[sport]

Does free and open discussion also include Trent Lott?

They had a free and open discussion.

They are free to say what they please and thanks to a courageous few Republicans in Dade County during the 2000 elections that prevented al gore from stealing the election, I am free to spend my money as I please.

So far as I am concerned, al gore is a theif of the air he breathes and the food he eats.

[harpo11]

You know liberals just don't get it at all. Yes, everyone has a right to speak, thank God and the brave men and women who risked their lives so that we remain free, but, golly, Al, don't ya know that we don't have the right to be listened to, and if I don't want to listen to Dixie Chicks or you, I don't have to, nor do I have to buy their products or your contrived malarky.

And furthermore, it's not as if the leftists in this country don't try to shut down speech I like to hear. In fact they've been at it a lot longer and are so used to it they can't stand it when another shining voice rises above the fog and brings the sunshine in!

[Newbomb Turk]

They are surely ruined now !

[rogue yam]

Poor Al. Even Dingell and Norwood are no longer taking his calls.

[sonofatpatcher2]

The poor bastard will not shoot himself in the foot.
He's aiming higher.

[SerpentDove]

[SerpentDove]

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I love this!! Gore's endorsement is the kiss of death!

[SeeRushToldU_So]

Is Algore trying to get laid?

[sauropod]

Well, there you have it. 'Pod

[SuziQ]

Just keep on diggin, Al! You'll soon have that political grave all ready for yourself!

[Rummyfan]

Al Gore the Democrat's Samrt Bomb.... he's so smart but he always bombs!

If the Dixie Chicks are free to voice their opinions, then I am free to voice mine and further to boycott their product!

[Porterville]

[butter pecan fan]

Our democracy has taken a hit," Gore said. "Our best protection is free and open debate."

"Count every vote. blah blah blah"

Oh. Except the military ones and any others for my political opponent, of course.

Got to preserve democracy, dontcha know?

[Tallguy]

Al Gore reminds me of the Steve Martin character in the movie "The Jerk." He has an incredibly bad sense of "rhythm" and this extends to his sense of political timing.

The Dixie Chicks controversy had just about run its course. Everybody pretty much had made up their minds -- mostly negative toward the Chicks. Then in plods Ole Al Gore, weighing-in with his "opinion".

Perhaps Big Al thinks that he can net some juicy campaign money from the Chicks & their management. With their career a smoking ruin, somehow I doubt it.

[Kenton]

According to the Tennessean, Gore used recent attacks on the Dixie Chicks that followed anti-war comments by Natalie Maines as an example. Gore told the audience, "They were made to feel un-American and risked economic retaliation because of what was said. Our democracy has taken a hit," Gore said. "Our best protection is free and open debate."

Dear Stoopid (Algore that is):

Natalie Maines has every right to speak her mind. America has every right to choose not to buy her product, for any reason. If she represented a Seattle grunge band instead of a country band, she might be getting more sympathetic treatment. People who like country music traditionally care more about America than they care about the whinings of some diva who bashes America.

Since Natalie has celebrity to use as a bully pulpit, forgive us if the rest of us who don't have that advantage voice our opinions in this powerful, peacable manner. Trying to stifle this sort of dissent isn't exactly fostering the "free and open debate" you pay mealy-mouthed lip service to.

[Free_at_last_-2001]

Gore Defends the Dixie Chicks - yea I bet they loved that!

[LuisBasco]

"They were made to feel un-American and risked economic retaliation because of what was said. Our democracy has taken a hit," Gore said. "Our best protection is free and open debate."

Au contraire...(appropriate selection of phrase)...

The best protection would be a condom over the Gored-one's head!

[Ciexyz]

Aarrrgh! Shaddup already!

[lonestar]

Chicks plucked!