Of course Natalie has the inalienable right to voice her opinion about the War with Iraq. Thank heavens we are Americans and very priviledged!
I do believe, however, that her comment was to "distance" herself from the U.S. position of removing Saddam's regime and appear to be in concert (pun intended) with the anti-war protestors in England.

I think that Natalie exercised her freedom of speech, based on her twenty-two years of knowledge and experience with life! (I might add that I have shoes older than Natalie!) Insofar as protesting the insuing war, I have been there and done that when I was about Natalie's age and felt I too had the right to protest. Remember Viet Nam?Remember the results? Remember OUR soldiers being spat upon when they returned home?

The young men and women who are stationed in Iraq deserve all of the support we can provide them. They are far away, lonely, frightened, determined to do-the-job for which they enlisted and are proud to serve and protect our Nation. They, in turn, deserve all of the support we can provide them.

Natalie maybe worried about the loss of innocent lives when she thinks of the War with Iraq, but perhaps she should concentrate and reflect upon the 3,000 INNOCENT people who died under attack on our own soil 9/11/01! She is a foolish little girl if she thinks that Saddam wouldn't do that again in a heartbeat! How about the fact that Saddam has sealed himself away in his bunker (with an escape route no less) and left his own sons to face the battle ! He's all hat and no cattle for sure!

I have tickets to see the Chicks in May in the Portland Rose Garden ...If I can get "rid" of the tickets, I will. I am disappointed in Maines and her comments. Perhaps if Mr. Bush's predecessor had taken care of business when the Trade Center was bombed THE FIRST TIME, we wouldn't be in the fix we are today. He was, however, too busy boinking his mistress with a Havanna to care!

Shame on you Natalie! Your success has been upon the backs of the working man in this country and yet you distain your President while in a foreign country. It's a good thing that Patrick Henry, John Adams, Paul Revere, Nathan Hale or other patriots can't hear you speak ... surely your conduct would have been branded traitorious. Maybe a day in the stocks wouldn't do you harm.

Finally, if you so enjoy the treatment that the Iraqis receive under the rule of Saddam, then go perform in Bagdad ... I understand bunker has a baby grand!

The World Trade Center attacks, then and now, had nothing to do with Iraq, so that's a red herring. You could make an argument that one of Bush's predecessors could've taken care of the Saddam situation when he had a chance, but that would be Bush Sr. At any rate, according to Clinton, Bush Sr. was under restraint about going into Baghdad, having promised not to in order to get Arab support for his war there. Of course, his descision to keep military bases in Saudi Arabia was the specific action that got bin Laden to concentrate on the US as an enemy.

Natalie Maines did not put down "the working man" or any American other than the president. She didn't even defame the office of the president, just criticised this particular man. And by the way, once you off those Dixie Chicks tickets (it won't be a problem, not all Americans think everyone should march in line and keep their mouths shut) don't let me catch you sneaking out to a Merle Haggard concert instead. And according to Roseanne Cash, you can dump those Johnnie Cash albums too.

Your "move to Iraq" bit is so tired, inappropriate, and frankly stupid I don't know why you wrote it. Next time you have a CD bonfire, stay out of the smoke -- those plastic fumes affect your judgement.

QrazyQuat - perhaps YOU should do your research and learn a little history of Radical Islam before you start blaming Bush Sr. for Bin Laden's hatred of the United States. Jihad, the Islamic Holy War, is the basis for the Muslim religion. Although not all Muslims believe in the eternal nature of the Koran, the radical Muslims are ready to die for what they believe in. The distaste and basic antagonism which Islam has always manifested toward the non-Muslim world by fighting and killing, through what Muslims believe to be a command of Allah is the reason Usama bin Laden hates the United States. Its not JUST the United States either, its any Christian, Jew or non-muslim country. A quote from the Koran states " when you meet the unbelievers, strike off their heads until you have massacred them, fight in the cause of Allah!" Usama bin Laden's hatred of the United States has nothing to do with U.S. Military bases being kept in Saudi Arabia and everything to do with radical Islam.

