To censor is anti-American.
I read an article on CBSNews.com about how Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks made a comment about how she was disappointed President Bush is from Texas while on stage at a concert in London, England.
Seven stations were mentioned in the article, of which five were quoted as having removed the Dixie Chicks from their play list in protest. One of the other stations has a picture of Natalie with tape over her mouth on their website. I felt compelled to write them all:
"How ignorant for a station to support a few who get riled up about the truth. We all should be concerned for the way President Bush is handling the Iraq crisis. Are we even sure there is an Iraq crisis? This entire conflict has been worked up to a fever pitch but with no proof to the international community, let alone American citizens, that there is imminent danger. We've been trucking along these past 12 years since our last conflict with Iraq... have we been in danger that whole time?
Your support of a few hundred that may write in or call to remove the Dixie Chicks from your play list is arrogant. How can you deduce those few hundred stand for your some several hundred thousand listeners, or million, whatever your market share? The proper response on your behalf, as a company who's allowed to broadcast thanks to our first amendment rights, would say, "Hmm, that wasn't a very nice thing to say." And move on. We're all entitled to our opinion, and it's disappointing you side with the few who have decided to call and write. At the same time, you should voice the opposition and outrage of those few hundred to keep a well balanced, un-biased broadcast. To censor is anti-American. For a radio station that operates on public radio waves, using a license granted by the FCC which requires you to maintain public necessity, you should take such decisions a little more seriously, and in a less child-like manner.
No one is disrespecting the men and women who are there in the Persian Gulf, ready to fight. This isn't there war, it's our President's. Given the choice, wouldn't you rather those men and women be home, safe and sound, listening to the Dixie Chicks on your radio station?
The real debate here is whether or not all or most of Texans are disappointed President Bush is from Texas. My guess is, most Texans are very proud. Ms. Maines was speaking for herself and her band, not all of Texas.
Let's keep things in perspective."
In addition to that, I wrote to Mr. Jacobs, general manager of a country station in Kansas City, Missouri. This is what I wrote to him:
"Mr. Jacobs,
I came to your website to view the station's opinions regarding the Dixie Chicks and felt compelled to comment, directly to you, as I have already written in the chat room. I am seriously concerend by your comments in your open letter to your listeners for several reasons.
You stated the Dixie Chicks are entitled to free speech and it is not your intention to take that away, and that you are simply doing the same with your ability to exercise free speech by pulling their music from your play lists. As you mentioned, you are licensed to broadcast under public necessity. You do not share the same "free speech" rights as individual American's since you are publicly licensed, must present an un-biased opinion and report on both sides. You have failed to do this. Yes, the public is entitled to there opinion, but your station is not.
To censor is anti-American.
You mentioned you received 250 phone calls, and probably missed twice that many. Total: 750. You also said you received 500 emails. Total: 1250. Mr. Jacobs, is that the whole of your listening audience? If so, your decision to pull the Dixie Chicks was valid, accurate, and met your public necessity to serve your community. My guess is your audience is much, much greater than that."
Am I a fan of the Dixie Chicks, yes. But that is besides the point. I am concerned at these stations act of censorship. That is the true anti-American sentiment here. I am also concerned how we have a gun-slingin', fightin' happy President in the White House.
I read an article on CBSNews.com about how Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks made a comment about how she was disappointed President Bush is from Texas while on stage at a concert in London, England.
Seven stations were mentioned in the article, of which five were quoted as having removed the Dixie Chicks from their play list in protest. One of the other stations has a picture of Natalie with tape over her mouth on their website. I felt compelled to write them all:
"How ignorant for a station to support a few who get riled up about the truth. We all should be concerned for the way President Bush is handling the Iraq crisis. Are we even sure there is an Iraq crisis? This entire conflict has been worked up to a fever pitch but with no proof to the international community, let alone American citizens, that there is imminent danger. We've been trucking along these past 12 years since our last conflict with Iraq... have we been in danger that whole time?
Your support of a few hundred that may write in or call to remove the Dixie Chicks from your play list is arrogant. How can you deduce those few hundred stand for your some several hundred thousand listeners, or million, whatever your market share? The proper response on your behalf, as a company who's allowed to broadcast thanks to our first amendment rights, would say, "Hmm, that wasn't a very nice thing to say." And move on. We're all entitled to our opinion, and it's disappointing you side with the few who have decided to call and write. At the same time, you should voice the opposition and outrage of those few hundred to keep a well balanced, un-biased broadcast. To censor is anti-American. For a radio station that operates on public radio waves, using a license granted by the FCC which requires you to maintain public necessity, you should take such decisions a little more seriously, and in a less child-like manner.
No one is disrespecting the men and women who are there in the Persian Gulf, ready to fight. This isn't there war, it's our President's. Given the choice, wouldn't you rather those men and women be home, safe and sound, listening to the Dixie Chicks on your radio station?
The real debate here is whether or not all or most of Texans are disappointed President Bush is from Texas. My guess is, most Texans are very proud. Ms. Maines was speaking for herself and her band, not all of Texas.
Let's keep things in perspective."
In addition to that, I wrote to Mr. Jacobs, general manager of a country station in Kansas City, Missouri. This is what I wrote to him:
"Mr. Jacobs,
I came to your website to view the station's opinions regarding the Dixie Chicks and felt compelled to comment, directly to you, as I have already written in the chat room. I am seriously concerend by your comments in your open letter to your listeners for several reasons.
You stated the Dixie Chicks are entitled to free speech and it is not your intention to take that away, and that you are simply doing the same with your ability to exercise free speech by pulling their music from your play lists. As you mentioned, you are licensed to broadcast under public necessity. You do not share the same "free speech" rights as individual American's since you are publicly licensed, must present an un-biased opinion and report on both sides. You have failed to do this. Yes, the public is entitled to there opinion, but your station is not.
To censor is anti-American.
You mentioned you received 250 phone calls, and probably missed twice that many. Total: 750. You also said you received 500 emails. Total: 1250. Mr. Jacobs, is that the whole of your listening audience? If so, your decision to pull the Dixie Chicks was valid, accurate, and met your public necessity to serve your community. My guess is your audience is much, much greater than that."
Am I a fan of the Dixie Chicks, yes. But that is besides the point. I am concerned at these stations act of censorship. That is the true anti-American sentiment here. I am also concerned how we have a gun-slingin', fightin' happy President in the White House.
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