Originally Posted By JohnS1 "This all comes from someone (me) who criticizes Bush on the Iraq war. You'd think I'd agree with them. But I don't. I just find them strident and unappealing and wish they'd shut up." I wonder if part of it is also that we resent people representing our side of things when we find them uneffective or emnbarrassing to us. I tend to be on the right side of things, but I am embarrassed when certain people act as if they represent me, when I never asked them to be loudmouths or insert themselves into the fray in an annoying manner. I particularly dislike Sean Hannity, for example. I don't think he is particularly intelligent and I think he is rude, repetitive and embarrassing to have as a representative of the conservative side of things. People like Newt Gingrich and Bill O'Reilly, to name a few, I find to be intelligent and quick to analyze situations and issues and present thoughtful views and solutions. I also think a lot of people were riled when they made a specific mention of Texas - as if they represented all Texans. I hate it when I hear local politicians say "This is what Washingtonians want..." when they never asked me and do not have any idea whatsoever what I think or want. People in general dislike other people purporting to represent the viewpoints of others when they were never appointed to do so.
Originally Posted By woody Dixie Chicks' complaint is about how their opinion matters. It doesn't!!! SHUT UP AND SING. Get the hint. It's the awful title of their movie. No one cares. People want the sound of silence from these publicity hounds.
Originally Posted By ecdc More meaningless dribble from Beau's heir apparent. Anything of value to contribute - or just more ranting and raving?
Originally Posted By woody ecdc: I've been here long before Beau. I do have value to contribute, but of course, you only value the liberal point of view. No one cares about the Dixie Chick's opinion. Get the hint!!!
Originally Posted By JohnS1 I know very little about the DC's movie, but the title comes from a book by Laura Ingraham, a conservative radio host (but a smart one - she's a lawyer, STPH) The book is about celebrities (liberal and conservative) who feel they need to include political commentary in every singing, acting, comedy appearance they make. Ingraham is against combining politics with entertainment, and this is likely what the chicks are playing off of.
Originally Posted By ecdc "No one cares about the Dixie Chick's opinion. Get the hint!!!" You sure like the exclamation points today. Maybe they make you feel smarter. I value many opinions. I think Andrew Sullivan is excellent; Dinesh Desouza, Joe Scarborough - all conservatives I enjoy listening to. Hey, I even heard Pat Buchanan on Bill Maher on illegal immigration and thought he had some fascinating things to say on the topic. What I don't value is the foolish ignorance and stupidity that people bandy about these days as a "contribution". It's what Ann Coulter and her ilk does. They start with the assumption that they're right - just 'cause they are - and they feel no need to back it up. Then they yell and scream it out to the world. Then they treat anyone who disagrees with them as if they are complete and total idiots or as if they're somehow dangerous or a threat to our society because they just "don't get it" or "see the light" the way they have. It offers nothing. It's pathetic and childish, and what's worse - it's pedestrian, unintelligent, uneducated nonsense from people who think they're smart but make the weeds in my yard look bright. I value SPP's viewpoint on this thread and he has presented a pretty critical examination of the Dixie Chicks, but he's done it with class and thought - something that repeatedly escapes you. Forgive me if I don't consider "No one cares. People want the sound of silence from these publicity hounds" and telling them to "shut up" with lots of angry exclamation points thrown in for good measure to be an insightful contribution to the thread. Actually, it's how my four year old responds to things he doesn't like.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <But they have to be prepared for the inevitable backlash that's going to follow. Most celebrities seem to understand this except for the Dixie Chicks.> Well, it wasn't like they planned the statement and really thought about the possible backlash. It was an off the cuff statement before a concert that Natalie Maines didn't think was particularly important and didn't think would go beyond the boundaries of that concert hall. But since it did, the Chicks have said repeatedly that they have no problem with people not liking them now or not buying their music or whatever as a reaction. The hate mail, the vile comments thrown their way, and the death threats? Not so much.
