Lean Left

Comments (130)

• #1 by SayUncle at March 23rd, 2006

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  Might be a good song but we’ll never know. I predict minimal airplay.

• #2 by tgirsch at March 23rd, 2006

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  Hence my call for a boycott of Tim McGraw.

• #3 by Rob Ryan at March 24th, 2006

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  At my local redneck watering hole, most of the denizens have forgotten Maines’ little indiscretion, retreated into their alcoholic fog, and returned to playing Dixie Chicks music ad nauseum. SayUncle may be right, though; the radio airwaves are more politically charged than your average beer joint.

• #4 by Figgins at March 24th, 2006

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  Just please tell me they wont throw another ugly naked tantrum cause nobody wants to hear them anymore like they did last time. That was some scary ass shit right there. NOBODY needs to see Fatalie and Wall Eye Emily naked, not now not ever!

  As for their new *ahem* rock song. Its tanking. Nobody cares about their stupid victim routine anymore. Its PLAYED OUT BITCHES! LET IT GO!
  http://www.mmr247.com/mmrweb/AllAccess/Charts.asp?format=c1R&showtopn=500

• #5 by NatalieIsRetarded at March 24th, 2006

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  Free Speech does not equate to the right to be heard nor is a guarantee of airplay!

• #6 by You Go Girls!! at April 4th, 2006

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  KILLER SONG!
  It will get great air play!
  I still agree with the Chicks! Bush is a disgrace to this Great Nation and should be Impeached.
  He and his cronies have done more damage to the U.S. than any of our leaders past or ones yet to come.
  Keep up the good work Dixie Chicks.

• #7 by M Bell at April 27th, 2006

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  I have missed the Dixie Chicks and they were punished for fredom of speech which is our right. Their new song is GREAT. They are true artist. Can’t wait till they are in my area so I can go see them for the 3rd time.

  Go Dixie Chicks

• #8 by KB in Texas at May 4th, 2006

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  When will these “artists” get it through their pea brains that WE ARE NOT INTERESTED in what you think about anything……….just shut up and sing. It is a shame that the Chicks had to open their stupid mouths……their earlier stuff is great.

  We aren’t ready to make nice either, Natalie. Maybe they will buy your album over the pond……..I just hope it tanks here.

• #9 by Mr Snappy at May 16th, 2006

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  The Dixie Chicks are a bunch of old hens now, they are entitled to their opinion, and I am too. Mine is not to buy any of thier recordings or listen to any of their cackling on the radio.

• #10 by Sara Lee at May 21st, 2006

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  While freedom of speech is obviously the foundation of our country, it’s certainly true that you don’t have to buy any product sold by someone with politics contrary to yours. Conservatives don’t need to buy Dixie Chicks music if they think George Bush deserves more respect, can conservative radio stations don’t need to play their music. Similarly, liberals don’t have to listen to Rush Limbaugh–and some liberals are going to buy Dixie Chicks music now, when they would not have previously. No matter what your politics are, you should at least have some respect for someone who speaks for what they believe IRRESPECTIVE of what it could cost them financially. That takes courage, and we could use more courage like that in Washington, in both parties and in all three branches of government.

• #11 by TooTallllllll at May 22nd, 2006

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  I support DC’s right to free speech. I also support their right to bite the hand that feeds them, to be stupid and say stupid things and to be self centered. It is unfortunate that their attempt to revive their careers is based upon degrading the country that gave them so much. It is one thing to say you disagree with the President. And if that is all they did, I would stand for their right to do so. Unfortunately they lost their understanding of common decency a long time ago.

• #12 by TforTexas at May 22nd, 2006

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  The Dixie Chicks are an embarassment to Texas and the US. It’s unfortunate that they have to resort to making controversial remarks to get attention. But really that makes sense, they can’t sing and only have marginal abilities on musical instruments. Also, all you Bush bashers, maybe you should move to Iran or pre-war Iraq, where they cut off your tongues (or worse) for criticizing the country’s leader — but of course you don’t care that Bush helped those type of people out in Iraq — it’s all about you and your superior understanding of human rights and other cultures.

• #13 by Buck II at May 22nd, 2006

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  As a musician myself, the problem with this whole scenario is not the chicks “artistic integrety” it is their short memory. It is easy to have a soapbox on which to air your opinions when you have people listening to you and liking the product you are selling, but when you have the “hot mike” as a result of all the people supporting you, why is it then that they state their true political ideas which by the way, are contrary to 90% of the beliefs of the folks that afforded them the opportunity? We do live in a free society (for the most part) and success is something most of us strive for in our chosen fields. It is just really unfortunate that certain people use their “fans” to change their true colors and abandon those folks that paid to get them there. These ladies are talented, but they also have sold millions of CD’s to hardworking folks that break their backs to provide for their families and support their favorite artists. Then “Newsflash”, “We never really liked Country Music”?! What!!! “We want a cool group of fans that get us….?” Well, that is great, but a cool group of fans may make you feel creatively accomplished, I can guarentee you ladies, you would not have amassed the wealth you now enjoy. Just ask the Indie artist struggling to pay the bills because they wanted to maintain a “Purity” to their music. Tell the truth, you got away with it, we all can see who you really care about, and how much “The people” really mean to you….

• #14 by Outlaws and Inlaws at May 22nd, 2006

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  Why would anyone care what 3 no college educated country girls think about how a country should be run. They sing music. I honestly thought they were talented. I never wondered what their political views were. I still don’t care. I do find comfort in knowing that people who think small stay small. In the Dixie Chicks case they went from small to ever shrinking. Oh yeah, I thought Fatalie was a mean statement, hilarious, but mean.

• #15 by stan at May 22nd, 2006

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  That just goes to show these artist types. Stay out of politics. They are over so with. The porn industry is always looking for new hires though.

• #16 by Barbara at May 22nd, 2006

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  Natalie needs to learn to keep her mouth shut…didn’t her mother teach her that if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all?!?!

• #17 by John at May 22nd, 2006

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  What is wrong with you people? The Dixie Chicks are standing up for freedom of speech. Our soldiers are fighting for that very cause, I think it is an honor that they are exercising that right…they get it and all you people that resort to silly ego feeding name calling miss the point altogether. You think you would even have this blog to type messages on without freedom of speech…you should visit China then. I am a liberal and I understand the differences among the political parties in this country but let’s not forget the point that this America, we have fought for freedom of speech since the Revolution, we should support those who take part in the very thing our good men and women of this country have fought and will fight for. My mother taught me to stand up for what I believe in not to sit down and shutup. Clearly they believe in their cause… You know what I don’t get is that for me the best thing about being a citizen is my freedom to say what I feel, to criticize our leaders, that is democracy…what do you think we are fighting for?…shame on all of you who don’t support the same thing and respect those who do.

• #18 by Tara at May 22nd, 2006

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  I walked by a car in a parking lot yesterday…there was a bumper sticker with a W with a slash through it..referencing the W stickers in support for the President years ago. But, right above that was a mock of the original with a big letter F where the W should be and the president written below it. I honestly believe there are more ignorami out there who would desrespect the office of the President with vulgar slander under the Democratic name than ever under the Republican or conservative movement. I never saw a F the President for the times Clinton was in office, although he certainly invited it with his behavior. There is a line between freedom of speech and respect for the highest elected office in our government. Why do some choose to cross it and others dont? And, I have a W sticker on my car, do you know that someone used a black permanent marker and defiled it? Where is their gene for public responsibilty and respect for others property? Some of you need to go and review the tenets for freedom of speech…many of you missed an integral portion of the definition…I can probably blame our education system on that…dont get me started…

• #19 by Shane at May 23rd, 2006

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  Oh my goodness, John! Complaining about us name calling when Nat has run down the highest ranking office of this country please. I agree that everyone has the right to free speech, but you can do this with respect to this country and the office of the president. The fact of the matter is The Chicks just did this to sell albums. And the peeps that dont like the Pres. will eat them up. The ones that don’t won’t buy them. I just don’t like Actors and Singers trying to brain wash the country into thinking the way they think.

• #20 by Helena at May 23rd, 2006

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  The Dixie Chicks have the right to say whatever they want about the president. It is a right granted to them as citizens by the United States of America, not just because they are musicians who get press. I, too, have this same right, even though I am a non-celebrity. I not only found it disgusting they chose to say what they did about the president in a foreign country, but also their reaction over the backlash that ensued, like all us normal people have no right to criticize them. This is something that disturbs me about a lot of these outspoken ‘celebrities’, that they are all over their right to bash others, but somehow others don’t have the right to bash them back. Maybe they should spend a little less time running their mouth, and a little more time researching what freedom of speech is all about. It wouldn’t hurt them to look up the definition of hypocrite, either. What I plan to do about it, as a tiny fish in a huge pond, is to do nothing to support any endeavors by the Chicks, and write letters of protest to anyone I know who does. I’ve criticized Bush myself for some of his policies, but torture would not make me do it on foreign soil. Like it or not, he represents my country, and I am proud to be an American, and also a Texan, and I am ashamed the Dixie Chicks are from Texas, I really thought they were bastard children of Ted Kennedy.

• #21 by Saddened By It All at May 23rd, 2006

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  Bottom line - it’s about respect for THIS country and its offices and its foundation. We have voting and freedom of speech rights so that, individually, we can have some say in the country we live in. You voted your personal choice at the time - he may have done a good job or a bad job or he may not even be who YOU voted for. However, he won the vote - you have to respect that. It’s kind of like your parents/teachers/ministers, you don’t have to like them but you do have to respect them or more specifically, their “office”. If you don’t, get out! Leave your parental home at 18…find another school…find another church…FIND ANOTHER COUNTRY!
  I liked the Dixie Chick’s music before and probably will again; though, I will not financially support them for this reason. They are disrespectful to all - the Office of the Presidency (though at first it was the man himself), the fans who supported them to the fame they had acquired (switching genres), to the average working person (Says Maguire: “I’m not ready to fly coach.” when asked about their current album, its success and their switch to a different genre), and even their fellow artists who were expressing their personal views (Toby Keith).
  They are another example (side-by-side with the immigrants who walk the streets with another country’s flag, shouting demands) of DISRESPECTING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
  So again I say — our country is, what it is! If you don’t like it or anything that goes with it (taxes, language, laws, or President)….FIND ANOTHER COUNTRY!

• #22 by Chris at May 23rd, 2006

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  Dixie chicks can kiss my ass, Toby is right.

• #23 by squitoo at May 23rd, 2006

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  Dixie Chicks are great. At least they are not out encourageing illegal wars

• #24 by JBull at May 23rd, 2006

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  Go Dixie Chicks! Bush is a disgrace to our country. They have a right to free speech that the rednecks invoke every time they let out a racist or bigoted remark! Can anyone say hypocracy, rednecks? Or do you even know the word? Anyway, don’t bite their stuff. Others will, because it’s good music, it’s truthful, and yes, it’s somewhat politically motivated. Get over it. I’m not ready to make nice with stupid rednecks or Bush either. Shouts to all the non-bigoted, country music-loving southerners out there!

• #25 by Nashvegas at May 23rd, 2006

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  Ms. Maines is kidding herself if she thinks that the only people who are put off by her whining and selfimportant behavior are the “far right”. Get over yourself, Natalie.

• #26 by Joyce at May 24th, 2006

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  Reba McIntyre ?? made a comment tonight on the CMA show that was pretty low. She said “if the D C can sing with their foot in their mouth, then I guess I can host this darn thing(CMA). Well, the only way she can sing is with her foot in her mouth; in my opinion she would sound 100% better that way. I can’t and have never been able to stand her anyway! D C you go; keep on believing in “freedom”! If Bush has his way, we will all be enjoing Marshall Law; so he can really act like he’s GOD!

