Dixie Chicks anit-Bush, anit-war Remark Irks Country Fans

[wessman]

Well, Virginia Beach/Norfolk network news stations announced that all radio stations in the area are banning the Dixie Chicks; not surprising when you live in a military area....

------------

Dixie Chicks Remark Irks Country Fans
The Associated Press
Friday, March 14, 2003; 9:58 AM

The Dixie Chicks are drawing harsh words from country music fans for remarks singer Natalie Maines made about President George W. Bush during a recent performance in London.

Maines told the audience earlier this week, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

Angry phone calls flooded Nashville radio station WKDF-FM on Thursday, some calling for a boycott of the Texas trio's music.

The group released a statement Thursday saying they have been overseas for several weeks and "the anti-American sentiment that has unfolded here is astounding. While we support our troops, there is nothing more frightening than the notion of going to war with Iraq and the prospect of all the innocent lives that will be lost."

In a separate statement Thursday, Maines said, "I feel the president is ignoring the opinion of many in the U.S. and alienating the rest of the world. My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view."

The Dixie Chicks will kick off a U.S. tour in support of their multi-platinum album "Home" on May 1 in Greenville, South Carolina. The group's hits include "Wide Open Spaces," "Ready to Run" and "Landslide."

© 2003 The Associated Press

[notbob]

man i used to think they sucked, but when i read that story on salon.com, i changed my mind about them

they said their opinions even though they were not going to make any friends doing it--that takes a lot of guts

good for them

[r_xq]

Originally posted by notbob

they said their opinions even though they were not going to make any friends doing it--that takes a lot of guts

good for them

Im sure they made plenty of friends in London, and im sure the crowd cheered wildly. Its seems theyre backtracking now that theyre back in the US and trying to deal with the fallout.

I think you can bet that you wont be hearing another word from them regarding the war as May 1st approaches

[PatientSaint]

I totally agree with their sentiments. I am from Texas as well. and horribly ashamed that G.W.Bush is president of my country. I just hope Gw's complete idiocy doesn't reflect worldwide on my great state.

[Wolfie]

This is so typical of the the belief going a around nowadays that Bush (or any single president)=equal American ideals and patriotism (ok, maybe a handful of US presidents are but Bush(both) is not included)

America and its ideals has been around way before Bush and his cronies came and will continue to be after they are booted out of office (hopefully by next term, but that's just me).

Also the main principle which the US was based upon (something called American Revolution) was the people's right to disagree with the ruling parties if they deemed so. The last time I checked we haven't become a Dictatorship the Bushiteriot yet, so if Dixie Chicks (or anyone else) want to publicly disgree with the actions of the current administration its thier constitutional given right to do so! And all nay sayers should put a cork in it since they are using their constitutial right when they are voicing thier so called patriotic opinions too.

On personal note, I hope all the American troops come back safely (if there no war, even the better) and have nothing against them, but it I still do not agree with this war, its motivations and the current adminstations foriegn policies. Oh yea, Bush is a idiot too (Bushphiles out there can flame if ya want).

I guess the country fans are gonna hate me too. That makes me so sad, boo-hoo. NOT!!!!
lmao!!!

PS. This does not mean I'm Dixie Chicks fan ,lol.

[SUprEMeBeiNg]

yah me too......im a brand new dixie chicks fan:bk

[ddandelion]

me too:fire

[notbob]

naaah they backed down, the spineless wussies

they apologised to bush

[Siskabush]

Im ashamed that he is so close to canada.

At least our PM here got the guts to say "There is no need for war, the US has already won"

Were finally anti-war in canada.

[Wolfie]

Originally posted by notbob
naaah they backed down, the spineless wussies

they apologised to bush

That's celebraties for you. No firm principles whatsoever. Remember when Alec Baldwin said he'd leave the country if Bush won the election? All talk and no action there, lol.

[Rahwgwar]

They apologized to Bush because they had no choice. Do you know how much heat they were taking? Their careers would have more or less over. I used to like them until they sold out (musically not because of this situation). I don't discriminate my music by what the musicans believe in or what their sexual orientation might be. For instance, I like Elton John (ya flame on lol). Besides, all the people who talk shit, notice where they're at? NOT in the U.S. Wow, it's so easy to talk crap when ppl are not around and they have the false security of the nation they are currently in, isn't it?

If it weren't for Americans buying their CDs and whatnot, they would not be successful. They were successful because of the capitalistic system we have here. They wouldn't be able to get off the ground if they were in any other country.

She was free to voice our opinion, just like their loyal listeners are. Many of them were truly considering boycotting. Country music is generally seen as patriotic. Check out the latest songs. It's "America's Music" and symoblizes the heartland of the U.S.

[dr. damn]

How were their comments un-American? Complaining about the president is very American. Blindly following the orders of the president, is, as former president Teddy Roosevelt said, "treason."

