Before you brand me a coward, I guess I should tell you that I been to war. I helped to blow up little brown people in Beirut. I helped to blow up little brown people in Kosovo. I helped to blow up little brown people in the Red Sea. I spent 20 years of my life floating around in circles, listening to your music and blowing up little brown people. Hell, I'm surprised that there's even any little brown people left to blow up. I did all that just so some knucklehead that used to screw Madonna and ain't had a decent acting gig in years can get his name in the press by flying to Iraq and having a private screening of Blue's Clues with Saddam. Let all them Hollywood folks fly over there and meet with Saddam. What are they hurting? Does anyone really think that Sean Penn is held in such a high regard that his opinion alone would cause all of America to reconsider?
Let them protest. Let them visit Iraq. They haven't put anyone's lives in danger by doing so. Their visiting Iraq is not hurting the morale of our troops. Let them do their thing. That's why we live here in America. That why a bunch of my friends died while trying to blow up little brown people. People who died in uniform, and left behind orphans and widows. Just so that we would all have the freedom to say how we feel. Whether that be you ranting about Iraq, or me saying that I wouldn't feel comfortable letting George Bush lead a newspaper recycling drive, much less a war.
I'm not a panty waist liberal. But I'm not a right wing whacko either. I'm just a middle of the road, old half crippled, fat guy doing his best to feed his family, love his kids and keep the lights turned on. As for your statement of "You're either with us, or you're against us", well all I can say to that is fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck yoooooooooooooooooou Charlie. Here in America, I got just as much a right to say I think war with Iraq is wrong. Hell, it ain't even a right, It's a responsibility. And you dishonor my dead shipmates by saying otherwise. Feel free to disagree with me.
I served 20 years to give you that right. My shipmates died for it.
Jeff Wall - Twangzine Ouch. I remember that old Charlie too - he was pretty cool back then; but anyway, Charlie is right that Iraq is part of the War on Terror and, I think, Jeff wrong. Jeff is right about free speech, but way mixed up thinking the danger from without will just go away if you ignore it, and his designation of people from many lands as "little brown people" - as though they wre all the same and "haven't we blown up enough of them" is just idiocy. Better get back to toking and drinking Jeff if this is what you come up with sober.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Frost
wow... Tamara Saviano got screwed.
2 - rick freeman
It is tempting to blather on ad nauseum about my feelings, beliefs, passions, et al; however, let's cut to the chase.
70 years ago, Franklin was correct when he declared to a much more frightened and wary America, ". . . the only thing we have to fear is, fear itself!"
And who is spewing fear 24/7 like a firehose at full throttle ? Multi-colored 'alerts'? Duct tape and plastic sheeting? Al Qaeda behind every Cherry tree?
Are you better off than you were 4 years ago?
What are you going to do about it?
3 - Wyval Cawthra
This whole discussion is symptomatic of the erosion of our basic civil liberties since Bush took office. I do fear terrorist attacks, but I think Bush and Ashcroft have used this fear (on the part of millions of Americans. However--this does not justify our agressive stance with Iraq. They have not changed what they've been doing for years. If there is a connection between Saddam Hussein and Al-Quaida, the case has not been made in a convincing manner (to me and many others). In the meantime, North Korea is running amuck with acknowledged nuclear weaponry, and Bush's administration doesn't seem to care. Much may be going on behind the scenes, but...
Like Jeff, I am neither over conservative or liberal. I am just a concerned American who is scared silly.
4 - Annie Sollinger
Hot damn. Ashamed to share the same view as other people? Don't worry about it, because it's just your view...although you are entitled to your own opinion of other people.
My advice, as a pseudo-intellectual: express your own opinions, everyone, because that seems to be what this is about. Don't worry about stepping on anyone's toes...but if you do, good for you. Who knows who's right here - I doubt any of us is - but dammit, I'll respect anyone who can give their opinon, back it up, and without cutting anyone else down...at least not without good reason.
5 - Christopher Tate
Two things:
For those that think there is a massive attack on civil liberties: What does one gain by taking the civil liberties from another? I see no profit in it.
