Yee-haw!

Maines' comments against type almost makes me think country music isn't a waste of time.

Almost.

*applause*
That's brilliant.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

That is some great satire. It totally had me fooled. I don't know anything about her, so I really did think she might be the one country artist with both liberal politics and guts.

I had copied it and was pasting it into an email to send to my conservative family (half of which lives in Texas) when I saw the "satire" label. Sent it anyway.

I predict the site's gonna get busted for not having a more prominent warning, and that should be an interesting dispute. It would only draw more attention to the statement.

Some of those people actually know something about the things they discuss. George Will and Pat Buchanan in particular are significantly scholarly. Giving not just their random opinions but analysis is exactly what they are paid for.

Being a celebrity doesn't disqualify you from having an opinion, but it doesn't mean you can speak in an arrogant and disrespectful manner about the POTUS on the brink of a major war, and then expect to not get flak.

Merle Haggard expressed strong political opinions at least a couple of times. For one thing, however, he didn't go whining about how unfair the big meanies were who criticized him. Also, his biggest expressions of political opinion were in the form of the songs "Okie from Muskogee" and "Fightin' Side of Me." If the Dixie Chicks wrote a song half as good as either one of those, I'd become much more willing to listen to their blather.

I also don't see how the grossly stereotyped country fan is a "hypocrite." Granted, they didn't show much good taste by becoming Dixie Chicks fans in the first place. Still

Also, Bill Clinton DESERVED the mockery he got. He was a cheap, narcisstic multiple felon. Also note that he was not a wartime president. Note that Hillary was a scheming but then yet unelected power broker, ie FAIR GAME. And conservatives just factually did NOT go after Chelsea.

I'm not necessarily filled with great joy by everything Dubya does, but he's clearly an honorable man trying to do right by his country. He does not DESERVE most of the disrespect being handed to him.

It's not that you have a right to express your opinion that's at fault here, even though you conveniently forgot who paid the ultimate price for that right,

Or that you think you speak for Texans, even though your far-reaching, star-status opinion does not represent Texans--or the state majority,

Or that you deduced Texans to hypocritical red- necks, even though they are your biggest fans lining your pockets,

Or that you shamefully criticized our President, even though you apparently do not appreciate the factual differences between President Bush and Bill Clinton--Mr. Clinton did that for himself.

What is at fault in this instance is the fact that you presented to the World--with an arrogance comparable to a cowardly dictator, a total ignorance of history, for which there is no acceptable apology to a free nation.

If you have to abuse your right to free speech, then please stop your mouth from overloading your ass--especially to the World--it's embarrassing!! As we say in Texas, Bulllllshit!

Um, Linda - Eric's posting doesn't make clear what the actual site does: the whole thing is a parody, written on the fake "Dixie Chiks" site.

You people are so simple-minded. We have this thing called free speech where I come from, and if someone doesn't like what you have to say, well...TOO BAD!! George Dubya is such a big tough army general you would think his skin would be a little thicker than the tears everybody cries when he gets to be the target of what is really only someone elses opinion. Give it up already!! If he can't take some tough feedback, get him the hell of the "throne" of the US!!

Hitler's regime tried to stifle celebrity and intelectual critics before and during WWII claiming they were "bad germans", anyone opposing the blood shed in the name of "homeland defense" were accused of being disloyal to the troops, this was done to pit the working class (which made up much of the army)against any critics and win support for the carnage that took place. sound familiar?

hey, guys and girls...IT'S NOT REAL!!! NO ONE ever actually SAID IT...not Maines, not one of her band members...NOBODY. IT'S A SATIRE, A FAKE, A WRITER'S FICTION. It's somebody else using the Maines controversy to, A.) get his own opinion across, or B.)stir up yet more trouble for the woman in question, or C.) just stir up people in general so he can sit back and laugh at how seriously other people are taking his posting. Is it really worth getting THAT upset over so that you blast other people on message boards? Whatever our opinions of our past presidents (and they've ALL had their faults, going all the way back to Washington) or this war, the thing to remember is that our men and women are over there fighting and dying. And it IS possible to support them without supporting the decisions that sent them over there to begin with.
But let's NOT get SO riled up by somebody who SET OUT to yank our chains by writing something that was meant to be a satire. Hell, they do it every week on SNL and I don't see people getting this stirred up...

What's going on here?? An American who can actually use satire!? AND a LIBERAL!! Just when us Europeans were giving up on the Americans, one of them goes and says something like this. FAN-F*CKING-TASTIC!! A speech worthy of Robin Cook, not to mention Bill Shakepeare, and voicing a decent political opinion! Wow, if it weren't for an unlawful election, Enron, Xerox, Worldcom, Republican-fascism, and Isreali-loving, people might actually respect Americans...

Linda- It wasn't real of course! But even if it was,how do you abuse the right to free speech? Its free,you can say whatever the hell you want! Do you get it?

The only thing funnier than the satirical letter is reading Bush defenders here somehow try to defend this proposition:

"It is ALWAYS wrong to criticize a president, unless that president is Bill Clinton, because he deserved it."

Good for her. I think Junior is an embarrassment too.

i thought it was very good!!!i,m amazed at how americans minds are so small, agree with me or you are unpratrotic. free speech is not allowed!!!so kudo,s to whoever wrote it, just wish it had been me!!!!!!!!!! yea, dixie chick,s!!!!!! lol

Ya! She made a comment that created alot of flak, but this is still a free country and she is entitled to her opinion.
I back the President in this war, but people should have the right to say they don't as long as they aren't disrupting everybody else's life in doing so.
For instance:
blocking public access to places, highways, bridges, etc.
Being a public nuisance.
I just wanted to express my freedom of speech and because I believe in that freedom I won't condemn Natalie Maines for her opinion.

The entertainment industry contains a lot of people like Maines who haven't the least idea of what goes on in the world so just ignore her. She has too much money and too few brains. She is just as stupid and unknowledgable as her idol Bill Clinton.

This site is obviously not only sprinkled with, but completely saturated with uninformed liberals.
Maines stepped in it, tried to wipe it off and now is paying the economic price for tripping on her own tongue. She'll only clear a few hundred million bucks this year as a result. We'll have to add her to the Benefit for Poor Stupid Stars who exercise their right to free speech and then backtrack when it costs them concert dates and CD sales. Babs has gotten most of the money so far raised; I believe it's enough for a plane ticket to Iraq. They probably will change the name of the Iraqi city to Babsra for her if she'll sing a benefit for them.
Protesting a war or a president is fair game. Slamming someone who doesn't deserve it, which does not include Bill Clinton, is just liberal vomit.

Man, talk about biting the hand that feeds you. Apparently Natalie Maines is yet another ultra liberal Hollywood type, under educated, grossly removed from everyday mainstream America. What an arrogant celebrity type putting her own convoluted idealist ideas ahead of the tens of thousands of loyal service people risking their lives to preserve her lifestyle and freedom. Total disregard for their feelings and the majority of Americans who support their country and their president in times such as these. I wonder what Ms. Maines will be doing and saying should we have yet another 9/11? I'll bet she'll then be at the other end of the spectrum and singing an entirely different tune. So typical.

At this point I should point out the speech I quoted is a parody - Natalie Maines did not say those things, although she certainly may have thought them.

What is really a satire is all these people commenting on a war that dont even know the true facts of why we're there!!!My dad always taught me don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. And the fact that politicians and government lie and then believe the lies or ignore the lies exist. Just watch and see if their lips are moving...if so they're lying.So far no weapons found nor chemicals used.But be rest assured they will be found even if we only need to believe they are telling us the truth.

I can't believe there's actually people out there who defend Dubya. For a country based on LIBERTY, you seem to have a peculiar way of showing it. Like not letting people express their opinions for one.
Haven't you retarded American Republican/Facsists heard of Voltaire? "I detest what you have to say but will defend to the death your right to say it". Seems like us Europeans are way ahead of you. Unless you associate yourselves with the Nazis?
They started with repressing people's right to free speech too.
Maybe France, Russia and China should invade the US on a 'moral crusade to protect the freedoms of individuals living in an oppressive regime'.
That'd be one worth seeing...

More silly people (like BritBoy) confuse free speech with approving of others' speech. They have beliefs. Others disagree with them for it. Do not people that disagree with her have the right to express their disagreement peacefully? Can they not choose not to listen to her songs or buy her albums? Are you claiming that all boycotts or disagreements violate free speech? What bizarre reasoning.

She's free to say what she wants. Others are free to disagree. Seems like BritBoy and others want to prevent others from exercising free speech. It's certainly not the US government or Bush taking any action against the Dixie Chicks. It's fans who disagree with her.

