Dixie Chicks, Valerie Plame & Bush

[DoYouEverWonder]

By Robert Parry
May 16, 2006

A politician's reaction to dissent is often the true test of a commitment to democracy. Great leaders not only tolerate criticism, but welcome disagreement as part of a fair competition of ideas leading to the best result for society.

Certainly, no one who truly cares about democracy favors punishing critics and demonizing dissenters. But just such hostility has been the calling card of George W. Bush and his backers over the past five years as they have subjected public critics to vilification, ridicule and retaliation.

While Bush doesn’t always join personally in the attack-dog operations, he has a remarkable record of never calling off the dogs, letting his surrogates inflict the damage while he winks his approval. In some cases, however, such as the punishment of former Ambassador Joseph Wilson and his wife, CIA officer Valerie Plame, Bush has actually gotten his hands dirty.

The Bush-on-the-sidelines cases are illustrated by what happened to the Dixie Chicks, a three-woman country-western band that has faced three years of boycotts because lead singer, Natalie Maines, criticized Bush as he was stampeding the nation toward war with Iraq.

more...

http://www.consortiumnews.com/2006/051506.html


Seems Bush swiftboats everyone who dares to disagrees with him. It had to catch up with him sooner or later.

[AX10]

1. Basically, what happened in Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union....

and Imperial Japan, occured here regarding those who dare to dissent against the government. Yes, that is a fair comparison. The Nazis and Soviets were infamous for their "book burings". The right wingers came out enmasse to Clear Channel sponsored "book burings" to destroy Dixie Chicks cd's, posters, and other related material.

[Gabi Hayes]

5. don't forget the Ohio woman who was just sent to the LOONEY BIN

for putting anti Bush posters up in Cleveland

the judge actually put her in the nut house

recent threads here on that one

[tlsmith1963]

2. I Don't Really Like Country, But...

After that 60 Minutes story on the Dixie Chicks I downloaded "Not Ready to Make Nice" from itunes. It's a good song to listen to when you are angry at the people who are ruining this country. I'm not ready to forgive them, either. I completely relate to the song. It will probably be *years* before my anger subsides. I don't take kindly to people who want to turn America into a fascist police state.

You know, maybe if there were more liberal country performers I might like it. And I loved that "Walk the Line" film about Johnny Cash. Country is so small-minded & nationalistic these days. I just can't listen to it.

Tammy

[AX10]

6. I must agree. Country is too jingoisitic. After what happened...

to the Dixie Chicks, that turned me off to any chance of being a Country fan. Never before had I seen something like that (book burning of Dixie Chicks cd's) happen in my America. I too just can't listen to Country. I have heard enough hate from the opponents of America.

[Olney Blue]

3. There was a cover up of the cover up.

The article also says:

"Yet, even as Bush was professing his curiosity and calling for anyone with information to step forward, he was withholding the fact that he had authorized the declassification of some secrets about the Niger uranium issue and had ordered Cheney to arrange for those secrets to be given to reporters.

In other words, though Bush knew a great deal about how the anti-Wilson scheme got started – since he was involved in starting it – he uttered misleading public statements to conceal the White House role and possibly to signal to others that they should follow suit in denying knowledge."

[DoYouEverWonder]

8. That's why they call it

Obstruction of Justice.

Bush, Cheney, Libby, Rove, Condi, Rummie, and others Conspired to Obstruct Justice and that is just the tip of the iceberg with this bunch.

[Gabi Hayes]

4. WOW! once again, Parry gets it

to further bolster his point, the hideously nauseating Glenn Beck had a segment that sneeringly trashed the DCs tonight, including clips of the equally obnoxious Kroft jerk last night (60 Minutes).

then he had some imbecile guest who agreed that Country music (oxymoron for the kind of schlock they then talked about) is ABOUT FAMILY VALUES!

seriously, I mean seriesly

that was all I could take

I can't believe they have this cretinous piglet on TV. how low can they go?

[AX10]

7. Sadly, Country is filled with adulterers and "illigitimate"....

children, as well as drinking, drugs, violence, and bigotry. No "family values" there.