He has hated America long before we were ever there. Sulaiman bu Ghaith, a spokesmand of Bin Laden's al-Quaeda states " We have managed to attack the head of infidelity, who diliberately and openly delcares his hostility to Islam day and night, in his own country. God ordered us to terrorize the infidels, and we terrorized the infidels." Shaikh Omar Abdel says, "destroy them ( the United States) thoroughly and erase them from the face of the earth."

Jihad is not just a holy war from the 600s, it is still prevalent in today’s world and must be dealt with in a serious manner.

Get your facts straight next time before you show your ignorance.

bin Laden was our ally at the time we were putting the Taliban in charge of Afghanistan, and that's what he was until the Gulf War. He has a specific agenda involving Saudi Arabia which is aided by general unrest in other Muslim countries -- an unrest we have, in the last year especially, aided immensely. Osama bin laden's complaints about Saudi Arabia are actually quite legitimate (his methods of "correcting" them are not legitimate). Much simplified, he doesn't like the Saudi power structure that keeps the regular folks down and a few princes and rich families up (even though he and his family have benefited from that structure), and he doesn't like the fact that the Saudi government toadies up to outside countries, esp. non-Muslim countries. This is why he was particularly upset when the US kept bases on Saudi soil after the Gulf War. Before that time his relationship with the Us had been that of an ally -- one of those "strange bedfellow" that politics breeds. After that time, he began to focus on the US as his main enemy after the Saudi government, and one which was both easier to operate against and which would tend to create sympathy amongst poorer Muslims in many oppressive Islamic countries, esp. the secular Islamic countries whose leaders he most disliked, like Iraq. You can believe that his dislike of the US has nothing to do with his political agenda, but your believing it does not make it so.

As for his "hating us before we were ever there", that's an impossibility really, since we've been "interfering" in Saudi politics since before he was born.

maines is nothing but a fat slob and should have her fat ass tied to a smart bomb and sent straight on to iraq. if this fat head don"t like america than she should move to iraq

Well Chuck, since you are obviously a very vocal opponent of free speech, there are many countries you might prefer to live.

ArazyQat: I don't think the comment about moving to Iraq is crazy and inappropriate. I think you are. I think you belong in that country. You do not care that people are Killed, raped, tortured, and many other things under the rule of this Dictator. As a matter of fact, He employees people to do such things. He has people that specifically go out and rape certain people. I am a Dad so of course I can't stand the man from that point of view. But if you are a Dad, think about rather or not you would like to see your daughter or son raped in front of you, making you watch the whole thing. If you are not a Dad, then think about being made to watch as your Mom or Grandmother was raped. I think you are silly and I agree with the other statements. Maybe you people should move to Iraq and after a while lets see if your opinion changes and maybe you might even be crying for help.....

I'm just tired of celebrities using their fame to push their point of view. I fully agree that they have the right to voice their opinion but I also have the right to burn their cd's & complain to radio stations. Radio stations also have the right to listen or not, to the complaints of their listeners, but money usually talks. That is why they are taking the Chicks off their playlists and why Natalie is appologizing. MONEY TALKS!!!!!! Capitalism at it's best.

