Going back to what I said about the mass smashing of Dixie Chicks CDs, I think it is more dangerous for private corporations to engage in this kind of behavior than it is for the government to do it, for several reasons:
1.) If the State were to burn books or smash CDs, what is happening would be more apparent to the public and might alert them to the nature of their government. (I hope this isn't just wishful thinking.)
2.) Such an event as the Louisiana radio station's CD smashing appears more like a grassroots or popular campaign than a repressive action by people in power, which means it is more likely to garner public support. (If I am not mistaken, the radio station in question is owned by mega-conglomerate and ardent Bush supporter Clear Channel, the same corporation that warned its stations against playing Rage Against the Machine and other "offensive" music after Sept. 11.)
3.) If an act is committed by a private entity, it is not subject to the same constitutional scrutiny as an act of the State, even if the act was clearly committed for the purpose of denigrating critics of the State and/or punishing dissent. In this way, government bodies can use their sway (or sometimes direct influence) over a private company to commit acts that would otherwise be illegal. In fact, given the use of false-front businesses by the DEA, CIA, and other agencies to perform long-term investigations, it wouldn't be too far-fetched for the government to set up fake businesses so that it can use them to oppress people.
The whole thing just sucks. Sucks.
