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Friday, August 26, 2005

Attorney General Tells Country Music Singer To Stop Chewing Tobacco On Stage

This is getting out of hand.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The state attorney general wants the country singer who made the song "Redneck Woman" a hit to stop "glamorizing" the use of smokeless tobacco at her concerts.

State officials said Gretchen Wilson can be seen on concert jumbo screens pulling a can of Skoal from her pocket while performing her new song, "Skoal Ring."

That may violate the 1998 settlement between states and tobacco companies forbidding tobacco ads targeting young people, Attorney General Paul Summers said.

"Many young people attend your concerts and purchase your music and T-shirts," Summers wrote in a letter he sent to Wilson Thursday. "Because your actions strongly influence the youth in your audience ... I ask you to take steps to warn young people of negative health effects of smokeless tobacco use."


A ridiculous request. The ickiness associated with a woman chewing tobacco aside, Gretchen Wilson is an adult and has every right to use the tobacco product of her choice. She also has a right, as an artist, to write and perform songs about said product. Just as she has done with this song.

Yet, according to this attorney general, this is border-line illegal activity. Why? Because the health fascists have decided that Americans are so blindingly stupid that they'll mimic anything a celebrity does regardless of the consequences to their own health. After all, in the minds of said health fascists, Americans don't smoke because they like it, they smoke because the tobacco companies made them do it.

Welcome to today's America, where the government will always be there to make sure its dumb-cow citizens aren't lead astray by nefarious tobacco-using celebrities.

Update:

Wilson knuckles under.

Attorney General Paul Summers said the singer's representative apologized Friday and said Wilson would not use the Skoal can in concert again. It was not used at a Cincinnati concert Thursday night, his office said.

"I appreciate Ms. Wilson's attitude," Summers said in a news release. "I thank her very much. This quick and positive response speaks well of her as a professional artist, as a good citizen, as a parent and as a role model for youth."


I'd have told the AG to mind his own damn business.

Comments

Avatar for Robin S.

I don’t think she’s hot exactly (I tend to use that word only about women who would stop me in my tracks), but I thought she was moderately attractive.  Still, she and a few other artists (see: Big & Rich) were a large reason for my abandonment of modern country music.  I prefer artists like Randy Travis and George Strait to what’s normally playing on country stations nowadays.

Of course, you’re right about the nanny-state mentality.  If parents (who are ultimately responsible for raising their children) don’t want their kids to be exposed to tobacco use, they have the option of refusing to buy Ms. Wilson’s CDs or concert tickets.  There’s no reason for the government to get involved.

Robin S. on August 26, 2005 at 09:08 am
Avatar for John S Bolton

This is an obvious instance of attempted censorship, and it subverts morals by its posturing as being good, for wanting to force others not to fall into unhealthy habits. Health fascism is an appropriate characterization. The Nazi War on Cancer, by Robert N. Proctor, gives the story of Hitler’s antitobacco campaigns. Bad people who just want xcuses for power, are allowed to present an image of moral righteousness, which ought to be lambasted. Virtue is not the avoidance of a laundry list of minor vices, much less activism against other people’s bad habits.

John S Bolton on August 26, 2005 at 09:08 am
Avatar for modern instances

I’ve never even heard of this chick.  It’s obviously just a stunt anyway.  Much like Clinton’s chiding of Sister Souljah, this is in the area of “any publicity is good publicity.”

modern instances on August 26, 2005 at 09:08 am
Avatar for Robin S.

Don’t a lot of kids watch baseball, too?  I don’t know how prevalent tobacco chewing is in baseball anymore, but it seems like this Attorney General should be going after them, too.  (Though, I guess in Tennessee, there’s not much he can do about professional baseball.)

Also, Gretchen Wilson chews tobacco?  I thought she was attractive before this, but now… ew.

Robin S. on August 26, 2005 at 09:08 am
Rob
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I’ve never thought Gretchen Wilson was hot.  She just isn’t.  And her music sucks too.

That aside, where does this nanny-state mentality end?  With the government deciding which activities in movies and shows it is ok for Americans to view?

I don’t like where this is all headed.


When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

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Rob on August 26, 2005 at 09:09 am
Avatar for LoadTheMule

Underneath the very thin skin of every liberal lurks a commissar yearning to be free.

Remember, We know best.

Regards…

LoadTheMule on August 26, 2005 at 10:08 am
Avatar for Seth Yantiss

HA.  She can’t chew, but MTV can…

Do I have to expand on this?

Seth Yantiss on August 26, 2005 at 11:08 am
Rob
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I guess I don’t get the MTV chew reference…

Robin, I agree with you about modern country music.  Its been awful for a while now.

Alan Jackson is one I still like a lot.  I’ve always liked George Strait, but his stuff has started sounding repetitive.

Given a choice, I stick with the classics.  Merle Haggard.  Johnny Cash.  Waylon Jennings.  The Hanks (Jr. and Sr.)

By the way, have you ever listened to any of Hank III’s stuff?  When he sings country he sounds just like his grandpa.  I really enjoyed it.  He has a metal band too (yes, its a bit strange), but I haven’t really listened to much of that.