Maines ought to sue her school district for failing to provide her with the education it takes to be a real American. You were robbed Ms. Maines. Real Americans know how to exercise free speech, opinion, and disagreements. Real Americans know how and where to draw the line in exercise of those rights. Real Americans do not cross the line and do not embarrass themselves or our President or those he leads (namely our troops who are fighting for Ms. Maines' right to freee speech). Ms. Maines is the one who ought to be ashamed. Just why does Ms. Maines say the President is ignoring the opinions of many in the U.S.? Because he is not doing what she wants him to do? He is not ignoring her voice or the voices of others like hers. He hears you. He is just exercising his responsibilities and rights as President and as a citizen of this country. The same rights that Ms. Maines enjoys. Beleive it or not, our President and our military leaders, the same military leaders that protect our rights, do know more about the situation in Iraq than Ms. Maines, or you, or me. And no, all our our secrets will not be let out of the bag just to satisfy those unwilling to understand. By the way, when Ms. Maines gets her degree in international diplomatic relations and politics, she will see the U.S. is not alone in its position. She will see that more U.S. citizens are behind the President, our allies, and our troops. She will see that there are fewer standing for her position. Ms. Maines needs to get her information from the proper sources, not from idle chit chat with those as equally uninformed and misinformed as she. This information comes from studying, analyzing and actively debating current and historical military and political war games and strategy and other serious issues with those who are highly educated in this arena. This would not include info/opinions coming from the likes of Martin Sheen, Susan Saranden, Sean Penn, George Clooney, or others with no real qualifying education or experience in this arena. Now tell me, why would I beleive Martin Sheen or Sean Penn rather than those of true historical significance or importance? Here's what I think: OUT OF PRESIDENT BUSH and Prime Minister Blair and Prime Minister Howard, and SADDAM HUSSEIN ...HUSSEIN IS THE BAD GUY. And here's another news flash for you: IF YOU HAVE FAITH IN THE UNITED NATIONS TO DO THE RIGHT THING, KEEP THIS IN MIND, the U.N. has LIBYA HEADING THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND IRAQ HEADING THE GLOBAL DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE. DO YOUR OWN MATH HERE. (oh I forgot...we have that problem with education here). Still along those educational lines: IF YOUR ONLY ANTI-WAR SLOGAN IS "NO WAR FOR OIL" you really do need to sue your school district for allowing you to slip through the cracks. Finally, here's another newsflash for you: SADDAM AND BIN LADEN WILL NOT SEEK UNITED NATIONS APPROVAL BEFORE THEY TRY TO KILL US. AND WHETHER YOU ARE FOR DISARMING hUSSEIN OR NOT, YOU ARE STILL AN INFIDEL AND THEY ARE OUT TO GET YOU. Finally, whether you are for military action or not, our young military men and women are overseas fighting for Ms. Maines' right to speak.
Ms. Maines and the rest of us need to support them without reservation. Without insulting their commander in chief. Without embarrasing her country.

I am sorry to see that many people think being a true American means not criticising the government and just going along. The founding fathers, amongst many others, would not agree. The notion that the only thing one can do is either shut up and not say anything about Bush's policies or one is supporting Saddam is nonsense -- you should really stop using such an infantile argument. This is, as I mentioned on another comment, the foolish debating technique called false dilemma. Handling Saddam would be a good thing -- doing things Bush's way is crazy. We will be living in a much less safe world for quite a while due to what he's done already, and if he goes ahead with his war without UN and/or broad international approval, it will be even more unsafe.

BTW, Natalie Maines did support our troops. Now one person hasn't, I agree. George Bush has been shall we say a bit lax about getting them the equipment they need to protect themselves against gas attacks. Haven't you read soldiers' accounts of the shoddy equipment they've been issued in the Gulf (by both generations of Bushes)? Not unlike his promise to provide NYC firefighters with equipment and then reneging. That's not supporting the men and women on the front lines. He really should be taken to task for not supporting our troops.

Maines has the right to say whatever she pleases, It's her first amendment right. It is also the consumers first amendment right to boycott. There are always consequences for your speech. You should be willing to accept the consequences of your speech as it is an inherent part of the responsibility when using your rights. Can you say "career suicide"? Its best not to piss in the well you drink from.

