I was amazed about the protests related to the Dixie Chicks making a 15-word statement about being ashamed that Bush was from Texas.  I believe people should have a right to express their views against some one who is expressing their views against someone.  But I also heard some people threatened the members of the group, including saying they should be dropped over Iraq. Take a chill pill people!  Some other views...

What is Censorship?. When we discuss censorship in the context of American, or un-American, behavior we should keep the intent and scope of the First Amendment in mind -- that is, we are protected from government censorship. What Jim, J.D., and the Boss are talking about below may be intolerant, even rude, but it isn't censorship and it isn't un-American. The government has made no claim here and exacted no penalty. A citizen of the United States may speak freely, within certain bounds, and be free of government interference. But the Constitution does not guarantee an audience or provide protection from consequences. There are all kinds of restrictions on our speech in private areas, and all kinds of consequences for violating those restrictions. There is another basic premise of American freedom at play here, economic freedom. We are each free to use our economic power in the furtherance of our own interests. We are not compelled to further private interests with which we disagree. Such coercion would also be un-American. But here's where it gets a bit sticky. In our system corporations have much the same economic status as individuals, that is, they can buy or sell from whomever, whenever they please. It's the basis of our quasi-free market system. There are certain restrictions that (hopefully) stop them from doing harm to others, but there isn't any mandate to provide economic support for specific causes or actions. Such mandates would also be un-American. What we are left with here is a simple conflict of multiple independent parties exercising their rights, and turning to the market for a solution. That sounds pretty American to me. But there is a real problem in that corporations also wield very nearly the power of Governments. In this case, we have errantly divided up the frequency spectrum into private fiefdoms, and created huge private spaces where none should exist. A corporation doesn't, and shouldn't, be told who or what to broadcast. But a single corporation shouldn't "own" all the spectrum, either.

Springsteen on the Dixie Chicks..

Springsteen on the Dixie Chicks Here's a courageous statement from Bruce Springsteen on the plight of the Dixie Chucks, who are suffering boycotts of their work by the pro-war jingoists (including faux-patriotic corporate interests) throughout the land:

The Dixie Chicks have taken a big hit lately for exercising their basic right to express themselves. To me, they're terrific American artists expressing American values by using their American right to free speech. For them to be banished wholesale from radio stations, and even entire radio networks, for speaking out is un-American. [...]

Bruce Springsteen

[from JD Lassica's New Media Musings ]

Good to see that some people get the basic premise of free speech. If you don't like or agree with what they say, say something else in rebuttal. But don't engage in forms of attempted censorship. The whole point of free speech is to permit ideas that the majority don't agree with to be heard. [...] [McGee's Musings]

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