• #27 by Tova at May 24th, 2006

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  For the life I me I will never understand why the people who believe in the right to bare arms also embrace the idea for censorship of spoken thought. Everyone has the right in this country to say whatever is on our minds. That is what the founding fathers intended. Now in to days political climit if somenone dare speak out they better be ready to take the rath of those who disagree. No one will be forced to buy there new CD so what is the problem here? Natatalie said what many people were thinking in 2003, however, she had the strenghth of purpose to speak her mind. And look at the political landscape 2006. Bush’s ratings are at a all time low. What do the people opposed to the Chicks have to say about that fact? Seems to me he no longer has much respect from the majority of this country. And why should he when he does not show any respect for its citizens. Unless of course your rich. He has lost the confidence of most Americans. The Chicks new release will not suffer because those country stations too afraid to play their music, will be replaced by rock stations. Not too worry, Ladies, your new music will be played by many. No concern for low sales either. The Dixie Chcks have a loyal large following. I predict the concert venues will be filled to capacity.

• #28 by curious at May 24th, 2006

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  Curious why this continues to be such a hot topic? Because we all have the right to speak our mind (and suffer the consequences), were taught to respect our elders (no matter who they are), if we have nothing nice to say to keep quiet (point made) and to appreciate that we live in a free country (we have seen what happens to outspoken people in Iran, Iraq and the rest of the third world countries)– and we have the opportunity to cash in on controversy–making money isn’t what life should all be about now is it? Simply turn off the tv and radio if you dislike the Chicks, do not buy or listen to their music in any format or even discuss them–but please, let’s get on with our own lives–they are getting shorter every minute.

• #29 by Doc at May 24th, 2006

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  So someone help me out here…..I work for a living and missed it. Did Natalie punch someone or knock them
  down, streal their microphone, burst into flames and begin to speak in tongues? Or did she simply state her
  opinion? Did she offer her opinion out of the context of the interview, or was she specifically asked for it?

  I find it phenomenally entertaining to read the inane rants and rambles of those who would say “If you don’t like it, leave!”, and then without the benefit of a moments thought, change their focus to criticism of those who have left thier countries to attempt to join ours. Somehow I thought that American History was
  taught in school.

  Just so everyone knows.

  The founders of this country were once unhappy citizens of England.
  Really!
  They were told the same thing over and over. “If you don’t like it, leave!”. When they saw that there was no other choice, they did leave, and came here.
  Sounds incredible, huh?
  They created, fought, and died, for a system of government that allowed people to be heard, allowed people to affect change, and allowed people to never again be told simply to leave if they were unhappy.
  It allowed them without detriment to voice opposition,
  specifically about the government, without retribution. They called it the constitution.

  We continue to defend it today.

  It’s all true! Trust me!

  It’s the people that use this vulgarism, “Leave!”, against our constitution that are the ones who disrespect the country and its freedoms. These people would have us quietly live in torment, rather than speak up and potentially cause a change that effected thier delicate balance. These are the brand of people
  who will follow any leader, to any end.
  By the way, for those of you who can’t tell the difference, that was just an opinion……

  But….
  “Don’t talk bad about the government!”
  “Don’t say anything contrary to that of the leadership!”
  “….Yes, you can think it. Just keep it to yourself, or go away!”

  Gawd! If that is not scary, I don’t know what is.
  Which again is just my opion.

  As far as Natalie is concerned, ‘cmon she might never be as elloquent as Madeline Albright, but what would
  you have her do? Cross her eye’s, twirl her hair, and
  say “Duh!”

• #30 by Timbo at May 24th, 2006

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  Natalie should shut up……..IN MY OPINION!

  Natalie should stop calling child services as a joke……..(but, is that freedom of speech???) It may be but it doesn’t make it right. Saying the President of YOUR COUNTRY, elected by YOUR countrymen doesn’t deserve our respect…..well, I think most people would agree that even though she has the right to say what she wants, it doesn’t make WHAT she says the right thing to say. I did not like Pres Clinton AT ALL….but I respected his position…….whether it was on his knees or having someone else on their knees before him……he still got my respect as OUR President even though I thought he was an absolute horror……fact is, they are just humans…..as is Natalie…..but there is a line.

  Joyce…..Reba rocks, and she was dead on with her comments…..it was funny!

  I wish that Alec Baldwin would have left the counttry….

• #31 by Ihatetexans at May 24th, 2006

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  I swear, there is something in the Texas water. Texas seems to be the cradle of idiocy. I do agree with Natalie, Bush is an idiot. 10-20 years from now we will still be feeling the aftermath of his 2 terms. Wake up, this is not a bash but a fact. Do you feel any safer, NO! The treat is more prevelant today than ever before, but at what cost, billions of dollars and thousands of lives. Iraq might not have their act together but Bush certainly made it worse not better. U never hear about the civillians in Iraq, how would you like it if someone brought democracy to your street by bombing it first.

• #32 by Doc at May 24th, 2006

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  Timbo
  I agree that needlessly occupying the the time and
  attention of public servants would not likely be protected under the first amendment.
  More than half of my countrymen did not elect
  George Bush.

  The position that Bush holds “is” a respectable position. No one argues that, and so far it does not apply to Natalies comments. “Bush” as the person occupying the position has widely varied levels of respect, from zero respect to absolute respect. It’s not the “postion he holds” that garners no respect, its “the person and his *positions*” that fail.

• #33 by Steve at May 24th, 2006

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  2006- Hey Chicks, Remember as you trash our country and our president, How many men and women had to die so you could be free to do so.
  I don’t always agree with our president but I’ll be damned if I will support, or take seriously anyone who undermines MY PRESIDENT in a time of war.
  In case you have been traveling and havent heard!!!!
  Not one single plane has hit another building here in AMERICA since our PRESIDENT has had our brave men and women KICKING THEIR ASSES.
  I’m not saying everyone should agree with me or our president, but if your bothered to the point that you feel compelled to undermine the United States efforts to defend ALL OF US>>
  GET THE FU@# OUT!!

• #34 by Marianne at May 25th, 2006

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  My husband and his brave men serving in a war that gives this ignorant trio the right to spew their ugly remarks. The 3 of them should be ashamed. This country was attacked. Suppose our President had done nothing. No doubt we would have been attacked again.It seems one of them would have had a little bit of a brain.These brave men believe in what they are doing. Today the people of Iraq no longer fear being tortured, raped and murdered. These pitiful excuses of humanity are finished. They should leave this country, and go to Cuba, or Iran. We are ashamed to say they are Americans. Surely they are “simple minded”, but that is no excuse for underminding our President and out troops. They are a disgrace to America.

• #35 by Timbo at May 25th, 2006

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  Can you imagine the horror if Gore was voted in???? I don’t know of any President in our history that walked into a timebomb like the one W walked into…..is he perfect, no….you tell me what the man was supposed to do? Do I hear anyone complaining that we killed 40,000 civillian Germans during 1 bombing raid??? Well, Germany didn’t attack us at Pearl but the snake had many heads. If one thinks that Iraq is an innocent bystander then they really need to take a look at what is happening….not just feelings. Nobody loves a war but all the rights and freedoms enjoyed by us all were given through wars…that is a fact. One of the greatest perceived Presidents is Lincoln, his approval rating was practically 0…..and his country was divided……slavery was still legal under his watch but we look at him as a fair and steadfast person who had to make difficult decisions. Every President has to make decisions that cost lives……Did Clinton murder our brave men and women who died under his watch…..hell no…..Is our Pres and idiot? No, he has to make decisions that you ( ihatetexans ) could not even come close to understanding…..and I wouldn’t either. How can you criticize when it is obvious you don’t know the facts. Irrational people have no respect for reason, logic or the truth. NONE of us know what goes on behind closed doors, we just can’t understand what our leaders have to deal with. If you want change then run for office, do somthing constructive, build a better mousetrap, make a difference……but just shooting off one’s mouth because you don’t happen to agree with them doesn’t make changes, just like me saying these words……it won’t change anything. But we are using a blog for the right reasons, spouting off to the press, showing ignorance and jumping behind the freedom of speech isn’t constructive. Bono doesn’t spout off to the President, even though he may not agree with him. He meets with him then uses his time to make changes….he does somthing…..it’s somthing Natalie will NEVER come close to understanding when she deals with issues through anger. I just don’t understand why we have to disrespect the office/person in the White House……we live in the greatest country, with freedoms like no other…..Do I agree with everything our President does, absolutely not…..did I vote for him, yes…….would I again if he was able to run….maybe not…..Did I vote for Clinton in his 2nd term, yes…..What would Clinton have done if 9/11 was on his watch???? oh….geeee, maybe it was. ( jumping off soapbox )

• #36 by Doc at May 25th, 2006

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  Very well put, “Timbo”. I would go so far as to say that your comment of, “None of us knows what goes on behind closed doors”, should in all fairness be applicable to hypothetical presidents. “We can’t truly say what any new president in that situation would do”
  Even if Gore had handled the situation differently than Bush did, I think it somewhat unfair to assume that
  an eight year veteran of executive office couldn’t handle it at all.

  Your correlation of Bush to Linoln was a daring stretch, but I understand your point. I also agree that there is an unfair interchangibility in the terms
  “Military Commander” and “Murderer” based solely on
  ones approval or disapproval with the current administration. I think if Bush *were* truly a murderer, all of America would have insisted he be stopped.

  I also completely agree with you that “Gross generalizations or even non-sequitors” being publicized is not being very constructive. I will, however, add my opinion that the final responsibility for their delivery is on the media. “Just so you know, we are ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.” When I heard it I thought, “Okay, so you don’t like George Bush, but the President has to come from somewhere in the United States.” But unfortunately it turned out to be somewhat like Pavlov’s Bell for the media.

  To the best of my knowledge, Natalie has not been appointed United States Ambassador to any country. She has no official or unofficial responsibilities to represent the people of America or Texas (LOL okay
  that didn’t come out exactly right but you know what I mean), and despite what people might think is NOT considered by most liberals as their chosen celebrity spokesperson. She spoke for herself, actually for her band.

  I beleive that in 2003, Natalie had the perfect opportunity and motivation to say something to her London audience that kept true to her feelings and was insightful, but delivered something seemingly immature and unimportant. To wit; Jane Fonda, 1972, Vietnam. Now “that” was something political. However, I can’t find any more fault with Natalie for her lack of forthought regarding her words, than I fault Bush for some of his doozies. “You *know*” what I’m talking about.

  Politics aside, niether have thier mouths completely connected to their heads at all times. On the flipside, behind the microphone, Bush’s misuse of language often makes me laugh, and Natalies singing often makes me happy.

  And if you haven’t seen Jane Fonda in “Monster in Law”
  you’re really missing something, and if you’ll pardon the expression “She’s a riot”.

  So, thanks again Timbo for the analogies.

  .later.

• #37 by Katie at May 25th, 2006

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  I have to agree with whoever said that celebrities should stop stating their political opinion and just sing that is what they get paid for. Celebrities do not live in the “real world” they live in celebrity world where they can do what they want with no consequences. For those of us that live in the real world we face stresses that they can not relate too (paying bills, an overcrowded school system, rising health care costs, taxes, etc), therefore their opinions on who the “real world” should be run mean nothing.

  I could care less what Natalie says or thinks of the President. We live in the good old USA where she is allowed to express that opinion. I am expressing my opinion to not buy the Dixie Chicks CD or tickets to their show not because of her political opinion of the Presidnet but because she said she doesn’t want country fans to buy Dixie Chicks merchandise, so I am just respecting her opinion and not buying it.

  Here is my soapbox stance:
  Hindsight is always 20/20. If we knew then what we know now would we have gone to Iraq? Probably not. But using the data at hand, Congress and the President made the decision to go to war. Everyone likes to quote the “freedom of speech” and blame Bush for taking us to war, but if you have taken and history or government classes when they teach freedom of speech they also teach you that Congress can only vote to go to war and can prevent the President from going to war if they don’t feel it is merited. Instead of blaming Bush for the war you should be blaming your Senators and Representatives in the house.

  No I am not Pro-Bush. I actually voted against both Kerry and Bush in the last election because I did not feel either one of them was a good canidate and both would do more harm than good.

• #38 by Markus at May 25th, 2006

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  They should be re-named the Dixie Douche Bags. The just rude, stupid and really — please keep your clothes ON!!!!

• #39 by Wes at May 25th, 2006

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  I’m a BIG Bush supporter, voted for him in both elections, and for the most part support his policies. And having said that, on several occasions I’ve been embarrassed by his actions. Do I have the right to express my sentiments and publicly insult our president; YES! My American citizenship gives me that right. Do I have a right to go abroad and publicly insult our president on foreign soil; YES! American citizenship does not end when we step outside our borders. While abroad, we must abide by the rules and laws of that foreign country, but insulting our own country’s leadership does not normally break any foreign laws.