The other: I feel for Tamara. One should not have to give up their Constitutional Rights ofr anything, especially not to earn a living. However, unlike the patriots that founded our country and died defending it, many of us are weak. We are whores who sell our rights to the highest bidder, in exchange for cell phones and S.U.V.s. We whine about politics and world events, then we change channels, rather than change our world. My thanks to those, unlike us, who follow the creed of "Deeds, not words!"
6 - Rich
I suggest that during the 2004 elections, you remember where Bush has taken this country and vote against him at all costs. We are fighting this war via public poll and the media. The Department of Homeland Security, John Ashcroft and that other beady eyed little guy, have no right to come on TV and say things like "We re pretty sure that somehow, somewhere, someday we will be attacked again, so watch out". This is purely a controlling and irresponsible ploy to make us fall in line and bow to them as Government officials. Let's talk about the Economy and what we are going to do to get our American brothers and sisters employed again.
What a load of crap that Tamara got fired. These CEO weasels have no spin either. All they care about is the price of their stock. We are turning into a bunch of Politically Correct wimps. In other words, our Government has taken control of our lives and we don't even know it. Stand up! Speak Out! Before it is too late. Fire Ashcroft, Bush & Rumsfeld and the whole lot of them. FREEDOM will only die if we let it.
7 - Joan Race
I will be 70 next week. In lookin back on those
years I recall being a child during blackouts in L.A. in
the 40's; In the 50's young men I went to high
school with were dying in Korea; Jack Kennedy gave me hope and pride, Johnson gave us lies about Viet Nam and civil liberties at home; Nixon
gave us shame and sorrow; Ford did his best; Mr.
Carter gave us humanity and sadly little else;
Reagan gave us a Big Daddy to look up to and an
even bigger debt to overcome; Bush senior gave us
a shaky economy and a failed military plan for
Iraq; Clinton gave us joy and prosperity and more
heartbreak from stupidity; and now, George W. has
possibly given us the end of society as we know
it. As a small girl I was told by my parents that there was God, Jesus Crist and Franklin D.
Roosevelt. This country pulled together as never
before when we were forced into a world war; too
bad we don't have a leader such as F.D.R. As a
mother and a grandmother I would feel so much more confidante about our country's future if we
could pull together once again.
8 - WJO
What does one gain by taking the civil liberties from another?
The most precious substance in the world is power. People go to huge lengths to get it. Civil liberties are the protection we have against others gaining undue amounts of power over us. We have the right to speak out (within reason) without concern that the government will put us in prison for our beliefs. We have the right to not have our government intrude into every aspect of our lives, even if we haven't committed or even been accused of committing a crime. A woman has the right to get an abortion and another person has the right to protest her getting the abortion.
Civil liberties are aspects of our lives which we seem to be trading away bit by bit for an elusive sense of security. Benjamin Franklin said, as I recall, "Those who would trade away essential liberty for temporary freedom deserve neither liberty nor freedom."
9 - John Trent
Free Speech ? We have not had "Free Speech" in this country for years. The courts have ruled that everyone from your Parents, Teachers, Employers to you local Protected Group can limit what you say and when you say it.
10 - michael
Charlie should just sing songs because he certainly can't think and those morons who fired Saviano, may their evangelistic "god" forgive them. This country is changing and moving away from all the glorious ideals of the Founding Fathers. May God Bless America the Beautiful but damn those narrow minded bigots. Charlie! Will you volunteer to sing at the thousands of funerals of all the innocent dead children in Baghdad. As a father it's the least you can do.
11 - Jim L.
Free Speech does not mean free speech without consequence. No one has been muzzled. Ms. Saviano is still free to express her opinion, but when a person's opinions do not fit with the views of a PRIVATE employer, they will suffer unfortunately. Can you say racist things publicly and on your own time and expect to keep your job? Probably not. Sean Penn has a right to go to Iraq and I have a right not pay to see performers who annoy me (regardless of the reason--Gilbert Gottfried, I'm talking to you!).
