There’s a difference in boycotting an illegal activity and boycotting something’s that’s protected by free speech.  The NAACP is again attempting to stop an act that’s both legal and protected by free speech.  Specifically, they’re threatening to boycott Miami Motor Speedway’s hosting of November’s NASCAR race unless it bans Confederate flags.  NASCAR officials argue they can’t control what 65,000 fans wear or

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display and even if they could, they’re not the owners of the speedway.  Further, none of NASCAR’s drivers or marketing materials display any symbol associated with the Confederate flag.  A spokesman for NASCAR has said the organization would be happy to meet with officials from NAACP to explain the situation, but anything further than an explanation isn’t warranted.

The only enforcement the speedway can possibly ensure is that no flag be waved in the stands since it blocks other fans from viewing the race.  That said, it can’t legally prohibit anyone from entering the raceway who’s wearing shirts or other clothing that reference the Confederate flag.  The ACLU has weighed in as well.  Its spokesperson has said bringing the flag into any event is protected as free speech.

So what exactly does the NAACP want the raceway to do?  Clearly, attempting to dictate what’s acceptable (within reason, of course) in terms of clothing leads to nothing good and leaves it open to lawsuits for lawyers.   It seems a protest held onsite will only hamper everyone’s enjoyment who arrives there to witness the final race of the season.  Still, there’s a letter in draft form that’s being prepared to send to the speedway in an effort to have any images of the Confederate flag banned and warnings that failure to do so will result in a protest and boycott if the speedway or NASCAR refuse to support the group’s efforts.

The potential exists for groups that support the Confederate flag to host their own counter protests should it come to that, specifically the Sons of the Confederate Veterans, based in Tennessee.

Brian France, who is the CEO of NASCAR said it best in a 2005 interview, “…I can’t tell people what flag to fly.  I can tell you the flag we get behind - it’s the American flag.”

If anyone’s paid any attention to today’s entertainment news, you’ve clearly read the new and twisted controversy from last night’s MTV awards. OK, so we’ve learned to expect the unexpected of any live awards show, especially those showcasing and featuring such controversial-rich celebrities. Britney Spears’s less-than-attractive appearance in one of her bikinis (or whatever it was called) that should’ve never seen the light of day either to Guns ‘n Roses lead singer, Axl Rose, and his temper tantrum of a few years ago. Ah, and then there was the infamous Dixie Chicks declaration of shame felt from being from the state of Texas. I’ve heard there are some cowboys out in Texas who still have restraining orders that prevent them from attending any of this trio’s concerts. “Don’t Mess With Texas” has never been more true!

Last week, while watching one of the late night shows, an unknown (at least to me) actor - or maybe a comedian - was being interviewed. I only caught the end of the interview and never did hear his name. He was funny in a hokey kind of way - and his hair certainly could’ve benefitted from a pair of thinning shears, but that’s another story. I hadn’t thought anything else about it until I hear of last night’s MTV host calling President Bush a retard. I tried my best to figure out just who Russell Brand is, and more importantly, if he was in hiding after making such an insulting comment. After loading the page, the first thing I see is this reject from the 60s beehive style that was popular among women during that time. And then I see his face and realize he was the one that had everyone laughing with his unexpected, but funny, jokes during last week’s late night interview.

At this point, I’m furious. This…person isn’t even an American. I’m trying really hard to find a comment that hasn’t already been made on the many message boards around the globe. My fellow Americans were not kind in their reactions. Nor am I. I don’t think my true thoughts - including really well-placed, but impolite words - would make some people happy. “Some people”, of course, being my mom and my boss. There is a level of satisfaction reading some of the comments on other sites of those who aren’t limited by polite vocabularies.

You know, it’s not so much about his dislike for Dubbya; it’s more about his clear disrespect for a country that he’s trying to woo with his brand of humor. Other celebrities who were at the awards show were not kind in their reviews either. One comment from one of the many message boards:

“Russell WHO? I didn’t realise this show was an Osama (sic) campaign rally. This British nobody looks like he was pulled from the ranks of the homeless - with his unshaved look, rats’ nest hair-do and foul mouth.”

My sentiments exactly! In a world where most are trying to find their way while trying to provide a balanced and optimistic view for our children, such comments and attitudes threaten the very foundations we’re trying to build.

Don’t get me wrong. I doubt very seriously many parents will have to battle their teenagers to prevent them copying this man’s particular hair style or clear lack of grooming habits, but parents do try to instill patriotism, respect for our country, our legal system and respect for themselves. Even though this man is hardly a threat, it still screams a lack of maturity, disrespect and is an all around insult.

The first thing I hear, after the shock settles on such a comment, is how our country is built on the foundation of free speech. I get it. It still doesn’t make it right and doesn’t take away the bad taste that was left with us. We’re not the only ones, though. He’s managed to darken the doorway of every country he’s been in with crude and tacky comments, insults and behaviors.

The best I can hope for is the next time he has the audacity to place his English boots on American soil is his getting caught for every minor law he may break. His freedom of speech that he trampled on shouldn’t be free in that it should cost him every time he spits gum out of his mouth onto an American sidewalk or any other time he breaks any local, national or federal law.