Her comments, unsurprisingly, went over about as well with country music fans as pro-war comments at a university, a wealthy Manhattan dinner party, or in France. Big shock there. Of course, it is disturbing when people feel like they have to keep quiet because of fear of retribution-- which occurs among both the Left and Right. However, this kind of ostracism is not the same as denial of free speech. (After all, it does not appear that pro-Bush and pro-war speakers could count on respect from BritBoy, for example, for all his vaunted faith in free speech.)

And actually, in Germany, it *is* illegal to advocate Nazism, which seems like a free speech violation.

Guys, she didnt really say that. Here is what she REALLY said (its on their website if you dont want to believe it and im sure she really did say it):
"As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American."
Think of how many times you yourselves said something you didnt mean.

Natalie is as simple as her music. She should stick to singing and looking cute. I was an avid fan of the dixie chicks before her comments. No more. They've lost at least one fan in Ohio.

I am ashamed of Duhbya, and even worse, I fear he is dangerous. He is a man of small intellect and no personal achievement. He has not done one single good thing for this country since being "elected". The facts are all there if anyone cares enough to read them, so I won't use up pages of space to itemize his many failings to date. His family has business ties with Bin Laden's family, and his grandfather sold arms to Hitler's Germany, so he is just carrying on the family tradition.

Personally, I do not believe that September 11th would have happened if anyone else had been elected President. Bush immediately turned his back on generations of diplomacy and "nation building", pulling out of 5 internatinal treaties and ignoring a volcanic situation in the Middle East. Our country paid the price for his ignorance and arrogance.

I am not a fan of country music. Because of my own childhood, rightly or wrongly, I associate it with losers, drunks, and hotheads. I do respect Natalie Maines' courage in saying that she was ashamed that Bush was from Texas. She must have known what a backlash would follow, but she followed her conscience, something too few of us do these days. Even better, I like the satire presented above. There's a lot of truth there.

As far as Clinton goes, I did not vote for him. I found him to live up to his reputation as "Slick Willy". Yet he had the reputation for moral slipperiness and of womanizing before he was elected, so where was the surprise? Ironic though, that this country prospered tremendously during his tenure. Generations of federal deficits became a surplus (which was gone in a year under Bush), environmental laws were toughened to protect us, jobs were created and the standard of living was raised for us all. Even more importantly, the world viewed us as a benevolent super power, and the countries that now villify us were among our strongest allies. A a lot has changed in two years due to the ignorant, swaggering, arrogant hypocrite currently in the White House.

In closing, I leave you with a few Bushisms. There are many to be found on the web. Just type Bushisms into your web browser. Interesting. So, let his own words speak for him now.


"Well, I think if you say you're going to do something and don't do it, that's trustworthiness." -George W. Bush, in a CNN online chat, Aug. 30, 2000

"If you don't stand for anything, you don't stand for anything!" -George W. Bush, Bellevue Community College, Nov. 2, 2000

"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier - so long as I'm the dictator." -George W. Bush, Dec. 19, 2000

"It's amazing I won. I was running against peace, prosperity, and incumbency." -George W. Bush, June 14, 2001, speaking to Swedish Prime Minister Goran Perrson, unaware that a live television camera was still rolling.

And just because i put that, don't think that I (and many others in this area) wasn't disappointed in her for saying that. Yes, she does have freedom of speech on her side, but come on! She should have said what she said in her appology instead of saying that she was ashamed that Pres. Bush came from Texas.

Actually, Mr.Thacker, you'll find i agree with you. Free speech should exist regardless of the opinion expressed, i.e Voltaire.

However, it does seem to many, particularly Euopeans, that the US breeds extreme conservatism disproportionate to the population of both the US and in relative terms compared to other countries.

The consequence of this is that, instead of extremist beliefs of both left and right cancelling each other out, the staunchly right-wing conservatism in fact vastly elclipses views held by the left; the result of which is that the general mainstream political spectrum becomes skewered toward the prevailing extreme. Which is what I see happening here.
Indeed, the evidence on this very page, for example as expressed by Eliot Bigman, Doug, Bill, and Brian Fleming. No doubt there's more but I really can't be bothered to find them all.

First of all GET A DAMN LIFE! Who gives a rat's ass of ANOTHER celebrity opinion? I am a HUGE Chick's fan.. but her comments were off. Be against the war.. fine.. yadda yadda.. hate the man's policies.. but she attacked him personally. That is wrong. She doesn't know him personally so ZIP IT. Does ANYONE even have a clue that it is QUITE possible the president, his administration, and the military might.. just MIGHT have covert info regarding Iraq and that nutter Saddam? Ummm DUH my guess would be. My guess is all these celebrity prostesters aren't privy to this info. So I say NICK OFF. Take more advantage of your time SUPPORTING the troops over there fighting and getting killed. SUPPORT the Iraqis who celebrated in the streets and thanked the troops for liberating them. Worry about those over there in the HEAT of the action.. not some pussy whining and carrying signs around. If he DIDN'T do anything - there would be protests and people pissed and then something else bad would happen on American soil and it was W's fault for not knowing.. he DOES do something and people still piss and moan. Get IT? Got IT? Doubt IT.

they should drop there crappy cds with the protesters first and save the bombs for later hell that fat ass dixie chicken singer would make a big splat

In a world where anti-war protesters instigate violence and mayhem, pro-lifers blow up abortion clinics, and democratic citizens (little d) defend the right to run your own dictatorship, it's easy to see how right and wrong can be confused. The lines between the two are so blurred that we run each other over in the race to be right. Yes, it's okay to disagree with the president. It's equally okay to not. Just be sure that when you make a public statement, do it with conviction and purpose. Don't use celebrity as a platform to win the favor of the majority, and then renege when it doesn't work in your favor. The Chicks have lost my respect for that reason alone.

Of course there is such a thing as free speech. The only problem is that people have to learn the meaning of the word 'tact.'

I used to be a big fan,until she opened her big fat mouth. Kiss your success good byes Dixie Sluts. I'll never buy another CD of yours again.

"It is ALWAYS wrong to criticize a president, unless that president is Bill Clinton, because he deserved it."
I am sorry, but I cannot get past this jewel. Priceless! a perfect example of what's wrong here, now, in this country. If you can't discuss, detail, analyze, criticize or question the actions and words of your own president, then how do you know that he is doing what's best? You just take his word for it? we all know how 'truthful' politicians are. I'd rather cut off my tongue than refrain from speaking my mind. May I remind you that the US are what they are because the pilgrims refused to follow the England King's orders and questioned his authority? I think I made my point. Even if that was fake, that was a great statement from 'Maines'.

Sounds like Britboy has the best case of misplaced anger I've seen since the time my neighbor shot his dog because he got into an argument with his wife. Obviously, he's European, possibly British to judge by his handle. So, unless some American cut in front of him in a line once, I can't see where all the anger is coming from. If American foreign policy has impacted him one iota, it would be a surprise to me. Oh, and thanks for the line about being Israeli lovers. We tend to take care of our allies and it's nice to know the rest of the world notices. Some of my British friends think we do a good job protecting allies, too.

Despite what we "bad-ass arrogant" Americans hear on the news, and in vitriolic posts like these, a significant percentage of Europe still thinks the U.S.A. stands for freedom and human rights. It's just the mouthy ones venting their stored-up spleen over the fact that, as a nation, the United States decided to do something about terrorist attacks instead of taking it on the chin that are getting all the press right now. And that goes for some of us Americans right here at home.

I'm not quite sure if this was satire or actual reporting. Clarify?

Let me get this straight....since 1776...when we became a nation...and the most current Bill of Rights that is in force...and that hundreds of thousands have died to protect ouR Consitutional rights, you people have the nerve to blast the Dixie Chicks???...If anything, they are guilty of only apologizing about what they said....not because they said it....IT IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH..FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION...they have these rights just as the rest of you do...GET A GRIP PEOPLE!! WHETHER OR NOT WE LIKE WHAT SOMEONE HAS SAID...THEY DO HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH...DOESNT MATTER WHO SAYS IT!!!

She's entitled to her opinions the same as anyone else, and she is entitled to express them, just as anyone else. What upset ME is that she was 'punished' for speaking her mind. Freedom of speech means just that, that you are allowed to say what you want *WITHOUT FEAR OF HARM*. To have pulled the Dixie Chicks from radio playlists was harm, it was a form of censorship-punishment, and it was WRONG.

It's like what happened to Bill Maher for his comments re: 9/11. Whether you agree w/him or not, he had the right to say it. I think some of our citizens have forgotten what FREEDOM is. So you disagree, fine, but if you TAKE ACTION (such as removal from a radio playlist or firing from a tv show) against someone for speaking out, then what does that make YOU. That's the sort of thing Saddam would do to *his* people...!

You go, girl! I have new respect for you and applaud you for being brave enough to say what you think vs what's pc.