12 - Elizabeth Yates
All around me I see posters that read "Don't attack Iraq." Everytime I do I want to write on it in big red pen "no, let him attack us first" which is exactly what will happen if we do nothing! The bombs or chemicals or planes may not come directly from Iraq but Saddam isn't the type to say no to a terrorist who wants help getting materials to attack the U.S.A. I have no desire to see my friends and family killed, either at home ar at war. I am in no way happy to see my brother and numerous close friends kiss their families and children good-bye to go fight evil. But every time I see it my heart fills with pride. I don't disagree with your rights to have an anti-war protest or to loudly disagree with our leaders, but when you do remember that people like my brother, my fiance and my best friend are over there fighting evil to protect your right to do it.
13 - federalist papers reader
Daniels was free to say his piece, Saviano was free to say her piece, her employer was free to fire her ass. Penn was free to do a pathetic homage to Jane Fonda, everyone else is free to make fun of him.
It's charmingly pathetic that the "liberal" notion that freedom applies only to "liberal" opinions (you're entitled to my opinon, the constitution sez so). Of course, the classical liberals would have run the modern iteration over in their 4-horse carriages (SUV's, anyone?).
Isn't Saviano willing to stand behind her words and their consequences? The Framers were!
14 - Barb
Does anyone reading and posting on this site know how many UN Resolutions have been written against Israel since 1966? Does anyone have an answer as to why there has never been sanctions put against Israel? Has anyone even bothered to go to the UN site and read the resolutions? I am so afraid for our country. Not because of Iraq, the missiles they have will never reach us. I am afraid for our country, because the world as we know it, if we attack first, will never be the same. How can we explain it to our children? That our elected government is no better than the terrorist that blew up the Twin Towers? Our elected government will continue to support Israel, and try to take over the rest of the Arab nations, and we as Americans aren’t allowed to question this? We aren’t allowed to disagree? We do not live in a Nazi or Communist country. But lately, it seems that not one person is suppose to say or do anything against Mr. Bush or our government. Israel has been attacking the Arab Nations for over 30 years. And our government has stood by and let them. I don't see the United States "helping" any nation but Israel. If our Government does go to war with Iraq, then Israel and the United States think they will be in control of the whole middle-eastern region. I don't think the Arab Nations will stand for it, and I fear greatly for what that will do to us here in the United States. For those of you that can't find the UN site, here are a few Resolutions for you to ponder on while you repeat propaganda the Government wants you to think and feel.
Resolution 337 Dated 08/15/73.
The Security Council.
Having considered the agenda contained in document S/Agenda? 1736,
Having noted the contents of the letter from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon addressed to the President of the Security Council (S/10983),
Having heard the statement of the representative of Lebanon concerning the violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the hijacking, by the Israeli air force, of a Lebanese civilian airliner on lease to Iraqi Airways,
Gravely concerned that such an act carried out by Israel, a Member of the United Nations, constitutes a serious interference with international civil aviation and a violation of the Charter of the United Nations,
Recognizing that such an act could jeopardize the live and safety of passengers and crew and violates the provisions of international conventions safeguarding civil aviation,
Recalling it resolutions 262 (1968) of 31 December 1968 and 286 (1070) of 9 September 1970.
1. Condemns the Government of Israel for violating Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the forcible diversion and seizure by the Israeli air force of a Lebanese airliner form Lebanon’s air space.
2. Considers that these actions by Israel constitutes a violation of the Lebanese-Israeli Armistice Agreement of 1949, the cease-fire resolutions of the Security Council of 1967, the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations, the international conventions on civil aviation and the principles of international law and morality;
3. Calls on the International Civil Aviation Organization to take due account of this resolution when considering adequate measure to safeguard international civil aviation against these actions.
4. Calls on Israel to desist from any and all acts that violate Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and endanger the safety of international civil aviation and solemnly warns Israel that if such acts are repeated the council will consider taking adequate steps or measures to enforce it’s resolutions.
