Even big-mouthed celebs have the right to speak their minds

Chicago Tribune ^ | 4/18/03 | Renee Graham

[bfree]

Here's an email I sent Renee;
I guess it has been a while since you read the Constitution. No where in it does it say I have to financially support idiot celebrities. If they offend me with their free speech, I have the right not to support them and also have the right to express my outrage to them and their employers. Yes they have a right to express any opinion they wish, but usually these expressions have some consequences. Being the typical liberal that you are, I'm sure you thought that John Rocker, Al Campanis, Jimmy the Greek, Dr. Laure, etc. all should have suffered for expressing opinions you did not agree with. Why are the Dixie Chicks, Susan Saradon, Tim Robbins, Martin Sheen and the like any different? Is it only different because you agree with some views and not others? I would appreciate an explanation. Thank you for your time.

[Sam Cree]

The socialists pretend not to understand.

Nobody is denying celebrities the right to say anything at all, they are surely welcome to continue spewing as much socialism and bile as they wish.

We are just saying we will no longer pay them to do it. But they can keep talking, the same as an ordinary citizen can say whatever he likes.

What is truly frightening, though, is their effort to silence us ordinary folks.

[Billthedrill]

A boycott is just as much a legitimate form of free expression as an antiwar speech from an Oscar podium. The author is simply going to have to deal with that.

[So Cal Rocket]

It has been a good long while since I've had a sit-down with the U.S. Constitution, but if my junior high school memories serve me correctly, I don't recall the Bill of Rights guaranteeing free speech only to those who espouse one particular opinion.

Well, Renee... perhaps you should actually READ the constitution instead of relying on your fading memory... the Constitution ONLY keeps the Government from impeding your right to say whatever you please - it does not guarantee you from any ramifications from the private sector.

Yet that seems to be the disturbing interpretation preferred by those encouraging a backlash against some celebrities who have been outspoken opponents of the U.S.-led war against Iraq.

No... my interpretation is ENTIRELY constitutional. I am free to boycott, avoid, protest against, or do any other form of "backlash" against a person who states opinions that are contrary to my belief.

A `black' list?
A conservative Web site has published a list of more than 100 actors, musicians and filmmakers who, it claims, "use their celebrity status to push their anti-Bush/anti-American beliefs on the rest of the world."

You see, Ms. Graham... this is not about free speech at all... this is about living with the consequences of your actions (something liberals seem to have forgotten completely about). If you say something I disagree with, I am free to state my objection through any means I like - you see... the Constitution guarantees my free speech as well.

This has gone beyond whether big-mouth, know-nothing celebrities should be hogging precious airtime that could otherwise be filled with yet another pontificating retired general. This is about the strange turn in the post-Sept. 11 national psyche that equates opposing war with opposing U.S. troops and that brands healthy dissent as tantamount to treason.

I'm sorry that you feel that the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is charging you with treason... but we're not... we're just calling to everyone's attention your position - which is so far from the mainstream that it upsets people. But, you see, the Conservatives have been living with this exact same issue for many years. If we oppose Affirmative Action, we're charged with being a "racist". If we oppose an obscene increase in social spending, we're charged with being "oppresive against the poor". If we oppose gay marriages, we're charged with being "intolerant". Well, Ms. Graham - welcome to our world.

The Bill of Rights guarantees free speech to everyone, including celebrities who flash peace signs at awards shows or release music denouncing war.

Ah... at last a statement that I can agree with you 100%! Free speech DOES indeed belong to everyone, including me... and I am certainly free to denounce your opinions, just as much as you are free to espouse them.

And to believe otherwise, or contend that their dissent is dangerous, may be the most treasonous, anti-American act of all.

Oh, but you fail so miserably with your final statement. We don't contend that your opinions are dangerous at all... just WRONG! And to say that we are obligated to continue buying the products of individuals with whom we strongly disagree is silly... We can boycott anyone we feel like, and the Constitution, which you haven't read since you were 14 guarantees that right. I suggest you read up on it before you make any more silly statements.

Cheers!
SC Rocket

[FrankML]

"A `black' list? A conservative Web site has published a list of more than 100 actors, musicians and filmmakers who, it claims, "use their celebrity status to push their anti-Bush/anti-American beliefs on the rest of the world."

Which Conservative site?

[watchin]

It has been a good long while since I've had a sit-down with the U.S. Constitution

No kidding.

[Hildy]

WHY CAN'T THESE MORONS GET THE POINT. Here it is, boiled down: I have the right to stand in front of my store and tell people how horrible our country is and how much I hate Bush. Nobody is going to arrest me. However, I shouldn't be surprised if people stop coming to my store. What is so hard to understand.

[watchin]

So "all of the above" is not a choice?

[Psycho_Bunny]

Who knows? Why the hell would someone actually GO to a conservative web site?

[Political Junkie Too]

Can the author please tell me where the government infringed on the rights of celebrities to speak out? I don't recall hearing of any instances where the government prevented someone from speaking or punished someone for what was said.

Oh, you mean the public is ostracizing celebrities for their views? Well, excuuuuuuuuuse meeeeeee!! I don't recall the First Amendment being about private citizens reacting to other private citizens' speech. The First Amendment only applies to the government's reaction to speech.

-PJ

[schaketo]

A `black' list?

A conservative Web site has published a list of more than 100 actors, musicians and filmmakers who, it claims, "use their celebrity status to push their anti-Bush/anti-American beliefs on the rest of the world."

Anyone know where I can get my hands on that list for distribution?

[watchin]

You asked her to think. Don't hold your breath.

[mechanic57]

They have a right to HAVE their wrong opinion

[Servant of the Nine]

The Bill of Rights guarantees free speech to everyone, including celebrities who flash peace signs at awards shows or release music denouncing war.

The Bill of Rights guarantees that the Government will not limit your speech.

It does not prohibit the people from limiting your freedom of speech.

Renee Graham is an imbecile.

SO9

[watchin]

Yeah, what exactly IS a conservative web site?

[Chi-townChief]

Everyone has a right to their opinion and mine is that the celebs' opinions suck.

[calvin sun]

Please post the author's email address. Thanks.

[Luna]

Winston Churchill, who I think was one of the wisest men ever to grace this earth, said it best:

"Everyone is in favor of free speech. Hardly a day passes without it being extolled, but some people’s idea of it is that they are free to say what they like, but if anyone says anything back, that is an outrage."

[Isle of sanity in CA]

God, I'm sick of dumb leftists. Why do we have to keep making the point? The First Amendment guarantees only that there will not be any governmental interference in one's right to speak one's mind.

Thanks for pointing this out! People forget that the bill of rights is intended to protect the public from government power. Even many non-libs I talk to seem to forget this.. (public education gets results..)