  Do I think Natalie put her foot in her mouth; SURE! But should such an off-the-cuff remark cause such a completely ridiculous controversy; ABSOLUTLY NOT! Not in this day and age, and certainly not in this country. Look, the president gets insulted and disrespected by hundreds of thousands of American citizens on a daily basis. Does that make any difference to the president; NO! He holds public office and it goes without saying that our (American) government will be criticized. I think they understand the concept. The fact that we are allowed to do so is why America is so special. Did Natalie’s statement affect the president or his approval rating; NO! If anything it probably went up after “the incident”. So why is it that an American citizen expressing an opinion, which is protected by her constitutional rights, is receiving death threats, and hate mail from a group of people who claim to be patriotic?

  Country music fans are the most jingoistic group of people on the planet, yet they seem ignorant of what our country is based; freedom of speech, which also means freedom to dissent. Natalie never put down our troops, in fact the Dixie Chicks as a group wholeheartedly supported our troops from day one of the war. But Natalie, like millions of other Americans, questioned the motives behind the instigation of war. To do so was her constitutional right. Many people have fought and died to protect the freedoms that this country provides, and to prevent what happens to dissidents in other countries; need I say more? The freedom that this country is founded on is to allow its citizens to be a part of government and to give them an opportunity to change policy. How does a person who has no aspirations for public office help to change government policy? They do so by dissent, by expressing an opposing view. It does not matter how vile that opposing view may appear to others. You don’t have to agree with that person, but you must respect their right to have that opinion as long as it is within established laws.

  We send troops to war to protect our freedoms, and in doing so, protect the rights of our citizen’s to disagree with our country’s politics. And yes, that includes their right to protest the wars that protect our freedom. That may sound outrageous to some, but it is the basis of our constitution; defending a person’s right to have their own opinions, no matter how opposite that opinion may be to your own. That is why our country is so great, and why it is so disturbing when such a large group of so-called patriotic people can lose sight of this. I can certainly understand a clueless few losing sight of our American credo, but when such a sizeable section of the country follows suit it seems to be more of a riot mentality where everyone seems to mirror the actions of a few ignorant individuals without making a thoughtful conclusion themselves whether it is the right thing to do.

  The most disturbing fallout from all of this is that other (non-political) performers will have to walk on pins and needles whenever they wish to express an opinion which may be different from someone in the audience. It will put a subliminal gag order on every other performer or public personality, as they will have to mentally filter any off-the-cuff remarks or else jeopardize their careers because of ignorant individuals who may be feel offended by a difference of opinion. And that is a major loss of our constitutional rights and freedoms, and everyone will lose.

  Most country fans will respond to the controversy by indicating that Natalie has a every right to insult the president, and they will quickly point out that country fans also have every a right to stop buying DC albums, and have them banned from the airway buy calling stations and asking them not to play their songs. I wholehearted agree with that but it’s not rights issue that is in question anymore. Buy burning Chick CD’s, and having them banned from country airways, the country music fans are indicating that they cannot respect or acknowledge Natalie’s right to say what she said without repercussions. It’s obvious that they are trying to punishing the Chicks for having an opposing view, and that’s simply unconstitutional and is overwhelmingly un-American. So tip your cowboy hat to all those patriotic country fan’s who seem hell-bent on reviving communism in this country.

• #40 by DOC at May 26th, 2006

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  To those reading this comment, please re-read the previous comment by Wes.

  Wes, Wild Applause from your contemporaries on “Blog Left”. If you are not yet a political columnist, you will be, or in my opinion should be.

  Wes said it perfectly. In Wes’ statement, there is no pandering or deception. There is no ulterior motive with intent to realign political loyalties. The only percievable intent is to provide truth.

  The most logical, reasonable, and true-ringing statements are often met with vehement contempt from those whose focus is dictated by the control of others, and the the highest regard from those who focus on synergistic debate and enlightenment. Proclamations of ultimate truth provide either a conclusion to conversation, or the genesis of deeper questions and further converstaions.

  Discluding the Supreme Court and Judicial Appointees, we collectively choose a group amongst ourselves, that represent us, to each other and to the world. Any true fault found in our
  leadership is our collective responsibility. Bemoaning that the government does “This”, and the government said “That”, implies that sufficient conversation and understanding has not occured at the fundemental level.

  We are not the subjects of a government. Our government is ours to rule.

  Good or Bad, Our govenment is merely mimicing us.

  “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
  ~Martin Luther King, Jr.~

• #41 by Reno at May 26th, 2006

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  The Chicks performed today on Good Morning America..Sponsored By..believe it or not Listerine! They accomplished what Toby Keith and most of America couldn’t do in the past….clean up Fatalie’s mouth.

• #42 by D P at May 26th, 2006

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  Dixie Chicks should have kept to their music, they really needed more practice anyway, and they suck. And their so far off on politics they are pathetic, right down at the bottom of the barrel with Cindy Sheehan and Jessie Jackson. I guess you would call them Political Retards.

• #43 by Big D at May 26th, 2006

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  Ya’ll left leaners are a weird bunch, kinda like just stickin your head in the sand, ass straight up in the air and you still want to be taken serious. Ya gotta realize this countrys biggest problems all lead to the far left. Maybe ya’ll lefties otta move to France.

• #44 by Timbo at May 26th, 2006

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  Far left, Far right……..both cause ugly problems. I agree with DP re Cindy Sheehan, what a self-centered woman. I know she paid the ultimate price but she is not honoring her son’s memory at all….

  Natalie is kidding herself if she says she supports the troops and what they are doing but doesn’t support the war…… DUHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH……if she’s against the fighting and killing then who does she think is DOING THE FIGHTING AND THE KILLING???? The troops are a volunteer organization who believe in the cause, if she is going to disrespect the President, who is the Commander in Chief of the troops then she is disrespecting the troops. It’s like saying that you love the Catholic Church but hate the Pope…….I don’t think it’s a fine line…..Nobody likes war but if one of the heads on the terrorist snake bites us, we are going to bite back……I personally don’t have a problem with us invading Iraq, with or without WMD…..and it was passed by Congress, signed, sealed and delivered….War isn’t perfect, people die, volunteers die, civilians die and God bless their souls……but we didn’t draw first blood…..I think Cindy and Natalie forget what 9/11 did to us and the world……just my opinion.

• #45 by mschic at May 26th, 2006

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  Y’all just keep on sitting on your thumbs and ignoring what Bush is doing to this country, our middle class, our right to speech, our constitution, our waterways, our forests, our jobs, our retirements, and some day you’ll all wake up and realize that America isn’t America any more. Things need to change in this country and the first step is to impeach Bush and put the people and the people’s wish’s back in charge. Y’all keep covering for him and when you wake up and find out what you lost, it’ll be too late. I’m proud of the DC for having the nerve to say what they thought and standing behind it. Course Toby sells more records by putting on a fake uniform and pretending to be a fighting man. Whatever Toby!! We know who you really are. But keep playing up to Bush. I myself just bought 6 copies of the DC’s new CD and play to give one to some of my friends. I could have copied them, but I preferred to support the Chicks!! YOU GO GIRLS!

• #46 by Timbo at May 26th, 2006

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  Well, well……..I didn’t know that President Bush was personally responsible for the middle class, the waterways, the forests, my job, my retirement……how in the hell can you even think that he is responsible for my retirement. The country doesn’t OWE YOU…..you work for it. Mschic I think you need to return to earth and get off your entitlement kick….if you think that our President is hell bent on ruining the forests, the waterways, free speech, ect then you have absolutely no sense of responsibility…..The people’s wishes are in charge, the people’s wishes will be in charge after the next election via electoral votes. If you think that the President has that much power, that he personally controls all the things you mentioned then head back to school and learn how the 3 levels of government work……I’m sure you are a nice person and have plenty of wonderful qualities but do you really think that is what he wants to do????

  Well, at least we know they sold 6 cd’s…….wow, you have enough money to buy 6 cd’s for your friends…..what a great country, our leader must be doing somthing right so you are able to afford 6 cd’s for frineds. Must have a nice job ….congrats! What a great country!

  Facts are……the middle class suffers because of choices. We don’t need cell phones, internet, cable, SUV’s…..we choose them. I am in the middle class with 2 kids in college so I know what the problems are……do I hold any Pres responsible for MY decisions…..no. We make choices to work in factories that can be shut down, we make choices to work for school systems that don’t pay well, we make choices to buy gas for our SUV’s, we make choices to boycott the Dixie Chicks……and we make choices because we live in a place that allows them. Why would I hold someone else responsible for MY choices……government should be of laws, rather than of men….that is part of the Jaycee’s creed……and it ends with “and service to humanity is the best work of life”….somtimes serving humanity means war, sounds strange, but freedom starts with conflict…it goes all the way back to the bible. Man, I hate it when I sound like Hannity and Combs…lol.

• #47 by Stev at May 26th, 2006

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  Timbo,
  You couldnt be more correct (return to earth and get off your entitlement kick)
  and ( you have no sense of responsibility)
  I am also middle aged with 5 children, I own my own business and I make a very-Very good living (of which I’m very proud of–NOT APPOLIGETIC. My wife and I worked very hard and risked everything we owned years ago to start this business and we deserve it.
  Part of having enough money to have SUV’s–cable internet–65″ tv sets and maids is that our CHILDREN have seen this as a standard way of life. Oh believe me we tried very hard to not spoil them.No cars a graduation, No paying full rides to college ect.
  But as we rised them we of course got them most of their WANTS. PS2, Game boys, the newest of whatever. I believe what we are seeing is the fruits of our labor. Perhaps we did to much. My children are productive members of society but as they were growing up i kept seeing that certain expectancy from them that, SOMEONE ELSE SHOULD DO IT, SOMEONE ELSE CAUSED IT, SOMEONE ELSE,SOMEONE ELSE, SOMEONE ELSE!!!
  Your observation that mschic dosent appear to want to accept any responsibility for her life, her actions or inactions is dead on. I believe this is a big part of the generation gap that we see today.
  We saw issues..we went out and fixed them
  We saw opportunity–we siezied it
  We saw mistakes—we owned up to it
  We believed in majority!! NOT MINORITY
  I must accept my faults and errors and wonder how my father thinks I did as a dad.
  Did our ambitions to give our children a better life than we had create a generation of adults that would rather bitch and complain about what others ARE DOING..Than get off their lazy BUTTS and be apart of the solution?
  Soap Box…..I dont know,I do know that I believe with all my heart that what our president has directed to be done in the war on terror is correct. I would have gone and helped myself if they would have let me and I believe that the majority of men my age felt the same. They killed my fellow AMERICANS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! IN OUR COUNTRY.
  Where will these kids take us tomorrow when they face a similar difficulty.

  mschic—Dont ask us if were going to sit on our thumbs ignoring what Busch does to our country. He can do FAR LESS DAMAGE THAN YOU AND OTHERS LIKE YOU.
  This country was built with a BACKBONE nad GUTS……..GET SOME!!

• #48 by Stev at May 26th, 2006

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  LOL That would be Bush

• #49 by Emily at May 26th, 2006

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  I’m from Lubbock Texas and I don’t think anyone has ever made me more proud to be from Texas. The fact that they’re more than willing to exercise their rights and say exactly how they feel makes them heroes. Bush has turned our nation into a factory of fear and ignorance, and it hurts my heart to know that these people go on living every day without realizing that the people who framed our Constitution are turning over in their graves at this very moment. We declared independence from a government that did the very things ours has been doing since Bush has been in office. I wish I was half as ball-sy as Maines, and I had the guts to stand up in front of all of the rednecks I live around and tell them exactly how I feel.

