I think everyone here is smart enough to know where I'm going with this. If not, let me spell it out for you:
STOP ACTING LIKE REPUBLICANS!
Hopefully you remember the time when The Dixie Chicks spoke up about being ashamed of George W. Bush as their President. Do you remember what happened to them the next day and how the Republicans and other conservatives acted?
Well, here is what happened. Their music was banned from playing in major country radio stations. They were not invited to major country music events and awards. They were booed at their own concerts. George W. Bush said, and I'm paraphrasing here, that free speech has consequences. The Dixie Chicks have been in exiled every since.
Why did this happened?
All of this happened because they spoke their mind and showed their values. Values that probably many here supported but others in the other side didn't.
There are similarities to what's happening to Miss California right now but now the "shoe is in the other foot."
I'm sure many here and probably many gay activists were outraged at Miss California's response to same sex marriage. And they should be. But that's not an excuse to castigate, humiliate or insult her unless you want to be compared to those Republicans who acted the same way with The Dixie Chicks.
Let me post something that I picked up from Andrew Sullivan quoting conservative David Frum:
A large part of the secret of President Obama’s political success is his self-presentation as calm, judicious, and fair-minded – and his ability to depict his opponents as intemperate and extreme. You’d think by now that Obama’s opponents would have figured out this trick. You want to beat him? Great. Be more calm, more judicious, and more fair-minded. Don’t be provoked. Don’t throw wild allegations. Don’t boycott. Don’t lose your temper.
Instead, we get Anger Theater. It’s not smart. And it’s not working.
Andrew and David are completely right about this observation. And that's something that many here have come to appreciate from our President. I certainly did.
Right now, we're the majority, we control both houses and the White House. The President is enjoying the highest approval ratings. Democrats are view more favorably than Republicans in basically every poll. But there is a danger that we may overreach with our behavior.
We cannot be seen as those people who are mad and act viciously all the time because someone said something that we don't agree with, especially someone like Miss California. Who the hell cares what she said. The last time I checked there is freedom of speech in this country. And she exercised that freedom by presenting her own values and beliefs, which she has the right to do.
This lesson can also be applied to anyone who we may disagree in the future especially if that someone doesn't have an ounce of power to do any harm, just like Miss California.
I'm an Independent but do tend to lean Democratic most of the time because I always think this side is the most intelligent and has the better ideas among the parties.
Anyway, I just wanted to share this observation. Hopefully some of you don't take it personal.