Suzy dear, how are you? Did Dawn ever get hold of you? I gave her the message. Hope you are well - you have to come up to our housewarming party when it actually warms up.

This is satire (not what I wrote to you, the post)

First off, GREAT "quote" from Maines at the top. A-1, perfect! It's great seeing the knee-jerk reaction of all the knuckleheads that initially wrote in & those that continue to. If anybody wants to read a brilliant article on the war and the president, try Norman Mailler's speech here:
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/16166

Something for Trinity to consider, as I don't know if he's talking about personal acquaintances when he mentions British friends or if he's just imagining how Brit soldiers might be feeling...

A few years ago I decided to bicycle around Europe for a few weeks. I had all my camping gear on the back, with a big flag from my country secured around it. No, I'm not american. I caught a pothole with my front tire & ended out having to fix a spoke in the middle of nowhere. There I am working on my bike & a farmer comes along and starts a conversation. This was in a liberal, peace-loving country and do you know what this farmer said to me? "Are you really from (my country) or are you an american trying not to get run over?"

Maybe he was just jealous that his country was busy being swarmed with Nazi's and others instead of being able to show up four years late for two world wars like the US and then trying to take the credit for winning them nearly single-handedly.
Don't assume that relations with anybody is going to improve under your current president. Even George Sr. was a thousand times better in the Oval Office than boy-George will ever be. It isn't all his fault, but a lot of it is & the next president will have to be a super diplomat and financial wiz to get you guys through the next few decades. Good Luck.

Well, at least we know how she feels about the people from whom she makes her living...

george bush is a fuckin idiot hows that for respecting your presious prez

Ms. High & Mighty Natalie Maines how dare you slam President Bush at a time like this when we are suppose to be showing the world that we are all together. Not running down our leader. Then give a fake apology and some flimsy excuses. Take your music over and sing to Saddam...maybe you can sell some records over there cause we don't want to hear them here in the U.S.A. Lost a lot of fans...maybe you will come down a few notches!

Wake up and smell the roses, you people who yell Freedom of Speech need to realize that you are free to speak your mind here in this great country, because of the troops who defend your behinds. Our troops are risking their lives to give you freedom from terrorists......does 9-11 ring a bell? Freedom is not free.

Just so you know I am ashamed that Natalie Maines
is from Texas. Dixie Chick you should not go to another country be anti-American against your President. No matter what you think you did
are now a member of the Europe anti American group
for life. No only that you did hurt many of the American Troops by what you said. And now you call
them hypocritical red necks. Shame on you Nat. So
why don't you move to Europe.

Open your eyes Doris! Regardless of what some celebrity said, it is obvious that Americans are not 'all together.' Protests of thousands of people happen in major American cities every day that are broadcast all over the world! If so many people believe that war is wrong, maybe you should stop ignoring them and consider what they are trying to say: war is NOT the answer!

Let it Rip, Natalie.

Everything she said is 100% correct. The only thing Natalie should have done is tell exactly why he is an embarrassment. President Bush does not care what the American people want and in the few short years, he has been in office he has ruined our nation's economy just the way he did in Texas before he got the hell out. He is a bully, who is straining our relations with our allies. He is hell bent on bombing Iraq, with no evidence to support his claims. He does not respect the UN or any other nation; if they are not for him then his motto is to forget them and do it his self even without the support of the American people.

Ok, now I am a seventh generation Texan and I too am embarrassed when he claims he is a Texan. Let us not forget he is not a Texan by birth, he was born in Maine. To me and many other Texans that make him a want a be Texan, not the real thing. . Have you forgotten that he at first refused to live in the Texas governor's mansion, stating it was to old and drafty, until public pressure forced him to live in the governor's mansion, but even then he rarely spent anytime there, just as he rarely spends time at the White House. He is so busy adding on to that Crawford Ranch at the taxpayer's expense. Also might I add, not only has President Bush failed as a president in my eyes, he was a terrible governor, and an even more horrible businessperson. Not one business or government entity that Mr. Bush has managed has ever been successful. He leaves every post ridden with debt and bankruptcy

I think radio stations are wrong for banning the Dixie Chicks. This is America where one has the freedom of speech or did you forget that. Oh I guess it alright to just disrepect the democratic leaders and not the Republicans. Sounds like the truth hurts and this administration reeks of dictatorship.

Go Natalie Go!

It's so sad that these poor victim's of Dubya's hate propaganda are so mislead. Anti-war does not equal Anti-American, Morons. I served my country as a soldier in the US Army inclusing a year in Bosnia...for you uber-patriots to imply that because I do not support the actions of our "President" that I am somehow against America is just ignorant. What have you done to truly show patriotism except fly a flag out of your ass and eat what you are spoon-fed by Fox news all while being hate-mongers to those you don't agree with?

I think by now you know that you have wrecked all of your careers due to your comment. I know for a fact I won`t be listening to anything that you have to sing or say.

These Dixiechicks suck anyway. I am glad they are off the airways. Natalie Maines is a Benedicta Arnold. Most intelligent people know better than to trash the USA or the President when we are at war! Or maybe she is just plain stupid. Don't they teach patriotism in Texas?
She just joined the ranks of the rest of the stupid anti-war, anti USA freaks. Hello! You all are just lucky your asses didn't get blown up by Arab terrorists yet. And as far as you Hollywood Stars, If you trash the USA and the Troops serving her I say America should boycott you! Hit em where it hurts, in their pocketbooks. Stay away from their movies and music! And for all you anti-war protesters, Move to F---in France, where all the weasels live.

CANADA AND MEXICO NEXT!

WITH FRIENDS LIKE YOU, WHY DO WE NEED ENEMIES.
Kick a Canadian Today!

They teach patriotism in Texas. Natalie Maines must of missed it. Also she does not have a clue
to what her she is saying she is from Austin one of the Biggest party towns and home of the Bush girls. I dare her to show her face around town. I bet she hung with them. But also this is the same person who has chicken feet tattoos on her feet. So maybe she has a brain the size of a chicken.

Let's give George W. Bush a break. After all, if Osama bin Laden was named Waldo, George would have spotted him by now.

or would he have? haha.

Well, Dan, go ahead and kick a Canadian today, why doncha, eh?

With the disregard for the United Nations, the US President has broken an agreement your country made, as a member of the United Nations. Now, it seems they will soon be known as the Untied Nations. The UN works only as long as all its member nations adhere to its policies and judgements. What chance does it have now that two of its most powerful members have ignored its decisions?

I think the UN reacted here too slowly. However, if the US President wants the US to remain a member of the UN, he needs to reread the part where the US signed on as a member and accepted the obligations and duties of a member country.

Despite our worries for the men and women who make up the US military, Canada agreed when we joined the United Nations to abide by the majority decisions of the members of the United Nations. Would you have us break our word? What kind of country would we be if we couldn't be trusted to keep our word of honour? Should we react to pressure from a neighbour and break that word?

Every politician should be able to withstand scrutiny of the closest order. Every citizen should question whether their government is honest, moral, and upholding the public interest. If you cannot criticize your government, your politicians, you do not have much freedom in your country. People have a right to say what they are feeling and thinking. Without being made to pay a price. Just because the US is the biggest kid in the playground, doesn't give it the right to be the ruler of the playground. And I think where the US is concerned, that is what is worrying a lot of countries today. None of us want to be looking over our shoulder, afraid of being forced into compliance with the US because they want something done a certain way. That makes a bully out of your government. Acting with UN approval would have gone a long way towards dispelling those fears of finding our friend has become a bully.

What Natalie Maines said has nothing to do with her feelings for her country. I personally cannot abide our drunk-driving Premier, but I love my Province. I don't agree with much of what the Prime Minister says, but I love Canada. I can criticize both of them all I want, and still be patriotic. The two are not mutually exclusive. And yes, our Prime Minister is an idiot who thinks spending a billion and a half dollars on a gun registry that is toothless and riddled with mistakes is a good thing, when the health care system is going to hell in a hand basket. I will tell that to anybody who listens, Canadian or not. But I am still proud to be Canadian. I just am a proud Canadian without blinders on.

Do not ever make the mistake that Canadians don't care what is happening to your soldiers. We do. After all, we lost one or two in the last several wars, too, you know. And despite many of us being solidly against war in general, we want Saddam gone, and your military personnel to come home safe and sound. They deserve our prayers and support, and they get them. Just ask the folks whose planes were forced to land in Canada September 11, 2001 what kind of support the Canadian people show their southern neighbours.


I don't think I have heard anybody trashing the soldiers serving on the Iraqi front, somehow I think the lesson about honouring your soldiers was learned after Vietnam, wasn't it?

Annette in Canada

Well first of all, of course I disagree with what Maines said about our President.

