The Truth About The Dixie Chicks Ban

Oligarchy:

1. Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families.
2. Those making up such a government.
2. A state governed by a few persons.

Channels of Influence
By Paul Krugman for the NY Times.

Or perhaps the quid pro quo is more narrowly focused. Experienced Bushologists let out a collective “Aha!” when Clear Channel was revealed to be behind the pro-war rallies, because the company’s top management has a history with George W. Bush. The vice chairman of Clear Channel is Tom Hicks, whose name may be familiar to readers of this column. When Mr. Bush was governor of Texas, Mr. Hicks was chairman of the University of Texas Investment Management Company, called Utimco, and Clear Channel’s chairman, Lowry Mays, was on its board. Under Mr. Hicks, Utimco placed much of the university’s endowment under the management of companies with strong Republican Party or Bush family ties. In 1998 Mr. Hicks purchased the Texas Rangers in a deal that made Mr. Bush a multimillionaire.
There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear, but a good guess is that we’re now seeing the next stage in the evolution of a new American oligarchy. As Jonathan Chait has written in The New Republic, in the Bush administration “government and business have melded into one big `us.’ ” On almost every aspect of domestic policy, business interests rule: “Scores of midlevel appointees . . . now oversee industries for which they once worked.” We should have realized that this is a two-way street: if politicians are busy doing favors for businesses that support them, why shouldn’t we expect businesses to reciprocate by doing favors for those politicians

10 thoughts on “The Truth About The Dixie Chicks Ban

  1. Joe Eiffert

    I do believe the Dixie Chicks have a right to say anything they want.This is America ,after all.I think it is a choice,however,that when one person makes a stand to say that they are practicing the freedom of speach that those who do not agree with that person(s) have the same right to express thier opinion as well.Even if someone does not agree with them either.
    The protester’s have made demand’s on our government not to “do this” or “do that”.But I am one who believes in percentagesof decent.Not poll’s or the commonly used “push poll” method that allows the one giving the poll to achieve the result’s that they are seeking!So, does the government have the right to ask the chicks to do a free concert to say they are sorry?That is like asking if the government has the right to use tax payer money to help support group’s like planned parenthood,abortion clinic’s,the effect’s of cow fart’s on the ozone……I don’t recall anyone asking me if they can use my tax dollar’s on such nonsense of which I do not support.It all comes down to agree to disagree.If you want to support the “Chick’s” then support them.If you don’t wish to support them thn don’t.Oh by the way. I also believe that the liberal media control’s much of T.V. Conservitive corperation’s should not complain about that. They should buy up more T.V. station’s. As for the liberal corps, they should invest in more radio station’s.Now, if they put the money where it is most effective who’s fault is it that rating’s,poll’s and opinion’s fall where they do?”THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD GOES TO….”
    Hey! You’re right. There is a war goin on…
    P.S. Thank you for expressing your opinion .Freedom is such a cool thing(with lot’s of responsability with it.)
    God Bless America!!!!!!!!

  2. Jeff Grage

    We are with the Dixie Chicks.
    The Bush Oligarchy is out of control.
    Many people are joining givemeliberty.org and will support the petition of Redress of Grievance. Over thirty-thousand people have responded and many more are joining in.
    We will withold taxes until the Bush Oligarchy follows the Constitution.
    Jeff