When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

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Rob on August 26, 2005 at 12:08 pm
Avatar for Seth Yantiss

I wasn’t trying to relate Chew and MTV… I was saying that MTV does MUCH MUCH worse than showing someone using dip.

Seth Yantiss on August 26, 2005 at 12:09 pm
Avatar for modern instances

Hank III kicks ass!  I just missed his Detroit show while I was away on vacation.

No one’s quite like the man in black, he will be missed.

modern instances on August 26, 2005 at 12:09 pm
Avatar for Robin S.

I’ve heard a bit of Hank III’s stuff, but not much.

I’ve got a Sirius radio, and I tend to listen to Prime Country (80s and 90s country) when I’m in the mood for country music (otherwise, I’m usually listening to the Christian Pop station).

Robin S. on August 26, 2005 at 07:09 pm
Rob
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Hank III kicks ass! I just missed his Detroit show while I was away on vacation.

I’ve never seen him live.  Does he do both his rock and country sets in a show, or does he separate that into different shows?  Seems like the different types would appeal to two different audiences.

He’s very talented though.  I like his music a lot.  He doesn’t fit into the country music industry’s current squeaky-clean image.  He’s a party guy, just like his dad and his granddad.

No one’s quite like the man in black, he will be missed.

Oh I know.  So many artists fade and lose touch after a certain amount of time, but Johnny was with it even at the end.  Hell, he was doing covers of Nine Inch Nails songs in the months before he died.

Seriously, watch that video if you haven’t seen it already.  The man was a legend.  One of those talents that crosses boundaries.

I’m usually listening to the Christian Pop station

Uff da.  Not to offend or anything, but I’ve got pretty broad musical tastes.  My CD library (before I went all digital) had everything from Johnny Horton to Marilyn Manson, but I have never found a Christian music song I liked.  I just can’t get into it.  Every song is about the same thing, and it all sounds so trite.


When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

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Rob on August 27, 2005 at 05:09 pm
Avatar for modern instances

Here’s Hank III’s site.  He’s supposed to have a new one coming out soon, but I think he’s having label trouble.

Faith + 1 is the only Christian rock I listen to.  Except for U2.

modern instances on August 27, 2005 at 06:08 pm
Avatar for Robin S.

I have never found a Christian music song I liked. I just can’t get into it. Every song is about the same thing, and it all sounds so trite.

Eh. That’s a fair assessment, I’d say.  There are about three artists whose songs I really enjoy, and most of the rest is fairly bland.  (It’s likely that those three are fairly bland, as well; I’ve never claimed to have taste when it comes to music.)

Robin S. on August 27, 2005 at 06:08 pm
Avatar for 2Hotel9

I am leaning more towards satellite radio. Local reception is crap, local selection is worse. Computer generated playlists are reducing from 50 songs in a 24 hour cycle to 10 songs in a 24 hour cycle. And doubling the number of commercials.

2Hotel9 on August 27, 2005 at 06:08 pm
Avatar for 2Hotel9

Thanks for the link, MI. Always like to check out the youngbloods.

2Hotel9 on August 27, 2005 at 06:09 pm
Avatar for modern instances

Last time I saw Hank III, couple years ago, it was just the rock stuff.  Not sure if he mixes it now, but he didn’t then.

I have never found a Christian music song I liked.

Then you haven’t heard Faith + 1!

modern instances on August 27, 2005 at 06:09 pm
Avatar for Robin S.

If you normally drive in places where you’ve got a clear view of the sky (the wooded areas around here are choppy, but the interstate’s good), the satellite radio is an excellent investment, in my experience.  We got my dad one for Father’s Day, and I added mine to the same account so that my receiver’s only about $6 a month.

Robin S. on August 27, 2005 at 06:09 pm
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Hey, I’m not passing any judgments.  Whatever turns your crank.

MI, has Hank III put out any albums recently?  All I have is his “Risin’ Outlaw” country album.

I need to catch up…


When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

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Rob on August 27, 2005 at 06:09 pm
Avatar for 2Hotel9

I have been trying to find someone here with it and see how recept is. If no better than FM I will just go I-pod.

2Hotel9 on August 27, 2005 at 07:08 pm
Avatar for Spoiler

Hank III plays both country and metal at his shows,he does about one and a half hours of country,then about thirty minutes of his hellbilly sound and then he brings out Assjack (his metal band) for about an hour and half of pure chaos.He is deffently one of a kind,and if you ever get the chance to see him live...Don’t pass it up,reguardless of what type of music your into.He has a new album coming out on October the 25th on Curb records called “Straight to Hell”. http://WWW.HANK3.COM

Spoiler on September 8, 2005 at 08:10 pm
Rob
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Awesome, Spoiler.  Thanks for the info.


When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.

-- Thomas Jefferson

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

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Rob on September 8, 2005 at 09:09 pm
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[...] (Thanks again to Rob) Posted by Jeff Goldstein @ 01:50 PM Email this The trackback URL for this entry is: [...]

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