Second, She DOES have a right to say what she wants.

Third, we all have the right to speak out against her if we disagree with her. Which many of us do. And we have a right to boycott her efforts. That's the mark of a truly free nation.

Fourth, President Bush never commented on what she said. Obviously, he's above it.

I have several European friends (living in Europe) who would definitely agree that people like BritBoy are irrelevant when they use the sort of colorful language he uses to try to argue a point. That's typical of most of the uneducated "victims" of the world. (yes, I know BritBoy, you are going to come back and say something like, "I graduated from Oxford" or some silly thing like that - to that I would say, I don't recall having seen you there).

By the way, BritBoy, you need a lesson in sentence structure and word usage. For having come from a country who gave birth to the English language, you are an extremely pour example of one who has a command of it.

And of course your stupidity makes you a great proponent for Miss Maine's cause. But do keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
An American

Well first of all, of course I disagree with what Maines said about our President.

Second, She DOES have a right to say what she wants.

Third, we all have the right to speak out against her if we disagree with her. Which many of us do. And we have a right to boycott her efforts. That's the mark of a truly free nation.

Fourth, President Bush never commented on what she said. Obviously, he's above it.

I have several European friends (living in Europe) who would definitely agree that people like BritBoy are irrelevant when they use the sort of colorful language he uses to try to argue a point. That's typical of most of the uneducated "victims" of the world. (yes, I know BritBoy, you are going to come back and say something like, "I graduated from Oxford" or some silly thing like that - to that I would say, I don't recall having seen you there).

By the way, BritBoy, you need a lesson in sentence structure and word usage. For having come from a country who gave birth to the English language, you are an extremely pour example of one who has a command of it.

And of course your stupidity makes you a great proponent for Miss Maine's cause. But do keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
An American

I comend you on your knowledge of your constitutional rights. 90% of the citizens in USA don't use what is their right. And then gripe when someone else uses it. I wish all of you people would have the gutts to stand up like Nat did and I wouldn't have said I'm sorry to anyone. I understand your position. Keep on trying to get thru to these people.If everyone would work together things could change. They will never change as long as we are still and self-centered. May God Bless our troops who are fighting for our FREEDOM OF SPEECH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this is really fun. reading all these responses is interesting and is itself a great exercise in the right of free speech. my humble opinion is that The US ought to get her helpful little hands out of the vast majority of foreign affairs she likes to meddle in. of course that would leave the "farmboys" in Langley, Virgina with too much time on their hands. and doing so would again raise the ire of liberals who would cry out for US intervention in righting the wrongs of despotic regimes which dot our globe (you never can please those folks). but in a very thoughtful analysis of the current situation with Iraq i've decided that the present course of action will not result in a more stable Iraq or good karma for the US. saddam hussein is not a benevolent leader of the people. if i could have an hour of conversation with him i could probably show that he was not breast fed long enough, has some serious inner conflict with his anima as well as a serotonin deficiency. he is not a well individual and in no respects should he be a leader of people but it is not the responsibility of the US to change that. it is the responsibility of the Iraqi people. remember that little incident in 1776? a less powerful group of people overthrew the governance of body they felt was unfair and repressive. if the Iraqi people feel the same way let them do the same thing (oh yeah, the French can help, but that's it). same goes for somalia, cuba, grenada, bosnia, etc., etc., etc. of course there will be those who whine and cry when the US stops giving financial aide to ailing economies. (the ailing economy they should be aiding is their own) and if we are really talking sepratism the US should stop sending humanitarian aid to suffering nations and start focusing her attention on the homless living within her own borders. as i see it there are two roads for the US: complete sepratism or good old fashioned colonialism. Yup, either leave them all alone or take them completely over. doing anything in between is just ineffective, inefficient and unkind. "But!", you cry (assuming you are a human beign with some compassion for other members of your species and cohabitants of your planet) this is a "global village" and the US is the strongest member of the community. it is her responsibility to aid and uplift those who are suffering. as the most powerful member of the United Nations she must insure that justice and human decency are upheld throughout the world. and there my friend, you have just asked the US to remove saddam hussein from power so he can no longer abuse fellow members of the human race who have the misfortune of living within his sphere of influence. i'm sure you will agree with me now, that we really cannot have our cake and eat it too. in order to restore basic human rights to people in the Iraq vicinity who are not members of the bath party we have two options: ask saddam very nicely to do the right thing or remove him from power, and unfortunately weapons inspections are not going to remove him from his position of power. removal is going to require military action in the form of war. so there you have it my "middle of the road", "global community", "bleeding heart liberal" friends (and i do feel there is room in our relationship for friendship despite our political differences) i have just clarified the issue and pointed out the proper position for you to take on it. now you can protest that george w. has not done enough to free Iraq and liberate her people and that this military campaign is long overdue not because of the threat of "weapons of mass destruction" or "terrorism" but simply because saddam hussein has been a very bad boy and needs to have a long time out. my opinion, and it is not mere opinion, is still either the love 'em (fully) or leave 'em (completely) philosophy. setting up puppet governments like the one in Iraq is just not good karma. all this drivel comes to you courtesy of a very patriotic american who believes we may be making some serious errors. oh yeah, and britboy who thinks that France, Germany, and China ought to invade the US. China has an enormous army, but getting them to US shores is another question and France and Germany just do not have the military power or reach to attempt anything of the sort. your best bets are for Canada and Mexico to form a coalitional force and attack the US on two fronts with support from the rest of the anti-American world. the only problem with that is that the US has been floating the Mexican gov't for the past 30 years and Canada is going through a fairly messy divorce of sorts.

much love to all,

one very humble fool

I'm a Canadian, and anti-war, except in self-defence. Since the double whammy of the Iraq-Iran war (in which the U.S backed and armed Saddam Hussein) and the Persian Gulf War, Iraq has been a danger to nobody except those of its citizens who oppose Saddam Hussein's regime. Incidentally, in Iraq, as formerly in Nazi Germany and Bolshevik Russia, there is freedom of speech. Everybody everywhere has always been able to say exactly what they want at any time in the venue of their choosing -- if they're willing to pay the price. In Iraq, the price is your life; in America, the price can be your livelihood. My advice: Before you exercise your God-given freedom of speech, make sure you can afford your principles.

Our prime minister up here waffled around before finally saying we wouldn't send our people into Iraq without UN approval, which I think is correct. It's up to the UN, not any member state, to decide under its own rules of procedure when, how or if to enforce its own resolutions.

Then our prime minister said he respected America's right to do what it wants with regard to Iraq. I still haven't figured out where he's trying to stand on the Iraq issue.

America is doing exactly what it likes in Iraq -- just because it can. In my opinion, that makes America, the world's only superpower, the world's most heavily armed and dangerous rogue state -- ready, willing and able to take out any government at any time under Bush's 'pre-emptive strike' foreign policy. If Bush decides Canada is too communistic or socialistic and has natural resources he wants, he declares us a threat to America, exercises his 'pre-emptive strike' foreign policy and takes us out in less than a week. Simple, quick & easy.

As for Iraq, I don't think anybody knows what Washington's real agenda is over there, other than to remove Saddam Hussein, which is a good thing. But after watching 'shock and awe' take out downtown Baghdad, I have to wonder if the cure isn't worse than the disease. And if too many body bags start unloading at Dover Air Force Base, I wonder how long the 70% of Americans who support this war (according to the latest CNN poll) will continue to do so.

Americans should remember that although we aren't sending our guys into Iraq, we did send them into Afghanistan with yours after 9/11, though ours had to hitch a ride over on your planes because our military up here is so small and under-equipped, I'd be surprised if we could field a full division. The general thinking is that if Canada is attacked, America would protect us in its own interests. That's likely true.

Anyway, the attack on Iraq is a reality; it's happening, so we have to get used to it for awhile. I just hope not too many people on either side get killed in this useless, stupid war and that not too much real estate is destroyed. No objective that comes to mind seems worth it. It has to rank as one of the stupidest wars the U.S. has fought in modern times, with the exception of Viet Nam.

I don't know who today would fault the millions in America and abroad who protested that war ('Hey, hey, LBJ. How many kids you kill today?'), protested it until the U.S. had to declare victory, pull out and let Ho Chi Minh's people take over the place. Meanwhile, 55,000 good American studs lost their lives and thousands more were maimed for life. And for what????

I say let the old impotent politicians duke it out; let the young guys live in peace and enjoy breeding their babies, creating life and not death.

