News-Record.com

No need for the chicks to keep dancin' with the ones who brung 'em. They have found new friends in hollywood.

It is a free country and they can say what they wish. Glad they ventured outside the cocoon of comfort and spoke their conscience. Doesn't seem to have hurt their livlihoods and their plight is not unlike the trek of Waylon, Willie, and others we once called "Outlaws" for avoiding the right wing establishment of country music.

Long live the Dixie Chicks and their counterparts in every profession.

"Therefore, why is it wrong for people who did not agree with them to exercise their free speech by throwing away their records and boycotting their concerts?"

I agree. The problem occurred when people got together to burn and steam-roll their records publicly. That reeks of Nazi Germany. Disagreeing with them is your right. But, please show some tact. Redneck mobs driven by a group-think mentality may be free speech, but it is not healthy for people in a democracy to act this way.

Amen DD. Willie Nelson rules!

"Redneck mobs driven by a group-think mentality may be free speech, but it is not healthy for people in a democracy to act this way."

I'll change one word:

"Left wing mobs driven by a group-think mentality may be free speech, but it is not healthy for people in a democracy to act this way."

I guess the former is inappropriate as it involves conservatives yet the latter is ok hmmmm?

Forgot to mention the "elite alert" of the day. According to Stevie, country music fans who do not like the Chicks are all rednecks.

Stevie, I agree with the context of your post/s.

I just wish others would learn to read for context and not the literal. What a sad world that we have.

Shalom

Darryl,
You speak my mind!

The DC controversy was a creature of its time.

If they said what they said then, today, the reaction would be.

Well d'uh!!

"I just wish others would learn to read for context and not the literal. What a sad world that we have."

Help me 'O wise one and explain the context for I cannot fathom such a daunting task alone. Remember, conservatives are stupid.

What is sad Darryl is the comparison of people (aka rednecks) publically tossing out their Dixie Chicks stuff to the horrors of Nazi Germany. You dis it as "context". Why mention it in the first place? The fact that you agree with that comparison is not only sad but pathetic. "You speak my mind".

Frankly I'm sick of the frequent comparisons of a "cause ju jour" with that of Nazi Germany. Try something original for a change.

Dan,

People complaining about whatever the "cause du jour" being compared to Nazi Germany reminds me of what happened in pre-WWII Germany to a group call the "Dixie Shikse". It wasn't pretty!

Ditto Dan!

Brown shirts, Jack booted thugs, SS, Storm Troopers, ad nauseum .......

Can we add references to "1984" to that list as well? How about "You speak my mind"?

"cause du jour" Can't believe I made a typo with a French word.

Mick, glad to add 1984. "You speak my mind" is really nauseating, hell that's all Darryl has to say half the time.

"Brown shirts, Jack booted thugs, SS, Storm Troopers, ad nauseum ......."

That reminds me, have they decided yet where the Republican Convention is going to be held next year?

Rufus,
You have to love the fact the pack leader of the GOP embraces all the Democratic Party issues--gun control, pro choice, etc.
Run Rudy, Run!

As to the GOP convention, they should have it in Atlanta so Zell Miller doesn't have too far to travel! He was their second choice speaker, as Lester Maddox is dead. LOL!

HArdy har har har.

The thing is that even the biggest rednecks around still like Waylon, Willie, and Johnny. Heck I love them all and a room of rednecks would not claim me.

Kris K ain't really my thing but whatever.

I think the Dixie Chicks took more than their fair share of heat over this. I didn't see people running around burning their Sean Penn/Susan Sarandon/Alec Baldwin/Tim Robbins movies or anything.

Quite frankly, I could care less about what the Dixie Chicks have to say about political figures. I wouldn't care even if I liked their music. I listen to music for the music

Case in point: One of my top 5 favorite bands, Radiohead, did an album entitled "Hail to the Thief" specifically dedictated to George Bush stealing the election. I loved the album. Could care less what they think of George.

But before we start accusing rednecks of the mob mentality, let's remember what happened to Sinead O'Connor after she ripped up a picture of the Pope on live television. The Dixie Chicks have it made compared to what that girl went through.

To me, the Dixie Chicks are neither hero nor villain. It is possible that the things they say could become a source of irritation for me. Since I have never bought any of their albums, however, my remedy is quite limited. If I disagree with them, then I will continue my non-support.

I find it quite interesting that the Chicks seem to have lost their country fan base, but have sold more than a few albums and won an award or two. It appears to me that people, who otherwise would not buy their album, have made such purchases because of the chick's espoused views. So, if the disgruntled fans can show their displeasure with their pocketbook, then obviously so can those who dig their message.

Not too much of a story here, that I can see. Behavior that serves to make you unpopular in one click can garner accolades in another. Not exactley rocket science, and the Dixie Chicks aren't worthy of praise or abuse for finding this out.

I don't really agree that the act of steamrolling the records and whatnot is unhealthy. It is merely an overt embodyment of free speach. No one got hurt, and it was done to show displeasure. If things cross the line to assaults, threats and such, then there is a problem, though.

"I think the Dixie Chicks took more than their fair share of heat over this. I didn't see people running around burning their Sean Penn/Susan Sarandon/Alec Baldwin/Tim Robbins movies or anything."

NP,

I think that it shows that people get emotionally vested with some celebs (and not with others) and when the DCs went against the beliefs of their base the base turned on them like a lover spurned.

See that psych class 35 years ago did come in handy!

Seems like yesterday when the country music establishment was turning their backs on Willie, Waylon, David Allan Coe, etc. Then they became successful as "Outlaw" country and guess what? Nashville threw out the red carpet for their return...but they never returned. And good for them! Same deal with DC's. They don't need the old establishment for success. Someone let passion overrule reason and it cost a whole lot of folks some opportunity loss.
Glad that most of my faves use Rounder Records and avoid the rednecks who control country radio.

