TV Tonight

[tarotgal]

I watched the Primetime special about the Dixie Chicks. I have almost always hated country music, and thus I wasn't aware of the whole controversy when it first happened. My friends and I always joke that here at college (this college at least) we could go to war and half the country could drop into the sea and it would still take us a few days to a week to find out. Really, I don't watch news, or read news papers. I get CNN world mail in my inbox every morning, but that's about it, and that's only since I took a sociology class last year requiring me to sign up for it.

AT ANY RATE, a friend of mine informed me of the controversy about a week after it happened. But I didn't follow it or anything. Still, I like a few of their songs and since I rather agreed then (and now) about the war I thought I might watch it. I know they're part of a culture that is VERY pro-war for whatever reason. I don't want to get into the politics but I have STRONG opinions on that. Still, I don't think the statement made was enough to warrant all of what happened. And yes, damnit, it's perfectly logical and possible to not want war while still supporting our troops. I freakin HATE organized religion but I whole-heartedly support people who feel passionately about it because I think it's important to stand by your convictions and passions (er, as long as no one tries to tell me what to think).
But it pained me to watch parts of the interview, because it really looked like at least a few times the lead singer wanted to say something but couldn't because she was afraid of causing even more trouble.

Free speech. Why is it okay for me to say that I don't agree at all with the president but not okay for a country music singer in the national spotlight to? Why is it okay for normal people to protest and ask for reasons for people to go over and die but when celebrities say it they get bad press? And not all statements are said for the specific purpose of making a huge political statement- and certainly not this particular one that was said a little over a week before we went to war.
I can't stand almost all of Bush's policies (don't get me started with the dang taxes) and I didn't vote for him. Tis my right to say it.
ANd I don't HAVE to support the troops either, though I do. I just don't see why people are so darn offended by other viewpoints. Everything's gotta be pro-America even when you're protesting so as not to hurt other people. Everything's got to be PC and not hurt people's feelings. Well, you know, there are ways of expressing one's views without hurting others and without being all goody-goody all the time. Gar. I dunno. I just feel badly people were hurt by such an off-hand statement which was intended to mean a very different thing. Why can't we all just get along? Peace! *sigh* Silly world. I'll stop ranting now. I just found it to be an interesting interview- and Diane was very odd... she, well, seemed to have such an attacting perspective to really get them to say things... I dunno... why can't people just respect opinions, especially when they're not really meant to be this harmful or important, and just move on?

Comments

I so agree

[(Anonymous)]

*this is from tma*
That special gave me a lot of respect for them. I'm not a big country fan- just listen to it on occasion- and I do like several of their songs. I am just glad that the singer didn't say that they wanted forgiveness and such.

Of course I personally am still rather amazed at the 70% number that they quoted of people that were in favour of us going in. At least where I live I know Very, Very few people who felt that way. In fact I am certain that not all of those in the military necessarily like the Commander in Chief and they don't necessarily agree with reasons that they get sent places. They go because it is their duty and they don't get to pick and choose whose orders they will follow and where they will get sent.

Some of the things that people were saying.... how hateful. They don't have to agree with her, but can't people understand that a person can think and feel that why out of love for country and soliders and not wanting more people to die and possibly putting more people in risk for terrorist attacks. They can think that she is silly, naive, and wrong about her views, but some of the comments that were made- you would think that she was some kind of mass-murderer.

*will get off soapbox now* I thought that is was interesting, and I too felt sorry esp. for the lead singer at several points. I completely get where you are coming from.

Re: I so agree

[tarotgal]

Exactly! Exactly! You said it much better than I did in my rambling last night :-) I do know a few people who went over to fight and of course I support them... I'd just rather see them NOT in harm's way, you know?

I grew up in Northern VA/DC where nearly all of my classmates' parents worked for the miliary. Everyone had very conservative views, and this darn state itself is so conservative pretty much everywhere. So I see a LOT of "cut taxes more!" and "let's invade another country while we're at it" But at least the college atmosphere has provided me with a number of more liberal companions. Still, I agree, I hadn't thought it 70% either. However, polls can be conducted to prove anything. Right before the war I saw one that showed that something like 60% of people in the US would rather vote for a non-identified democratic candidate rather than Bush at the next presidential election. So I would have liked her to have named her source in that 70%

Anyway, thanks much for the reassurance :-) It's nice to know that there are more understanding people in this world... and all I can say is I'm looking forward to moving OUT of the south as soon as possible :-)

Thanks

[(Anonymous)]

**from tma***

That must be tough being in a really conservative area when you are not. Personally I am really "in the middle" on lots of stuff, so where I went to school *very, very conservative* I was a "Femi-Nazi", an evil liberal; and here I am an evil repressed conservative. *chuckles* I guess it is all on perspective. But I So agree about the importance of people allowing people to express their opinions freely. for me personally I grow as a person through having good discussions *meaning open and respectful* with other people that I don't always agree with- it opens me to new perceptions and if it doesn't change my opinion- it can help me to clarify my views.

My brother actually is in the Marine reserves. Thankfully he wasn't sent over for the war, but that was part (though certainly not all) of why I didn't want a war. I knew that young people- some as young as 17 could be getting killed, and if that was going to happen, I wanted there to be a Really good reason. And I still don't believe that we really had a valid enough reason. But I am thankful that a large amount of the reservists will be sent home soon.

I knew some guys that were sent over- but I barely knew them. That must be tough to know people that were sent over.

btw- I forgot to say this in my previous comment but I hope that you are starting to feel better and I am still SO loving your "House Arrest", and I really liked your Serius/Snape chapters.... are you going to write more on either one? *hope, hope*

Thanks!

smart girl...

[(Anonymous)]

Hey. I just wanted to let you know that I feel exactly the same way about the Dixie Chicks. People freak out WAYYYYY to easily! I also wanted to let you know that I dig your site! I LOVE the Ewan stuff you (and Candle & Sphinx) always have on the site.

Thanks for understanding that there is a huge need for us girls to hear 'boy sniffles' once in a while. :) Keep up the great work on your site!

Blessings... Anonymous