...Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition!
Okay, I'm not nuts. Well, fine. I am. But I was just quoting a Dixie Chicks song. It's one of their older ones, but I loved it then, love it now. My online girlfriend, Julz and I are going to the Dixie Chicks concert tonight! Woohooo! Anyone suggesting in their mind that they are American Haters can just stop reading now. I'm surprised you read, really. Did I just say that out loud? Woopsie.
This is the Dixie Chicks' tour after being ridiculously accused of hating America and soldiers and all that. When it all went down, in 2004, Natalie Maines said during a concert in Europe, "We're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." That's it. That's all she said, folks. Next thing you know, I'm watching the news with angry people at Dixie Chick CD Burning Gatherings full of hate for such evils she proclaimed. Radio stations banned playing their music. Does that comment really warrant a correlation that they are fans of bin laden? I mean puhlease. Watch that trailer I linked. I think you'll get it. The rage was just ridiculous. Primarily, the rage and hatred and controversy is more stupid in hindsight than anything.
If you're with the camp who says, celebrities shouldn't get into politics. Uh, well, then I'm guessing you protest Shawshank Redemption or any George Clooney movie. You probably have always been disgusted by Madonna, Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, Oprah, and you probably think Angelina Jolie is going to hell for saving all those orphans. You burn all their movies and cds as well.
Kanye West went on the air and said, "The President hates black people"
JOHN KERRY said, "Study hard....and if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."
GreenDay released a song at election time called "American Idiot" for crying out loud.
So, "We're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas." Is that worthy of death threats, cd burnings along, and banning them from radio?
If you're from the camp who argues that they were riding a coattail with a song about patriotism with Traveling Soldier and then demeaned patriotism with Natalie's comment. I ask you to review the lyrics. Because the song and the comment are consistent.
This is America, home of free enterprise, high crime, free speech and hypocrisy. Good times.
I'm not trying to get all political here. I just can't wait to go see these girls. I don't even like country music much, but I've always liked the Dixie Chicks. And now, more than ever. The biggest gig is that they stuck together in all of this. I think that's cool. And their new cd is great. I can't wait for a night out with Julz that includes a visit to the Cheesecake Factory. We will be two hot mammas rockin out. Can't wait!
That's how I roll, on the Sin Wagon.
Rock on sista! I hope you and Julz have a great time. I am jealous I won't be with you. I have always loved the Dixie Chicks and applaud them for not caving to the absurd pressure and criticism. I won't start my own rant....I'll just second what you wrote!
Have fun rocking out!
I for one am saddened that the entire Bush administration is from the United States of America. Those people were adults during the Vietnam War......did they not pay attention at all?
Don't forget Alec Baldwin, Jon Stewart, Barbara Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Woody Harrelson, Danny Glover, Sean Penn, Janeane Garafalo, Susan Sarandon, Jessica Lang, Jack Black, Alec Baldwin, Robin Williams, Emelio Estevez, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Meryl Streep, Al Franken, Ted Turner, Jon Bon Jovi, Katie Kouric, Keith Olbermann, David Letterman, Russel Simmons, Rebecca Romnijn, Bruce Springsteen.........etc.etc.etc.
Seems to me like those people might as well just sit at home in the dark if they want to boycott anyone who doesn't share the same opinion as theirs. Gee........ For some reason I thought that's why the Europeans moved to the "New World" in the first place, so they could have free speech and opposing opinions.
Communist!
I refuse to pay to see them, I was very disappointed, more than anything else......I believe in free speech and all that, but don't believe that they have shown any remorse for their remarks and were very ill timed.........But, I think it is great that my wife and Leslie are going to have a good time....I like their music, just wouldn't give them my money......
Perhaps the timing issue is that they are ahead of their time. They rocked last night!
HENRI! (On-ree)
I don't think I can let this one go. Okay, a)your protest is noted.
With that said....ahem. First of all, they have nothing to be sorry for or feel remorse for.
Annnnd, it was YOUR plan to get the tickets to this concert for Julz. Annnnnnd, I know Julz works her tush off, but tangibly speaking, that WAS your money given to them...
Sorry, couldn't resist. We had a blast. Thank you so much! It was a fun time.
Let's get a few things straight.
A) They are people.
B) They play guitars for a living.
C) They sing for a living.
D) They memorize words for a living.
E) Why should those things give them a louder voice than I do?
Congratulations for screwing us all.
I love the Dixie Chicks. As a gal who loves tight harmony I dig any group that I can sing with on the radio. However, the right to say the crap they do comes with a cost. Say it in America. Quit being a politician overseas.
Personally, as a proud Texan (who enjoys football, cornbread dressing, and all things Texan); it offended me to her Natalie's comments. She grew up 70 miles from me, attended the same college, and her family appears to have the same moral values that I do. So, because you can sing, and get tattoos of little chick feet, you get a bigger vote?
Since when did your multi-platinum records lend you knowledge of cultural sensitivity and foreign policy?