Resolution 338 (1973 of 22-October 1973
The Security Council
1. Calls upon all parties to the present fighting to cease all firing and terminate all military activity immediately, no later than 12 hours after the moment of the adoption of this decision, in the positions they now occupy;
2. Calls upon he parties concerned to start immediately after the cease-fire the implementation of Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) in all of it’s parts;
3. Decides that immediately and concurrently with the cease-fire, negotiations shall start between the parties concerned under appropriate auspices aimed at establishing a just and durable peace in the Middle East.
Which brings us all the way to Resolution 1405 (2002)
Adopted by the Security Council at its 4516th meeting, on 19 April 2002
The Security Council,
Reaffirming it’s resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973 of 22 October 1973, 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002, 1402 (2002) of 30 March 2002, 1403 (2002) of 4 April 2002, and the Statement of it’s President of 10 April 2002 (S/PRST/2002/9)
Concerned by the dire humanitarian situation of the Palestine civilian population, in particular reports from the Jenin refugee camp of an unknown number of deaths and destruction,
Calling for the lifting of restrictions imposed, In particular in Jenin, on the operations of humanitarian organizations, including the international committee of the Red Cross and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East;
Stressing the need for all concerned to ensure the safety of civilians, and to respect the universally accepted norms of international humanitarian law,
1. Emphasizes the urgency of access of medical and humanitarian organizations to the Palestinian civilian population;
2. Welcomes the initiative of the Secretary-General to develop accurate information regarding recent events in the Jenin refugee camp through a fact-finding team and request him to keep the Security Council informed;
3. Decides to remain seized of the matter.
Then there is resolution 1451
Adopted by the Security Council at its 4670th meeting, on 17 December 2002
The Security Council,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force of 4 December 2002 (S/2002/1328), and also reaffirming its resolution 1308 (202) of 17 July 2002,
1. Calling upon the parties concerned to implement immediately it’s resolution 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973;
2. Decides to renew the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force for a period of six months, that is until 30 June 2003;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to submit at the end of this period a report on the developments in the situation and the measures taken to implement resolution 338 (1973)
15 - AntFreeze
So many hawks fall back on the tired old cliche that we should "support our troops over there". I think we all do support them, they are us. But the fact is, no one asks them for their policy decisions. They go where, and kill whoever they are told. So when we protest the actions of our troops, we are not against them individually, we are against the actions that they have been instructed to carry out. The comment by WJO, "What does one gain by taking the civil liberties away from another?" may be the most short sighted piece of ignorance I've ever read.
16 - Dzstar
This war that Bush and his cronies are insisting on having is going to cause civil war in this country! People from opposing points of view (on both sides) should be able to admit that EACH of the views represented (both pro and con) about
whether this impending war is just or not, do have some validity and there should be a point at which both sides can meet, and make a compromise for the sake of PEACE in this country and everywhere! Dzstar
17 - andy
OK, to stay on topic:
I am in favor of a war with Iraq, if need be. That said, Charlie's "open letter" was a beautiful collection of logical fallacies and idiotic ramblings, serving only to convince none and re-enforce the beliefs of the simple-minded who look to country music stars for political guidance.
Also, I am very sorry that Ms. Saviano lost her job - however, I accept the rights of companies to hire and fire at will. The way to prevent this is not to scare the companies with legal action (giving the state more control over how we live our lives), but to punish the companies involved by not patronizing them, not giving them our money, and voicing our opinion like free citizens.
Ms. Saviano was NOT denied her right to free speech - she can say whatever she wants in that sense. She is not, however, entitled to require a company to keep her on staff or to give her a platform (not that they did) for her opinions.
Was she wronged, ethically? I'd say yes - but that doesn't mean it should be illegal. Write the idiots involved, write Mr. Daniels, and express your contempt - that's how this marketplace of ideas should function.
18 - Andy Wenstrup
The public would be outraged and grateful if he were to do better research and trace these rallies to their origins. He'd discover that organizing groups included the Answers Coalition, which got together with the American Muslim Council to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the Persian Gulf War, calling it the "War against the People of Iraq."