Many people need to be reminded that what you've read was a satire. I think posting it without a "pre-warning" to that effect was irresponsible. I'm just glad Natalie had an opinion. Too many people today don't have the courage to question, comment and analyze what is going on around them. The fact that she actually apologized shows that Natalie can see past her own nose. We've all said things out loud that we wished we hadn't, Bush included I'm sure. It doesn't matter really whether she's sorry she said it or thought it. What matters is that she tried to do what she thought was best in the end. It is humbling to apologize and those of you vilifying her should be ashamed of yourselves. You are doing exactly what you are condemning.

I am not an American, and my country is not at war. Whether we like it or not, there is a war going on. Was there ever a question of preventing this war? Probably not. I cried when I watched the World Trade Center fall, I cried when I watched the first American troops leave their families. I feel great sorrow when my children happen to see the front page of the newspaper, and I pray that their innocence is intact. I pray that the troops in Iraq return to the families safely and soon, and I also pray for the children in Iraq, who make up over 40% of their population.

Dan, I am truly embarrassed to say we are from the same America! Your tough guy attitude is what makes the rest of the world get the wrong idea of what America is all about! Vent your anger in therapy, not with threats to innocent people. Try to develop some compassion for others. America has got everything, and you've got it too good to realize how bad conditions are for others. Maybe you should learn more about life before you threaten others like you do. Quit spreading hate, the world has too much of that already. We are trying to save the Iraqi people, nothing else... We have to support those that need help. We aren't trying to take over anybody; man, when you have something constructive to say, then say it. Until then, think about it...

I am of Canadian descent, though I'm ashamed to say it now, and I'm proudly AMERICAN by birth. The majority of the posters here are whining, snivelling liberals who, in a properly run country, would be up against the wall with a last cigarette.

As for you, Dan, you talk tough, but you're as much a weenie as the rest of them. You talk about rights. Rights come from superior force, and we Americans have rights because we can whup the ass of anybody that tries to take them away. But the Constitution means NOTHING without our hardworking troops and our superior weaponry to defend it. And that's what they're doing, and what President Bush is doing. Let me remind you of one thing: what Natalie Maines did is not an exercise of rights, it's not freedom of speech. It is TREASON. Criticism of the President on the brink of a war is a traitorous act.

George W. Bush is the greatest President in the history of this great country because he has the manhood to USE the power that our government and country have. Listen, all you whiny liberals and peaceniks: there is a New World Order coming, in which American will stand tall and will take what it needs, when it needs it, without having to grovel before the altar of international opinion. You can be part of this new order, or you can be stepped on. I sincerely hope that after Iraq and Afghanistan, we turn to the countries that have betrayed us: Canada, France, Germany. (Hey, we've whupped them before!)

Remember the faces of the peaceniks, the liberals, the Democrats, and the so-called "centrist" Republicans. These are the faces of our new enemies, and we will deal with them!

Traitors can't hide!

this just keeps getting stranger and stranger. "up against a wall with a last cigarette" for holding an opinion in the most advanced civilization, with a representative form of government, this planet has ever witnessed? you have got to be truly out of your mind.

george w. is not the greatest president ever and saying so is not treason. questioning the actions of our government is not only our right but our responsibility as Americans. the government and the military derive their great power from "we the people" and letting them run pell-mell across the globe without oversight or restraint is irresponsible on our part. delegating that responsibility to the UN is also irresponsible.

much love to all,

one very humble fool

I think it's hilarious reading these comments. All you Americans freaking out about free speech and such. Although I don't agree with the timing of her statement, it's been blown way out of proportion. I can't believe the stupidity of some of these posts. Just goes to show that people believe everything they read or hear....even when clearly marked SATIRE, meaning it's NOT TRUE. I think the Dixie Chicks are not all that great, but holy crap, worry about your children, or the starving kids in your streets, or the fact that your country is at war(which I believe Canada should be supporting), do not worry about a statement made by a singer. There are soo many other things to spend your time on. Maybe that's one of the biggest problems today. Not caring about the important things.

I agree with Natalie Maines. Let's let Saddam and his henchmen stay in power, so they can continue to terrorize, rape and murder the citizens of Iraq. Let's continue to stand by and turn our backs on these people. Even though we are blessed with the resources to make a difference in the world, lets do nothing. Would that make you proud of your president and proud to be an American?

Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing. And just as Natalie has the right to say what she wants, I also have the right to buy what I want and radio stations have the right to play what they want. Don't publicly voice your opinion and then get mad when others voice theirs.

I am of Canadian descent, though I'm ashamed to say it now, and I'm proudly AMERICAN by birth. The majority of the posters here are whining, snivelling liberals who, in a properly run country, would be up against the wall with a last cigarette.

As for you, Dan, you talk tough, but you're as much a weenie as the rest of them. You talk about rights. Rights come from superior force, and we Americans have rights because we can whup the ass of anybody that tries to take them away. But the Constitution means NOTHING without our hardworking troops and our superior weaponry to defend it. And that's what they're doing, and what President Bush is doing. Let me remind you of one thing: what Natalie Maines did is not an exercise of rights, it's not freedom of speech. It is TREASON. Criticism of the President on the brink of a war is a traitorous act.

George W. Bush is the greatest President in the history of this great country because he has the manhood to USE the power that our government and country have. Listen, all you whiny liberals and peaceniks: there is a New World Order coming, in which American will stand tall and will take what it needs, when it needs it, without having to grovel before the altar of international opinion. You can be part of this new order, or you can be stepped on. I sincerely hope that after Iraq and Afghanistan, we turn to the countries that have betrayed us: Canada, France, Germany. (Hey, we've whupped them before!)

Remember the faces of the peaceniks, the liberals, the Democrats, and the so-called "centrist" Republicans. These are the faces of our new enemies, and we will deal with them!

Traitors can't hide!

blah blah blah! bliagh blauogh blew blong. hi i'm sane view in case you haven't read my post yet. blah blah! blah blah die traitors! blah blah blah death to thought blah. BLAH! blah blah die opposite view blah blah! blah blah blah opinions independet of media tainting are irrelevant blah blah. blah blah blah die democrats and commies! BLAH! once again this is sane view wishing you would read my post and take it seriously.

I, really don't listen to county music however, since I teach school I felt it was necessary to understand what types of music worked for the students that I taught. My point is that this is Americia and if itrs the President we are upset with or not thge US COnstitution allows for you to voice your point of view. Oh, I forget when you steal and election you want to be like the person you are trying to run out of office Sadam.
My point is there was no reason for Natalie, to to apologize for how she really feel. Its ashame that more people don't have the courage to do that. Bush does not have any reason to be in office and most of my community feels that way. We are in Iraq, trying to help their country what about ours. Why do I still visit Africian American communities and drugs are still very visible and people are still living in public houses and their weekly take is my yearly salary. So do I have aproblem being in another country and spending dollars that should be used to liberate the poor and afflected in the cities and give our people aids that they can use and stop making people write 100 hundred pages grants to get help or the little 50cents that might come with it. I have a problem when children come to school dirty and their parents are only thirteen years older than they are. So before we continue to try and justify why we are helping Iraq, or anyone when we are we as a nation going to look in our own front yards. The back yard is our run. Natalies and anyone the have issue with Mr. Bush, shoould be allowed to express how they feel and all of the high and might need to remember that Bush, did not get the popular vote he got the white vote and slid into office thats no secret.

I, really don't listen to county music however, since I teach school I felt it was necessary to understand what types of music worked for the students that I taught. My point is that this is Americia and if itrs the President we are upset with or not thge US COnstitution allows for you to voice your point of view. Oh, I forget when you steal and election you want to be like the person you are trying to run out of office Sadam.
My point is there was no reason for Natalie, to to apologize for how she really feel. Its ashame that more people don't have the courage to do that. Bush does not have any reason to be in office and most of my community feels that way. We are in Iraq, trying to help their country what about ours. Why do I still visit Africian American communities and drugs are still very visible and people are still living in public houses and their weekly take is my yearly salary. So do I have aproblem being in another country and spending dollars that should be used to liberate the poor and afflected in the cities and give our people aids that they can use and stop making people write 100 hundred pages grants to get help or the little 50cents that might come with it. I have a problem when children come to school dirty and their parents are only thirteen years older than they are. So before we continue to try and justify why we are helping Iraq, or anyone when we are we as a nation going to look in our own front yards. The back yard is our run. Natalies and anyone the have issue with Mr. Bush, shoould be allowed to express how they feel and all of the high and might need to remember that Bush, did not get the popular vote he got the white vote and slid into office thats no secret.

ladyb, your assertation that george w. did not win the popular vote is without merit as we do not live in a democracy. we live in a republic. both are forms of representative government but a republic has the distinct advantage of diminishing the power of the majority in an effort to avoid "mob rule". as a member of a racial minority (i'm simply assuming your a member of a racial minority from your post) this is a safeguard of your rights.

the representatives you elect do not have an obligation to vote as you would vote were you in congress, she or he has the obligation of voting their conscience (unfortunately voting their pocketbooks is a bipartisan epidemic). you have the right and resposibility to vote for the representative you feel is honorable, just and wise.

please help your students learn this. a nation who's population is ignorant of their government is ripe for subjegation.

much love to all,

one very humble fool

How did Clinton create jobs in his tenor? Ohhh, I forgot...Gore created the Internet. I get so sick and tired of hearing this hoop-lah about the economy. Greenspan allowed the bubble to grow at the rate it did and Clinton popped it prior to departure from Presidency. Clinton didn't create anything but scandals and cum stained dresses. He deployed more troops then ANY other President in history, yet accomplished nothing, never knew how to allow troops to finish what they started. Myabe you were watching to much ABC (Always Bill CLinton) or perhaps CNN (Clinton National Network).