  In response to previous comments…..obviously Bush isn’t the only person in charge or calling the shots, but anyone with a soul or a conscience would have stepped down long ago if he didn’t want what was going on to happen. He’s filling his pockets while the rest of us lose our rights. Also, it’s a shame that now-a-days if you disagree with Bush there’s no way you’re patriotic or even Christian for that matter. I love God and my country and Bush uses those very things I hold dear as pawns in this game he’s playing. Anyways….enough of that…

  Peace and love

• #50 by mschic at May 27th, 2006

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  Oh, Steve,
  Busch isn’t running the country-BUSH is!! Perhaps you should return to school. Perhaps we all should have a Busch and THINK!!
  I have worked all my life, paid taxes, raised children, and taught them how to take responsibility for their futures AND their actions!
  Just go back and re-read my first blog and believe it!! It’s all happening! The legacy we’re leaving for future generations is a massive national debt, a dependency on foreign oil, poor schools, and a land that is raped and pilaged. No, Bush didn’t do it all by himself, he had lots of help from his crooked cronies! See how you feel in ‘07 when it’s all said and done. In the meantime-I’ll keep saying what I believe until someone stops me!!!

• #51 by Del at May 28th, 2006

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  Thank God for the Dixie Chicks. First of all, their music has always been and is still KICK ASS. True, they may not sell as many records, but at least they can sleep at night, knowing that they stood up for what is right. We have a monster in the White House, people! A liar, a murderer, an idiot. The Dixie Chicks were willing to give up millions for integrity. How many of you that are blasting them have given up anything?

• #52 by Suz at May 29th, 2006

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  The dixie chicks are three ignorant “old
  chicks,”……I don’t think enough of them to capitalize their names…..who do not have a clue about anything political. Much like myself. I would like to know how long they think they would last in Iraq? They would end up like young Berg….God rest his soul…..who went over there in a humanitarian capacity.
  I’m personally am ashamed they are even Americans. They started their nonsense again just to sell cds. It had quieted down, but they needed some money guys, so what was the best way to do it? Right! Another controversy! They don’t care about this country. I wouldn’t walk across the steet if their cds were were being given away. To disrespect the Office of the President is the lowest anyone can go. I don’t always agree with him, I’m an
  middle of the road person, but he is the President, at least for now, and the Office and who is in it deserves respect.
  They are three women who can only get attention when they make stupid comments about something. They just made one about appearing on The View. An apoligy was then made. I guarantee you, they won’t be asked to do The View. They don’t have a clue. Right up there with Jane Fonda and Cindy Sheehan in my book. JMHO though. :)Natalie Maines is a liar, she lied about what was said on the OReily Show. It was proven. He tried to be nice to her, she bashed him. And it was a LIE. PLEASE! Where is their credibility. After I heard and saw Natalie on his show, I just watch no television station they are on, period. If I hear their music, I change the station. Folks who don’t like them, should just not support them, they do have freedom of speech, thanks to our brave military men and women. But they should at least make some sense when they use it. I rest my case.
  Ps There are some really great blogs on here articulated very well. Enjoyed them.

• #53 by Timbo at May 30th, 2006

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  mschic…..it would be interesting to know your age…because what you are spewing…..”dependency on foreign oil, national debt, poor schools, land that is raped and pilaged”….I don’t know if you are talking about the 30’s….70’s….80’s or now…..tell me a 20 year span in our modern society that we didn’t have the same problems……Do you REALLY think that the current administration caused all these things. What you have is a NORMAL circle of an economic cycle…..what you WANT is Utopia and sister, this just won’t happen……what you are seeing is a Republican President that is spending more than a conservative would….more democratic…….what you had in Clinton was someone who was more conservative and didn’t spend…..like the repblicans usually do…..but the problems are the same and will always be the same because our economy demands it….that’s why you can buy cd’s for all your friends…..

  Del…..nice mouth, you are proving what we have been talking about….a “monster in the white house, a liar, a murderer and an idiot”…..well, sounds like you are calling our volunteer troops murderers, they are the ones pulling the trigger and dropping the bombs…..I for one choose to honor them for their bravery and in believing in a cause. It’s not a perfect scenario……Other than Roosevelt, what President goes to war and can keep their ratings….or suffer from public scrutiny……it’s your right to say and think what you want but apathy doesn’t carry much cred.

  Stev…….well said, I think we did give our kids too much, only because we wanted them to have a better life than we had and we have to blame ourselves at times…..but their comes a time when some of these 19-25 yr olds have to realize that they need to make a name for themselves instead of whining about how bad their life is……time to bring back the paddle….lol…

  Emily……….heroes……you are ignorant, I’m sorry to say that because you probably are a nice person but to call the Chicks heroes…..no, they don’t save lives, they don’t protect, they don’t serve, they don,t risk their life for others….what they do is call child services as a joke, pranking a band member and causing a mess for an agency that is overworked and underpaid, what they do is declare that they” are not ready to fly coach”…..heroes, not in this lifetime. That was just ignorant…..it’s your right to say it and you did….unfortunately.

• #54 by sarah at May 31st, 2006

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  Big D…it is people like you that give southerners a bad name. Are those even words? Speak English man! Timbo…do you have a life? Seriously.

  Whether or not you agree with him, you must admit that Pres. Bush is not very intelligent. Just listen to the guy. He can barely form a sentence. And you must also admit that he started this war by lying to us. That is a proven fact. He is an embarassment to this country. Thanks to him we are the laughing stock of the world.

  As for Reba…..who ever told that woman she can sing? It’s wretched! Like nails on a chalkboard. I can’t believe that her stupid sitcom is still on.

  I’m a huge Chicks fan and totally agree with them. We need more outspoken women like them standing up for what they believe in! You go girls!

• #55 by toni at May 31st, 2006

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  Who ever said that it is our job to bring democracy to the world. Yes, I believe all people deserve the right to live a free and humane exsistence but at what cost to our country? And what about Rwanda and Sudan? What are we doing for those poeple? Not to mention the starving and needy people in our own country. Bush is an idiot. The Chicks just had the balls to say it.

• #56 by Timbo at May 31st, 2006

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  Sarah……..I have a very fine life thank you very much. Let me ask you this…If someone makes a comment based on information that was given, based on reports taken, based on intellegence supplied from other countries why is that a lie…..LYING is having information that you know is fact and stating the complete opposite….ummmmm, let’s see….LIKE BILL CLINTON…that was lying. Truthfully, I think Clinton was a better President, and I don’t have a problem saying it…..As for WMD’s not being there, who cares, Saddam had to go….So what if he can barely speak a sentence, you don’t become a fighter pilot by being stupid. I know he sounds “woodsy” but that just makes him human, it doesn’t make him an idiot……Be a huge chicks fan, worship them, kiss their asses….you go girl. I highly doubt we are the laughing stock, what we are is the first country to respond to world disasters…..we forgive more foreign debt than anyone. I get tired of all the band wagon mental midgets who only love our country and our administration when things are perfect….well they aren’t and they won’t be….We are Americans and we stand behind out system……..Sarah, I’m just rambling on this blog, tossing out thoughts. Like I said before, I have a nice life.

  Toni…..I agree with you re being the savior when we have our own people struggling, we need to help ourselves too……then you popped off calling your President an idiot. I didn’t know you knew him personally. I didn’t know that you had a conversation with the man so you could form such an opinion. Would you say it to his face with his wife by his side??? Would you say it to the troops? I doubt it……I’m sure you said that Clinton ” was a cheater” and an admitted “liar”……does that make him an idiot??? Nope, just a bad spouse………We all have to admit that the work that Clinton and Bush Sr has been doing is refreshing…….well, back to my life!

• #57 by me at May 31st, 2006

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  You Americans have to take your blinders off,Bush is an I.D.I.O.T….war monger like his father was/is!!!The Dixie Chicks get my admiration for speaking up and doing what others are afraid of.He started a war and wants to keep it going because it boosts the economy..plain and simple!!
  WAY TO GO >>NATALIE!!

• #58 by Steve at May 31st, 2006

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  OMG…. It’s interesting to me how we see this so differently. I have no doubt that we are all DAMN GOOD PATRIOTIC AMERICANS,yet we see our position as a country in the world from such different angles.
  Here’s how I SEE IT
  When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor our forefathers new exactly what was EXPECTED of them.
  They went over and KICK THEIR ASSES but good. I am sorry for all of the innocent people that had to die, but hey–their country started it.We had pleanty of innocent people die here.
  So what makes 911 different?? Nothing in my opinion except the reaction of the citizens. We all have our opinions and beliefs regarding what is right or wrong on the matter but I will tell you this.
  I would have been greatly disappointed and sick to my stomache had we not done what we have done. Other countries in the world may not agree with what we did but you can be sure they are clear.. Support attacks on the United States of America and there is a price to pay. This is not a bad message to send people!!!
  Life is hard! and full of difficult decision’s. I support our president completely for these actions even if he is a REDNECK.
  Wish we had more of those GOD fearing,America loving REDNECKS in Washington

• #59 by Steve at May 31st, 2006

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  ME
  If your not from America your opinion is not only worthless!!!
  It’s not needed!

  I’m sure wherever you are from has the perfect leader and the perfect world, You should log off and go enjoy it.
  Oh by the way, why dont you invite the Chicks to live in your country…
  Or are you to EMBARRASSED

• #60 by me at May 31st, 2006

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  Gladly..as a matter of fact I will be going to see them when they come here on tour in the fall.I in no way think I have a perfect leader or live in a perfect country,that is so beyond how I think.Our leader is as bad as yours because he follows Bush’s lead like a puppet on a string.War is ugly and unnecessary!!!!

• #61 by Timbo at June 1st, 2006

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  Me….Bush started the war? I think you’ve been stuck in the loo too long. Have you not read/understood that the insurgents and Al Quieda (sp) are working as one…..You may not like war but it’s reality…..You want a utopian society where there is peace and harmony and everyone has the same and is the same and blah, blah, blah……war/confrontation is the one thing that keeps things balanced…as ugly and as nasty as it is. I am sure that England would have LOVED us if we hadn’t stepped in and saved your arses in WWII….you were getting bombed……..WE GOT BOMBED. So quit calling our President an idiot please, disagree with him and his policy all you want, that is fine….We don’t need a war to boost our economy thankyouverymuch. Our economy was tanking in the last 6 months of 2000, it was picking up in July 2001 and then 9/11 happened….it halted our economy….We don’t have to build tanks and bombs to survive…..we needed people to buy our products and when somthing like 9/11 happens, people become closed fisted….Our economy is the best in the world but it has it’s highs and lows. Man, I put myself to sleep on that one…..sorry.

  Steve…..Right on brother

  Caught the Chicks on “Larry King Dead” last night….man that guy should retire….never saw so many softballs tossed but that’s his style. I came away with the thought that they are nice performers, they speak their minds…..but they want to sell records so you have to take some of it with a grain of salt. I still don’t think that Natalie understands why there was such a backlash….The death threats were stupid but my guess is that she had them before this happened, most entertainers have…Do I think they have a clue as how politics work…..no. I’m not a Rumsfeld fan but he isn’t going to give out info so he will dance around questions. Politicians dance…..they teach that in poli 101…..Don’t understand why they call her “Fatalie”, she didn’t look fat to me….must have been an earlier career problem.

• #62 by Steve at June 1st, 2006

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  I’m interested to know what the liberal’s think we should do with Iran??
  Should we just live and let live ? Will they all be fine letting Iran have Nuclear technology? Heck we have it, shouldnt they ?
  What gives us the right to say Iran is not stable enough to enrich plutonium for peaceful purposes.
  I say everything, As the most powerful country on earth we not only have the obligation,but the duty to make sure countries like Iran never get an enrichment program going as long as their governments are hell bent on destroying western cultures. If we dont DEFEND democracy with all are WILL and MIGHT for ALL democracies in the world, then who will, WHO CAN??
  I dislike war as much as the next guy but I LOVE FREEDOM MORE.
  Iran,????? Were coming guys…
  Either you cease and desist on developing your enrichment program or bare the full fury of the free world.
  I assure you that no matter who wins the election America CAN NOT or WILL NOT allow Iran to develop weapons grade Plutonium. We will go to war over this–count on it…
  What will the chicks do then??
  I’m sure once again they will degrade America for ensuring that the free world STAYS THAT WAY!!
  Hey Chick’s–BEING FREE ISN’T FREE
  Are you willing to pay the price?
  I am
  The alternative just dosen’t appeal to me

• #63 by me at June 1st, 2006

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  Please don’t assume I am british…and I didn’t say Bush started the war,he got Sadam,forget about Binny boy cuz ya ain’t gonna find him,annnnnd the WMD’s were a no SHOW…I saw the chciks last night and apparently so did many others,they had no one phone in to tear strips off of them.Their cd is number one on Billboard charts andd they broke records the first week is was out,so my gals from Texas are doin’ just fine.There are many other celebrities who are following their lead in protesting the war and Bushes policies about it.Forget Reba and Toby they’re not important.

