PHIL ROBERTSON AND

THE DIXIE CHICKS 

BOTH HAVE FREE SPEECH.

As I've thought about the controversy over Phil Robertson's interview, I've been struck by the similarity of this situation and The Dixie Chicks when they made disparaging remarks about George W. Bush while they were over seas.  As you can see in this cover pick from Entertainment Weekly they received many of the same comments that Mr. Robertson is receiving today.  Some call them hero and brave, others call them traitors or in Mr. Roberts case bigot. 

In my travels through the world wide web today I've seen mostly comments about free speech being violated.  I can't see that it's being violated in either case.  Phil and Natalie Maines can still say anything they want to about those two particular subjects, and no one is going to arrest them for it.  That's the whole point of free speech, however constitutional protections don't alleviate the consequences of what we say.  The Dixie Chicks employer (their fans) basically fired them for what Natalie said.  A & E has suspended Phil Robertson for what he said. Phil and Natalie can continue to say anything they want to, but like any of us, there may be non-legal consequences for our actions.  Whether you stand with Phil or A & E is your own business and opinion, but we have to realize that when we express a thought, though it may be legally protected, it doesn't stop the people around us, or possibly our employers, from reacting to what we think.  The fans fired Natalie and she can still rant about George W. Bush.  A & E has suspended Phil Robertson, but he can give a television interview tomorrow and still express his opinions about homosexuality.  We just need to understand that when we step out for what we believe in there is usually a price to pay.  

Just my opinion.

Jamey