[aqlo]

Also the main principle which the US was based upon (something called American Revolution) was the people's right to disagree with the ruling parties if they deemed so. The last time I checked we haven't become a Dictatorship the Bushiteriot yet, so if Dixie Chicks (or anyone else) want to publicly disgree with the actions of the current administration its thier constitutional given right to do so! And Thanks Wolfie that's a very astute observation. Here's the quote from the Declaration of Independence:

WHEN in the Course of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.

WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms to which they are accustomed.

[Rahwgwar]

Originally posted by dr. damn
How were their comments un-American? Complaining about the president is very American. Blindly following the orders of the president, is, as former president Teddy Roosevelt said, "treason."

Not to the country music audience. The hardcore ones who really fuel the country music's revenue. The ones who have 2 or more Harley Davidson's and tatoo themselves with flags and don flags, etc etc.

[Wolfie]

Originally posted by Rahwgwar
They apologized to Bush because they had no choice. Do you know how much heat they were taking? Their careers would have more or less over. I used to like them until they sold out (musically not because of this situation). I don't discriminate my music by what the musicans believe in or what their sexual orientation might be. For instance, I like Elton John (ya flame on lol). Besides, all the people who talk shit, notice where they're at? NOT in the U.S. Wow, it's so easy to talk crap when ppl are not around and they have the false security of the nation they are currently in, isn't it?

If it weren't for Americans buying their CDs and whatnot, they would not be successful. They were successful because of the capitalistic system we have here. They wouldn't be able to get off the ground if they were in any other country.


You just defined the concept of selling out which I agree its common with most celebraties even outside thier political affliliations.

Basically, as person you either sell-out your principles or you don't (the payoff is normally pretty big). There is no middle ground or justifications.

PS. BTW, I'm in the US and am talking as you put it quite elegantly "shit" so there, lol. :-)

[JuPiTeRkNoWlEdGe]

yeah ummm they should know alittle better than to open their mouths. Dont they know who their fan base is anymore? I mean cmon their fans are people who more then likely have a flag on their truck,and are all americam Bush loving rednecks. No they've gotten so big in the head they thought they are above anything like this happining. Well I hope this soberes em up alittle bit and helps then to understand that they are not above their fans, and they are not untouchable. Really I didnt have anything against them until a friend told me the ticket prices to their shows. The $180+ U.S price for a ticket, shows you their gratatude to their fans. Serves em right, They aint shit to to me and noones cares about their moronic opinion.

[wessman]

La. Protesters Destroy Dixie Chicks CDs
Mon Mar 17, 7:34 AM ET
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20030317/ap_en_mu/dixie_chicks

BOSSIER CITY, La. - The Dixie Chicks (news - web sites) may have a little more trouble getting a friendly audience in this part of Dixie.

Using a 33,000-pound tractor to obliterate compact disks and other items, a few hundred protesters, referring to themselves as backers of President Bush (news - web sites) and Barksdale Air Force Base, lashed back at lead singer Natalie Maines (news).

Maines reportedly told a London audience last week, in reference to Bush's push for military action against Iraq (news - web sites), "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

The protesters Saturday night in Bossier City were largely country music fans, some of them recent fans of the Dixie Chicks.

"Until they made that statement, I was glad to listen to them," said Rusty Sullivan, adding that his company has been flooded with requests to strip Dixie Chicks songs from the jukeboxes it operates.

Radio stations nationwide are boycotting the Dixie Chicks, even though Maines publicly apologized for her statement in London.

Maines is a Lubbock, Texas, native.

Copyright © 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2003 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.


Dixie Chick Natalie Maines Apologizes For Anti-Bush Comment
by Nancy Brooks, Nashville
http://launch.yahoo.com/read/news.asp?contentID=212648

(3/17/03, 7 a.m. ET) -- Dixie Chick Natalie Maines has apologized to President Bush for the negative comment she made about him while performing overseas last week.

Maines said in a statement released late Friday afternoon (March 14): "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American."

The trio performed a live show in London on Monday (March 10) where Maines told the crowd, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas."

On Friday (March 14), radio stations across the country started to boycott the Chicks' music, and fans even gathered in some cities to throw away Dixie Chick CDs.

Copyright © 2003 Yahoo! Inc. All Rights Reserved.

[[NK]Mutant]

Originally posted by dr. damn
How were their comments un-American? Complaining about the president is very American. Blindly following the orders of the president, is, as former president Teddy Roosevelt said, "treason."

that may be the single smartest, most rational thing I have ever heard. I, personally, will still criticize the president even if we are going to war. Having to back him just because we are going to war is ridiculous. One's personal opinion about President Bush should not affect your music. I don't think the Canadians got blasted nearly as much when their Prime Minister (or someone) called Bush a "moron".

