SuperSatellite ||

First on the chopping block, I direct your ever-keen eye to the halls of Slashdot.  Go read that posting, the accompanying article, and some of the comments.  I see no reason to reiterate most of what was already said on /. since most of the readers cover the important bases. But I do feel the need to join the chorus voicing it’s concern on the matter.  Essentially what the Attorney General is saying is that the 1st amendment is a great right, so long as it doesn’t embarrass or inconvenience the Federal Government, in which case they can prosecute journalists to stop them from printing things.  While he says it applies to “classified” things, I see no reason that that really creates a legal brightline, especially given some of the silly things that are classified (or not occasionally).  And that just creates a qualification to keep press from printing anything.  Don’t want it out, classify it.  Then if it’s leaked, prosecute whoever mentions it.  So, put on the tinfoil hats and be prepared to kiss goodbye the days of free press, if the AG has his way that is (since he gets to trump the Constitution whenever it suits him, right?).  I would love nothing more than to see Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine claw and dig their decayed asses out of their graves and put the definitive undead beatdown on Gonzales.  “I got yer freedom of press right here, bitch!”

This next bit sorta surprised me at first.  I have a newfound respect for, of all people, the Dixie Chicks.  Yeah, I know right?  That’s about as expected as Bush getting up on stage in a skirt and singing I’m a Little Teapot.  Which I would pay to see.  But their music is much more tolerable of late, and the news attention they’ve gotten since their new album came out has really put them in a new light with me.  I remember when the deal came down about their comments on Bush.  I didn’t think much of it at the time.  Now though, I’ve realized that they are really making  good point: just because they are famous artists, they should be allowed to have and stand by an opinion.  The media treats them like they should busy themselves with placating to the public and be good, conforming artists.  I tend to be of the mind that they have earned a soapbox to stand on, and if they want to use it, more power to them.  In fact, those that have that kind of power have an obligation to do so I think.  And it’s not like the blindly patriot, overly drunk, and often divorced country singers are fooling anyone.  Yeah you love Bush and America.  You love them because you love your paychecks, you sold-out bastards.  Let’s see you stand tall and be that unshakable when a Democrat is back in office.