Whatever happened to free speech?

[Elden]

I forget whether I found this here or on CFC but:

Freedom of Speech is very important to the American government and people, until you say something they don't want you to say....

[Tingkai]

Originally posted by notyoueither
Maybe when the twit is so incredibly insulting to a politico that strikes such a negative chord with the public.

Since we've Canadianised this thread, can anyone remember the ads about the Liberal leader ran when Canbell was running for PM?

No, but I remember the one Campbell's group ran that made fun of Chretien's deformity. That one crossed the line.

So this Dixie Chick is a twit because she said she's ashamed of Bush? That's hardly "incredibly insulting".

[Arrian]

As has been pointed out, this has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It may be silly (we do seem to go a bit overboard with boycotts these days), but it isn't a violation of free speech. Nobody arrested her for making insulting remarks about our Dear Leader.

I don't think I've ever heard a Dixie Chicks song. :shrug:

-Arrian

[Willem]

Originally posted by Arrian
As has been pointed out, this has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It may be silly (we do seem to go a bit overboard with boycotts these days), but it isn't a violation of free speech. Nobody arrested her for making insulting remarks about our Dear Leader.

I don't think I've ever heard a Dixie Chicks song. :shrug:

-Arrian

During the McCarthy era many people weren't arrested either, but having your career destroyed over something you say is just as much a violation of free speech as getting hauled off the street and jailed. Freedom of speech doesn't have a level or a degree, either you can speak about what's on your mind or you can't. And obviously in America at the moment you can't.

[Ming]

Originally posted by Willem
And obviously in America at the moment you can't.

And obviously, you haven't watched any of the late night talk shows or listened to any comedians who pick on Bush on a regular basis...

[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.

[Arrian]

They basically offended their target audience

Yep.

-Arrian

[Imran Siddiqui]

Exactly Dashi. The fans are expressing their free speech by saying the Dixie Chicks are wrong. The fans aren't telling them don't have the 'right' to do it; the fans are merely saying that they disagree with the statements made.

That's different than saying you aren't allowed (or shouldn't be allowed) to say something.

[MichaeltheGreat]

Originally posted by Shi Huangdi


So it's now a violation of free speech if people choose not to listen to you? Excellent, now to track down your phone number and continually call you to rant off on whatevers on my mind!

If you want to spend the money for international long distance, sure.

Your sarcasmometer must not have been functioning too well, but I do think it's rather interesting that there is so much vitriol. Had they been from Arkansas, and said they were embarassed Clinton came from Arkansas, I think you'd get a different set of reactions from the left and the right.

Not listening, and not buying is one thing. Organized parties to burn their CD's, etc., is a bit more.

[Pyrodrew]

Organized parties to burn their CD's, etc., is a bit more.

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.

[Pyrodrew]

Why do Americans get their panties in a twist whenever someone says something against Bush?

Some Americans react that way for the same reason some Americans (or even non-Americans) "get their panties in a twist" whenever someone says something pro-Bush.

[Static Universe]

Originally posted by Elden
I forget whether I found this here or on CFC but:

Freedom of Speech is very important to the American government and people, until you say something they don't want you to say....

You probably saw it here. At CFC the word "Chewbacca" would replace "American governement".

[Willem]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Exactly Dashi. The fans are expressing their free speech by saying the Dixie Chicks are wrong. The fans aren't telling them don't have the 'right' to do it; the fans are merely saying that they disagree with the statements made.

That's different than saying you aren't allowed (or shouldn't be allowed) to say something.

My main beef here isn't with the fans, it's with the radio stations. People have the option to buy what they want, but I don't see how the stations have any right to refuse them airplay. Actions like that are treading on dangerous ground IMO. What kind of an example is that setting for others that might have an opinion either way?

It's basically saying that if you want a career in entertainment, you keep your mouth shut, which isn't fair or just. She's entitled to her opinions just like everyone else, and no corporate body has the right to say otherwise.

Frankly, as a public figure I think she has an obligation to speak out, either for or against. I personally think that Bush is a moron, but that opinion doesn't give anyone the right to destroy my career, such as it is.

[Willem]

Originally posted by Pyrodrew


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.

How, by pointing out that she's not entitiled to a personal opinion just because she's a public figure? I guess the American people don't like their entertainers to have minds of their own, and to say how they feel.

[Arrian]

Our entertainers are, by and large, idiots. Haven't you noticed that by now?

-Arrian