So many liberals, so little time, you make me sick.

I can't believe that the Dixie Chicks had the nerve to say that at one of their concerts. They should have thought about what they were saying before opening their big mouths. I was a fan of the Dixie Chicks but now I refuse to buy their CD's or even go to one of their concerts. Maybe they forgot about what happened on 9/11 and how we lost so many innocent peoples lives. I think the war is for a good reason, even though innocent people once again will lose their lives because of the jerk in Iraq. Bush is just doing what needs to be done. The Dixie Chicks should think about all those troops over there that are doing their jobs and how they protect us. I think they should just end their career now because they had just lost alot of fans.

finally someone on a message board who realizes that an economy doesn't go improve overnight or go bad in the same time period. clinton rode the crest of reganomics and poor george w. is stuck in the trough of liberally stimulated federal spending. so while i will not agree that he is a wise and judicious president i don't think blaming him for the current economic climate is fair at all.

is freedom of each equal to freedom of hate ?

sorry - that's feedom of speech = freedom to hate?

sure it is. your freedoms are intact until they begin to encroach on anothers right to life, liberty and the pusuit of happiness.

hasn't hate been the major encorachement to the pursuit of happiness throughout history ?

the emotion hate? no it hasn't. peoples weak willed inability to act in a decorus manner in spite of emotions? yes it has

I must say....Well the Dixie Chics have seen better days Im sure. As one comment above said ya dont bite the hand that feeds ya. Im wondering how she would feel about the president, (since she cut her own throat) when shes on welfare and food stamps,or living on unemployment because of her own idiocy. Whats she gonna think of the president then????????????

if you are going to limit a persons "freedom to hate" you are going to have to find an effective way of legislating emotion. i disagree with hate crimes too, but once legislation tries to find it's way into the very personal realm of my emotions i am afraid it has overstepped it's bounds.

Some of you should read this.


----- Original Message -----
> > Great article by an Iranian!
> > >
> > >
> > > ANTI-WAR OR ANTI-U.S.?
> > >
> > > By AMIR TAHERI
> > > _____
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > March 5, 2003 -- 'THE rebirth of the peace movement." This is how
> sections of the Western media describe the marches that attracted 30
million
> people in some 600 cities, in 25 countries, across the globe in recent
weeks.
> > >
> > > Last week, a group of "peaceniks" gathered in London to discuss ways
of
> > > nursing the "reborn" child into adulthood. By coincidence, today marks
> the 50th anniversary of Josef Stalin's death.
> > >
> > > The Soviet dictator was the father of the first "peace movement,"
which
> > > for years served as an instrument of the Kremlin's global policy.
> > >
> > > Stalin's "peace movement" was launched in 1946 at a time when he had
not
> > > yet developed a nuclear arsenal and was thus vulnerable to a U.S.
nuclear
> > > attack. Stalin also needed time to consolidate his hold on his newly
> > > conquered empire in eastern and central Europe while snatching chunks
of
> > > territory in Iran.
> > >
> > > Pablo Picasso, a "fellow traveler" with the French Communist Party,
> > > designed the famous dove of peace as the emblem of the movement.
French
> > > poet Paul Eluard, another fellow traveler, composed an ode inspired by
> > > Stalin. The "peaceniks" were told to wear white shirts, release white
> > > doves during their demonstrations and shake their clenched fists
against
> > > "imperialists and revanchistes."
> > >
> > > Soon it became clear that the "peace movement" was not opposed to all
> > > wars, but only to those that threatened the U.S.S.R., its allies and
its
> > > satellites.
> > >
> > > For example, the peaceniks did not object to Stalin's decision to keep
> the entire Chechen nation in exile in Siberia. The peaceniks did not march
> to ask Stalin to withdraw his forces from Iranian Azerbaijan and
Kurdistan.
> > > When Stalin annexed 15 percent of Finland's territory, none of the
> > > peaceniks protested.
> > >
> > > Neither did they march when the Soviets annexed the Baltic states. Nor
> did they grumble when Soviet tanks rolled into Warsaw and Budapest, and a
> > > decade later also in Prague. But when America led a coalition under a
> U.N. mandate to prevent North Korean Communists from conquering the south,
> > > peaceniks were on the march everywhere.
> > >
> > > The movement targeted Western democracies and sought to weaken their
> > > resolve against the Soviet threat.
> > >
> > > Over the years nobody marched against any of the client regimes of the
> > > Soviet Union that engaged in numerous wars, including against their
own
> > > people.
> > >
> > > The wars that China's Communist regime waged against the peoples of
> > > Manchuria, Tibet, East Turkestan and Inner Mongolia, lands that were
> > > eventually annexed and subjected to "ethnic cleansing," provoked no
> > > protest marches. Even when China attacked India and grabbed Indian
> > > territories the size of England, the peace movement did not budge.
> > >
> > > In the 1960s the movement transformed itself into the campaign for
> > > unilateral nuclear disarmament. Here, unilateral meant that only the
> > > Western powers had to give up their arsenal, thus giving the Soviets a
> > > monopoly on nuclear weapons.
> > >
> > > The peaceniks spent much of the '60s opposing U.S. intervention in
> > > Vietnam.
> > >
> > > The 1980s gave them a new lease on life, as they focused on opposing
> > > American Pershing missiles in Western Europe.
> > >
> > > The Pershings represented a response to Soviet SS-20 missiles that had
> > > already been stationed in central Europe and aimed at Western European
> > > capitals. But the peaceniks never asked for both the Pershings and the
> > > SS-20s to be withdrawn, only the American missiles.
> > >
> > > President Ronald Reagan's proposal that both the SS-20s and the
Pershings
> > > be withdrawn was attacked and ridiculed by the peaceniks as "an
American
> > > Imperialist trick." Francois Mitterrand, then France's Socialist
> > > president, put it this way: "The missiles are in the East but the
> > > peaceniks are in the West!"
> > >
> > > No peacenik, not even Joschka Fischer, now Germany's foreign minister,
> > > marched in support of tearing down the Berlin Wall and allowing the
> German nation to regain its unity.
> > >
> > > All that is now history. The "evil empire" of communism has gone for
> good, but the deep anti-West sentiments that it promoted over the decades
> > > remains.
> > >
> > > It is this anti-West, more specifically anti-American, sentiment that
> > > provides the glue of the new peace movement.
> > >
> > > Last month, the British daily The Guardian asked a number of peaceniks
> to explain why they opposed the use of force to liberate Iraq?
> > >
> > > The main reason they felt they had to support Saddam Hussein was that
he
> > > was disliked by the United States.
> > >
> > > When the Tanzanian army invaded Uganda and removed Idi Amin from
power,
> no one marched because the United States was not involved.
> > >
> > > When the Vietnamese army invaded Cambodia and changed the Khmer Rouge
> > > regime there, no one marched. Again, the United States was not
involved.
> > >
> > > When French troops invaded the Central African Republic and changed
its
> > > regime, again no one marched.
> > >
> > > The reason? You guessed it: America was not involved.
> > >
> > > And what about a march in support of the Chechens? Oh, no, that won't
> do: The United States is not involved.
> > >
> > > The peace movement would merit the label only if it opposed all wars,
> > > including those waged by tyrants against their own people, not just
> those in which America is involved.
> > >
> > > Did it march when Saddam Hussein invaded Iran? Not at all.
> > >
> > > Did it march when Saddam invaded Kuwait? Again: nix!
> > >
> > > (Later, they marched, with the slogan "No Blood for Oil," when the
> > > U.S.-led coalition came to liberate Kuwait.)
> > >
> > > Did it march when Saddam was gassing the Kurds to death? Oh, no.
> > >
> > > Stalin died 50 years ago to the day.
> > >
> > > But if he were around today he would have a chuckle: His peace
movement
> > > remains as alive in the Western democracies as it was half a century
ago.
> > >
> > > Iranian author and journalist Amir Taheri is based in Europe.
>
>
>
>
>

but isn't that what hate does? I don't mean 'dislike'. I mean blind hate.....
Does it not make people be 'weak willed' in their actions toward others. Freedom of speech is a great thing, unfortunately we have to hear the idiots along the way too

ok, make hate a felony. and now tell me how you're going to enforce it.

no foolio, i didn't imply that emotions should be regulated. Just that the 'bad' has to be taken with the 'good' in every freedom. Like the freedom and war.

