Here is the link to Nataline Maines web site.
http://www.nataliemaines.com/index2.html

Sign her guestbook, here was my addition,
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Stick to your crappy music and stay out of politics. Nobody wants to hear your ignorant statements. Don't talk about MY President again. I will do everything in my power to stop people from buying your CDS! THEIR NOT GOOD FOR ANYTHING BUT DRINK COASTERS AND SKEET SHOOTING ANYWAY! NRAJOE....Toledo, Oh.

 

Thanks, Joe, for your suggestion to add to her guestbook. Here's what I wrote (a lot of it was just copied & pasted from one of my posts on this board):

Ms. Maines:

I support your right to express your opinions, but I must say that your timing and the venue were quite inappropriate. In a time of crisis, where your country & your President need your support the most, you chose to air your dirty laundry. Your message was heard -- and I hope that you also hear the message from your fans.

All the BS aside, you and your group were representatives of the US when you went on tour in the UK. Your entire image is centered on the clean-cut southern "country-girl from Texas" facade. To hear words like that coming from you while on foreign soil is an offense, IMHO. Not nearly akin to Johnny Taliban, but pretty bad on its own scale. Actually, if you want to get technical, an argument can actually be made that you indeed acted as a traitor.

The definition of traitor (one of many correct definitions) is "One who betrays any confidence or trust; a betrayer." You betrayed the confidence of a majority of your patrons. Your actions are quite the inverse of your image, an image built on the trust and confidence from your fans. By betraying that trust/confidence, you can technically be labeled by some as a traitor.

Inversely, you did indeed have a fundamental right to say what you did -- no one can argue that. What I can say, however, is that it is my opinion you should not have made these comments while on foreign soil.

Your have lost all respect in my eyes for your lack of judgement in making the comments you made. You have lost a fan. You have lost the revenue you would have made from me, because I will no longer purchase your music. I feel sorry for your bandmates, who must suffer because of your stupidity.

 

I too added a bit to her guestbook, but not as eloquant as the rest of you:

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"Hanoi" Jane Fonda would be proud of you. May I suggest you join the human sheilds in Bagdad? Oh, wait, they'd hang you for your decadent western music. Please go anyway...

 

I respect your points of view - her judgement may not have been the best.
Question:
Does Freedom not also include Freedom of Speech?
Just curious.

 

> Does Freedom not also include Freedom of Speech?

I think its great the Dixie Hicks (not to insult hicks) spoke out!

Now we get to exercise our capitailism by not buying their records and exercising our rights to free speech by making fun of them (a most protected form of free speech).

I am just waiting for Madonna to make a peace statement to make everything complete. Though considering she knows what it is like to have someone beat the stuffing out of you and not being strong enough to hit them back, maybe she will not.

 

This topic has been beaten to death on 2 other threads on the Dixie Chicks. Her freedom of speech is not being questioned. The appropriateness of her actions (or lack thereof) is the issue. As a response, I exercise my freedom to speak against her. Does this satisfy your curiosity?

 

YUP.

 

I personally think we need to 1) Let our voices be heard as loud or louder than the Dixie Chicks...do not buy their CD's, cassettes, Lp's or 8 tracks....and...........let the managers of the places you would normally buy Dixie Chicks goodies why you refuse to buy them. Do the same with radio stations and CMT. Boycott them and write or call and let them know why. 2) Charter a plane and put the Dixie Chicks, one and all on it fly it to Iraq and let them stand on stage there and protest their little Texas pea pickin hearts out! Oh wait a minute whats that? You mean they would not be allowed to protest openly in Iraq? Wow! What a concept! Thank the Great God in Heaven above we live in a country where you can openly protest and that we have a PRESIDENT who believes this freedom and all the others we have here in America and other countries do not have are worth fighting for. (I personally think putting that chunky monkey dixie Chick in one of those complete body covering get ups would be a good thing....too bad they cant do something to cover up small brains)

I have one final question tho....who was the idiot who let them back into the country?

 

Here is a letter i sent ot my local radio station. I suggest we all push for radio stations to stop playing their music.

To Whom It May Concern,

I have just finished reading your short article on Natalie's comments and would like to express my opinion about this issue. I do believe in an Americans right to voice their opinion but I think it needs to be done with some forethought and couth. She chose to do it in a venue that was very inappropriate. I also feel her apology was insincere and only offered under pressure of the possible effect it may have on their careers. I agree with those radio stations who have stopped playing their music and request that you do the same. So many celebrities live in a world disconnected from reality and this would be a way for her to get the message. I myself have thrown out their albums and will never purchase an album of theirs again so long as she is a member of their band. I also will no longer tune into a radio station who continues to air their music. I would appreciate a response as soon as you are able.

Thank You

 

Natalie Maines Apologizes to Bush
Craig Shelburne
03/17/2003

Natalie Maines, of the Dixie Chicks, has apologized to President Bush, regarding a stage comment made during a European tour. On March 10, she told a London audience, "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.”

Maines said in a statement, "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."

 

Hey haroutd,

You missed this one.

Waxy

 

Geeze, 460429_freak -- same message posted on 3 different threads... a little redundant. I won't repeat my response on the other two threads where you noted this, as gopfan's thoughts on the sincerity of her apology eloquently express my feelings, as well.

Regarding letter writing campaigns to radio stations, I absolutely agree with this act. I would add, however, that letters to the companies that pay for advertisements on stations that are not boycotting the Dixie Chicks would also be a wise step. Get the point across to the advertisers, and you'll see how quickly their financial pressure can change the station's stance.

As I am not generally a country music fan (I do listen to pop country from time to time, and I do own a Dixie Chicks CD -- please don't hate me country fans) I would ask for support on this endeavor from other FTE members. Those of you who do know which stations still play Dixie Chicks, please post the station's mailing address here. Please also post what companies frequently advertise on those stations. I will gladly join a letter writing campaign if someone can help provide this information.

Once my cable modem comes back online (I'm using a phone line modem now) I will gladly check the play lists of the stations I listen to, and let people here know if they are playing the Chicks. If others join me on this endeavor, I think we can make a difference.

Please bear with me as I am experiencing some computer problems at the moment. I will shortly post a new thread regarding further support that we civilians can provide for our country.

Waxy: Didn't miss it -- just took me a minute or two to write the above, as well as a long pause while I listened to Auri Fleischer on the news. Thanks for calling my attention to it, however.