That's crap. I won't and I haven't purchased anything they've been involved in since the incident and I promise I won't. Insiders in the C&W industry know the truth about these folks and it ain't pretty. Ask anyone in Lubbock, TX about their opinion of the 'Chicks', especially Natalie, and you'll get an earful.
I didn't buy the Tony Bennett album, just because I would have had to support them. Don't wanna be from the same state as me? Fine, move to California where they would be in the majority of folks who have no idea how much milk costs.
Ultimately, it comes down to this: They ask for public attention. When they behave outside of the public's 'idea' of correctness, they pay the price. Suck it up, say you were wrong, and don't talk. Just sing.
Courtney... Considering that about 70% of the country disapproves of Bush... I don't think the "chicks" are really doing anything that they need to apologize for.
I totally agree that people have the right to disagree with their views and not buy their stuff, but why do they need to apologize just because their views are different?
And for the record...I'd say Natalie Maines is as qualified to speak on foreign policy as George W Bush is.
Chris -
Actually, the President's disapproval rating is 59% according to Harris Polls.
While many of the nations citizens disagree with his leadership at the moment, that wasn't true when the actual comment was made. For example, Harris Polls (http://www.pollingreport.com/BushJob1.htm) indicate that President Bush's approval rating ranged between 48-70% during 2003 (The Political Chicks made their comment in March 2003 - jumping headlong into international politics). President Bush's poll numbers hit the high of 70% immediately after Natalie's comment in London. So was the US public voting for Bush or against the Chicks?
They don't need to apologize for saying what they think - they should apologize for their disclosure methods. Every time the PC says something against the President Bush, they are on foreign soil. You have to agree that saying those same words on US soil wouldn't have been as controversial as saying it to a crowd of Londoners.
Whether or not you agree with me, you have to admit that it shows a lack of respect for the job as President and reeks of a publicity stunt. It just happened to have backfired with their main target audience. If they can make it in another market, great, more power to them. The point is if you live in the public eye, you also die in the public eye. She can complain if she doesn't like the way she's treated. Period.
Not the person, the position.
Courtney,
Actually Mr. Bush's disapproval rating is 67% according the most recent Harris poll.
I simply don't believe that I need to respect someone just because of the position they hold. Do I need to respect a politician who has sexual escapades in the oval office? Do I need to respect a priest that molests children? Should the people of North Korea respect and approve of everything Kim Jong-il does simply because of the office he holds?
please read the above or reference here...
"Not the person, the position."
I love you like a sister Courtney, and I respect that you feel strongly about this, but I feel just as strongly the other way.
Same to you...however, in the kindest of words...
Don't talk.
See... that just isn't right.....Why is it that Conservatives don't want anyone speaking unless they agree with them?
In my humble opinion, this country was created by brave people who wanted to be heard and could not have freedom to speak out against their governments in Europe. Therefore trying to punish or silence those who have opposing views is about as un-American as it gets.
It's hard to argue about what the Dixie Chicks (Natalie) said when she didn't even say why she was embarassed that Bush is from Texas. Quick geo-political note: The Iraq war isn't about Iraqi oil, Halliburton, Dick Cheney or WMDs. It's about Iran. They've been destabilizing the region since 1979. Iraq is on Iran's western border, Afganistan is on the eastern border. Militarily speaking it's a classic pincer movement. The arguement I guess is what you think America's role should be.
So why is it that I'm a conservative?
I think the county was founded by religious zealots who wanted a change.
No one is trying to silence you, or anyside of the debate. It's simply an attempt for you to see the other side.
for some reason the phrase "Don't talk" seems like an attempt to silence someone.
And by the way......why do I even care, I'm from Mexico!!! :)
no, it was meant to be funny.
BTW - does this cut me off from pizza?
Pizza always flows freely in our house. And remember......if in doubt ADD MORE CHEEZE!
Here, Here! MORE CHEEZE!
The Dixie Chicks brought upon themselves whatever hardships they endured. Just as they are free to express themselves, so are their fans.
Obviously she felt a need to pre-emptively disassociate the group from a major Texas figure. I think those Texans who reacted negatively against the Chicks perceived the remark as a betrayal of family - or needlessly airing dirty laundry in public.
Regardless of whether or not Natalie's remarks were appropriate, the point is that she misjudged the sentiments of her fan base in particular and the well-known jingositic pride of Texans in general.
About respecting the Presidency:
It is possible to have (or lack) respect for an office independently of one's regard for the officeholder - even if the officeholder himself does not respect the office.
EXAMPLE:
If Bill Clinton had had proper repect for the Office of The President, he would not have (a) made himself vulnerable to blackmail by dallying with every skirt in site (including an intern), or (b) - and perhaps worse - allowed an intern to orally service him while he discussed the nation's business with a Congressman from an Oval Office telephone.
Point of curiousity:
Has the ERA crowd ever repudiated Clinton's chronic sexploitation of women?
I was'nt sure I would like this site since it was about Takin A Ride on the Sin Wagon... - Mom On The Rocks but I was wrong and thought it was cool and found it on Bing . Thanks and I'll be back as you update.
Wow, Now that suprised me as i really never had an outlook on the subject like that.