>Posted by: Tigressof Texas They teach patriotism in Texas. Natalie Maines must of missed it. Also she does not have a clue to what her she is saying she is from Austin one of the Biggest party towns and home of the Bush girls. I dare her to show her face around town. I bet she hung with them. But also this is the same person who has chicken feet tattoos on her feet. So maybe she has a brain the size of a chicken. <

Hell yeah, they teach patriotism in Texas, but they also teach freedom of speech or were you absent on that day.

I can promise you sweetie, that if Miss Maine was to come to town in Austin she would be warmly welcomed and commended for her remarks. As for the Austin comment, maybe that is why dubya wanted to be governor there since he is no stranger to whiskey and coke. To bad he did not have the insight to take a couple of classes in grammar, and geography at UT while there.

Tigress of Texas, I sure hope you sign up for a class at UT too and learn the true meaning or patriotism, the Constitution of the United States, and a course in manners 101 wouldn't hurt you either. Anyone can voice their opinion about the president, and it is not called unpatriotic.

By the way sweetheart, the chicks are still riding high on the charts with their brand new album, so someone must agree with them.

spot on sue.

have we not seen celebrities wear various freedom of speech t-shirts that said as much as what Natalie did....? Does the typed word not carry as much atettion as the spoken one?

I would like to take this time to not talk about a dixie chick,but to make a comment to britishboy
And i do mean boy,you little selfserving,closeminded,self centered pussy,why don't you keep your euro thought to yourself,you sound pissed to me,because america can kick your ass and you know it.WE ARE THE TOP COUNTRY AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT.

At least Bush isn't out having mile high Air Force One parties and the White House isn't some sort of dysfunctional soriority, anymore.

yes. and the dixie chicks would not have caught the flak they have if they played industrial goth music because the audience paying attention to them would have cared much less. the meat and potatoes audience of the dixie chicks is much less forgiving of anyone who dare question the authority of the commander in chief. you see we expect as much from "long haired coke addicts" wearing tight leather pants and too much makeup. the dixie chicks though were america's girls so the percieved hurt is so much more. hey i still like the chick's music, they are great musicians (two of them are anyways) and i dont think the US should be involved in a lot of the foreign policy it has entangled it's self in. the main faults i see with the remarks which have sparked such controversy is that they were inarticulate and insincere. i think she was jumping on the anti-war hollywood bandwagon. the article posted above if it is accurate sheds a new light on the anti-war movement and it's motivations.

PEOPLE
PLEASE GET OVER YOURSELVES.YOU THINK YOU KNOW EVERYTHING,YOU DON'T KNOW ANYMORE THAN ANYONE ELSE.GET OVER YOURSELVES.WHO CARES WHAT DIXIE SAID,YOU ALL GET SO ANGRY.LIBERALS,DEM,REPULICANS,GET OVER,HELL,WE ALL LIVE IN THE SAME COUNTRY,WE SHOULD TRY TO WORK TOGETHER,BUT EVERYONE WANTS TO BLAME SOMEONE.BUT THEY WANT SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THE WORK FOR THEM,AFTER CLINTON.REALLY WHO HAS A RIGHT TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT BUSH,ATLEAST HE IS NOT IN THE WHITE HOUSE WITH HIS PANTS DOWN,HE IS TRYING TO LOOKOUT FOR HIS COUNTRY,SO I SAY GIVE HIM AN A FOR EFFORT

Sorry about the repeats. Not that I really give a flip about the Dixie Chunks, it kept saying 'server timed out', so I kept hitting 'post' :)

A for effort, D+ for foresight.

I continue to see how people say we should back Georgie Boy, but he isn't the one fighting neither are his precious 'sober' little girls. It was Bush's idea to throw us head first into this war and no matter how its paraphrased the fact of the matter is that his only justification is that 'some' lives lost now are better than 'some' lives lost in God knows when(the future). That reasoning is pretty thin if you ask me. I love being an American and get this I'm BLACK (whoa!) but I do not agree with Bush or his regime, my bad, I mean advisors. I completely back the troops, they have a job to do, I do not support this folly of a war, especially when North Korea has weapons of mass destruction (admittedly)and paranoid Pyongyang is sitting on an itchy trigger finger and poor saddam (little s) is just a big man with a small labido who is trying to over-compensate who coincidently runs the world leader in oil production. Co-inky-dink maybe?.

Our celebrities, especially our artists, should be more political. In days of old you could look to the song writers, poets, and authors to speak out against the imperfections of our society be it right or left wing, right or wrong. We the people looked to them for that purpose but now we have become complacent, when if truth be told we should be concerned that more of our pseudo riche have not spoken out about the world around them. Probably too busy detailing their benzes(little b), but I digress.

Natalie Maines had every right to speak her opinion not only on the grounds that that is what this country is built on, but ironically because that freedom is one we are trying to afford the Iraqi people.

"Life, it seems, is not without irony" - Morpheus

I love this frikking country, I get to say what I want to say in an open forum as thus and laugh at all those who disagree- ahhhhhh The American way!!

Oooh yea, THE DIXIE CHICS RULE!!!

I just couldn't resist...lol

lol france, russia and china invade america...what a joke a bunch of fags, a people trapped in the industrial revolution and a country lead by a communist sociopath, nice.

At least Bush isn't out having mile high Air Force One parties and the White House isn't some sort of dysfunctional soriority, anymore.

Posted by: Charles in Houston on March 23, 2003 10:20 AM

Wow, so thats your criteria for a president. Obviously you do not know much about dubya, frat boy, (skull and bones), heavy drinker, one business failure after the other. This is a man who couldnt find oil in Texas. You go nuts when someone makes a statement about this goverment but you turn a blind eye to the lies, dirty dealing, and coverups that this goverment is responsible for. Look up info on dubyas "military career". His daddy took care of the dirty little messes that dubya made. God help us who is going to clean up this mess.

Thank you Jim for sending on the column from the journalist. This has cemented what I have been thinking all along.
W in USA

Oh my, I haven't laughed this much in a long time. It's always interesting to me how so often those who oppose liberal viewpoints resort to name-calling and finger-pointing...Ack! call me a liberal..noooooooooooo!!!! *gasping for air here, mortal damage inflicted* It's such an effective means of validating their own knowledge!

But really, this is satire, but even if it wasn't, we have the right to speak our minds, we have the right to express our opinions, and we have the right to bash or support our president, who probably has the lowest IQ of any president in history.

Wish Natalie had said it... I'd have ten times more respect for her. The conservatives in this country were merciless in their nasty and personal pursuit of the Clintons. In 20/20 hindsight, they should have done what Cheney and Karl Rove did when questioned about their meetings, practices, etc.... arrogantly ignored us "little people" as not deserving of an answer.
I'm sick and tired of flag wavers telling people with differing opinions that they are un-American. The right to dissent is the essence of America... aren't we pretending that we're going to Iraq to liberate the people there so they can have differing opinions? Listen up right-wingers--this time you can't usurp the flag.... we all get to keep it, whether we agree with you or not. If you're not comfortable with that, then this time you can "love it or leave it". We're sticking around!

I just spent way to much time reading this. It amazes me that people could rant and rave about anything this long. Who cares what she said, she is a person who is permitted to speak. All day yesterday they were showing protesters of the war, they got to say what they wanted and some of it was beyond stupid!! The say that war is killing the innocent men, women, and children, I agree it is. But what did "so dame insane" do to his own people?? The not so funny thing is that right in your own very country, killings and abortions and every other evil of the world, that happen go on with no protesting. What if all the celebrities spoke out against these things would we all spend this much time talking about it?? The USA is a good country, no such thing in the best till there is no hate, killing, anger and just plain evil no longer exists.

hello there if not supporting prez bush for brains is not good for american moral then what the hell are the fighting for in iraq because last i heard we are trying to help those who don't like being put to death for not agreeing with there leader so must we like our prez no... we put up with him because people in florida can't read a ballot ( because another bush sits in goverment office perhaps )anyway i love my contry and everything about it yes i am ashamed bush speaks for our country as its leader but i know that he can't kill me for that opinon but can the people of iraq say the same . if you past a parent beating there child in front of you would you walk by and say it was none of your bizzzzness that they have different parenting skills as you that eventually the kids will get enough and do something or let somebody else deal with it ... or would you help the child ( especialy knowing that if you don't the child can come to be just as abusive if not more than the parent) i hate war but i hate hitler , saddam , stalin, and any other who kills innocents for sex, religon , race,oh and eye color...bush will eventualy go down in history like his daddy as far as him being honest well lets see he is a drunck he is still a drunck but according to him he is cured .. i don't know much about texans but around the rest of the way just because you don't drink anymore doesn't take the problem away remember one day at a time not i quit so i'm done your not cured mr. bush head jr. just dormat till then honesty is just a step away from being totaly sober...

