Boycot Springsteen!

[Red Dawn]

Not purchasing a Dixie Chicks CD? That's simply good economic policy

Showing good taste maybe but I doubt it's good economic policy.

the Dixie Chicks are moronic individuals who didn't have the vision to see that not all of their fans would agree with their opinions

Yeah they should have figured their fan base would be intolerant of opposing views.

why is someone a moron if they don't mindlessly fork over their hard earned money to line the pockets of someone that has offended their sensibilities?

If someone enjoys an artists music why should their opinion about the President matter? Is the consumer trying to punish them for speaking their mind and expressing an opinion that's contrary to the consumer?


Frankly I believe that the comment that Singer for the DC's made was harmless and not worthy of all the ruckus that is being made about it. So she's embarrassed that Bush is from Texas. I'm sure there are a lot of Liberals and Democrats from Texas that share her opinion, especially when he speaks in public. However that shouldn't be reason to organize a Boycott against her and definately not a valid reason for Radio Stations to ban their music from the air.

I agree with Bruce 100%

Jean-Claude Van Damme on Hollywood entertainers: "Those protesting (the war) are part of the axis of ignorance."

And he is a founding member of the Axis of non talented fscks earning a living pretending to be an actor. I boycott his movies, not because of his opinion as I could care less what his opinion is. I boycott his movies because they suck and aren't worth the money charge for admittance or to rent one of his DVD's.

 

[jahawkin]

Originally posted by: Alistar7
I knew his career had pretty much dried up, this really the only way he can get attention? sad....

ummm, I think the Boss still sells out every place he plays. His last album The Rising was #1 on the charts for a while, IIRC. Bruce's career is anything but dried up.

 

[Corn]

Not suggesting here that Springsteen couldn't maybe find work as a ditch digger, but more generally where are we heading. Are we headed to an income based on belief? What's the diff between not buying somebodies product cause you don't like them and telling others to do the same, or spending billions to ruin somebodies reputation?

I'm pretty sure you wouldn't be too concerned if the scenerio entailed an outspoken racist.

But that's neither here nor there is it?

Nobody is saying the Dixie Chicks can't earn a living, but I sure as hell have the right to not purchase their "art" for any reason I choose. Seems like you want to take that right away Moonie, and for some reason I had thought you to be a proponent of individual freedoms. Evidently I was mistaken.

 

[ConclamoLudus]

Originally posted by: LilBlinbBlahIce

Originally posted by: sMiLeYz

To me, they're terrific American artists expressing American values by using their American right to free speech. For them to be banished wholesale from radio stations, and even entire radio networks, for speaking out is un-American.

Damn fvcking straight.

Exactly. Let's just hope he doen't recant a la Dixie Chicks after facing death threats and various other forms of abuse.

(begin sarcasm)

You guys are right. Nobody should have the freedom to choose what music they purchase based on political beliefs. No businesses should have the right not to carry products that are endorsed or made by people that oppose them politically. We should maybe create a government institution to carry out this enormous and painful task of enforcement. A Department of Fair Products. Keep politics out of people's wallets. We'll Call it Patriot Act III : for the assurance that everyone will buy a product from company's of all party's.

(end sarcasm)

You can't reserve only one political viewpoint's set of rights. My god the hypocrisy in this is ridiculous. People have every right to boycott things. Radio stations have every right to choose what music they play. If they anger more poeple in boycotting than let them face the consequences too.

I think its bullsh!t to boycott products based on political beliefs, but it is disgusting to propose that people don't have the right to boycott as much as they have the right to speak out against the Bush administration. Although I disagree with someone speaking out, I will defend their right to do so, as much as someone's right to boycott.

The right to death threats? Hell no.


:|

 

[Corn]

What's the diff between not buying somebodies product cause you don't like them and telling others to do the same, or spending billions to ruin somebodies reputation?

So, you only believe in freedom of expression if it suits your sensibilities?

 

[Red Dawn]

Nobody is saying the Dixie Chicks can't earn a living, but I sure as hell have the right to not purchase their "art" for any reason I choose

Nobody has said you didn't have that right.

 

[Red Dawn]

How comew nobodies boycotting that Asshat Dave Mathews? His diatribe against the US involvement in Iraq was 100X worse that anything the DC's said. Please someone start a Boycott and get that guy off the air so I don't have to suffer through another one of his songs on the radio!

 

[Moonbeam]

I'm not talking about my sensibilities. I'm talking about the power of money in our society. I think that despite your faith in freedom, given enough money I could ruin your life. The aim of boycott is intimidation. To what end?

 

[Athanasius]

I have no problem with what Bruce said. I do have a problem with the Dixie Chicks' whining. I heard parts of their recent TV interview. It seemed like doublespeak to me.

They stood on foreign soil, in a nation where the leader was fighting for his political life to take a stand that it seems like Blair sincerely believed in (whatever you think of Bush, Blair certainly wins points for the stance he took because it was not based on political shrewdness), and used their status as celebrities to heap shame on our President and undercut the political leader of one of our closest friends as a nation.

They went to that country and used their free speech to say that they were ashamed to be associated with President Bush in even the most innocuous of ways.

Then they whined because people are nowing using their freedom of speech to say they are ashamed of the Dixie Chicks.

I guess I should be ashamed to be human because Saddam Hussein is human. I am ashamed that I am from the same planet as Saddam Hussein. When I scapegoat, I only ridicule the man in the mirror.

EDIT P.S: The dixie Chicks have been singled out for some reason, when many artists were just as blatant in their diatribes. That is what I mean by scapegoating.