Well, I have read the comments and it frustrates me to no limit. I can't believe you Qrazy Qat. You are taking up for someone who apparently does not appreciate her country or her freedom. Natalie Maines has no right to speak out the way she did. Sure there is freedom of speech in America, but she clearly abused it. You do not go into another country and degrade the leader of your country the way she did. I think it was her own way of cowing down to the war protestors over there. She needs to have respect for her country and the soldiers fighting for her. These people with money protesting the war make me sick. Our government has proof that Hussein has harbored terrorists as well as financially supported them. You people need to wake up. Sept. 11th is proof that we cannot ever let our guards down again. I am also talking about all of the stars that are speaking out against the war. These people make me sick. These people are made wealthy by the American people. I really think that they are worried about losing some money or something. They are afraid that their traveling will be endangered or something....who knows??? It really does not make any damn sense to me. When you have an opportunity to avoid any terrorists acts along with liberating the troubled Iraqi people, I say more power to you Mr. Bush. I am proud to be an American. I am very proud of our soldiers also. You do not see them protesting the war. I think you anti-war freaks need to be flown over there and put on the frontlines with the men and women who are proud enough for their country to fight for her. Then hold a few anti-war protests and see where it gets you. THANK YOU TO THE MILITARY OF THE USA. GOD BLESS THIS NATION.

No one likes the thought of war! I didn't like
watching helplessly as innocent lives were lost on 911. I will never forget the feeling of grief
& helplessness that day.I am very proud to be an
American; with all the freedoms that we take for
granted.I am very grateful for our brave men &
women who are fighting for my freedom.My Dad was
a proud; highly decorated ww11 vet. My husband a
Viet Nam vet. One of my sons,son-in-law, & nephew
served in Desert Storm.My heart goes out to the
families of our troops. I've walked in their shoes.Our family will pray for our troops, our
country,& our President .
I'm also proud to be a Texan; as is President Bush.
As an American; I have the right to never listen
to the Dixie Chicks again.If they come on the radio;I'll turn it off. I will not watch a movie
that has any "celebrity pansy" in it.I am outraged
that the people who were made as wealthy & famous as they are today by the American people can be so
ignorant & ungrateful.How many times does a rabid dog have to bite you before you destroy it.
How many more of our "innocent" people must be
sacraficed.As a mother & grandmother; I'll feel that my beloved family is alot safer when the "rabid dog" is destroyed.I'd gladly do it myself if I could.
If you "celebrities"need something to do; adopt an
elderly person,child,or homeless person & give them a better life.Find jobs for the decent man
or woman who wants to feed their family.
Take care of a single parent's babies so they can
work & not give all their earnings to a Day Care.
Put food in food pantrys.Do anything; but for goodness sakes;stop whinning about people risking their lives to keep you safe.I'm waiting to see
which one of you is the first to make a movie from
this nightmare after it's all over & you can safely come out from under your "rocks".
You can bet I WON'T buy a ticket.And if the "Chicks" wanted to have a concert in my front yard; I'd tell them to move on; you're not welcome here.
Don't try to use Natalie's youth as a defence for
her actions.My 10 year old grandson understands
more than she does. He's also a PROUD AMERICAN!
Sandra from TEXAS

Everyone keeps talking about that Chick's freedom of speech in America. Am I wrong, or didn't she say this OUTSIDE the U.S.?? Imagine if she had actually said that WITHIN the U.S. Say, for instance, at a concert in Alabama or Georgia, or any other state with sons, daughters, wives and husbands serving their country in Iraq. She would probably have been booed off of the stage, if not thrown off. She simply didn't have the guts to speak out against the President until she was among non-Americans. That makes me wonder if she even knows what she's talking about, or if she is just repeating something she heard at a party somewhere. I say, let her kill her band's career. Besides, I was getting tired of hearing their inferior version of Landslide thirty times a day on the radio.