• #64 by sarah at June 2nd, 2006

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  Timbo,
  “woodsy”???? More like dumb. If he is so intelligent why can’t he form a grammatically correct sentence? A slip up once or twice, that’s human, but the man can’t talk without a teleprompter streaming someone else’s words across it. And even that is difficult for him. And for the record, I am not an ass kisser. Just an admirer of good musicians and people who speak their minds. I can assure you that if a performer that I don’t particularly like said that same thing, I would agree just the same.

  Yes we are always the first to help other countries in their times of need but what about our people? Where are these countries when we need help? Katrina vicitms are still homeless. Our children can barely read b/c our school system is so underfunded. Yet Bush and his cronies continue to put Iraq’s people beofore their own. Pathetic. But I’m sure the Bush’s sleep just fine on their expensive luxury sheets.

  Contrary to what you might think, I love this country and all that it stands for. What I don’t like is being lied to. What I don’t like is war. I fully support our troops and appreciate the job they do but I just don’t think that we went into this thing honestly. I think that we need to fight the terrorists. Hell, I live in a target city! I just want a leader who is honest and truly puts his people before his business. I don’t think that that is too much to ask. Do you?

• #65 by Timbo at June 2nd, 2006

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  Sarah….No, it’s not too much to ask but it is unrealistic….Tell me someone who didn’t lie during office….Clinton was the master, Hillary is a good second and Nixon was lousy at ….Kennedy, Johnson, Ford…..maybe Carter but we don’t want a repeat of that do we…You are never going to be able to please all your people, and that means saying one thing then the situation calls for you to do another….it’s a lie but maybe they weren’t intentional….I can say that I’m voting for Kerry but change my mind and vote for Bush….does that make me a liar? We can go to war with information and when we get there that info hasn’t been proven…..yet. Does that make them liars? You may have an opinion that they lied to you but you and I don’t know all the facts….As far as I am concerned, Iraq is a terrorist country, one of the heads of the snake…..WMD or not…..take them out….So Sarah, if you want to fight terrorists then fight them. Does it really matter if WMD were there??? If Pres Bush had said that there are no WMD’s but we feel the capability is there and that they harbor terrorists so we are going after them would you feel any different, would it change the numbers?? War is war….we are either in it or out….You have said we need to fight the terrorists…..we are. Pres Bush stated that if you harbor them, we will come after you. He didn’t lie……His people is his business, he has ruined his place in history by protecting your target city, the war is fought on their soil now, after they came to ours. Do you think it’s a coincidence that there hasn’t been an attack since??? Or are you forgetting that…..he is doing exactly what he said he would do after 9/11 ( 9 months into his presidency )….I’m sorry that you don’t like it, but he’s keeping his word to the people….maybe to a fault, but time will answer that. In 3 years we have lost nearly 2500 brave volunteers, many due to friendly fire, many due to accidents and some outright murdered. But each and every one of them asked to work for their President and their countrymen…..Does it matter to them that there hasn’t been any WMD’s…no, they know why they are there. They continue to honor their President……is it too much for us to support them and their leader during a time of war?

  Do you really want to call your President “dumb”….why attack him personally….So he speaks that way….he makes up his own words at times, big deal…ask a speech therapist and they will tell you he has an impedement, that’s obvious. Let’s make fun of the guy….I’m sure you enjoy making fun of him….God forbid what you would say about Roosevelt, or Bob Dole!!! Poke fun of his accent, his sentences….whatever, but to call him “dumb”.

  Me…….BFD. Michael Jackson topped the charts too…..checkmate!
  It was Larry King….do you really think that out of 4 calls they were going to choose someone that would say somthing against his “guests”….especially 3 pretty women….

• #66 by Steve at June 2nd, 2006

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  I replied that if we had not been violating Cuban air space then we would still be believing what he and Khrushchev had said–that there were no long-range missiles in Cuba.

  Steve’s Comments:
  Hmm JFK LIED ??
  For the safety and protection of America ? Thank God he did Eh !!
  end comment…

  I repeated to him that this matter could not wait and that he had better contact Mr. Khrushchev and have a commitment from him by the next day to withdraw the missile bases under United Nations supervision for otherwise, I said, there would be drastic consequences.

  President Kennedy writes to Nikita Khrushchev, Premier of the Soviet Union, prior to addressing the American public on live television: … I have not assumed that you or any other sane man would In this nuclear age, deliberately plunge the world into war which it is crystal clear no country could win and which could only result in catastrophic consequences to the whole world. Including the aggressor.

  Steve’s Comments:
  Clearly President Kennedy is aware that this could be horrific. Yet his duty and obligation to defend the freedom and security of the United States of America and her people FAR OUTWEIGH this concern. If we give an inch–THEN WHAT ?
  end comment…

  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24: Chairman Khrushchev replies indignantly to President Kennedy’s October 23 letter stating in part:

  “You, Mr. President, are not declaring a quarantine, but rather are setting forth an ultimatum and threatening that if we do not give in to your demands you will use force. Consider what you are saying! And you want to persuade me to agree to this! What would it mean to agree to these demands? It would mean guiding oneself in one’s relations with other countries not by reason, but by submitting to arbitrariness. You are no longer appealing to reason, but wish to intimidate us.”

  Steve’s Comments:
  He was not trying to intimidate anyone.. He was defending the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and he meant every word.
  end comment…

  Thank god JFK had ball’s,a spine

  President George W Bush
  I am very proud of you sir
  and I like the fact that you talk like me!

  I’v decided to sterotype all that are following the Dixie Chick’s as
  Chickette’s

• #67 by me at June 3rd, 2006

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  Timbo..what’s your point with the Michael Jackson reference??..The Chicks didn’t molest boys?I have seen controversial guests on his show before where the callers mixed it up a bit both pro and con.If they wanted to stand their ground against the accusations they certainly would have welcomed a negative point of view from at least one caller don’t you think??

• #68 by Vet at June 3rd, 2006

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  As an Iraqi Freedom Veteran, I would like to thank the Dixie Chicks. Natalie spoke up for what she believed in, as she is entitled to! Hundreds of thousands of Americans fight, some pay with their lives so YOU and I can have that right. I would not deny anyone the chance to be heard. The cost has been paid.
  As I was reading trough this blog I came across some interesting notes 38) Wes 39) Doc. Thank you.

• #69 by Timbo at June 5th, 2006

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  Vet……thank you for your service. My question to you is, didn’t you find it disrespectful that she stated your President does not deserve any respect? I’m all for her disagreeing with policy, she can disagree with him all she wants but that comes across personally hateful……If someone walked up to you, got in your grill and said ” You don’t deserve ANY respect for what you did in Iraq” I would not like to hear it and would come to your defense……I believe that is what this issue is about. Free speech has to be respected….that’s why we can’t yell “fire” in a theatre…..it isn’t the right thing to do even though we have that right.

  Me….my point was that even though they’ve sold records and blah, blah, blah……it doesn’t make them a good citizen. I wonder how many people would stick up for them if they weren’t a fan. I’m sure Natalie could have helped the cause by doing/saying somthing more constructive and positive. I guess it’s just against my nature to rip on our leader.

• #70 by Katie at June 5th, 2006

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  Everyone keeps saying that we did not find WMD’s in Iraq, but in a sense we did. No we didn’t find nuclear bombs or chemical weapons, but they did launch missiles to try and shoot our planes and copters out of the air, they did launch gernades, they did use automatic weapons and other things to fire at us and they did stock pile these weapons in hospitals and other areas so they would not be found on radar. These weapons may not cause catastrophic damage but they do cause “mass” destruction. Every single weapon that was fired at our troops was not suppose to be there according to the terms that were reached after the first Iraq war. If Clinton had been more concerned with running the country and less with chasing some tail he could have prevented Saddam from stock piling these weapons. Instead he let Saddam run wild, because of his lack of service he did not want to send troops there, and he kept loosing the sanctions against Saddam allowing him to stock pile weapons.

  As far as Bush lying so we could go to war, he did not lie. He used the information that he had to make a choice and present it to Congress for them to approve the Doctrine of War. We can all look back now and say that he gave us false information, but he gave us the information he had. Saying that he lied about the war is like me trying to go back a nd relive my childhood with the information I have now as an adult. It just doesn’t work.

  Also, there was a mention of Rwanda and Sudan and why we aren’t sending troops there. Go back and check the news stories we did send troops there. We also still have troops in South Korea, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc. Why are you not questioning those Presidents for sending troops to those countries or did you forget they were there. I think it is riduclous that other countries expect the US to come bail them out when they are in trouble. Examples: With the tsunami that hit. WHen the US was only sending 3 million they complained that we weren’t sending enough even though at the time our 3 million was more than any other country was sending. So we instead sent 30 million. Then a few months later when Katrina and Rita hit and we were looking for aid no country stepped up and offered us millions of dollars. Or to send back some of our 30 million that went to help the tsunami victims.

  If you look back on history no President always makes the right decisions-they are only human after all. If you think you can do better than throw your hat in the ring and run for office, then we can see if you can make all the right decisions.

• #71 by Katie at June 5th, 2006

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  Everyone keeps ripping on Toby Keith but just an FYI he is a registered Democrat (life long card carrying member according to his website), he supports the war in Afganistan, but not the one in Iraq, and he supports our troops for what they have volunteered to do (whether they are in Iraq or Afganistan or whereever).

• #72 by Timbo at June 6th, 2006

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  Everybody isn’t ripping Toby, I think some of the Dixie Kissers are just mad at him…..Katie, you had some good points!

  The funny thing about the left, they really hate the right….they will protest at conventions or wherever the right has a gathering. The right doesn’t usually protest at the leftist gatherings….what the right does is usually look at themselves and spout how good they are……kinda funny…..one is always blaming someone else while the other party toots their own horn….that’s what makes the world go around.

• #73 by Tova at June 9th, 2006

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  This is America and the last time I checked the First Amendment applied to all of us. Do we have to agree with whatever is said …I think not. If you don’t like the Chicks, simple, don’t buy their music. But wishing them ill will is uncalled for. Natalie spoke her mind so many months ago and look at Bush’s poll numbers today. Their new cd is great. I have seen them in concert and plan to see them again this year. Furthermore, this should be a none issue. Look around the world and sww there are far more important issues facing all of us.

• #74 by Claudia at June 10th, 2006

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  This is America and the last time I checked the First Ammendment applied to me too, so I have the right to express my thoughts about them. Seems to me they were wishing a little ill will to Bush and you think that is ok. It is a two way street. If they can say things about who ever they want, I can say what I want about them. Good, bad, or indifferent. Personally, I am tired of them. I have the right to say that, it is the same right they have to say what they want against President Bush.

• #75 by Del at June 12th, 2006

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  Timbo:

  You have WAY too much time on your hands. Why don’t you do something FOR someone, your country, anybody — on a personal one on one basis — rather than blast everybody who you disagree with, spending hours on the internet. Oh, I know, why don’t you volunteer to go “pull the trigger” over there since you so strongly believe in this war.

• #76 by Wes at June 12th, 2006

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  I’m so insanely proud to be an American and live in an incredible country that gives its citizens the freedoms and privileges that we enjoy. So many other countries try to keep their citizens under control by limiting their freedoms, and closely monitoring their activities to prevent anyone from speaking out against the government. Our country also monitors its citizens; not to keep anyone from expressing an opinion, but to make our country safer for its people, and to maintain the wonderful concept that this country is based upon which is documented in our Constitution:

  AMENDMENT I: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

  All Americans should pay close attention to the last section of this amendment; “and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

  Which basically means to the average citizen; If you have a problem with the government, you are allowed to publicly express your grievances (criticisms) in an attempt to redress (remedy) the situation. Doesn’t mean you can expect to anything to change, but you are legally allowed to try (as long as you do it peaceably) without the fear of government reprisal. They cannot punish you in any way for publicly expressing a difference of opinion, as long as you don’t break any laws in the process.

