Whatever happened to free speech?

[Willem]

Originally posted by Flubber
willem

who are the "they" that have given into mob rule?Here the only people acting are the "mob" itself as personified by some music consumers and DJs. As long as they do no violence and violate no one else's fundamental rights, I have no problem with what they are doing. Personally I think its silly but that the beauty of freedom . . . you don't necessarily have to do sensible things

"They" are the DJ's, radio statio owners and music execs who are going along with all this, and jumping on the same narrowminded bandwagon as their audiences. They are public broadcasters, the ones spreading American culture and ideals thoughout the country, and the world. That puts them in a position of responsibility to uphold the concepts of free speech that the "American way" is supposed to represent. At a time when the rest of the world is judging the US and wondering whether they can be trusted, they should take every action they can to ensure that everyone sees clearly that the American people actually do practise what they preach.

[orange]

My respect for the Dixie Chicks just skyrocketed

[Japher]

Willem:

What is right about appealing to the masses? Oh, wait, that kind of makes it right... as far as a law is concerned.

Other places where free speech is denied:

NBA - Basketball players who merely utter the F-word while playing are automatically given a Technical foul.

NFL - Telling a Ref how you really feel will get you ejected, suspended, and fined.

Political Arenas - I don't think a Democrat for the war will get elected, kind of like that guy at the convention last weekend.

Work Place - Call anyone a Beatch, I dare you.

Go ahead, practice your freespeach all you want, and see where it gets you. Like someone else on this board said, you have the right to say whatever you want, you will just have to face the consequences for having done so.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I think the radio stations are being silly, but I mean it's TEXAS.

Not just in Texas. In Georgia the same thing is going on.

Go ahead, practice your freespeach all you want, and see where it gets you. Like someone else on this board said, you have the right to say whatever you want, you will just have to face the consequences for having done so.

Very true.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Willem
"They" are the DJ's, radio statio owners and music execs who are going along with all this, and jumping on the same narrowminded bandwagon as their audiences.

Damn them for trying to please the people on whom they base thier incomes!

[Sinapus]

Re: Re: Re: Whatever happened to free speech?

Originally posted by Willem


Do you have a problem with reading my views? How many times do I have to say it, my beef is with the radio stations.

My "beef" is your lack of comprehension on what is protected speech.

This Forum has restrictions on users based on behavior and it is possible to get banned or kicked off for posting something violating those restrictions. Is that banning free speech? Yes or no?

If the Dixie Chicks member had said she supported the war, many of their fans took umbrage with this and radio stations decided to stop playing their music would you have the same reaction?

[Sinapus]

Originally posted by Willem


To stand up to the principles of your constitution? Isn't that what you guys are supposed to be going to war over, freedom and liberty and all that? Or does that only apply when it's convenient to do so?

So Congress is making a law banning speaking out against the war? Is a state legislature creating a similar law?

[KrazyHorse]

I can bet you that your elected representatives would probably have had a similar reaction.

It's obviously not protected under the 1st amendment, which deals specifically with government intervention in speech. But just as obviously we're allowed to express annoyance at the thought that it's considered such a violation of public decency to criticise Dubya that stations will pull their songs for it.

[DinoDoc]

Originally posted by Frogger
But just as obviously we're allowed to express annoyance at the thought that it's considered such a violation of public decency to criticise Dubya that stations will pull their songs for it.

Of course. It's just annoying to see stupid people claim that actions such as this violate 1st amendment freedoms.

[Ming]

Originally posted by DetroitDave
There's just as many people who can boycott a station if they don't like the "sound" of censorship.

Then they should speak up and complain. If more of them complain about them NOT being played then people saying they don't want them to be played, THEY WILL BE BACK ON THE AIR, pure and simple. It's all about money, NOT CENSORSHIP or freedom of speech.

[Zero]

Originally posted by DaShi
I think it is more that many of the Dixie Chicks' fans are from the South and the right. They basically offended their target audience. Just bad marketing.

"Just so you know, we're ashamed the fans of Dixie Chicks are from Texas."

[Hueij]

A bit more display of prior fans expressing their right of free speech. Feel free to call these CD burners radical demonstrators, but this is a perfect example that free speech IS quite healthy.

Burning stuff now huh? How soon people forget...

[Jac de Molay]

Then they should speak up and complain. If more of them complain about them NOT being played then people saying they don't want them to be played, THEY WILL BE BACK ON THE AIR, pure and simple.

How is that supposed to happen when it's the DJs and media outlets themselves that are whipping people into a frenzy by saying how "unpatriotic" the women is over one stupid comment?

There hasn't been anything close to a balanced treatment of this on most talk radio shows. It's the same juvenile behaviour that makes freedom fries out of french frie, and all that other BS.

I don't disagree that its legal. But when so much of radio is consolidated nowadays, the role of the average listener is diminished considerably.

[Willem]

Originally posted by Japher
NBA - Basketball players who merely utter the F-word while playing are automatically given a Technical foul.

Big deal, a slap on the wrist to remind them that there might be kids in the audience.

NFL - Telling a Ref how you really feel will get you ejected, suspended, and fined.

Telling them, or screaming in their face with veins bulging from their forehead. There's a big difference!

Political Arenas - I don't think a Democrat for the war will get elected, kind of like that guy at the convention last weekend.

That's the role of a politician, they make a stand either way and get elected according to their views. That's part of their job!

Work Place - Call anyone a Beatch, I dare you.

I've heard that said a number of times in the workplace. Again a slap on the wrist.

Go ahead, practice your freespeach all you want, and see where it gets you. Like someone else on this board said, you have the right to say whatever you want, you will just have to face the consequences for having done so.

I don't deny that it was a tactless thing to say, but it doesn't deserve this kind of over-reaction. What's next, being tarred and feathered in a public square? It was about as diplomatic as...as...well, something George Bush would say! They must have gone to school together!

[Willem]

Originally posted by DinoDoc

Damn them for trying to please the people on whom they base thier incomes!

Damn them for accepting their responsibilties as public broadcasters so lightly in a country that keeps lecturing the rest of the world about freedom. Is there something wrong with practising what you preach?