-Caveat Lector- http://www.billboard.com/bb/charts/country.jsp >>>Now, when you read the following article, please bear in mind that this another case of the "Chad" not telling the full story but trying to skew the events to satisfy his own agenda. Specifically: "Since then, album sales have plunged for the Dixie Chicks and numerous radio stations, largely by the request of their listeners, have banned the playing of the Dixie Chicks’ music."
Now this may be true for older albums but if one merely clicks on the linque above, there's another story to be told. A<:>E<:>R <<< http://www.washingtondispatch.com/article_4972.shtml What Freedom of Speech Isn’t Exclusive commentary by Chad Allen Apr 4, 2003 After intensely attacking the merits of war and our President over the past two weeks, celebrity anti-war protestors, media personalities, and politicians have begun to grumble in concern that they might face possible retribution for their words and actions. Some of these individuals have gone so far as to say that freedom of speech should provide them with safety from intellectual and economic persecution. However, history in America shows that freedom of speech has never been equated with freedom from ridicule or freedom from economic damages. These opinion shapers should realize that their outspoken views, especially when they run contrary to the views of a majority of Americans, might come at an economic or personal price. This convoluted protectionist view regarding freedom of speech has even infected former Vice-President, Al Gore. Earlier this week, Al Gore was speaking to a college audience and he mentioned the firestorm of protest that has recently occurred against the Dixie Chicks. As you likely recall, the lead singer of the country group, Natalie Maines, recently stated before a European audience that she was “ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.” Since then, album sales have plunged for the Dixie Chicks and numerous radio stations, largely by the request of their listeners, have banned the playing of the Dixie Chicks’ music. In regards to the Dixie Chicks, Gore said, “They were made to feel un- American and risked economic retaliation because of what was said. Our democracy has taken a hit.” Has our democracy truly taken a hit by what has happened to the Dixie Chicks? Certainly not! In fact, the ideas of democracy and freedom of speech have been exemplified by the actions of the Dixie Chicks and by those protesting against them. Consider that the Dixie Chicks exercised their freedom of speech, though regrettably in a foreign land, by stating their opinion about President Bush. In turn, their listeners essentially shared either their contrary view of the President or their displeasure with the timing of the comment by attempting to thwart further album sales and/or limit air time devoted to the group. While the opinions of the Dixie Chicks will be heard by millions because of their fame, the only way the consumers’ voice can usually be heard is economically, through product protests. Our country’s history is littered with individuals who were mocked or were forced to pay an economic price by politicians, the media, or a group of citizens due to their societal or political views. In William Hallahan’s excellent book, “The Day the American Revolution Began”, Hallahan describes how some of America’s earliest opinion shapers were loathed and mocked by Colonialists and Loyalists. James Rivington, publisher of the New York Gazette, was hated by the Colonialists due to his Loyalist sympathy and brash style. Equally as brash and hated was Sam Adams, who used the Boston Gazette to revolutionize hatred for the Loyalists among the Colonialists. Both of these men faced plenty of mockery among their political enemies and likely had their income potential reduced because of their beliefs. Individuals in the limelight continued to pay an economic or personal non- violent price for their views through the 19th and late 20th centuries. Paul Weaver, former editor for Fortune magazine, briefly describes in his informative book, “News and the Culture of Lying”, how the political Left used the media in mass to help crucify the image of Robert Bork, both among politicians and American citizens, through truthful and fictitious stories. Despite Bork’s lost opportunity because of the attacks, Bork has since become a successful author and well-respected member of the Conservative Movement. Conservatives engaged in much of the same tactics during the Clinton Administration, as at times, overzealous conservative thinkers and journalists had difficulty in parsing what were actual and imaginary actions of President Clinton. Clinton survived the attacks and remains arguably the most beloved living politician among Democrats. A list of other notable individuals and groups who have been attacked personally or economically due to their views would be legion, but could include former Atlanta Braves relief pitcher, John Rocker, along with former President Ronald Reagan, Christians, anti-war protestors, Senator Trent Lott, actors Sean Penn and Dennis Miller, and actress, Janeane Garofalo. While these individuals and groups certainly have the right to express their views on any number of issues, none of them should expect that the sharing of these views could and should not bring potentially negative consequences to them. To do so would be to deny the opposing view the right of freedom of speech, which remains a pillar of American freedom. Chad Allen is a Christian Conservative living in America's Heartland where he writes political and social commentary. Mr. Allen has been published in Insight Magazine and various online magazines. 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