So Natalie Mains of the Dixie Chicks has finally given me inspiration to start this journey. I am tired of hearing the entertainment industry spouting their politics regardless of whether I agree with them or not. The media loves to swarm like sharks on every comment and the country further draws the dividing line down the middle. I’ve heard reports of Bush being called a baby killer, a nazi and more. But aren’t these the same people who support ABORTION? Who’s the baby killer?

The problem with the entertainment group publicizing their political viewpoints is that none of them represent “the American viewpoint” in whole.

You’ve got the Right: Ted Nugent, Fred Thompson, Pat Boone, Drew Carey, Dixie Carter, Charlie Daniels, Bo Derek, Charlton Heston, Toby Keith, Jackie Mason, Pat Sajak, Tom Selleck, Jane Seymour and Bruce Willis.

You’ve got the Left: Ed Asner, Alec Baldwin, George Clooney, Sheryl Crow, Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, Richard Gere, Tom Hanks, Michael Moore, Sean Penn, Rob Reiner, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, Barbra Streisand.

Then you’ve got some insignificants somewhere on the fringe. But the point is that these folks are ENTERTAINERS. As Americans, they have every right to say what they please, but making a living depends on the consumers which, unless completely apathetic, will fall into one of the groups listed above. When they spout off about non-entertainment issues, they begin to alienate people in their customer base. They should expect some fallout to come from making public comments about an issue (whether politics or religion) that is deeply held by people.

I find it amusing when the entertainers spout off whatever mantra is cool for the day and then complain when consumers start talking about boycotting their services (ACTING!) or products (items they endorse as celebrities). You see, somewhere down the line the concept of “free speech” has been confused with the economic concept of supply and demand. If you’re livelihood depends on something and you take actions (whether protected or not) that alienate a portion of that collective ’something’, you’ve got to expect a reduction in demand for your product. Look at it this way… do you see top executives of companies making public statements about politics? NO! Taking it a step further, do you hear business owners making personal attacks or snide comments about politicians or religious figures in public? NO! Why, you ask? Because they know that there are differing viewpoints in the world… a world which comprises their entire customer base… a world which does not care to hear their latest rant about foreign policy or their stance on global warming. They understand that while they too enjoy freedom of speech, the wise move is to shut up when it comes to hot topics. Sure, you say, they are afraid to voice their opinions…. I counter that it is intelligence, not fear that guides them. The entertainment industry for the most part has elevated many of these ‘activists’ to a financial position that boycotts of their goods and services may not completely destroy their way of life, and for that reason they have nothing to lose. But for those who are on their way up, or require continual support from the audience, it might be wise to shut the hell up…. unless of course the cost of their free speech is worth a reduction in lifestyle and livelihood.

The “right to free speech” is not being attacked. Stop the spinning. They have the right to say whatever they want (obviously) and we as the consumers, the people who can put money in their pockets or not, have the choice to stop purchasing their products and services. The beauty of capitalism.

My favorite quote is, “You have no experience doing this, so shut up. You think what I do is so easy, you have no right to say anything about what I do until you’ve spent some time actually doing it.” This was not said by a republican in the current administration defending himself from a Leftist attack…. rather it was a quote from none other than George Clooney in response to a bad review he’d received for directing. Funny Mr. Clooney that it takes such a deep inward evaluation and hands on experience to direct a movie, but running the most powerful country in the world can be accomplished by someone like yourself, without a shred of experience or knowledge. Hypocrisy runs rampant again.

We all have opinions, but if my livelihood depended on the public, I’d try a little harder not to alienate an entire group.

This is not about freedom of speech, it’s about business. Supply and demand.

The only difference is this time next year, she might not have a world stage on which to spew her idiocy, she’ll be relegated back to a local bar or street corner… but her free speech rights will remain fully intact.