The tracks of MM's tears (Politics, con't.)

Because I love it. And hate it.

I am usually amused when people like authors, singers, actors and media personalities start to bemoan their loss of first amendment rights (Doesn't anyone see the irony?). Whoopi was funny. The Linda Ronstadt story was really funny. But when Orthogonian-favorite Michael Moore gets involved, well, that's just too hard to pass up.

Here's the quick recap. Lina played a show in Vegas and took some time before playing her hit "Desperado" to vent against the President and dedicate the song to Moore (and his production, F9/11). According to the Las Vegas Sun, half the crowd erupted in boos, half cheered. Some of the crowd, who payed between $36 and $76 to hear Ronstadt sing, started to riot, tearing down posters, etc. Hundreds stormed out.

Well, Moore felt obliged to put something on his website. He's got Linda's back, you know. Said Moore on his website:

What country do you live in? Last time I checked, Las Vegas is still in the United States. And in the United States, we have something called "The First Amendment." This constitutional right gives everyone here the right to say whatever they want to say.

Something like that. But of course, Linda said exactly what she wanted to say. No one prevented her. The fact is fans came to see Ronstadt sing, not theorize on politics. Her employer, the theatre owner, didn't think she did a good job, so he fired her. Asked her to leave the premisis.

Moore's arguement that Linda's First Amendment rights have been abridged is kinda like the vaunted junior high free speech argument. According to the 14-year-old wisdom, any kid can tell off a teacher without fear of reprisal. Of course it ain't so.

First Amendment freedoms are not there to seperate actions from consequences. Sometimes there are reprecussions for the things that you say. Don't we all understand that? Liberals certainly do. Ask Rush Limbaugh, Trent Lott and other Republicans who have said stupid stuff and lost their jobs over it.

You can say anything you want without fear of government reproach, but you can't expect not to pummelled if you go insulting people, and you can't expect to keep your job if you tell off your employer or piss off your customers.

Why is this such a difficult concept? Am I missing something? Can you imagine a society where you couldn't be held responsible for the things you said?

And just so we know what we're all talking about, our First Amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.