[wessman]

The following statement by Bruce Springsteen was recently posted at http://www.brucespringsteen.net (click on "News"):

"The Dixie Chicks have taken a big hit lately for exercising their basic right to express themselves, To me, they're terrific American artists expressing American values by using their American right to free speech. For them to be banished wholesale from radio stations, and even entire radio networks, for speaking out is un-American. The pressure coming from the government and big business to enforce conformity of thought concerning the war and politics goes against everything that this country is about - namely freedom. Right now, we are supposedly fighting to create free speech in Iraq, at the same time that some are trying to intimidate and punish people for using that same freedom here at home. I don't know what happens next, but I do want to add my voice to those who think that the Dixie Chicks are getting a raw deal, and an un-American one to boot. I send them my support." --Bruce Springsteen

[PowerMan57two]

Yeah I heard about how people are banning the dixie chicks, and how people are running over their cds and stuff.

I personally think it's dumb, they can have freedom of speech.

But thats just what I think.

[Nothingface5384]

how my fav band views this situation...Nothingface - Ether (http://www.nothingface.net)
"Ether" rails against the Bush Administration and its actions in the Middle East. The lyrics, "We came to take control/We came to sell you freedom/We came to burn you down/We came to

brainwash your children" reflect Holt's feelings about U.S. military aggression abroad. "September 11 convinced a lot of people in our government that we need to be full-time imperialists," he says.


I never hesitate
Because I’m too good for that
I never show restraint
Because there is no need for that
I know everyone
I’ve been everywhere
I know everything
Because I’m everybody

We came to take control
We came to sell you freedom
We came to burn you down
We came to brainwash children

And it’s not our fault
It’s just your own new suicide

Where we belong
There’s no one to hurt
It’s some place that we can’t be found
Where we belong
It’s darker than space
A feeling that we all push down
So it can’t be found

It’s that time again
Can we get it right?
He wants us to revolt
To set the world on fire
We don’t want to show restraint
Because we like the violence
We are security
Wrapped in our brutality

And it’s not our fault
It’s just your own new suicide

Where we belong
There’s no one to hurt
It’s some place that we can’t be found
Where we belong
It’s darker than space
A feeling that we all push down
So it can’t be found



Find our way through space
We’ll never be found by anyone out here
Hide away from everything that knows what we did

I know everyone
I’ve been everywhere
I know everything
Because I’m everybody

Where we belong
There’s no one to hurt
It’s some place that we can’t be found
Where we belong
It’s darker than space
A feeling that we all push down
So it can’t be found (x 2)

[cheapprick]

My favourite loud mouth (http://www.michaelmoore.com/index.php) has suggested that the whole idea that outspoken liberals are being taken to task is actually a media creation.

He suggested that his own book running #1 on the lists and the Dixie Chicks running #1 in country over on Billboard (http://billboard.com/bb/charts/country.jsp) goes quite a way to suggesting that the tales of liberal woe and regret are an invention.

[Koffee Bean]

I don't want a flame war but this is just how I see it, if this is not how you see it kindly explain to me how you see it in a civilzed manner.

America, land of the free. YEAH RIGHT! To me this is a prime example on how hyprocrital the US is. They envade another country saying that they're "freeing" the people when in their own country, people don't even have a right to freedom of speach. I thought the US had a little thing that said that everyone is entitled to their own opionion, but clearly we see in this example that if someone DOES give their opionion they get trashed, get their CD's destroyed and are shunned. Thats some nice freedom of speach from America land of the free...


PS: I know their are americans out there who are not like this and my opinion does not neccesarily mean that all Americans are like this, BUT their are a number who do react this way to anyone expressing their opionions that they think are wrong. REMEMBER, IT'S AN OPIONION!

[Rahwgwar]

Koffee Bean: I do see where you're coming from. It's really disappointing when someone expresses their opinion that goes against the majority that they are labeled as "un-American." That is what I see as unfair and many Americans have the false sense that if you against the war you are unpatriotic, even though you give your own legitimate reasons.

People are intimidated for speaking against the crowd. At my school, people are predominately conservative and promote the war. My friend, Eric, sometimes tells me that he is afraid to speak out against the war during a class discussion. It's cool though. We discuss it amongst ourselves and he brings up very good points while still remaining decisive.

Despite this unnecessary labeling and bashing, their freedom was not taken away. They were still able to voice their opinion. The American population voiced theirs by boycotting and such. This was their response guaranteed under the Bill of Rights. I don't agree with this, but they were both entitled to their own freedom of speech as they see fit. If you were to say this about your President, in let's say *ahem Iraq* you would be severely punished. Politically, freedom of speech was not detracted from either party. Socially, it's unfortunate that it had to resort to boycotting and bashing.

I don't want this to start into another war thread. Honestly I'm sick of talking about religion, politics, and sex with people. Discussions just lead to arguments which lead to unwanted animosity and flaming. It's a never-ending circle. So there you have it................Peace