Chook Me!

How can Americans claim to be the land of the free and yet threaten the Dixie Chicks?

I am an Australian who has found America's reaction to Natalie Maines comments about George Bush quite confusing and unfathomable. Aren't Americans acting like the dictators they readily declare war on, by saying you can't speak out against your leader at risk of death? I think so. What I want to know is, are Americans really like this? Supporting a leader no matter what he does? Even if it leads the murder of many civilians?

Public Comments

1. l love the Dixie Chick eventhough l have never listened to any of their music but l agree with their politics Go Natalie Mane or however you spell her name. FTK
2. good question. no where is truly free, though.
3. Murder of civilians? What in the world are you talking about? I think you've been "Down Under" a little too long, mate? (What are they teachin' you all down there?)
4. Nobody said she can't. Where does the risk of death come in here? Half of us would be dead, if that was the case. Lay off the psychadelics. She can say what she wants, and some don't agree with her. That's America. And the majority of Americans, by the way, do not support the current president. What would you have us do, go in with a task force and clear him out ?
5. One president has oral sex. Another president leads a country into a war based on lies, thousands of civilians dead. Guess which one america impeaches? Weird, WEIRD view of morality. And I live here :( Any room in Australia? Regarding the ignorant posts above me. Natalie Maines was threatened with death, very specifically, due to her comments. It's pretty well-known to be honest with you.
6. i'm american indian ,i despise George Bush,and it was the land of the free until that f*ck came into office,he is a worthless piece of sh*t and hopefully will be gone soon.Pray with me doll
7. Not all Americans are like this. However, the ones who are unfortunately got the most press. A lot of people don't like the reaction to the comments, but a lot of them think their opinions don't matter in this country, and their voices get lost. Thing is, had a famous Republican said the same thing about Clinton (wait, that's already happened), nobody would've noticed. The shocking thing about it is (and you may not know as an Australian), a lot of country music fans (there's an oxy-moron for you) are conservative and vote Republican here in the US. I think that is what got them so much attention. I hate country "music", but I admit to buying Dixie Chicks albums as a proud Democrat who supports the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, which provides for freedom of speech to criticize the government.
8. In America, free speech translates to "whatever those in power think is the right thing to say."
9. Well, you know, it is like that a lot of times. But Natalie did make some pretty inappropriate comments. She could have protested our president's ways in a more civil manner. As for the war, I agree that things were horrible when Saddam was in power, but did you know that iraq has already tried a democracy three times? it obviously can't work there because of the culture. If the Shiites pass a law or whatever, the Sunnis aren't just going to take it. They are going to fight! And physically! I say that since there aren't any nukes, that we should pull out. Amen?
10. Americans have the right to choose whom they like, and for whatever reason. I'm sure your country shares the same belief. Americans are still very patriotic and even if many don't support the war efforts, or rebuilding of a nation, or whatever someone feels is going on in Iraq, many still will stand up for our country's leader. Having the ability to vote, and place someone in power, doesn't mean you support all the actions that person takes. Bush won't be in power for too long, so it's becoming a moot point. A collective, biased assumption that all Americans yell obscenities to the Dixie Chicks, isn't fair, and is untrue. First off, the Country and Western genre of music isn't enjoyed by many Americans, so many can target any artist and what political views they have, much easier. Second, the same way you judge Bush, is the same right and opinion we have, whether it's for or against someone... sometimes, Americans just want singers to sing, actors to act, and dancers to dance.. once they step over and share their political views,, then they do become opinion for scrutiny. That's how it is ,, is the real free world!
11. The Dixie Chicks bashed their primary audience which were red state conservatives. Now they have to find liberals that like country music.
12. the dixie chicks can have free speech, but any time free speech is given, then there is going to be a reaction to it- especially if it is a political statement. the bigger the statement, the bigger the reaction. they were not legally scrutinized or prosecuted, however, they were persecuted by the people of america who disagreed with their statement. it was basically freedom of speech versus freedom of speech: a statement against a statement. it was them against their public; the people of america, and no one else. just two groups of people exercising their rights.
13. The dixie chicks make brilliant music, first and foremost. They are in a position to make the sort of comments that have been made. To the person that said the chicks had killed off their main audience and now had to find liberals to listen to their country music, perhaps you should study up on your political ideologies. America is far and away a liberal nation, and if these comments were speaking out against Mr bush then they were speaking out against the liberal greed of the entire country.
14. its ALL crazy... we shouldnt be threatened by them. They are talented as HELL! no one is condeming rap artists for cursing like sailors in songs as much as those few words Nat said. Go Nat!
15. I agree with you, but I have to let you know, all Americans aren't like that... Some are just more out spoken than others. Yes we are free, and we have the freedom of speech until you get shot, or say something certain people don't like. To sum it all up, if the "Big Man" won't like it, keep it to yourself...