Mary Walsh - 22 Minutes (also a satrical show)
"There's a village in Texas missing its idiot"

Freedom of speech - lovely thing all over the world. Perhaps the reason why I object to what the US is doing, is the people inside the US who promise/threaten to "wup ass" of anyone who disagrees with this action; slandering their own celebrities, Canadians, French or anyone else who disagrees. Makes me wonder, who is next!?!?!? And certain comments on this posting only cement this feeling. We should be past the age of empire building.

Only sorry that she apologized!

I support our military people ll0%
always have, always will. I protest
Georgie's absolute determination to go to war on a country where there is no proof that country did anything to us.
The fact they MIGHT do something someday is stupid. There are a lot of countries that MIGHT do something....a pretty good guess would be No. Korea, just for one. So are we going to hop over and bomb them? I don't think so
because Korea doesn't have OIL.

I'm sorry to see that there are so many people in this country who prefer to be deaf, dumb and stupid when it comes to this war. If you have watched over the years you will see the things that Saddam has done to his own people. The man is a murderer and tyrant. He will use what ever he has to get what he wants. He hides behind his own people knowing we will not hurt them to get him. People, if you are so against this war, move to Iraq.

At least Bush isn't out having mile high Air Force One parties and the White House isn't some sort of dysfunctional soriority, anymore. posted by charlie.

Charlie ol boy, you better take a look at your canidates heavy drinking and drugging past along with his many awols from the national guard unit he never attended when he was trying to shirk his duties in vietnam.
Hmm, he stole an election, then brought this country right down the toliet ever since.

Have you ever asked your self what he was washing that pretzel down with when he fell off the couch and bumped his head. He is an admitted alcoholic so yeah that makes me feel better that he is running the country.

Lola

You go Natalie! I suspect that a good portion of what she said is going to get her into even deeper water, but what the heck? The truth hurts sometimes.
In regards to slamming the prezz, well too bad, comes with the job. All your reviews can't be good.
In regards to the war, well if it weren't for the tragic loss of life, this would almost be comical. From the looks of things the Iraqi's don't have to fire a shot. We will beat ourselves. And we are still no closer to finding and removing Saddam. Oh yeah this is going real well.
I suspect in the long run,Natalie's remarks are going to be the least of dubya's worries.
Unlike Natalie however, I am not ashamed that dubya is from Texas. I am ashamed that he somehow managed to get appointed President!

One more time, this time with my 'url'. Again I say, "You go Natalie". Telling it like it is might not win you a popularity contest, but maybe you can get appointed "Best Country Trio"

I live in Lubbock, Texas and am ashamed that one of our own could be so arrogant and hateful. She comes from a good, upstanding family who is very respected here and they must be humiliated by her behavior. If she has so little respect for the people (Rednecks in her mind) that have supported her over the years, why did she ever choose to sing country music. I hope she has enjoyed her fame up until now because I can't see her ever being able to recover from this. I am glad this has come out so I don't have to give any of my hard earned money to Natalie, or France for that matter. All I can say Natalie is please don't ever come "home"!!!

Natalie
I would not care what you said if you had ever stopped to read a newspaper or watch the news on TV. My guess is that you heard this from some
Hollywood Liberal & so you thought it was a fact.
I feel sorry for you & your stupid remarks about the President..

when did the us kick canada's ass? 1812 was a canadian victory. damn americans and their lack of historical knowledge. bah

HELLO it is a satire. A celebirity has the right to her opinion, just as well as we do. I do no care if you are rich poor democrat or republican. We have freedom of speech in this country. No president has ever been free from criticism and that is the price you pay for being the president. Everything you do effects a group of people who have their own minds and the right to speak them. She was stating her opinion which other people in this world share with her She is a HUMAN BEING let her be. no one else has to apologize for having an opinion so why should she be any different. I applaud the person who wrote this and those that were offended by this should look up the word satire in the dictionary!!!!!!!!

I am anti war not anti American troops there is a difference. I want to make damn sure we exhaust every avenue before we send men and women over to a country to die. That's it. Because we want peace for everyone we are branded traitors and unpatriotic. I care for these men and women as much as anyone, both here and abroad. My family is a military family and background, I know what it costs and what they do. But as ong as there is 1/1000000000000000. of a chance to not kill, then lets do it , who in the hell cares how long it takes.

I swear that there is nothing in our history that is more deplorable than trying to 'change' another human being into your own way of thinking...whether it be governments or religion, our past has dictated that we are not learning from our mistakes, hence we shall keep repeating them. No country or way of life is perfect or the 'right way'. Whether you are a brainwashed American or a brainwashed Iraqui...we are all imperfect creatures trying to figure out what the hell we're doing here in the first place. People, life is too short to be clashing and trying to change each others minds...we're all individual with basic human rights. No one person is any more important than another...I hope one day we all learn this.

I think everyone needs to relax. My god. Yes, Maines has every right to voice her opinion. This is America. Granted, it was not a nice thing to say, bashing our President to another country, it doesn't make us look great. But she is an American, she has a right to voice her own opinion.
However, the people who are standing up for our President and boycotting the Dixie Chicks because of this, have EVERY RIGHT to do so as well.
And you people writing from other countries, mind your own business. Do you not have better things to do? Don't you have your own controversies?! Butt out.

OK, all Chicks defenders, you helped to make them rich, now, listen to what they have to say. How stupid and ignorant are you to think, that they know samething about world politics? Nothing, they made a personal remark, that like all the defending remarks, is a personal attack. typically liberal and pathetic!!!Is is not obvious , that liberals are angry more and more irrelevant!!?? The chicks will find out what it means to loose 71% of their income.

Boy..what a mess..OUR PRESIDENT is a good,morale man who is trying his best to guide this country in the right direction...UNLESS YOU'VE BENN IN A FOX HOLE AND LOOKED ACROSS THE WAY AT THE ENEMY..THEN SHUTUP AND LET THOSE OF US WHO HAVE DONE OT ARE DOING IT TAKE care of this Country..Bill Clinton should be in prison for his felonies...Thanks God For George W. Bush...

Boy..what a mess..OUR PRESIDENT is a good,morale man who is trying his best to guide this country in the right direction...UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN IN A FOX HOLE AND LOOKED ACROSS THE WAY AT THE ENEMY..THEN SHUTUP AND LET THOSE OF US WHO HAVE DONE OT ARE DOING IT TAKE care of this Country..Bill Clinton should be in prison for his felonies...Thanks God For George W. Bush...

Maureen:
Well maybe we would butt out if there weren't people flinging around words like 'kick a Canadian today.' The last time I checked, we have the right to free speech as well. Which is what this whole stupid controversy is about.

The Leviathan is upon us! Cast your fate upon the sea and seek its mercy for none shall escape its vast wrath!

All heed Chicken Little; "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"

It's all just a nefarious commy plot, bankrolled by right-wing nazi fascists with the backing of ultra conservative capitalist pigs being fed off the teet of public sector contracts purchased with graft, nepotism and cronyism and it is going to give the whole world over to religious zealot maniacs hiding behind the modern guise of industrial and technological advancement for the purpose of clamping down greedy unions being overrun with leftist liberal minorities.

Britney sure has a cute li'l belly button. I wouldn't mind slurping champagne off of it.

I'm going for a pint, anyone care to join me?

The last time Canada sent troops over to support America, was to Afghanistan to fight the war on terrorism. What happened? Eight Canadian soldiers, dead, because of 'friendly fire.' So referring back to the comment that Dan made, "With friends like these, who needs enemies?!"

With great power, comes great responsibility.

For those of you that weren't smart enough to figure out the above statement was satire (NOT REAL), you really need to get a life. I am from Texas, and I support our troops 110%! I do not however support President Bush. He is arrogent, did NOTHING for Texas except leave us in a financial shambles, which he has already done for the rest of the US, and he has made the UN null and void.

I support the Dixie Chicks, and Maines and went out and purchased 3 of their cd's just to help the cause. BTW, I wouldn't normally buy their music, but this was money well spent.

If you support the Dixie Chicks, or free speech, go to this website and show it: http://www.petitiononline.com/chicks/petition.html.

It's a petition in support of the Dixie Chicks.

When they draft the OLD MEN & ALL WOMEN, all of a sudden their will be unlimited n