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Mar 25, 2003 Ah, those Dixie Twits, er, I mean Dixie Chicks... Thanks to an impassioned outburst during a concert in London by lead singer Natalie Mange, uh, I mean Natalie Maines, the country singing group have been banished from rotation in hundreds of country radio stations across America, and the opening concert of their tour is threatened by a counter-concert being organized by talk show icon Mike Gallagher. No sales, no songs, and quite possibly, no shows. All for invoking their First Amendment right to free speech in a foreign country. I wonder if Natalie thought of the consequences of her actions. I wonder if anyone whining about the war understands that as an American, yes, you DO have the precious right to speak freely, without inciting a riot. But it seems as though, in this post-Clinton, post-Enron era of free Willie from perjury and free wills without responsibility, that those who speak should also be prepared to listen. Natalie, listen to the silent register rings for “Home” or “Top of the World” concert tickets. Michael Moore, listen to the silence of the empty movie theatre seats of your next movie. Yes, you do have the precious right to speak freely, without inciting a riot. But please, be prepared for the freedom of choice other Americans have as to how they perceive your message, and respond to it. Don’t whine about the effects of your whining. It makes you sound like you’re just whistling Dixie. About the author: Chuck Tyler is a freelance writer and journalist based in South Bend, Indiana. His credits include coverage for the South Bend Tribune (www.SouthBendTribune.com) of a triple homicide trial and a town hall meeting of concerned citizens and local officials for the Herald-Palladium (www.HeraldPalladium.com) following 9/11. Email him at: tyler_1420@yahoo.com ------------ Comment on this column in the forum. ------------ |
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