Do you think she would have said the same thing if she had realized how many Americans would be listening? Or would she have said it before performing for a patriotic, flag-waving crowd of Texans in Lubbock? OFCOURSE NOT! There are many proud soldiers that serve our country daily in order to preserve the very freedom that Dixie Chick claimed to exercise. Our service men and women proudly fight for our country. They defend until (sometimes)their death our right to have free speech in America. But for the Dixie Chicks to travel to a foreign land and publicly criticize our Presidnet is cowardice behavior. Think about all of the money they pocket off of songs about soldiers, their deaths and patriotism while criticizing their very own Country's Leader! Especially when these same soldiers they sing about are preparing to give their lives to ensure our freedom of speech. Please ask yourself, what have you done to deserve that sacrifice? They should not justify their comments by claiming that they were made in frustration or because as a "mother" you care about innocent lives. Never once in our history have we committed troops to war for the purpose of taking innocent lives. It is done to protect innocent lives, even yours. If the world leaders of the late 1930's had the vision and courage of our present Commander in Chief, perhaps the evil men who caused the death of millions in WWII would have never had the opportunity to harm a soul. The potential loss of millions of lives in the future at the hands of today's evil men necessitate action. Never again will I allow my funds to support their disrespectful behavior. All they have done is to add their names to a growing list of American "Celebrities" who have failed to realize that the entertainment stage is just that --an ENTERTAINMENT stage, not a political podium.

On a further note: People go to the Dixie Chicks concerts to hear them sing, not to hear what their political points-of-view may be. --Want to challenge my comments? Dare to look up the education levels completed by Ms. Natalie Maines vs. ANY OF OUR CURRENT U.S. LEADERS.

the cHicks just want to keep their lucky streak going. they only have their podium because of their music and their femininity - which they market like hell!

if they use it for political discourse, thats their decision. and its ok for all of us to make our decision, and to use our meager podiums to spread our word - just like they do. lets vote them off the show.

they've done a good job selling records and filling stadiums, which is all they really care about - i think their 'apology' is insincere for sure! i sure as heck dont want to see their scary faces in my face everywhere i turn - trying to sell me cd's, concerts, posters, booklets, t shirts, hot dogs, soda, soap ....begging please please PLEASE buy something from us!!! after all, we're just hot singin chicks, isn't our act just so cute??!

but i dont fall for their over hyped act. lets help make the flood of people avoiding them go triple quadruple multi-platinum.

i am not going to bash them - but i just will not fall for their act either.

cant we all just get along?

dave YOU ARE BRILLIANT!!
thnk you for expressing my views exactly, so well spoken, concise & insightful.
im glad you are out there.

Tristen

RU4Beer is right on the market also!
thank you as well.
brilliant!
Tristin.

I just read the article about the Chick's interview with Diane Sawyer. I have to say I was disappointed that there was no mention of what was really wrong with the Chick's babble in London. Doesn't anyone else notice the fifty elephants in the room here ? The crime was not so much what was said but the fact that it was said ON A STAGE ON FOREIGN SOIL. THATS FUCKING TREASON !!!!! Freedom of speach stops at the border folks. The fact that Michael Moore can get on stage and scold George Bush like a red headed step child is fantastic. Thats all im gonna say.

I would REALLY love to have Maines Email, or even if someone could give her mine instead. I would enjoy nothing more than sending her encouragment. I as have EVERY Other American out there ... said things in the spur of the moment without thinking them through, and kicked myself for my wording later. Anyone that says they have not... needs to think again.
This poor lady opened her mouth before thinking , like most of us do... and it has cost her more than her fair share. I think the whole group has been treated unfairly. Many others have spoke out in a more elegant manner from Hollywood scenes and not been bashed for it, and I cannot even begin to imagine the burden on her shoulders. I can sympithize a small ammount, but not even close to where she is.
I tried tonight to find an email for her... which has proved fruitless.... if anyone can help in that I would much appriciate talkiung to her and letting her know that we all make mistakes, and I REALLY believe if she sticks by what she believes.... she will go further than most.

on TV she said tonight.. no matter HOW her words came out, she believes in herself and what she has done with her life.... that is MUCH More than 95 percent of us can say... SHe has done SO Much, and one mistake should not cost her everything.

If someone can pass her this msg and my email I would be VERY GRateful, if not, I hope somewhere she sees this encouragement. She has made more of her life at this young age then most will their whole lifes... and that goes for the WHOLE Group.

Heather Zaal
mysteria@houston.rr.com