. Where many non-country fans, and liberal country fans such as myself and my roomates still like the Dixie Chicks, the majority of the country population disagrees with her, and since it is within their forum, they are the voices being heard.
well i like the dixie chicks harmony
Let’s boycott Ben-Hur!
That would be gay!
Ms. Maines (whose music I do enjoy) has the same right to be a blithering idiot in public as anyone else (including Charlton Heston). And folks are free to respond like blithering idiots in letting their opinion of her politics influence their aesthetic appreciation of her work, and thus, if they choose, boycott it.
And, of course, the folks who commercially promote her works are free to put pressure on her about how they are concerned it will affect sales, and, thus, their profits.
And regarding Mr Heston, if this site is to be believed, the “‘from my cold, dead, hands” quote in Bowling for Columbine did not take place in Denver (like the “documentary” implies), but a year later, in a different city, under different circumstances.
I guess I wouldn’t call anyone a “blithering idiot” for expressing a personal opinion.
My understanding, and correct me if I’m wrong, is that Heston’s “cold dead hand” schtick became so popular that he made sure to say it at every NRA event he attended. My point was simply to highlight that conservatives have no problem with other conservatives expressing opinions, but a huge problem with liberals doing the same. That pesky Constitution cuts both ways, guys.
If so, it would have been nice if Moore could have used the clip from the Denver appearance, like other parts of the speech he used. Regardless …
If anyone has suggested throwing Ms Maines in prison, or in some other way legally sanctioning her for her statements, point me to her legal defense fund and I’ll be more than happy to contribute. That’s a Constitutional issue.
If, on the other hand, Ms Maines says that she’s ashamed Dubya is from Texas, and someone else says that’s a stupid opinion, that’s simply an expression of opinion, like Ms Maines. The Constitution doesn’t enter into it.
If consumers choose to voice their dissatisfaction with the opinions held by celebrities (whatever those opinions are) by eschewing purchase of their goods, that’s certainly their prerogative as well. Celebrity cuts both ways.
Opinions are like a**holes…….everybody’s got one.
My view on Natalie’s comments were that; sure she has a right to speak her mind… however she didn’t say “I” am ashamed…. she chose to speak for the WHOLE state of Texas. Therein lies her mistake.
When celebrities make generalized statements to the press here and overseas the mistaken implication is that they are speaking for a majority… when in fact they are the minority – as 74% of Americans support the president and the war.
So YES she had a right to say ‘something’ but did not have the right to generalize for a whole state, and also was just stupid to say it because what we really need is to show the world a united front here in America.
United We Stand.
JMO.
Meritt: I believe she said “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.” I’m pretty sure she was referring to herself and the members of her group, not all Texans.
…..or she COULD have been referring to other personalities in her head too……we must learn to think outside the box folks…….
I am so sick and tired of celebrities whining about the US. They line their pockets very well here under capitalism, and then critcize the very leadership which allows them to do so. What they don’t realize is, if the lived in a country like Iraq under the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, they and their families would be executed for voicing their beliefs. And it’s funny, people like Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon complain about their freedom of speech being violated at the Basball Hall of Fame, yet they both openly led a crusade to remove Dr. Laura from television. So it’s freedom of speech, if you have leftist agendas. And what happened with Alec Baldwin, Cher, and Ms. Streisand, who threateded to leave the country if G W Bush was elected? Last time I checked, theyre still here!
I’m watching a documentary on The History Channel about Saddam Hussein. He tortured thousands of people. Burned, shocked and beat them. Men and children. Amputation, rape, haning, burning. Anyone who is not in favor of killing him is either ignorant or evil… Which are you?
Of course Saddam Hussien is evil, one of the most vile leaders that has ever existed. I equate him with Adolph Hitler, the crimes and atrocities he has committed against humanity is unspeakably heinous. His removal was long overdue. That is exactly my point. For all the anti-war celebrites to speak out against President Bush and his efforts to rid the world of Hussein and others like him, is an outrage. I am disgusted that someone like Natalie Maines can go over to England and make an antil-American statement, and essentially get away with it. Then to add even more insult, she went on Diane Sawyer’s show in a pathetic attempt at damage control, without ever apologizing for her actions. All she is worried about is the sales of her CD’s. I have nothing but contempt for people who do not support President Bush and out troops. I have one question, if the US is so bad, and celebrities hate President Bush so much, why not do us all a favor and leave the country?