 

[Moonbeam]

Another one of his songs? How can you tell the difference?

 

[Red Dawn]

Then they whined because people are nowing using their freedom of speech to say they are ashamed of the Dixie Chicks.

No they are using their freedom of speech to intimidate the DC's. How come there isn't a big deal being made over Dave Mathews or Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. Both of them said things much worse about Bush than the DCs

 

[Corn]

Nobody has said you didn't have that right.

BS! Moonie is already working that angle.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Another one of his songs? How can you tell the difference?

Hahaha..

 

[ConclamoLudus]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
How comew nobodies boycotting that Asshat Dave Mathews? His diatribe against the US involvement in Iraq was 100X worse that anything the DC's said. Please someone start a Boycott and get that guy off the air so I don't have to suffer through another one of his songs on the radio!

I've been doing that for years without hearing his political thoughts LOL

 

[Corn]

How comew nobodies boycotting that Asshat Dave Mathews? His diatribe against the US involvement in Iraq was 100X worse that anything the DC's said. Please someone start a Boycott and get that guy off the air so I don't have to suffer through another one of his songs on the radio!

Eh? DMB appeals to a demographic that is slightly more sympathetic to your average anti-war protestor. Now if DMB were outspoken in favor of the war...........

 

[ConclamoLudus]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Then they whined because people are nowing using their freedom of speech to say they are ashamed of the Dixie Chicks.

No they are using their freedom of speech to intimidate the DC's. How come there isn't a big deal being made over Dave Mathews or Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam. Both of them said things much worse about Bush than the DCs

I think the reason for this is the difference in listening audiences. There are probably a lot more conservatives listening to the DC's than Vedder or DMB. Vedder's concerts often double as Nader rallys.

 

[Corn]

The aim of boycott is intimidation. To what end?

Why don't you ask PETA or Jesse Jackson?

 

[rbV5]

Is there a handbook coming out to let us good citizens know where we should stand on these complex issues? I certainly want to be a good american and wish only to exercise my rights in the proper fashion. These new definitions of freedom and rights confuse me now.

 

[Moonbeam]

I suppose you can give points to Blair for going against the tide, Athanasius, but I'd take away points for a false theory of Preemptive war. But then whining, as you put it, because they got hit for what they said is silly, I agree. I also find Bush to be profoundly embarrassing. But that's just me.

 

[Athanasius]

Hi Red:

I guess your response beat my edit: I don't approve of the scapegoating, and I don't understand why the Dixie Chicks have been singled out so much, acccept that maybe the country-pop kind of crowd that they appeal to might be a little more vociferous and reactionary than other demographics more inclined to Pearl Jam or Dave Matthews.

It is sad that many of those people probably suddenly feel more American and "better" after they destroy a Dixie Chick CD, but it is probably the same feeling that the Dixie Chick felt after she had her gestalt therapy by heaping shame on Bush.

This level of scapegoating never makes sense because it is not consistent or rational, as the Dave Matthews comparison makes clear.

But the Dixie Chicks said they wanted "understanding, not forgiveness." Was that same understanding granted to George Bush or Tony Blair?

 

[Red Dawn]

Why don't you ask PETA or Jesse Jackson?

Well I agree with you that Jackson and Peta are in the same league as those who support an organized boycott of the DCs

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Athanasius
Hi Red:

I guess your response beat my edit: I don't approve of the scapegoating, and I don't understand why the Dixie Chicks have been singled out so much, acccept that maybe the country-pop kind of crowd that they appeal to might be a little more vociferous and reactionary than other demographics more inclined to Pearl Jam or Dave Matthews.

It is sad that many of those people probably suddenly feel more American and "better" after they destroy a Dixie Chick CD, but it is probably the same feeling that the Dixie Chick felt after she had her gestalt therapy by heaping shame on Bush.

This level of scapegoating never makes sense because it is not consistent or rational, as the Dave Matthews comparison makes clear.

But the Dixie Chicks said they wanted "understanding, not forgiveness." Was that same understanding granted to George Bush or Tony Blair?

Actually this is a case of the Far Right making a Big deal out of something that was so innocuous just to intimidate not only the DCs but all Artists. And with the Support of FOX's Hysterical and Sensationalistic (or in their words "Fair and Balanced") Reporting and Bill O'Riely's pandering to the audience for ratings it seems that they have achieved the results that they desire.

 

[Moonbeam]

Now, Corn, don't bring up PITA and Jackson. Like Red, nobody here is pushing their line. But my criticism applies to them as well and I have the same theoretical fear of their potential power. If you don't want to seriously discuss the issue, though, that's fine.

 

[Moonbeam]

Pretty much my concern, Red. We've moved beyond arguing the truth of idiologies into coercive demands we think li,e this or that or our economic lives are in danger. My question is what to do about it given the notions we have about freedom and what we can do with money.

 

[Athanasius]

Hi Red:

If it is a far right ploy, why not nail Madonna or Pearl Jam? I think it is more a spontaneous thing where people felt betrayed by the Dixie Chicks because the demographic that supported them was so overwhelmingly pro-Bush in this instance.

Anyway, back the the thread topic: what Springsteen said was fine.

But I am ashamed to be a member of the same BBS as Red Dawn and I think AT should boycott all Red Dawn threads!

And Moonie: if you are NOT more careful in your posts, people are going to find it hard to maintain the comfortable conviction that you are more left wing than PETA. Don't you want them to dismiss everything you say?