Does it bother you when musicians or celebreties speak out against the government?

Question

For instance, the Dixie Chicks or Sean Penn? Do you think that artists have no right to run their mouth and aren't covered by the 1st amendment? Do you think they should just shut up and sing or act?

Bella Donna - The Dixie Chicks committed the equivilent of career suicide by making that statement and not backing down. I don't think they had some master plan to garner attention. That's silly.

Got Nuts - Obviously you're uninformed. Bono's charity work is biparisan...ie. he doesn't take a political stance, he just lobbies for an issue he firmly believes in - bringing Africa out of 3rd world status.

Answer 1

Nope, no more so than when pastors and talking heads spew their rhetoric in support of the current adminstration. In fact, some of these celebrities actually do something for their cause rather than just blow steam, unlike many of the armchair pundits who sit around b*tching and moaning about the supposedly sorry state of affairs.

Everyone, regardless of their social status, has a right to their opinions. Freedom of expression is such a wonderful ideal.

Answer 2

Why would they NOT be covered by the first amendment? Or is the GOP just getting so used to violating the constitution that they don't even give it a thought anymore.

I'll make you a deal...I'm shut up Sean Penn and you shut up Sean Hannity, OK?

And the Dixie Chicks committed career suicide? They won 5 Grammy awards last year !!!!!

Answer 3

They have the right to say whatever they want.
I just think they have to be responsible about it and acknowledge that it can hurt their career.

About what Bella Donna said:
I think the idea of vote or die was great. I have nothing against trying to get young people to vote. Any one to vote actually.
It doesn't matter what they know or not about anything in fact. What matters is they have as much or a right to criticize their government as any one else. Why should they have to limit what they believe because more people tend to listen? I am pretty sure that the first amendment applies to every American.

Answer 4

I think people have the right to say anything they want. My only problem is when I go to a concert, I go to relax and get away from the troubles of the world. The last thing I want is to spend my money and hear an opinion of something I am trying to get away from.

I really don't want to hear from any actors either. When I watch a movie, I don't want to know about the characters real life or opinions. I stopped watching a few people because all I can think of was their stupid opinion instead of paying attention to the movie.

Maybe it is just me.

Answer 5

We all owe absolute total obedience to The Government. No American should ever question what the Leader says. "Free Speech" is only an empty slogan, we all know that, it means nothing, like "War Is Peace, Freedom Is Slavery, Ignorance Is Strength" in "1984" by Orwell. I think all Americans should receive lobotomies upon birth so that they will be good obedient citizens. And all males should be castrated because s ex is so evil. Any additional people needed can be cloned from the only perfect Americans, George W. Bush and the remains of Rev. Jerry Foulwell.

Answer 6

No, although I would never have voted for Arnold, Reagan, Sonny Bono, or Clint Eastwood. I disagree with Charlton Heston and I am offended by Toby Keith. I do not deny them the right to be rude and offensive. Celebrities have the same rights and freedoms as the rest of us.

Answer 7

Why would it bother you as long as they were educated. People like Ben Affleck...Sean Penn and Matt Damon seem to have very valid points that are backed up very well.
There is a great Bill Maher special with Penn and Affleck that aired last season.

Answer 8

No.

Gimme an F!
F!
Gimme an I!
I!
Gimme an S!
S!
Gimme an H!
H!
What's that spell ?
FISH!
What's that spell ?
FISH!
What's that spell ?
FISH!

Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Well, come on generals, let's move fast;
Your big chance has come at last.
Gotta go out and get those reds —
The only good commie is the one who's dead
And you know that peace can only be won
When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Huh!

Well, come on Wall Street, don't move slow,
Why man, this is war au-go-go.
There's plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of the trade,
Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
They drop it on the Viet Cong.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Well, come on mothers throughout the land,
Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
Come on fathers, don't hesitate,
Send 'em off before it's too late.
Be the first one on your block
To have your boy come home in a box.

And it's one, two, three
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Answer 9

Most of them are not articulate enough to speak in public anyway so I do think they should keep quiet. They all just repeat what others have said and most of them aren't capable of an original thought. You asked if they have the right to speak. Of course they have the right. We all have that right under the Constitution. The thing I will say is this, just because they can doesn't mean they should.

Answer 10

They have the right......And I as an American exercise my right to no watch their movies and shows. I will say a few of the have boarded on the edge of Treason. Jane Fonda should have been prosecuted for what she did in Vietnam. She went to Hanoi, where POWS were being brutalized and she was using proaganda to give aid and comfort to the ememy.