How come its wrong tos say bad things about our gov/president if we have free speech?

Question

ex:the dixie chicks. We should be able to say whatever we want about our gov/president and nothing should be wrong. If we say I have Fred jones it would not matter. But if we said I hate President Bush it would be the worst thing in the world.

Answer 1

becuase just as the dixie chick have the freedom of speech so do people who think that what they did was wrong. They also have the freedom to not purchase their music and to call radio stations to let them know they dont want to hear them

They have the freedom to say what they want about the president, but they must realize that doing so can cause a reaction. No one stopped them form saying it just exercised their right to counter what they said.

Also as someone who is given a platform such as celebrity's get to voice their opinion they must think more before speaking as more people will hear what they say than the average person. Ever heard the expersion to him that much is given much is expected.

CRABBY do you have any link where what the dixie chick said was censored or that they were imprisioned for what they said? Nope they practiced freedom of speech and so did the people who disagreed with what she said. Liberals only want freedom of speech to work one way. They feel they should be able to say what they want with no response back or you are taking their free speech away by exercising yours...

They were stupid enough to offend the major beleifs of their fan base with what they said and then were surprised with the reaction they got. They had free speech just not many brain cells behind it

That is kind of like going to a woman's movement meeting getting on stage and saying you think women should be barefoot and pregnant and wondering why the reaction is bad.

They are not even smart enough to figure that out.

Answer 2

In America we ALL get to make our own decisions. Yes, the Dixie Chicks have a Constitutional right to disagree with the war and to bad mouth President Bush. Not only were they allowed to do this, they were allowed to do it on national TV. They were not censored, fined, jailed or in any way punished for speaking their views.
Now, put down the Kool-Aid and pay attention. As an American citizen I have the right to disagree with the Dixie Chicks. I also have the right not to buy their CD's. You don't have to like what I decide or agree with it but you can't stop me from voicing my opinions. In this country I have the same rights as the Dixie Chicks, even if I am not rich and famous. So do we all.

Answer 3

Blondie,
We do have freedom of speech, it just is not popular to be the first person or persons to say what gets said.. EX The Dixie Chicks, their records are selling again, the opinion voiced by the one Chick is now echoed by everyone who was sitting on the fence at that time, now that The Bush has the lowest rating in popularity polls of about anyone in any office other people have come out of the closet and are saying the same things Ms Dixie Chick said.. She just was before her time and her audience base was still looking at any one to show anger at because of things that were happening in our country at that time, I never particularly liked the Chicks as a group until after they stood up for their belief no matter the $$$$cost and still do, which is more than you can say for most politicians that change their minds more often than their undies.....The Bush will ;prolly go down in history as one of
person to be in the white house with less than 1/2 of the people of America voting for him once and by dispute of the Electoral vote twice.....
IF it ever comes before the people, I for one will be voting to let my vote count and kick out the Electoral Collage....

Answer 4

You have the right to say what you want. Everyone else has the right to comment on what you say. It just makes you look better if you know what you're talking about.

I think, since the Chicks are so civic minded, they should perform a real public service and lead the movement being formed as we speak to Free Fred!

Answer 5

Nothing, but than again there is nothing wrong with others reaction to what is said. Taking your example, country music fans are largely pro U.S. and pro President and tend to take criticisms of the U.S. while on foreign soil as a traitorous act. It is their right not buy their music or go to their concerts, same for other musicians or actors that go against their believe systems. An other tendency of stars that speak out is to "down" the U.S. the same place they get their money from so it is a bit of a risk.

Answer 6

Any American can use free speech but what you say may have recourse. the Dixie chicks bad mouthed a president who was protecting Americans to a very patriotic audience. Their sales fell dramatically as a recourse. you can go to an airport and yell bomb ( it's free speech ) do you think there will be action taken against you for your use of free speech? I think you like many others misunderstand the 1st admendment. It defines freedom of speech as an unpersicutable act not an act that will carry no recourse.

Answer 7

I think it's OK to rant among the American people about the issues of the country and it's leaders. It is when you go before the media, or travel out side the the country and rant , disgrace, and ruin our country's reputation in general that I draw the line. If you are born in this country you are blessed obviously, because your still here.

Answer 8

It is not wrong at all. Dissent is a form of democracy. Don't let anyone tell you anything different. Instead of just saying you hate him, why not be specific? I hate that he allows torture and wire-tapping for instance. Don't hate the man. Hate what he does or what he doesn't do but should.

Answer 9

It's not "wrong"... however with freedom comes responsibility.. one can certainly have an independent opinion, but that doesn't mean that everyone else on the planet must agree with or accept that opinion... and the same freedom of speech that allows you to express that opinion also allows others to voice their disagreement with that opinion... You have freedom of speech... but that doesn't require me to listen either...

Answer 10

Words are powerful. With enough power and charisma, you can convince people to do some really stupid and awful things, just by using words. There has to be a limit somewhere, hypothetically speaking.