Responding to the Dixie Chicks

People don't have to agree with me for me to value them, but, like anyone, I may respond when a public figure says something that I find offensive or distasteful. I believe we can manage to get our opinions across without taking it to the gutter because dignity and decorum are the hallmarks of civilized society while difference of opinions and clashes of ideas are to be expected in a free society, but to dress one's debate in the rags of profanity and baseness is a remarkable insight into the mind it comes from. We have freedom of expression in this country, but we do not have freedom from suffering the consequences of our expressions.

I've noticed that there is an unpleasant tendency in public discourse these days to substitute name-calling for reasoned debate and one fine example of this is the continuous lashing out by the Dixie Chicks; members Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison.

These ladies use their public platform to condescend to others and to attack those with whom they disagree, rather than entertain.

In one recent article Natalie Maines watches as President Bush says ''the Dixie Chicks are free to speak their mind,'' adding, ''they shouldn't have their feelings hurt just because some people don't want to buy their records when they speak out. You know, freedom is a two-way street.''

Natalie Maines responds by saying, ''What a dumb f - -," "You're a dumb f - -!"

Class act all the way, don't you think? The President went to Yale for his undergrad and has an MBA from Harvard. What does Natalie have except an arsenal of profane invectives?

Here are some other charming quotes from the group…

"Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."
- Natalie Maines, 2003

"I'd rather have a small following of really cool people who get it, who will grow with us as we grow and are fans for life, than people that have us in their five-disc changer with Reba McEntire and Toby Keith. We don't want those kinds of fans. They limit what you can do."
- Martie Maguire, 2006

"A lot of pandering started going on, and you'd see soldiers and the American flag in every video. It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism."
- Emily Robison, 2006

I'd like to know what is so sickening about honoring the American Flag and soldiers in videos. Perhaps Emily Robison should get on her knees and thank those soldiers for giving her the protected right to say the things that she does. After all, good men and women died to ensure that she has that right…

The Dixie Chicks continue by saying: "I guess I was ignorant to the fact that the stereotypes behind country music were true - and it was disappointing. So I'm pretty much done. They've shown their true colors."
- Natalie Maines

"For the last three years, I am at a loss for words as to... what this country is. Who we are. I really think people have just gone insane. And they think we've gone insane."
- Natalie Maines, 2006

"The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism, why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country…I don't see why people care about patriotism."
- Natalie Maines, 2006

These women are not victims, no matter how much they try to portray themselves to be. They made the choice to attack the President, their fan base, the United States, and patriotism in general. While I support their right to have an opinion, I do not support the media's attention on their opinion, as if it carries more weight than the average American.

The Dixie Chicks proclaim that they have been censored but it's not censorship to disagree with them by not buying CD's, concert tickets, or to boycott; free speech works both ways, something the Dixie Chicks can't seem to handle for they love to dish out rancorous condescension but can't take opposition in return. In other words, they obviously wanted freedom from consequence.

If you don't agree with the President's policies, logically debate the policies and offer solutions, rather than degrading the President as a person. It's almost as if The Dixie Chicks, among others, come out with the same tired rants against President Bush and Republicans as if Michael Moore himself is handing out cue cards to them.

When the Dixie Chicks bash Toby Keith for his patriotism and wear t-shirts that say, 'FYTB,' short for F - - you Toby Keith, and condescend to their fan base by insulting them, how can they then decry any opposition aimed back at them?

The fans that they have offended with their outright disdain gave them what they have today. How can they hope for renewed success when they attack a group of people who did nothing to them but respond to what the Dixie Chicks themselves first dished out?

Personally, I think these 'chicks' need a wake-up call, one that affects them personally. Perhaps they should be dropped into Iraq, unguarded, and spend a day with Al Qaeda. Maybe then, and only then, will they gain some perspective and insight and I guarantee they would be screaming for their country and the soldiers who defend her to come to their rescue.

In closing I would like to write that patriotism is defined as love and devotion of one's country as well as the willingness to sacrifice for it; something the Dixie Chicks obviously don't have and wouldn't know, which speaks volumes about the kind of people they are, and is one more reason as to why a red state resident like me won't support them.