Effing MSNBC: Dixie Chicks "brave — or foolhardy" for taking on Sinclair

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Man-O-Man, did this one piss me off. "Foolhardy" my ASS. How about "intellligent" and "not afraid to state their opinion and exercise their freedom of speech?"



Send your e-mails to Jeanette Walls at MSNBC: [e-mail]



"Dixie Chicks ruffle some feathers"

Those Dixie Chicks are some brave — or foolhardy — ladies.

The singing trio was boycotted by some conservative fans and by the radio chain Clear Channel after they criticized George W. Bush — but now they’re taking on Sinclair Broadcasting. The chain of 62 television stations plans to broadcast parts of an anti-John Kerry documentary.

“We have a giant television company that is making Clear Channel’s antics look like a day at the beach,” the Dixie Chicks say in a “Media Alert” posted on their Web site. “Sinclair is the Clear Channel of TV, producing news segments at ‘News Central’ in suburban Maryland and forcing local stations to air them as ‘local news.’ Great for Sinclair’s bottom line ... terrible for our democracy.”

They provide a link so that fans can take further action. “During the past week there has been a massive backlash, and Sinclair is on the defensive,” they write — and in fact, Sinclair recently announced plans to scale back how much of the documentary it’s asking affiliates to broadcast. “They are on the ropes and we need you to help us keep them there,” the Chicks add.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6291410/

Dixie Chicks Web Site:

http://dixiechicks.launch.yahoo.com/

The Media Alert, from their Web Site:



Sinclair Media Alert from the Dixie Chicks!
10/18/04

As musicians, we've had to deal with companies like Clear Channel that have gobbled up over 1200 radio stations, taken over concert venues, and undermined the ability for musicians to connect with their fans. Clear Channel also uses its power to promote a pro-Republican, pro-war agenda.

Now we have a giant television company that is making Clear Channel's antics look like a day at the beach. Last week, Sinclair Broadcast Group — the largest owner of TV stations in the U.S. — ordered its 62 stations to air an anti-Kerry documentary a few days before the election. Their aim is clear: use their monopoly rights to the public airwaves — in clear violation of the spirit of the law — to sway the election in favor of a candidate that staunchly allows media companies to get even bigger.

Sinclair is the Clear Channel of TV, producing news segments at "News Central" in suburban Maryland and forcing local stations to air them as "local news." Great for Sinclair's bottom line...terrible for our democracy.

During the past week there has been a massive backlash, and Sinclair is on the defensive. They are on the ropes and we need you to help us keep them there.

Please visit http://freepress.net/music/ for more information and to make your voice heard!

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Hooray for the Dixie Chicks!

[derby378]

2. They made me love country music

Them along with Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keen, John Gorka, and Amy Rigby.

[Viking12]

3. OK, I'm not at all into their music, but it's time to go purchase DC CDs

[asjr]

4. Those pundits who ridicule free speech are in danger of

losing their own free speech. They do not seem to realize that. When and where did our country disappear?

[crispini]

5. I will now go purchase

a Dixie Chicks CD. GO THEM!

[Wind Dancer]

6. I have such respect for them!

I don't care much for their music but have decided to buy a couple of their CD's now, we need more musicians to speak out like this.

[JanLip]

7. Love them Chicks!

These gals have a lot of guts. I love them and their music. Go get'em Dixie Chicks!!!

[mcg]

8. Dixie Chicks: brave — and wise, I'm now a fan

Go Dixie Chicks!

[henslee]

9. Those girls are all heart and getting cuter all the time.

[tomfodw]

10. Good for them - and good for the US

They're right, and everyone who isn't a media conglomerate CEO or Koolaid-drinking empty-headed lackey employee of a media conglomerate CEO knows they're right. This isn't just about Kerry vs Bush - it's about what we want this country to be: a place where everyone truly has a voice or a country where the wealthy and powerful dictate to us what to think.

You go, girls! Lead the way!

[lasttrip]

11. musical tastes aside, i greatly respect them for taking action.

[Bunny]

12. I hope President Kerry invites them to his Inauguration. n/t

[Rambis]

13. I love them

They are rich now and still have a moral compass. Go girls