Originally Posted By woody ecdc: Andrew Sullivan is not conservative. You may not like the word "Shut Up" but that's the title of the movie and the title of the book by Laura Ingraham. Laura Ingraham has lots of credibility with the mainstream media since she once worked for them. Sorry you're not familiar with her history. You should take your own advice. You posts lots of provocative slams. Your opinion is hardly rational. You love to flame-throw in your own cute way. Obliviously, of course.
Originally Posted By ecdc Andrew Sullivan is a self-proclaimed conservative and a longtime Republican. Just because he finds Bush appalling doesn't mean you get to dictate who or what he is.
Originally Posted By woody >>Andrew Sullivan is a self-proclaimed conservative and a longtime Republican.<< He is certainly self-proclaimed.
Originally Posted By Disneyworldland >>I heard the Dixie Chicks were just on Oprah complaining about how they were being silenced. Sure, they've got a movie out, they're on tour, they're appearing on Oprah, but they're being silenced. Right.<< WOW, Is this hitting the nail on the head or what!
Originally Posted By JohnS1 I always laugh when anyone who gets a national forum on television complains that they have been silenced! Hello - you're on national TV! That's not what I call being silenced!
Originally Posted By Disneyworldland Well it works with some people as you can see. You can fool most of the people most of the time as you know.
Originally Posted By ecdc "He is certainly self-proclaimed." Yet another insightful response. They just keep coming. No exclamation points this time, though. That's disappointing. Seriously though, the current Republican party loves to say who gets into the clubhouse and who doesn't. I'm sure they'd love to disavow Sullivan, who after all, is one of them homos. But his beliefs are conservative, through and through. They're just not the current lynchmob mentality that runs through some conservatives today. He's for lower government spending and government staying out of peoples lives. That's conservative. Kinda weird isn't it? Conservatives don't even know what conservative is.
Originally Posted By woody >>I'm sure they'd love to disavow Sullivan, who after all, is one of them homos.<< I am surprised you didn't use "exclamation points" with this slam. Wow, you're really trying hard to sound reasonable. (rolls eyes). Maybe I'll respond in full after I take breather from your constant attacks.
Originally Posted By JohnS1 Sullivan is frequently a guest commentator on any number of conservative talk shows and news broadcasts. I haven't seen any discrimination of him based on his sexual orientation. I never see him on traditional network news shows or CNN, however. Now there's hypocrisy for you.
Originally Posted By ecdc He is a guest commentator for Time magazine and writes frequently for them, however. "Wow, you're really trying hard to sound reasonable. (rolls eyes)." Nope, just trying to keep up with your constant nonsense. Seriously woody, you are clueless. Most people of all political stripes can come to a discussion board like this and engage in reasonable conversation. Does it get heated sometimes? You bet. Do I (and others) say things we later regret occasionally? Most definitely. But when I, in good faith, attempt to explain that I do listen to multiple perspectives, you choose to split hairs and suggest one of the names on my list isn't conservative enough for you. You could've taken what I said as an attempt to understand where another person is coming from and drop the bumbling rhetoric while you try and keep up with the grown-ups; you could have at least let it go. But not you. You say Sullivan isn't a conservative. Well as Matt Foley once said, la-di frickin' da. Mature people were having a mature conversation about the Dixie Chicks. There was disagreement to be sure. But it was polite and thoughtful. You then waltz in with "shut up" and nobody cares. Next time, try to keep up. If it's too advanced for you, head back to the playground.
Originally Posted By woody He isn't. You come across as someone who finds offense from my point of view. No, I don't think Sullivan is conservative and it isn't because he's gay. One more time. "SHUT UP AND SING" is the name of the movie. I did not come up with this myself. And I stand by my statement that no one cares about the political opinions of the Dixie Chicks. They should just sing and forget about politics.
Originally Posted By woody >>Next time, try to keep up. If it's too advanced for you, head back to the playground.<< One more time. "SHUT UP AND SING" is the name of the movie. I did not come up with this myself. You seem to keep forget this fact.
