The United States is suppose to be the nation where freedom of speech is most prized. No doubt you’ve heard the expression “ I may not agree with what you say, but I’ll fight to the death for your right to say it.” In the United States today I think the sentiment is more “If I don’t agree with what you say, I’ll fight you to the death if you say it.” Say anything against the prevailing sentiment and you’re trashed, threatened and scorned.                                                                                                                   True freedom of speech doesn’t involve merely mouthing what the demagogue of the moment spouts. If that were the case then Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia could be said to have had free speech. Freedom of speech isn’t just about being able to say outrageous things or being able to use foul language, the founding fathers could not have imagined late night TV.  The freedom of speech the founding fathers of the United States were trying to foster and protect was exactly the kind of free speech the Dixie Chicks were exercising; speaking out about a President leading the nation into a disastrous war. The Dixie Chicks are great Americans.