  3. debunker

    Before you jump on the “Save the chicks” bandwagon, spend a little time on google.
    Viacom, the media sponsor of the D.C. has a lawsuit againt a company that awarded Clear Channel a very nice advertising contract that Viacom wanted. Hence the right-wing conspricy alluded to by Krugman, possibly via Viacom?
    The DJ’s suspended for not palying the D.C., worked for Viacoms Infiinety broadcasting. KKCS. KILT also owned by Viacoms Infinity broadcasting “banned the D.C.” Viacoms Infinity broadcasting owns 180 radio stations. Can we say publicity stunt?
    When faced with the loss of their core fan base after the first London statement, their PR came up with a way to save the investment in the tour.
    Issue an email to radio stations alluding to a vicious right wing plot to destroy the D.C. this was done by their mgr. Then insinuate the radio stations that had stopped playing the D.C. were corporate bullies trying to press this administrations agenda.
    What did they accomplish? They brought in new money.
    The anti-war movement is now the new pocket book for a band that said in their New Zealand interview that it was just a joke, said to get cheers and it got lots of cheers. No political views here.
    Search Holmes TV New Zealand
    The following is a transcript of a portion of an interview with The
    Dixie Chicks on TV One in New Zealand. The interview aired on
    March 31, 2003.
    Transcript: The Dixie Chicks Interview with TV One’s Holmes
    New Zealand
    Holmes: What did you actually say, and what did you mean?
    Natalie: Uh…I said…what did I say? I said…um…we’re
    embarrassed…just so you know, we’re embarrassed…
    Martie: Ashamed…
    Natalie: Oh, we’re ashamed that the President is from Texas…is
    that what I said?
    Emily: Yeah.
    Natalie: And it was a joke and it wasn’t planned. And it was
    really funny at the time. It got lots of cheers and that’s what it was meant for.
    The D.C. promoters think like P.T. Barnum; there’s a fool born every minute.

  4. debunker

    Before you jump on the “Save the chicks” bandwagon, spend a little time on google.
    Viacom, the media sponsor of the D.C. has a lawsuit againt a company that awarded Clear Channel a very nice advertising contract that Viacom wanted. Hence the right-wing conspricy alluded to by Krugman, possibly via Viacom?
    The DJ’s suspended for not playing the D.C., worked for Viacoms Infiinety broadcasting. KKCS. KILT also owned by Viacoms Infinity broadcasting “banned the D.C.” Viacoms Infinity broadcasting owns 180 radio stations. Can we say publicity stunt?
    When faced with the loss of their core fan base after the first London statement, their PR came up with a way to save the investment in the tour.
    Issue an email to radio stations alluding to a vicious right wing plot to destroy the D.C. this was done by their mgr. Then insinuate the radio stations that had stopped playing the D.C. were corporate bullies trying to press this administrations agenda.
    What did they accomplish? They brought in new money.
    The anti-war movement is now the new pocket book for a band that said in their New Zealand interview that it was just a joke, said to get cheers and it got lots of cheers. No political views here.
    Search Holmes TV New Zealand
    The following is a transcript of a portion of an interview with The
    Dixie Chicks on TV One in New Zealand. The interview aired on
    March 31, 2003.
    Transcript: The Dixie Chicks Interview with TV One’s Holmes
    New Zealand
    Holmes: What did you actually say, and what did you mean?
    Natalie: Uh…I said…what did I say? I said…um…we’re
    embarrassed…just so you know, we’re embarrassed…
    Martie: Ashamed…
    Natalie: Oh, we’re ashamed that the President is from Texas…is
    that what I said?
    Emily: Yeah.
    Natalie: And it was a joke and it wasn’t planned. And it was
    really funny at the time. It got lots of cheers and that’s what it was meant for.
    The D.C. promoters think like P.T. Barnum; there’s a fool born every minute.

  5. Dave

    The US stinks.
    Never before has it become so apparent that it is possible to abuse the courts, the media and all political aspects of a country, unless we count 1930’s Germany.
    Seems like the statue of Liberty is lying vulva-up to be fucked by anyone with a big wallet. Americans, wake up.

  6. US Stinker!

    Dave,”Never before has it become so apparent that it is possible to abuse the courts”? Have you been in a coma for the past 20 years? This isn’t new and I hate to tell you but it’s going to get worse! “The US stinks”! You are right! And as long as you post articulate comments like your last, you can shoulder your share of the blame!

  7. Caesar Romero

    Why didn’t the Congress care when radio stations refused to play Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson…and on and on? Politicians don’t care about the Chicks. They care about eliminating their radio critics.

  8. Caesar Romero

    Why didn’t the Congress care when radio stations refused to play Elvis, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Marilyn Manson…and on and on? Politicians don’t care about the Chicks. They care about eliminating their radio critics.

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