It was March 2003. I had been following the run-up to the Iraq War, debunking the lies, and being called a traitor on a regular basis for posting articles that said the the Bush Regime was not giving us an accurate representation of the facts. To be frank, I was feeling pretty much alone in the world, because folks like me, who actually took the trouble to learn the truth, were few and far between. It was a breath of fresh air to learn that I had support from the last place I would have expected it.
It was ten years ago tonight that the Dixie Chicks, extremely popular then and far from controversial, caused a massive stir when singer Natalie Maines declared on stage in London: “Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas.” It was a little more than a week before their fellow Texan launched a war based on lies.
Of course, hatred was quickly spewed in the Chicks’ direction by media types, political figures and country music yahoos—who never then or now get so excited when right-wing entertainers and media celebs make threats against a Democratic president.
Boycotts were immediately announced. Maines clarified two days later, “I feel the president is ignoring the opinions of many in the US and alienating the rest of the world.” But record sales and advance sales of concert tickets plunged… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <The Nation>
These women paid a high price for their integrity, and I am grateful that they, as true patriots, were willing to make that sacrifice. Here’s a clip of theirs to enjoy while remembering and reflecting.
25 Responses to “Remember the Dixie Chicks?”
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Of course I remember and like you I felt the same. No one listened but the truth was there pror to the invasion. That's why so many marched in protest around the world because they knew what bush/Cheney and the rest of the NeoCons were about to do was based on lies and lies alone. The reason we knew is because we did not listen to Big Whore Media in this country.
Important too and just as sad in a way that when the Downing Street Memo came out more than enough proof for the sheep to understand that this nation was lied into war by just a few they just bleated and continued on their merry way.
Yes the Dixie Chicks – three of the good Texans. We are also smarter than the Tom Friedman's because all of these belt way bastards were complicit in the lies as well. some of them need to swing as well as the bush killers.
There is NO mercy in matters such as this and never will I be part of rewriting history of what happened.
Agree. I was on the lookout, because I had expected him to invade Iraq, and predicted it on 9/11/2001.
It made me sick when all this came down. The Dixie Chicks were one of the few good things to come out of Texas. I still listen to their music and never stopped.
I, too, was called a traitor and unpatriotic all the time. Where I live, there are a lot of country western fans and they all deserted these wonderful talents. They would come to my home and hear them and ask who the musicians were. Such short memories on those "patriotic" sorts.
There were too few of us.
Knew they were right then- did not deserve the hate they received—-
Amen Phyllis!
Even today I still feel anger. And all those so called tea party patriots are trying to pull President Obama under the bus for what? Caring about your fellow man" The country changed in 2000 and it's not over yet. Thanks Tom for reminding us that fight is just getting started.
YVW, Mama, and I agree.
Remember? I went straight to a record store and asked for everything the Dixie Chicks had recorded. Luckily they had not recorded to many that I could not pay for them. And that's actually when I first heard them, and I loved their music.
I bought the Cds out of anger but am still enjoying the music.
Welcome Elinor! 🙂
What a wonderful idea! I wish I had thought of it!!
What are you talking about? What moderation?
Elinor, the first time someone post a comment here, it is held for my approval, which I did within a couple hours. Once I have approved one, your future comments will appear immediuately without moderation.
We get a lot of unbridled hate posted here by Republicans using phoney IDs. While opposing views are welcome here. hateful attacks are not.
From Wikipedia:
I was never a country fan although I do remember the name "The Dixie Chicks" and I do remember that there was 'something' in the air surrounding them. I wonder what those same people who condemned them in 2003 would say now? No doubt, some would still condemn them, but my guess is that the numbers would be much less. The nation was still in a 9/11 frenzy and wanted payback. Baby Bush, Cheney and the Neocons were going to "look after things" for them. But so much came to light including no WMDs and 4,000+ US soldiers killed that Baby Bush et al took a drubbing. Add to that the financial crisis and the deficit largely caused by the unpaid for wars . . .
Enjoyed the video TC.
Many still condemn them. They're broken up now.
Back in 2007 I wrote a comment about the Iraq war decision:
http://ethicsblackhole.blogspot.com/2007/01/iraq-war-decision.html
Welcome David. 🙂
By 2007, it had become common knowlege that Bush and his Neocon cronies had lied us into war. When The Chicks, very vew others, and I came out against it, most Americans still believed the lies.
I commend the Dixie Chicks and thank them for being brave enough to speak out and risk so much. We need more entertainers to the same.
Welcome Marian. 🙂
Amen to that!
Time passes too quickly and the arrow of time can not be undone… War criminals need to be in the can (prison).
I loved the Dixie Chicks for standing up for their beliefs – beliefs I shared at the time and still do.
Long may they thrive.
Amen, Angie!
Thanks to Rachel Maddow we revisited the "era" with 'Hubris" – I too was vehemently appalled by the idea that Iraq was brought up at all — I was shocked that Powell was used as their pollution spokesman, and I do remember the Dixie Chicks and was amazed that anything good could come out of Texas – although I didn't follow them (sadly – I'm not a "country music" enthusiast) but didn't really follow up on the price they had to pay — most unfortunate!
I guess this is still why none of these traitors have been brought to justice — we have a lot of "tall buildings" here in NYC – from which any one of them could "swing"!
Read David Regen's article – very well articulated – thanks David – and thanks to you TC
Lee, I agree. Justice remains owed.
Never a fan of C-W, always a fan of The Dixie Chicks. And Willie Nelson. Maybe a few others. Okay, so it looks like I'm in denial about being a C-W fan. But I digress.
The people with integrity and a social conscience are always the ones who are persecuted. Jane Fonda, The Dixie Chicks. Pussy Riot, Tim deChristopher, Bradley Manning, John Kiriakou and countless others have all paid too high a price for voicing politically incorrect opinions and/or taking radical actions against defenders of the status quo; the least fortunate of these have paid with their lives. They are the bravest and best among us–true heroes of the people–and they are worthy of our admiration and respect.
Very well said, Phil.