All these groups are fronts for terrorists organizations! Worse than that, the National Committee to Protect Political Freedom -- what a lovely, peaceful name -- which provides legal support to terrorists such as the first WTC bomber also helped organize these same rallies you morons attended. Who happens to be the president of this group? Sammy Alarion, possible founder of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad who refused to answer questions after 9/11 and whom the FBI just arrested a few days ago at his job as a professer at the University of South Florida.
The International Answer Program and the International Action Center are sponsors and organizers of anti-war protests. Who are you sleeping with, America? My God, we all need to realize that war was declared on 9/11 and some of the tough issues better start being addressed.
What happened to taking out the terrorists before they have a chance to strike? Hiding in fear and worrying about our money will only allow these scum to fester! Saddam Hussein has killed more than a half million of his own people, has had 17 resolutions placed against him, gives out punishment that makes Hitler look easy-going, holds his country in fear, has used chemical weapons and backs, harbors and helps terrorists. What more has to be shown to you?
19 - Eric Olsen
Andy W. - not disagreeing with his main points about the Iraq situation, but don't agree with the way the situation has been handled regarding Saviano, nor with Daniels' tone in his rant: "either/or" may be a legitimate call regarding action, but isn't ever regarding opinion.
20 - sgt armstrong
charlie's letter is a pretty bad case of painting those who call for peace as idiots, eh? i mean jeez. that's sadly mistaken. generally, those who call for peace, like the vets, have no illusions about saddam, and nobody is fool enough to talk about turning swords into plowshares. we're surely going to have to wait for the sweet bye and bye for that scene!
i myself, vetran and current national guardsman, am convinced that we as americans are being insulted with lies, fabricated evidence, whipped-up war fever and hysteria. just like vietnam and the first gulf war, the administration is selling the war with fabricated evidence. you may have heard that the un's nuclear weapons inspector reported to the un that the evidence supporting iraqi efforts to obtain nuclear weapons materials in africa was fabricated... you may have heard that the un was persuaded by us officials to release only part of the 12,000 pages of documents turned over to the un by iraq--the other 8,000 pages probably show how iraq's biological and nuclear programs were supplied by the us during the reagan and bush I administrations. remember how during gulf war I stories were put out to the media that iraqi soldiers had thrown babies out of incubators to die... total fabrication, pushed by a public relations firm! come on, is that america?
is that the kind of dirty tricks necessary... if the war was just?
sgt a
21 - Matt M
Saviano's firing is not an issue of loss of free speech; this is an issue of firing without just cause.
And by God, if you CAN get away with firing civilians for political reasons, or to soothe the temper of a celebrity, then America is dead already.
22 - malniger
I wonder if Charlie Daniels would call Maj. General Anthony Zinni, Gen. Wesley Clark, Scott Ridder (a former Marine officer), and Col. David Hackworth "hippy peace-loving liberals". They are all men who have devoted their lives to serving America and defending it's values--and they are all against invading Iraq!!
23 - Chas
I never liked Charlie Daniels's music. In fact, I thought it pretty much sucked. (The South's gonna do just WHAT again, confederate romancers?) Daniels sure is entitled to his opinion, however, and whatever (former) star power he can wield to leverage out his thoughts, so be it.
But his letter just shows what a washed-up, Lee Greenwood wannabe asshole the real Charlie Daniels is (in my humble opinion)!!
24 - drp
Charlie, you've been irrelevant for years. Who gives a damn what you think? Take that stupid cowboy hat, your twenty tattoos and your sixteen teeth and go chew some tobacco at the trailer park and shut up. It's redneck idiots like you who give this country a bad name.
25 - A Smith
For those of you who are suggesting that it is the right of an employer to fire an employee because they spoke out on personal matter, try this simple test.
Imagine the item you just wrote and posted on this board got back to -your- employer and they decided they didn't like your opinion. So they fire you.
Now... who here can honestly say that they would feel this was a reasonable thing to have happen to them?
Yeah... thought so.