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greytone · 04-24-2003, 04:56 PM

I was out of the country when the original statement was made and I was not getting a lot of the news, so I kind of aware of this whole controversy in the late stages. But I feel like I need to make a few points to overcome some misunderstandings about the issues involved.

1) The right to free speech as guarenteed in the US constitution does not apply in England where the statements were made.

2) The right to free speech does not absolve the speaker of any consequences for making certain statements. All it means, is that the government will not impose sanctions on the speaker. Private citizens are free to impose any sanctions they want. The right to free speech does not extend to the right to eternally sold out concert venues and best selling records.

3) I don't have any respect for celebrities who use their publicity capital to make ad hominem attacks on those they disagree with. They certainly have a right to make those statements, but they will fall in my estimation. I don't have any problem with celebrities using there position to champion causes I disagree with, as long as they do so with some degree of logic and intellectual honesty.

4) As an American, if you want to make negative comment on official government policy, do it on American soil. Don't belittle US leaders or policy overseas in order to sell more albums. These kind of actions (not so much in this case) are used for propoganda by oppressive regimes. That can come close to treason when it reaches Jane Fonda levels.

5) A rap or pop artist would have little or no career problems after a statement like this. If you are in country music, you should know your audience. I don't think their fans are going to forgive them.

04-24-2003, 04:56 PM	#35 (permalink)
greytone Junkie	I was out of the country when the original statement was made and I was not getting a lot of the news, so I kind of aware of this whole controversy in the late stages. But I feel like I need to make a few points to overcome some misunderstandings about the issues involved. 1) The right to free speech as guarenteed in the US constitution does not apply in England where the statements were made. 2) The right to free speech does not absolve the speaker of any consequences for making certain statements. All it means, is that the government will not impose sanctions on the speaker. Private citizens are free to impose any sanctions they want. The right to free speech does not extend to the right to eternally sold out concert venues and best selling records. 3) I don't have any respect for celebrities who use their publicity capital to make ad hominem attacks on those they disagree with. They certainly have a right to make those statements, but they will fall in my estimation. I don't have any problem with celebrities using there position to champion causes I disagree with, as long as they do so with some degree of logic and intellectual honesty. 4) As an American, if you want to make negative comment on official government policy, do it on American soil. Don't belittle US leaders or policy overseas in order to sell more albums. These kind of actions (not so much in this case) are used for propoganda by oppressive regimes. That can come close to treason when it reaches Jane Fonda levels. 5) A rap or pop artist would have little or no career problems after a statement like this. If you are in country music, you should know your audience. I don't think their fans are going to forgive them. __________________ I was there to see beautiful naked women. So was everybody else. It's a common failing. Robert A Heinlein in "They Do It With Mirrors"