Pardon???

I agree that her reasoning is stupid, but I sort of agree with her conclusion.  I agree that freedom of speech is not only a right, but a necessity.  The Dixie Chicks and Michael Moore should unquestionably be able to express their opinions about the war and anything else.  However, I think Michael Moore made a completely inappropriate choice of when to open his mouth.  The Dixie Chicks "incident" was at their concert, and they were addressing people who were there specifically to hear them (not necessarily their political views, of course, but still, it was their audience).  Michael Moore was just one of a huge number of presenters and award recipients at an event sponsored by an organization which specifically requested that political commentary be kept to a minimum.  Yes, legally he has the right to say what he thinks, but the orchestra conductor had just as much of a right to try to drown him out and audience members had just as much of a right to "boo" him.  Even though I agree with what he said, I think it was a really obnoxious time and place to say it.

But on the other hand...he was getting an award because of a very political documentary. It is integral to his art and they were honoring it as such. I think it would have been more absurd to expect him NOT to say anything, given that his outspokenness was a well known quantity.

Well, yes, I think it should have been expected....but that doesn't mean I think he should have done it.  *Shrug.

Michael Moore was awarded for the work he was doing and it comes as no surprise that he would explain where he was coming from at the ceremony. Being drowned out and booed only amplifies his point; the usa have not changed all that much since the comittee of unamerican activities was established, but it has progressed a bit, else mm wouldn't have been present in the first place.