Say Anything Blog

You all remember the Dixie Chicks, right?  Marginally talented country pop band that saw its career implode when loud-mouthed lead singer Natalie Maines decided to do a little on-stage Bush bashing?  The most annoying thing about that whole stupid mess was the Dixie Chicks claiming post career implosion that their free speech rights were being trampled.  They weren’t, really.  The Dixie Chicks certainly had (and still have) the right to say whatever they want to about politics and any other topic under the sun.  It’s just that their erstwhile fans also have the right to not buy their albums or go to their concerts.

That’s how free societies work.  We all have freedom, but the cost of that freedom is being responsible for the consequences of engaging in it.

This comes to mind as I hear Sarah Palin (who decided, for some reason, to jump into the fray) defend Carrie Prejean on a constitutional basis.

Carrie Prejean, the Miss California beauty queen who found herself embroiled in a national scandal after making remarks critical of same sex marriage, received an unlikely endorsement Wednesday night. Her defender? Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

In a statement, Palin said Prejean had been unfairly maligned by “the liberal onslaught of malicious attacks.”

[...]

Palin said she “can relate as a liberal target myself,” and — not surprisingly– turned the focus on President Barack Obama.

“What I find so remarkable is that these politically-motivated attacks fail to show that what Carrie and I believe is also what President Obama and Secretary Clinton believe — marriage is between a man and a woman,” Palin said.

“I respect Carrie for standing strong and staying true to herself,” Palin continued, “and for not letting those who disagree with her deny her protection under the nation’s First Amendment Rights.”

Now, for the most part I agree with Palin.  I actually don’t agree with Prejean (or Palin, Obama or Hillary Clinton) on gay marriage.  I think gays should be allowed to marry.  But I also think the attempts to tar and feather Prejean for what amounts to a respectfully stated opinion in answer to an asked question are stupid.  And, frankly, does a lot more damage to the cause of homosexuals and their supporters than good.

But invoking the constitution here is inappropriate.  Prejean is not being denied free speech.  She’s being criticized.  That’s what happens in a free society.  You’re free to state opinions.  Other people are free to state opinions about you.

Let’s not turn Carrie Prejean into the right’s Dixie Chicks.