Rufus,

I'll have to take your word for it. The only thing I remember from Psyc class was a voluptious girl named Mikey.

np

I can already see you got more out of it than I did!

Remarkable! A mere 31 minutes after writing, "It is a free country and they can say what they wish," regarding The Dixie Chicks (2nd comment above), the same poster essentially tells Mr. Hunter to mind his own business and shut up on his Bellamy-Small LttE in the same issue of the paper.

Guess that tricky ol' First Amendment Freedom of Speech clause is something one rolls out ONLY when it's supportive of your point of view.

Perhaps a new motto for these types of folk might be ... "Freedom of Speech: It's NOT For Every Occasion.”

Or ... are there actually TWO posters using the DemonDeacon screen name? Nah, that cannot be. TypeKey would never allow that. Hmmmmm. Bipolar disorder, perhaps? Some kind of Jekyll and Hyde syndrome?

Whooo-eee!!! Looks like I kicked up a big ol’ ruckus!

“Forgot to mention the "elite alert" of the day. According to Stevie, country music fans who do not like the Chicks are all rednecks.”

After finishing my afternoon tea break and a delicious little article in the New Yorker, I have decided respond to that from the comforts of my ivory tower. And yes, I hold the cup with my pinky finger. Geez..”elite alert”. Dan, you are such a tool! I never said all Chicks fans are rednecks. But make no mistake about it; I use the word redneck in the pejorative sense (I’m not actually claiming their necks are red). ;-) I do it without hesitation, especially when discussing impulsive, brain-dead idiots burning records. That should start another round. Keep on scrappin yall! This is better than a cock fight!

“Not too much of a story here, that I can see. Behavior that serves to make you unpopular in one click can garner accolades in another. Not exactley rocket science, and the Dixie Chicks aren't worthy of praise or abuse for finding this out.”

All in all, I have to agree with Swanks on that. I disagree when it comes to burning records though. I think we have to be vigilant against that kind of behavior. Group-thinking can be very dangerous no matter who makes up the mob. Maybe the Nazi’s and Orwell are tired comparisons. However, I do think we should recognize burning books and records as a danger sign and speak out against it with force. In fairness, both sides use these comparisons in argument all the time. Political correctness is compared to newspeak in 1984. And let’s not forget about them damn Femi-Nazis!

Quick note to record steamrollers, T-shirt burners, etc. The Dixie Chicks could not care less about that.

It's similar to all the folks who poured their French wines into the streets when Chirac raised hell about Israel's raid on an Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981. The French ALREADY HAD THE MONEY! They didn't give a whit what was done with the wine.

UNLESS ... one took it back and demanded a refund. You want to have some impact, even if small? Take those things that are returnable back and get a refund. Far more effective.

The difference I see, Stevie, is that the former DC fans who destroyed their property did so voluntarily. They all got together and destroyed property that they owned, in a symolic gesture of their displeasure. To my knowledge, they did not forcefully divest anyone of records or CD in order to destroy them.

The Nazi's, on the other hand, destroyed books that they had banned. Those books were illegal and were to be destroyed by the state.

That is the key for me. I can destroy my property for any reason, or no reason whatsoever. No one else can, though. If a book, recording, or other device where to be banned in such a manner, then my hackles would be raised as well.

Jack,
Do you not READ what is posted????
I simply quoted a Mac Davis written song, titled, "Clean up Your Own Backyard", whose lyrics continue, "You tend to your business, I'll tend to mine".
POINT: The writer from High Point has no dog in the fight! The Greensboro City Council has no jurisdiction over High Point. Even Oak Ridge's big beef was a Guilford County matter which WOULD include High Point.

Weeping Jesus on the cross, no wonder you are not on the radio anymore!

Oh, I see. If one doesn't reside in, say, Tennessee, then one should not express an opinion on what happens there, huh?

Did it ever occur to you, DemonDeacon, that some people actually live in one town, but work, pay taxes in and employ hundreds of citizens of another town? And perhaps the town in which he resides is the town where he merely sleeps. But he "lives" in the town where he works, pays and employs. Do you think, just MAYBE, that person may indeed have A DOG IN THE FIGHT?

Face it, sir/madam. You are way off base on this point. Besides, I have never known YOU to hold back on issues taking place in other locales just because you don't reside there.

You know, perhaps thou doth protest too much, methinks. Is it POSSIBLE that, despite your denial, you are actually a closet Bellamy-Small booster? Hmmmm?

Take another one or two of those chill pills, Mr. Hyde, crawl back into your closet and come back out when Dr. Jekyll is in control.

Jack,
Ever been to High Point? Ever live in High Point? If so, then you would understand that High Point has more of the Bellamy-Smalls types than most surrounding towns. Point is, HP has more to worry about than DBS! How about a shrinking tax base, and duplication of services, ie, jail, courthouse etc.
Are you really that dim?

Ya know, I'm really not too worried about High Point. It has its problems and opportunities just as all cities do.

Nor for that matter, am I awfully worried about Councilwoman Bellamy-Small. Either her electorate will do something about her, or it won't. Either way, I think she will be hoisted by her own petard.

But your insistence that only residents of Greensboro should be allowed to speak of her activities smacks of a provincial xenophobia that I have rarely witnessed in an educated individual.

Are you really that hidebound, DemonDeacon?

Jack,
Let's just call it a draw, and we'll punch the clock like the sheepdog and the coyote.
Have a great weekend, and enjoy the spring like weather.

That's a deal!

Adieu.