  Now here is a new word for all you boys and girls:

  VIGILANTISM – taking the enforcement of law or moral code into your own hands, i.e. going beyond the boundaries of established law to carry out punishment upon an individual or group of individuals.

  Vigilantism is illegal in this country, but had been used for many years in the old west where law enforcement was not well established in a particular region of the country. At that time it was not necessarily frowned upon, as it aided genuine law enforcement. The only difference between today’s vigilantism and that of the 1800’s was back then when a group of private citizens banded together to punish someone for breaking the law, there was normally an established law that had been broken!

  Surprisingly enough, most of the documented cases of vigilantism took place in the southern states. Just a coincidence?

  Something to think about.

• #77 by Timbo at June 13th, 2006

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  Del

  Didn’t know I was “blasting”…….and I have logged community service hours over the past 30 years of adulthood….so my “one on one” is there…..you don’t know me and what I have done for people over the years……and if you actually read my post you would see that I thought that Natalie would do more service to the community through actions instead of “blasting” her President…..I was not arguing her opposition to the war, I was saying that she should respect the President and the office of the President even though she disagrees/dislikes him…..READ THINGS MORE CAREFULLY…..and I would pull a trigger for my country if called upon, but my age won’t allow me. ….my guess is you would rather pull a finger….or am I blasting you?……And I guess typing for 2 minutes every day or so is WAY too much time on my hands…..

  Wes…..interesting comment

• #78 by Rod at June 16th, 2006

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  Your right to free speech doesn’t guarantee your right to be heard. So many apologizers seem to miss the point..the anger wasn’t necessarily directed at what she said…but where she said it. In olden days..speaking out against your government or leaders on foriegn soil was considered treason.

• #79 by Wes at June 18th, 2006

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  Yes Rod,

  It would have been improper to have made her statement in an adversarial nation, even treasonous, but Great Britain is by far our closest ally in the confrontation. It was effectively no different than speaking these statements on American soil. If you think otherwise, then you probably don’t share many things with your closest friends.

  –

  “Friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies.”; Aristotle

• #80 by Lisa at June 19th, 2006

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  There is no way I am going to listen to the chicks new song whenever they say it is going to be played on the radio i switch stations.
  I think its funny she made the comment out of country,if she had made that comment in the USA they would have been booed off the stage.
  When you singa song called “Travelin soldier” and then make a comment like that how FU#$%g hypocritical are you.

• #81 by Wes at June 20th, 2006

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  Lisa,

  So don’t listen to any Chick song’s, that is certainly your right. Who indicated that you would be forced to do so?

  I seriously doubt your second statement because it was an audience of DC fans. The reaction would have been the same in the US; even in the state of Texas. There might have been a few gasps, and a few laughs, but any retaliation of the Chicks would not have occurred until after it was broadcast by the media. It would have taken a few days for the ultra-conservative to propose an adequate response and persuade other right wingers to group together and express their condemnation. As you remember, it took almost a week before any serious reprisals occurred after her 2003 statement was reported in the states.

  I don’t fully understand your last comment. Where was the hypocrisy in her statement? The Dixie Chicks have publicly supported the troops from the very first day of the war. It was Natalie’s American right to criticize the president, but she never criticized our troops in any manner, on any occasion. Expressing shame that our president was starting a war which would send many young men and women to die is by all accounts showing great respect for the lives of our troops!

• #82 by Timbo at June 22nd, 2006

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  Wes….he didn’t start the war. He wasn’t sending young men and women to their deaths…..they all VOLUNTEERED. Where were you when many of our young men and women died in Somolia???? Oh, right, that was during YOUR Presidents presidency…..why is everything either right wing ultra…..or left wing extremists…you want life to be perfect and it isn’t. Each life is precious, no question but people die for causes that they believe in…Shame?…Shame for protecting our borders, shame for protecting democracy?….what is shameful is whining and crying about our rights but condeming the manner in which rights like ours are obtained….rights and freedoms are and always have been earned through conflict. If they can be earned via peaceful means then so be it….but it didn’t nor would it have happened in Iraq.

  By no means do I think this administration has done or is doing things perfectly….Lincoln didn’t, Washington didn’t, Kennedy didn’t, Johnson didn’t, Nixon didn’t, Carter, Ford…Clinton…or Bush Sr……and they would all admit it….but they all were OUR leaders….good or bad, right or wrong…..they have term limits for a reason…..so should Congress, you want change then change that rule.

  Natalie can spout all she wants but the bottom line is she is an entertainer, she does things for a profit…..she takes money from you….so if she wants to provide lip service then go ahead but she deserves most of the backlash she gets ( other than the death threats ). But I hope she remembers that she has that right to express herself without reprise from the Gov’t BECAUSE a war was fought…..and fought for her. Lives were lost so she can condemn her President, all because another leader put them in a war for freedom……..and she is ashamed of him? I wonder if she would have condemned Roosevelt?

• #83 by Thom at June 22nd, 2006

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  Being a Springsteen fan and the fact that Bruce stuck up for the Chicks two years ago, I decided to buy tickets for the Tampa show. I believe heavily in our Rights as Americans to say what we want, when we want (Freedom Of Speech, it’s in the Constitution ya know?). My feelings is that all Bruce fans should band together and go to the these shows in support of that very right. Great album girls. Oh yea, I’m ashamed to be from a state where Jeb Bush is Governor.

• #84 by Malcolm at June 23rd, 2006

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  I agree with all the comments about DC’s right to free speech, but Maines needs to learn to shut the F”£K up sometimes!!! In addition, it’s a bit stupid to suggest that one should be ashamed to be from the same state as Bush! (or am i missing something here in Britain? Is Bush the only Texan in the US?) Attacking Bush is one thing, attacking the State of Texas is something completely different. Again, Maine needs to shut up or at the VERY least, think before she opens her mouth!! And now DC have released Not Ready to Make Nice…Jesus H, get over yourselves already DC!!!! I really hope people stop buying their records, I honestly hope their jump to rock/pop fails drastically (although with Rubin producing them now, they are almost guaranteed success) and someone on the blog said the Porn industry is hiring. PLEASE GOD!!! NOT NAKED (they really are a bunch of beasts.)
  Bottom line? Patriotism IS important, Bush may be a dick but the DCs are JUST as bad if they can’t distinguish between slagging off a person and slagging off an ENTIRE state!! DC are not pretty!!! They are not talented!! They really ought to have fired Maine immediately for being a stupid cow!!! They have the right to free speech!! The also have the right to plead the 5th and remain silent. Each one has its own merits and its own consequenced. They have to take the good with the bad (like we do with Country Music (good) and the Dipshit Chix (bad.)

• #85 by Timbo at June 23rd, 2006

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  Amen…….I haven’t commented on their “duhhhh, not understanding patriotism at all…..why love a whole country….duhhhhhhhhh”…..I am tossing in the towel, Natalie went past the line….is she so f****** dumb to say that patriotism isn’t important then I would ask her to denounce her citizenship and leave the country so she can “NOT BE A PATRIOT” someplace else…..like North Korea! I can’t imagine any of her fans saying somthing pathetic like” oh well, she’s just expressing her opinion”…no, she is making a choice….she doesn’t want to be patriotic, she doesn’t love her country ( troops included because they are the truest of all patriots ) she just wants to bad mouth the USA….how can she sing a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and not believe in the price it took to have an anthem. LISTEN TO THE WORDS Natalie…..you just stomped on everything this country stood for….freedom of speech is not only a right but a privilege…..I think she believes she is above us…that she is more important….well bubye Natalie, I hope you enjoy North Korea.

• #86 by Malcolm at June 23rd, 2006

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  For all those who laid down their life for ‘liberty and justice for all’ - thank god they will never need to see their family members turning what they loved so much into a tidy little law suit to fund their meaningless lives at the expense of those who fought so hard to preserve it…

  For all those who spilled their blood and guts to give us democracy and freedom of speech….

  For all those husbands, wives, children, parents, brothers and sisters who stand up proud, and rightfully so, to tell the world ‘Once she was mine…Now he is gone…and I am proud to have known him and the sacrifice she made to keep me free…’

  For all those who declared in the name of freedom ‘We will not be beaten by you. We will grow stronger and for every false martyr you think you send, we will send a thousand more..innocents…but martyrs who would have it no other way.’

  For all those who ever dared to dream of freedom.

  For all those who ever dared to dream of peace.

  For all those who dared to say ‘Sit beside me my friend, the colour of your skin matters not.’

  For all those who ever dared to walk into the lion’s den shouting ‘I am unafraid!’

  And for all those who once believed ‘This is my country and I love her. Right or wrong, I will stand beside her and breathe my last breath to keep her safe, secure, loved and honoured.’

  On behalf of the Dixie Chicks, who really need to get themselves both lives and an education above 2nd grade, I apologise.

  You are loved America.

  I should know…I’m not American.

• #87 by Thom at June 29th, 2006

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  I can’t believe how ignorant some people can be. How do you know Malcom that they haven’t finished a grade higher then 2nd. Futhermore, how can you say they don’t have a life. People like you make me sick to my stomach. You say you are not American, so how can you know what we believe in. The fact I take our freedoms seriously, I think not. Anyone should have the right to say what they want and not be crucified for it. I will grant, however, that she should have said those words on American soil and not overseas, I believe that was the ONLY mistake she made. By saying they should get an education higher then 2nd grade and a life only shows your ignorance, but you do have a right to say it, and I don’t HATE you for it.

• #88 by Tova at July 1st, 2006

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  Enough with the Chick bashing already. For those of you who enjoy free speech it is hypocritical and unamerican to criticize those who have different views. Besides there is a new topic to talk about….Starr Jones and Barbara Walters…haha…Hey Malcom, Natalie was not speaking out Against the troops. Her words were directed at Bush, who by the way, is currently receiving much stronger critisim. Maybe you should consider going back to school yourself to learn what the current politcal climate is in the USA.

• #89 by DanaC at August 11th, 2006

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  Texas don’t need no Dixie Chickenshits . . .

• #90 by kem at September 3rd, 2006

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  Some of you are downright fascist pigs. Don’t you know what music is about? All songs send a message. Just because theirs doesn’t conform with the fascist media and the fascist government doesn’t mean it should be casted out. Why don’t you listen for once and quit being so damn ignorant. Think about why they’re sending a message. It’s for YOU to understand that something is SERIOUSLY wrong with this government/president.
  The Dixie Chicks have been doing a great job and will continue doing so, I’m sure. On top of that they should never “shut up and sing”! Why should they and who are you to say they should? They have every right to voice their opinion and spread the truth and YOU, my friend, have no right to think you can take away their right to speak their mind.
  Viva la dixie chicks! Power to the PEOPLE!

  The people should not be afraid of their government, the government should be afraid of their people.

• #91 by Anne at September 13th, 2006

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  I agree that people should have the right to say what they please. However, I have not heard an educated comment come out of Natalie Maines mouth. Saying that the President is a “dumbf@*$” and that they are ashamed he is from Texas sounds like a bunch of drunk teenage girls at a slumber party. The only impression that she is giving me is that she did not make it past the 9th grade. I think it is unfortunate she is a role model to some.

• #92 by John at September 19th, 2006

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  Just read the article about the Dixie Chicks new documentary and once again I have come to the conclusion that they are extremely beautiful and extremely ignorant in the same respect. I don’t understand how in the world they could first of all go onto foreign soil, into a country that is aligned with us on the war on terror, and claim that they are sorry Bush is from Texas. People with that kind of attitude make me sick and sorry that they are “American”. Bush has, and always will be, for the American people and what he can do to protect us. To protect the very freedon with which they use to blast him on multiple occasions. Dixie Chicks, take your opinions and your leftist alignment with the drive-by media and shove it down your pipes and begin to sing a new song and play a new tune. Just because you have the priviledge of being mainstream doesn’t mean you should use that position to bash our President and inflict your ignorant rants on other people.

