March 17, 2003
Radio = free. Speech = free.
Posted by Jess in
Day to Day
Dixie Chick's Natalie Maines said that she was ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas, and now radio stations are dropping them because listeners are calling in and complaining.
I quote from MSNBC's article: "Station managers said their decisions were prompted by calls from irate listeners who thought criticism of the president was unpatriotic."
Isn't that backwards? Isn't getting mad at someone for exercising their right to free speech unpatriotic?
Seems to me that we don't pay a cent to listen to the radio. If the Dixie Chicks come on and you don't want to listen to them, can't you just change the station?
Are people now too lazy to lift a finger and change the dial now, too?
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I read this post earlier and grabbed for the Dixie Chicks CD. Got it playing now (again) and plan to buy another later today.
Like many folks throughout the world, I believe that if there's any chance of diplomacy working, then the diplomatic avenue must be pursued. And like many who hope we do not invade Iraq, I also support those in the military and the sacrifice and commitment they and their families are making. I have 2 nephews in the US Marine Corps, both overseas, one in Kuwait right now. I know that they are ready and willing to do whatever is asked of them, and I have tremendous respect for their dedication.
AND...Natalie Maines has the right to say whatever she thinks. She could have been more diplomatic in expressing disapproval of Mr. Bush, and I think that's what's got some folks upset. But gosh, it's important to see and try to understand as many sides of critical issues as possible. Volker Weber has posted this link to some interesting reading: http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/RRiraqWar.html
I've only read part of the article, and cannot say how much of it is accurate, but it is, nonetheless, another - and interesting - perspective. God bless free speech.
Hi Joe!
I think it's just such a peeve of mine when people don't take responsibility for themselves and make others change instead.
Such as with the radio. Why should the DJs deny those that WANT to listen to the Dixie Chicks, just because others don't want to spend the energy to simply shut them off when the song comes on?
A similar situation happened when I was at URI. In the school newspaper, someone included a political cartoon in the editorial section that could be considered offensive. It had something to do with a janitor peeking in a classroom, and some remark was said (I don't remember..)
But, completely ignoring the fact that it was an Editorial, the school was flown into a frenzy of bullying, rallies, boycotts, etc.
I think what I'm trying to say is, brace yourself for what you might read, or else don't read it at all.
I can tell I'm pretty passionate about this subject, or else I wouldn't get myself so worked up about it... again, it's just that I can't stand it when people don't take responsibility for their own feelings/emotions/views.
Some things we all should have learned long ago.
The Golden Rule -- he who has the gold makes the rules.
Freedom of the press belongs to the owner of the press, just as freedom of speech belongs to the owner of the microphone.
The first casualty of war is truth.
I do find it rather ironic that the freedom to dissent seems to be rather more restricted in the one country that prides itself on being founded on the primacy of individual rights than it is in the remnants of monarchical societies. Maybe our oligarchies simply realise that individuals really can't do much, while yours is afraid of the myth of the popular uprising which they hold as the basis for their power. But that's getting all serious and political, and I'd hate to go there. My Weltanschauung has no place here -- and so far we've been getting along okay :o)
Stan, your Weltanschauung is always welcome here. :-)
And yes, I had to look that one up to see what it meant.
I think I see what you are trying to say. Tommy Lee Jones said it best in Men In Black - "The person is smart. People are stupid."
Just because I don't agree with what someone else says, I still respect their feelings about it.
D'oh...If I had to sum up, I think I'd say that sometimes, people just gotta lighten up. :-)
