if everyone in the US is entitled to freedom of speech, why was such a fuss made over the Dixi Chicks song that made reference to George Bush? Is speech free...but only to a point?
2006-10-10 03:18:31 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Professor Shiraz PHD:
Not the point. Who cares if they insult everyone in the universe? Are they not entitled to share their opinions based on the first ammendment?
2006-10-10 03:22:20 · update #1
I would also like to add that it was never an issue of people disagreeing with it - there was a good deal of 'they had no right to say that' going on, and i would just like to challenge.
2006-10-10 03:25:09 · update #2
The Chicks have a right to say whatever the heck the want.
Everyone else also has the right to be offended and choose to judge them for that action.
There is nothing new here.
2006-10-10 04:55:11 · answer #1 · answered by Manny 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did the government do anything to the Dixie Twits? Did they, Castro-like, throw them into prison? Did they get sent to the Gulag?
No, they exercised their free speech rights and were not punished in the least by government.
However, there was a backlash from other people. Radio stations CHOSE to not play their records. People CHOSE to not buy their music. People CHOSE to not attend their concerts.
Just because you have free speech, does not mean that other people may not disagree with you and take actions to boycott you.
This is not a free speech issue, but a consequence issue.
2006-10-10 03:33:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are free to say pretty much whatever you want. People are also free to decline to listen.
What many people, even those in the entertainment industry, fail to realize is that entertainers are paid to entertain. They are not paid to use their mic time as a political platform. If, like the Dixie Chicks, your flavor of entertainment appeals to a broad cross section of Americans you must take into account that around 50% of your audience is going to lean towards a political opinion that runs counter to your own.
When "Joe lunchbox" plunks down his hard earned pay to take his date to a concert he has every right and reason to get pissed when the performer uses the entertainment time he has paid for to publicly promote a political viewpoint that he not only disagrees with, but finds downright insulting and borderline treasonous.
2006-10-10 03:32:01 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
People in general will always say 'they have no right to...whatever' if they disagree with it. In turn, those who agree, get upset because someone doesn't...it's human nature, and it's the nature of a free country. If people disagree, I think the smartest thing to do is vote with your wallet. Don't buy products by people you disagree with. They can say anything they want! You just don't have to support them.
2006-10-10 03:32:09 · answer #4 · answered by Baby'sMom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
as much as i hate George "i am the spawn of Satan" bush, i think the big thing that everybody forgets is that as much as we hate to admit it he is human like the rest of us, fair enough he is a human with more power and nukes than anybody else but a human none the less, if somebody downright insults you, you take some form of action, every body differs but he is a fighter and not really tactful enough to avoid confrontation, but even a pacifist would take action by pointedly not rising to the proverbial bate!
2006-10-10 03:33:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free speech is also the right to voice your opposition. The Dixie chicks foolishly decided to become vocally anti conservative in a music genre that is listened to by mostly conservative people. Not a real brilliant career move.
2006-10-10 03:23:49 · answer #6 · answered by fstopf4 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
They are certainly entitled to their free speech.
They are also entitled to the repurcussions of their free speech, namely that they offended their previous audience and lost their sales.
They constitution guarantees that the government will not stop you from saying what you want. It doesn't guarantee that you'll maintain your record sales after saying it.
2006-10-10 03:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by Ricky T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Equality is a political ideal not an economic reality
Same goes with freedom of speech its a political ideal that can clash with the different stratas of economic reality. Focused economic influence can squash opposing views. Same in every country.
2006-10-10 03:24:35 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Just as the Dixie Chicks have the right to say what they like - consumers have the right to criticize them, and choose not to buy their record.
Radio stations have the right to choose not to play their records.
Or, do you think the Dixie Chicks are the only ones who should get those First Amendment rights - and everybody else should be forced to listen to their blathering?
2006-10-10 03:21:47 · answer #9 · answered by Flint 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Free speech is for everyone....the Chicks can say it, and everyone else is entitled to agree or disagree.
2006-10-10 03:22:17 · answer #10 · answered by New Rider of the purple sage 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