• #93 by Danny at September 20th, 2006

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  Has everyone heard the latest Fatalie comment about Lubbock? Basically that Lubbock has 1 radio station and 1 newspaper and that unless they are a saavy internet user then they will do anything P-Bush says. Does she really think that everyone is that dumb in Texas? I really have a hard time believing that they think this is going to help them sell records.

• #94 by Earl Pitts American at September 28th, 2006

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  The Chicks are free to leave this country if they don’t like it here. Heck anybody can leave if they don’t like it here.

  You pinko commy left wingers need to shut up and get off your liberal laurels and get real jobs. Instead of trying to influence un-educated backwoods mountain folks who don’t have enough sense to not marry their cousin much less how to make an intelligent choice at the voting booth.

  You can take The Chicks, Baba Streisand, and Tim Robbins live-in woman, put them in a sack and shake them and you still get made-up carnival actors who think they are smart enough to make political comments in the media. They all need to SHUT UP and SING, and leave running the country to the Intelligent Majority.

  EARL PITTS, AMERICAN

• #95 by Maggie at October 16th, 2006

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  TRASHY TRASHY TRASHY

  How sad for Ms. Maine’s mother and father to know their daughter said the “F” word to anyone, for any reason. How humiliating for them to realize their daughter not only thinks it is admirable to use the word “F”, but to say it smugly, in public. How proud her children must be, when kissed by that filthy mouth. Such language is offensive, regardless of the position of the target. No one should be treated with such disdain, even if the speaker feels they deserve unbridled scorn.

  No matter the level of frustration or anger experienced, a person with class and self-control does not stoop to using coarse, crude language. Although cliched, it is often true; the use of foul language implies the speaker has a seriously limited vocabulary and inadequate social graces. There is never an acceptable excuse for rudeness, no matter what the person’s perceived offense.

  Ms. Maine is a haughty, pretentious, pompous, impertinent, egotistical, arrogant, smutty, overbearing, obnoxious, bombastic; audacious, insolent, and impudent woman. It is possible to voice an opinion of contempt without resorting to vulgarity.

  TRASHY TRASHY TRASHY

• #96 by Heather at October 25th, 2006

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  maggie–where are you from??
  granted foul language is rude but you cannot tell me that your children or relatives have never said a foul word… it also seems that you LOVE to use big words to make yourself seem smarter at the demise of others. i feel that you judging them is also pompous, egotistical, overbearing and obnoxious (to use a few of your words)
  many “good christians” are the ones bad mouthing and judging the dixie chicks, i dont believe that is how jesus wanted us to live our lives.

  the dixie chicks absolutely have the right to say what they want to about the president. i think that all of you complaining about them should rethink what the basis of democracy is and our founding fathers stood for. there are many americans that bad mouthed clinton when he cheated on his wife, whats the difference?? if you all want to reep the benefits of democracy and the bill of rights then you have to respect others for voicing their opinions. you do not have to agree but people cannot “stone” them for saying it!!

  i also totally agree with them, bush has not done a great job in office and i truly dare anyone to prove that wrong!! we dont have osama, there were no weapons of mass destruction, we left our own stranded on roof tops during katrina, and they still do not have homes.

  thanks for reading
  heather

• #97 by Heather at October 25th, 2006

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  EARL PITTS—just read your post and by you trying to push your views on others you are the “commy”….the basis of this country is differences and opinions!!

• #98 by Bobbie lee at October 28th, 2006

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  The Dixie Chicks seem to be keeping this thing going. They are mean -spirited, and I hope the movie they are releasing lay’s a huge Goose-egg at the box office. Adrian Pasdar should stick a sock in his wifes mouth. I was really enjoying the new series, Heroes, until I found out he is HER husband. I wonder if she likes to break his balls too!. Never-the less, I won’t be watching Heroes again!!!!!

• #99 by Wes at October 31st, 2006

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  I don’t believe that the majority of people who support the Chicks are indicating that the country has no right to retaliate as they have. Most people understand that we have a perfect right to stop supporting the Chicks if that is our desire. What most of us cannot comprehend is the reason behind the boycotts. The demographic that has shown such disdain for the Chicks is notoriously the most patriotic part of the country; i.e. they traditionally wrap themselves in the American flag and fully support the philosophy of personal rights laid down by our fore-fathers to protect us from monarchal and autocratic governments.

  What does it say about our Constitutional Bill of Rights when such a formidable group of self proclaimed patriotic people can easily disregard a key point of that doctrine which is the civil right to express contempt for our government without the fear of reprisal? We are basically indicating that our government has no right to punish the Chicks because they did not commit any crime in the eyes of our constitution, yet we as citizens have the ability to circumvent the Bill of Rights and punish them anyway by publicly harassing them and boycotting their music.

  That same section of the country was shocked and appalled by the ‘89 Tiananmen Square Massacre in China, blaming the episode on the dictatorship rule of communist China. We felt comfortable that it could never happen in this country because we fully allow peaceful civil dissention and public displays of government disapproval. I am NOT comparing the outrageousness of that incident with that of the Dixie Chicks, but I am comparing the philosophies put in place by our bill of rights to prevent such an event from happening to our citizens.

  After all the killing that occurred in Tiananmen Square, it was widely reported that the young student that peacefully stood in front of the tanks was executed shortly after the incident, so of course the Dixie Chicks episode is not even remotely on the same level, but that is all the more reason why we must be very cognizant of the freedoms and protections that are given by our Bill of Rights and never take them for granted so that future generations will not be able to easily thwart someone’s civil rights when an episode takes place on a much larger scale.

• #100 by Paul Freed at February 12th, 2007

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  Rock On Chicks! - You were right - Georgy Boy was (is) wrong!

• #101 by brblack at February 12th, 2007

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  Freedom of Speach, I am free to speak my mind with the destruction of my own possessions, their CD’s that I bought. Freedom of Speach, on their own dollar and time, not on my time and expense of a concert ticket.

  There are the differences that Sheapeople can’t understand.

• #102 by Mark Jensen at February 13th, 2007

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  I just don’t get it. “Country Music” fans are supposedly more Christian—did Christ not teach his entire life of acceptance of others, and of forgiveness.

  I have spend at least $5000 in the last 3 years buying the DC’s CD’s and giving them as presents to all of my right wing friends, none of which have given them back.

  It is one thing to be wrong as W was, lying through his teeth to the American people, but what is wrong with admiting that maybe some like the DC’s were at least a bit right!

  Long live the Dixie Chicks!!!They rule!!!

• #103 by Jonas at February 13th, 2007

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  All I can say is that their album is great! For all those who are still against them and writing all these stupid hateful things about them, you are the people that should just get over it.

  The lyrics and music are fantastic, and as it turns out they were right. They said what they believed, and are still saying and singing what they believe. Music is supposed to be passionate and from the heart, which is what their new album is all about.

  I think its great that they have turned it into…5 Grammy’s! More power to them!

  And for George Bush, they may be ashamed he’s from the same state as them, I’m ashamed he’s from the same country as I am. He is an idiot, period.

• #104 by JK at February 14th, 2007

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  I have thought long and hard about this situation with the Ditzy Chicks. Freedom of speech is the basis of our 1st amendment right and our constitution. People in American have the right or choice to say what they want, when they want and wherever they want.

  You have a choice to drive a BMW or a Ford. You have choices in this country too do almost anything you want within the limitations of the law. You don’t have to buy Ditzy Chicks records if you don’t choose or you can if you want to waste your money. That is your God given right as an American. FREEDOM! I personally do not listen to the Ditzy Chicks. I never have and I never will!

  What Natalie Mange said about the president is her right as an American to say what she wants. I think the public not buying the Ditzy Chicks records or going to their concerts is their right also. That shows us that Freedom of Speech is alive and well in this country.

  Five Grammy awards? I think the record industry (the only people that voted for them) trying to vindicate them is a bit overboard. They possibly could have won a Grammy maybe even two, but five? It’s nice to know that Hollywood has such a huge political agenda in this country. Record sales are in the toilet since the invention of the Ipod and what a way to jump start record sales. The record industry is so funny that it would try to make a political statement with three hags, one that probably could not even spell the word president with out collaborating with the other two in the group, if at all.

  Natalie Mange, stick to singing. If Natalie Mange wants to get involved in government, drop out of the music industry and run for office. I doubt that she would do it because she would have to take a major pay cut and she would have to polish up on her vocabulary.

  If she really wants to make a difference, that would be the best way for her to show her freedom of speech. If people think she can do a great job, then elect her and let her run the country. You think it is in bad shape now, just elect Natalie Mange to run this country. I guarantee you 95% of the people would not give her the time of day in a political arena. So, stick to the music arena and add your few cents in every time you have a brain fart and hope that it doesn’t stick around to haunt your career in the future. And then whine that you are not being treated fairly for what you said. Remember she said it! That is her 1st Amendment right and she has to live with it, if she doesn’t want to make nice then don’t cry when your concerts are not sold out or people are not buying your records.

  For all those people that support the Ditzy Chicks and think the rest of us should get over it. Then you should practice what you preach. Those of you whom hate President Bush so much. You should get over it as well. I don’t hate the Ditzy Chicks. Hate is such a strong word. I don’t even know them, but I don’t have to listen to their music or buy their records. Remember, that is my choice and my right as an American.

  The people I hate are the people that fly jet airliners into buildings and kill thousands of innocent people for their religious beliefs. That is what we have lost sight of in this country.

  The sad truth about all this is that it is going to take another attack on our home soil to remind those of what freedom is really all about. The people in our military who fight for our country and that freedom are the heroes, not the Ditzy Chicks.

  I am not ashamed of our president. I am not ashamed of our soldiers. I am ashamed of other American’s who are ashamed of our great country. Please by all means vacate the country and move somewhere else and live if you think it is so bad here. You think the rest of the world has only started hating us because of George Bush? You are wrong! They have hated us for longer than you know, and I have witnessed it first hand from living abroad for many years.

  I thought this country was called the United States of America? I am proud to be an American and I hope that some of you will not forget that you can still be proud of our great country as well.

• #105 by John Holt at February 14th, 2007

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  AHHH! What a wonderful year it has been for the Dixie Chicks. Tours, highest selling albums. I guess you just can’t keep a good chick DOWN. The Grammy’s were awesome- 5 awards. Is anyone ready to MAKE NICE with the DIXIE CHICKS? You should for those of you who bashed their freedom of speech, burned their CD’s, and labeled them traitors. For those of you who thought that public intimidation ( boycotts and nasty words) would squelch the CHICKS, it must really suck to be you right about now.

• #106 by Lisa Reynolds at February 14th, 2007

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  right on wes (#100); wonderful comments! i commend you for your insightful words. i wish more of our country could understand that our freedom is why this country is so great, and these ridiculous dcx haters would have those freedoms taken away (i also enjoyed your #39, and #76 posts!). one can only hope that people like jk (#105) will someday get a clue!

• #107 by Paul Freed at February 15th, 2007

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  JK is clueless - enough said!

• #108 by JK at February 15th, 2007

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  Well said Lisa Reynolds and Paul Freed.

  See that is the beauty of this country you are allowed to disagree with me even if what you have written is as important as a roll of toilet paper that hangs on my wall at home. That roll is good for one thing only and if I need to explain that to you, then you had better contact someone in the liberal media to help tell you how to use it.

  Please at least try to write something intelligent instead of just agreeing with others and do come up with some of your own ideologies instead of just what the liberal media wants you to regurgitate.

  The two of you remind me of little junk yard dogs that hide behind someone else and then jump out to add a little bark here and there. All bark and no meaning to what you have barked about. I need a clue like you need brains. Can we agree on that?

• #109 by camalam at February 16th, 2007

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  Freedom of speech means that I have the right to call these 3 blow hard girls whatever I want. You liberals need to get off of your soap box and quit crying. These 3 girls are nothing more than uneducated, left wing zionist who think they have a forum because they sold some records….news flash…nobody cares what you think! Not to mention that Natalie is a troll…that is excercising my right to free speech.

• #110 by Lisa Reynolds at February 16th, 2007

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  Camalam Says: February 16th, 2007 - “These 3 girls are nothing more than uneducated, left wing zionist who think they have a forum because they sold some records”

  I’ve never heard anything about the Dixie Chicks participating in any political movements involving Judaism or the establishment of a state of Israel. I don’t even think any of them are Jewish! What the heck is that all about?

