Staff and wire reports
The South Carolina House of Representatives, which passed a resolution asking the Dixie Chicks to apologize and perform a free concert for South Carolina troops because of lead singer Natalie Maines' "anti-American" comments, is among this year's winners of the Jefferson Muzzle awards for suppression of free speech.
The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression cited several groups and individuals Tuesday as recipients of its annual award as a means to draw national attention to censoring of free speech and press.
In early March 2003, the popular country music singing trio from Texas was performing a concert in London. With war in Iraq imminent, Maines told the audience, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
Just one week after the statement, Rep. Catherine Ceips, R-Beaufort, introduced the resolution for a public apology and a free concert for U.S. troops stationed in the state when the group began a tour in Greenville on May 1. The resolution called the comments "unpatriotic," "unnecessary" and "anti-American." The measure passed on a 50-35 vote.
"While South Carolina officials have the right to publicly criticize Maines for her comments, such criticism must be made in their capacity as private citizens and not with the power of government office behind it," according to the center's Web site. "Although this resolution was directed only at the Dixie Chicks, it equally tarnishes the patriotism of other South Carolina citizens who opposed the war in Iraq."
CBS Television, which passed on the miniseries "The Reagans" amid conservative pressure, the Martha Stewart trial judge, a federal judge and the Secret Service also earned muzzles.
Other muzzle recipients announced in the 13th annual edition of the awards include Baseball Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey, who canceled a 15th anniversary showing of "Bull Durham" because of opposition to the Iraq war by its stars, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.
The autonomous, not-for-profit center is associated with the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Its trustees include Judith G. Clabes, president of the Scripps Howard Foundation, columnist James J. Kilpatrick, and Evan Thomas, assistant managing editor of Newsweek.
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