>>First, I don't believe for a moment that their is ONE person in the USA that WANTS war.... not even President Bush... for those celebrities to claim that, is completely ignorant.<<

Well, do a little research. The Bush administration this week released a list of the top contractors who will rebuild the infrastructure of Iraq after we defeat them. Among the top five are Haliburton (Dick Cheney's company) and the Carlyle Group (G. Bush Sr., Rumsfeld, and many other familiar names). We are paying $2.14/gal for regular out here in CA; do you not think that the Texas oil industry is not profiting from this? Someone does want war, and it is the people in power in Washington who are making money now and will reap tremendous profits when this is done.

>>Secondly, there is a difference between voicing your opinion in a rational manner (and not making it appear that our country is not united) and the way that these celebrities have chosen to do so. I don't recall contacting any of the celebrities in question and asking their opinion, nor do I honestly care what they think.<<

Please, do not buy their records, attend their concerts, watch their shows, or attend anti-war rallies where they express opinions. This is your personal choice, as is it theirs to express their opinion (no matter how poorly chosen or positioned). Just do not question their right to say what they want. Or move to Iraq, where they won't be able to express these opinions, and you won't be able to hear them (through the burka)

>>Sean Penn has claimed that he has lost a $10 Million dollar role due to his outspoken behavior... I say toooo bad Mr. Penn.<<

Could it be because the little weasel can't act, and hasn't had a profitable movie in ten years?

>>I look at it this way... if you were shopping in a grocery store and everytime you checked out the clerk began to preach to you about his/her political view... would you not consider shopping elsewhere? or at the very least go thru another checker... I know I would. That being said, the celebrities in question cannot expect continued support from their fan base if those individuals do not agree with thier stance. <<

You have choice of grocery stores, you don't have choice of other Dixie Chicks. Neither Natalie Maines nor your checker has a lock on clear political thinking, but they were in this hypothetical situation speaking on common legal ground: expressing an opinion in a non-public place. The owner of the establishment (in the case of the concert, the promoter) would have a legal right to silence the speaker, unlike the protection we all have under the constitution to publicly speak our minds. In each case, vote with your pocketbook.

...

>>I find it ironic that these celebrities have absolutely no problem living in this country and reaping the benefits of doing so... but are the first to attack our government. <<

Again and again, they have a right to say whatever they want (as long as it is not slanderous or libelous) anywhere, anytime about anyone. This is what this country is built on.


>>I for one will NOT purchase any Dixie Chicks music (sad because I really enjoyed their talent), I no longer watch the West Wing, I have no desire to watch Sean Penn (sad again because I think he is talented beyond measure), and don't plan on drooling over George Clooney anytime soon.<<

well, I'll give you a week over Clooney

>>...The difference is, that I am doing so on a small scale, amoung friends and those who know me well enough to already have a understanding of my opinions. I am NOT standing in front of thousands and giving other countries the image that our country is not ununitied. <<

No difference. Don't forget this.

And this country is far from united on this.

>>This is no longer a political issue, for me it is about the THOUSANDS of soldiers & sailors that we have on far away soil. Imagine what those men and women are thinking... fighting for the freedoms that we hold dear yet some seem not to respect.<<

It is these soldiers and sailors whose blood will be spilled for the profit of a few wealthy, powerful men. I think we have all learned that it is awful to treat these soldiers and sailors as the bad guys, as some were after Vietnam, and I see zero chance they won't get all of our respect.

...

Jenna, thanks for your reasoned opinions.

IMO, considering the overwhelming opposition to our plan of action from nearly every other country in the world, Natalie Maines' statement probably sounds, right or wrong, like a solitary voice of reason to those outside the US. The fact that she can express her opinion is probably the strongest example of our freedoms that we can portray.

And I like you up on that soapbox. The view's pretty good from down here