• #111 by Paul Freed at February 17th, 2007

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  And freedom of speech gives me the right to call you, camalam, an anal aperture :).

• #112 by Paul Freed at February 17th, 2007

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  No JK Says we can’t agree on that - bark, bark.

• #113 by Paul Freed at February 17th, 2007

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  JK, sounds to me as though you watch a little too much Fox News, you know, “We Distort, You Decide”? Sounds like a little more attention to the “liberal” media might help you to get a “clue” and think for yourself. Now I know who I need to contact when I need to know the latest right wing talking points. Bark - Bark.

• #114 by Paul Freed at February 17th, 2007

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  I figured it out! JK stands for “just kidding” - he really DOES like the Chicks!

• #115 by Paul Freed at February 17th, 2007

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  No, sadly I was wrong, it’s “J-er-K”

• #116 by Paul Freed at February 17th, 2007

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  I wonder if JK will go into anaphylactic shock when Al Gore gets his Oscar?

• #117 by Hail to the Chief at February 17th, 2007

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  I don’t believe that anyone should be allowed to criticize the government or our country’s leadership. I believe we should always show complete unified support for our President and his decisions. He is our Commander-in-Chief, the leader of our great country for God’s sake! We gave him the job to direct this great nation into the 21st century, and I think he’s doing a wonderful job. I truly believe that he and his administration are fully capable of bringing this country back to what it once was; a vast arctic wasteland covered in ice!

• #118 by JK at February 18th, 2007

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  Paul Freed

  I must have really upset you? Oh well, too bad. I sure am a JerK because I have to deal with people like you.

  I go tired of watching CNN (Clinton News Network). That is why I switched to the real news.

  Al should have won an oscar in 2000, but he couldn’t even win that. Sorry! Plus, I have my epinephrine kit handy just in case.

  I am sure your gal Hiliary, if she wins, (God help us) will do a bag up job with evrything she touches too. Right? She has a plan, but we don’t know what it is. Let’s hear a little less bark and see some action from the left. That’s all we ever hear is barking and whining. I like the fact we have someone that does not put up with crap from anyone. That’s what I am all about.

  I still have not heard anything intelligent from you at this point? All you have done is attacked me, if that’s what it takes to make you feel good about yourself. Then go ahead and keep on attacking me.

  JerK

• #119 by Paul Freed at February 19th, 2007

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  >>>”I ‘go’ tired of watching CNN”

  >>>”I am sure your gal Hiliary, if she wins, (God help us) will do a ‘bag’ up job”

  You’ve not heard anything intelligent from me? Seems you, my friend, need some spelling lessons!

  Clinton News Network? Ugh! That is SO yesterday.

  Gore couldn’t win anything in 2000 - remember, your buddies the Supreme Court were in charge.

  I will give you credit - you can spell epinephrine.

  Long live the chicks!

  Bark Bark

• #120 by Paul Freed at February 19th, 2007

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  By the way JK (JerK) - I am not voting for Hillary. At this point I’m not sure who I will be voting for - maybe Rudy? NOT!!!!!!!!!

• #121 by Way to go Chicks! at February 22nd, 2007

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  Following their post-Grammy sweep last week, the Dixie Chicks’ “Not Ready To Make Nice” was the most-downloaded song for the week, which caused them to re-enter the Hot 100 at #4. Initially, the single was released last March and failed to go Top 20 after being virturally banned by radio following singer Natalie Maines’ anti-Bush comments at a 2003 London concert.

  Apparently the dumb Americans who opposed the Chicks have caught up these past few years in realizing Bush is a lame-ass President, as Taking The Long Way was also the most-downloaded album last week. It had a 714% increase in sales, and flew up from #72 on the Top 200 Albums chart to #8.

  The U.S. Top 10:

  1. “What Goes Around…Comes Around” - Justin Timberlake *1 week*
  2. “Runaway Love” - Ludacris feat. Mary J. Blige
  3. “Say It Right” - Nelly Furtado
  4. “Not Ready To Make Nice” - Dixie Chicks *re-entry*
  5. “Don’t Matter” - Akon
  6. “The Sweet Escape” - Gwen Stefani feat. Akon
  7. “It’s Not Over” - Daughtry
  8. “Cupid’s Chokehold” - Gym Class Heroes feat. Patrick Stump
  9. “Irreplaceable” - Beyoncé
  10. “This Ain’t A Scene, It’s An Arms Race” - Fall Out Boy

• #122 by JK at February 23rd, 2007

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  It is amazing how the record industry can dictate what they want us to buy and listen too. See, it can be done. You can take a duck and turn it into a swan, true magic.

  Kudos to the record industry, they deserve all the credit though.

  As Paul Freed would write; Bark Bark.

  Cheers to Paul for the adage.

• #123 by Glenn at February 26th, 2007

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  Back to the War on Terrorism. Dixie Chicks you rock. Good for you for excercising your fundamental right “Freedom of Speech”. I am from Canada, but the U.S. citizens would not have all of the freedoms they enjoy today, if people who had gone before them, hadn’t spoken up and stood for something. Stand proud as you should. I find it ironic that you gals were chastized by some many other fellow American’s, when even the troops that they so proudly support, think they should come home. The latest headlines from the show 60 Minutes, read as follows: “To many in America’s armed forces, these men and women are doing the unthinkable: Active-duty soldiers, sailors and Marines speaking out against the ongoing conflict in Iraq. They’ve signed on to what’s called “An Appeal for Redress” - and they say it’s time for U.S. troops to come home”

  Wow, makes you think. You just had to confidence to say, what the majority of the troops think. Cudo’s to you Dixie Chicks. Rock on…..continue using your talents.

  Glenn
  February 26 9:15 PM

• #124 by Paul Freed at February 27th, 2007

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  I agree Glenn. I’m sure JK didn’t see the 60 Minutes piece - it was on a “liberal media” network. He was watching Fox - which by the way now uses a laugh track on one of it’s shows - too bad they don’t use it all day long.

  Bark Bark

• #125 by JK at February 27th, 2007

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  Alright, enough about the Ditzy Chicks, who cares about them. Listen to them, don’t listen to them. I DON’T CARE ABOUT THEM!!!!!

  I never listened to them before they said anything about Bush and I still don’t listen to them, NEVER WILL!!!!

  Can someone give me statistics on how many people die in this country each year from DUI/DWI accidents?

  Look at those staggering figures and compare that to how many have died in the war in Iraq. I agree. One life is way too precious to waste in any situation.

  How come you don’t hear about that in the media everyday? I am sure if MADD came knocking at your door for your support you would turn them away in a heartbeat. You would curse them under your breath and complain that all those people want is your money. No, we just accept the fact that 15000 to 17000 people die each year in alcohol related driving accidents in this country. That’s ok though, right.

  Correct me if I am wrong people. When you sign a contract to work for a company or the government, you are sometimes required to perform those duties entailed in that contract. So, don’t complain when you actually have to work for those benefits that you are receiving. If you don’t like the job then you should not have signed on the dotted line or you can always run across the border to Canada. That’s where the cowards run too when they don’t want break a nail.

  Canada is a lovely country to visit, but you are from Canada. The most important issue going on there is Quebec wanting to succeed from the rest of country. Boring! All they have to do is go to war with the rest of Canada and win their freedom. I am sure the war would last a whole five minutes until the first “Bar is now open” sign is spotted and all is forgotten.

  I did not see the 60 minutes piece on Sunday, so I can’t comment on that. I am sure that not all the soldiers feel that way. I mean, they only had sixty minutes minus commercials to fit in what they wanted. So, the episode was really only 45 minutes, give or take another 3 minutes. How many troops did they interview, all 120,000 +? We can go round and round on this all day and still be making valid points to each other.

  I work for a company that works very closely with the military and we deploy contractors to Iraq to aid the troops in their mission. I have one that was injured in an attack and he is ready to go back and complete the mission with the military. He is ready to do his job. So, don’t think you have solved the ills of the world by watching one 60 minutes episode that showed some soldiers saying they want to come home. It doesn’t work on me, maybe the rest of the viewers who believe everything they watch on edited TV. But I know we are not seeing all that really happens. Who killed JFK?

  I am very proud of all the men and women who fight for this country, without them we would not be able to run around yelling crap from our mouths about how terrible the government is. Those soldiers earned that right for us. I know there are always going to be a few who don’t want to do their jobs, not a problem, replace them with people who do. If I don’t want to work at my job, then my boss will say, “See ya!”

  I remember when they brought Sadam out into the court room for his arraignment and it was on TV. One girl in the room said that she felt sorry for him because he was in handcuffs. Does anyone feel sorry for a person who was responsible for the deaths of 100,000+ people? NO! She was from Brazil. I told her she could go back to Brazil if things were so bad here in America. She did not reply or make any comments after that.

  The thing that most amazes me is the different interpretations of the 1st Amendment, case in point, Freedom of Speech. I can exercise my right to freedom of speech by boycotting or not buying something and then people tell me I am wrong. That I am infringing on some ones rights and punishing them is ignorant. Then someone can say something negative or derogatory and I think they are wrong, but it is ok by others standards?

  Interpretation is a luxury we have in the US. They have not had that in Iraq for many years and it still may be many years until they do. At least they have a choice now and some hope in the future that they can exercise their rights. If we tuck tail and run like all want us to do, then we fail. Things will get much worse for America and Iraq for sure, and then what do we do when it’s too late again?

  Hey Paul, Big BARK BARK today.

  By the way, I have a tape recorder with a laugh track on it that I play when I watch your favorite channel. Cheers Paul.

• #126 by Paul Freed at February 28th, 2007

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  WOW! Take a pill JK! I think thou dost protest too much! I think we have hit a nerve fellas - JK went on a rant! (LOL). By the way JK, you SECEDE from a country - you don’t SUCCEED!

  You don’t care about the Chicks JK? - Well it seems they have gotten under your skin. I won’t even BEGIN to address the Canada, boycot, contractor (making money off of our troops lives) and contract issues - I have more important things to do today.

  By the way, of COURSE you didn’t see 60 Minutes - you were watching FOX!!! “We Distort, You Decide”

  Bark Bark

  Paul

• #127 by JK at February 28th, 2007

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  Paul

  Thanks, I stand corrected on my spelling and meaning, hey I was on a roll. Remember when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor.

  I will jump off my soap box today and listen to others for a moment.

  Bark Bark

  JK

• #128 by Dr BLT at March 15th, 2007

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  I was merely making a musical statement about how I thought the Grammys were rigged in favor of the Dixie Chicks due to politics.

  I really didn’t imagine this song would take off on the internet like it has.

  Playin’ Politics With the Dixie Chicks
  Dr BLT
  words and music by Dr. BLT (c) 2007
  http://www.drblt.net/music/DixieChicks.mp3

  So I want to thank all of you who have made this possible and offer you another opportunity to download the song for free while its still available.
  Thanks for making the song such a collosal success!

• #129 by Shelia at April 14th, 2007

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  Well…although this was not written about husband and wife relationship…as I TRY to walk myself through another husband “drug” relapse….This song says it all….and I am still waiting to find a way to forgive and forget….with each setback it gets harder and harder….You know I do sleep like a Baby…Thanks for sharing your strength!!!!!!

• #130 by Joe at September 20th, 2007

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  Dixie Chicks are awesome and were right. President Bush does not belong in office and he’s NOT from Texas. I believe he is from North East some where. I support our troops but not the President. He will go down as one of the worst Presidents in history, his decisions are costing lifes. We as Americans should worry about what the President is doing in office and not in his private life. Clinton was probably a bad father, and husband but he was a damm good President!

  Dixie Chicks have nothing to apologize for. They said what they felt and most Americans feel the same way!! So for that “Shut up and Sing”, well don’t shut up and keep singing Dixie Chicks!! remember the President may make stupid decisions but they come and go, the people run this country!!

  Keep singing Dixie Chicks.

  As for those radio stations who are scared because they get calls from people who don’t do anything but complain, they aren’t your real listeners. Stand your ground and play their songs, they are a hit and your station will be too!!

  A real Texan!!