Chicks Rule and Freedom of Speech Wins!

Although I didn't watch the Grammy's last night (Jake and I were celebrating V-Day early), I was more than pleased to find out that the Dixie Chicks won all 5 of their nominated categories, and I don't care if they won for political reasons or not. Their album (Taking the Long Way) is actually a really great album, and it's not unreasonable to think that they won based upon artistic merit. However, if the vote was political, it's nice to see someone be rewarded (albeit, a bit late, IMO) for actually speaking out, and not forced to maintain the "status quo". I've always been a fan of the Chicks, and have become an even bigger fan since the entire snafu.

For anyone who thinks that celebrities shouldn't be spouting their political beliefs, I ask you "Why not?". Just because they are famous, doesn't take away the fact that they are also Americans, who are protected under the rights of Free Speech-the same rights you and I have. Don't other bloggers (like myself) express their political and social opinions in a public forum, and aren't many of them now infamous because of their blogs? What's the difference there? Or with a newscaster making political commentary? The simple fact is, there isn't one. Let us all not become the mindless lemmings who follow the propaganda blindly without informing ourselves of the real issues, and of what's important to ourselves as individuals. What's right for you may not be right for me, but we should all become educated on WHY we believe what we do, and I mean REALLY educated-not just listening to others' opinions, but forming our own based on real research from all sources. And don't be afraid to listen to a differing opinion, because you might actually learn something. If our Founding Fathers had not found their voice, and became famous dissidents, then there wouldn't be an America. Because they spoke out against what they felt was a tyrannical ruler, and they stood up for their beliefs, and were willing to fight for them, we now have the right and privilege to do the same. Let us honor them by following their great example.

*Rant over*