It would have been three years ago, this coming March that Dixie Chick Natalie Maines made her statement against President Bush, saying 'Just so you know, we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.' That statement sparked an outcry against the Dixie Chicks. Radio stations pulled their music, and in some places, they even went so far as to have a gathering of people who tossed their Dixie Chicks cds in a pile and had a bulldozer run them over. A month later, she and bandmates Martie Maguire and Emily Robison finally addressed the controversy for the first time, posing naked on the cover of EW and candidly discussing the firestorm Maines' comment sparked. Now the group is prepping its first album since The Incident, and they're promising it will be a big departure from past work. Produced by Rick Rubin, it's shaping up to be an old-fashioned rock album, reminiscent of '70s rock bands like the Eagles (the still-untitled disc is due in stores this April). One highlight is sure to be ''Not Ready to Make Nice,'' which directly addresses the fallout from the big Bush bash.
An angry US Navy Airman then proceeded to write this 'Open Letter to the Dixie Chicks':
An Open Letter to the Dixie Chicks
Earlier this week, while performing in London, you stated that you were ashamed that our President is from your home state. I wonder if you realized how many Americans would be listening. This American was listening. This Texan is ashamed that you come from my state.
I serve my country as an officer in the United States Navy. Specifically, I fly F-14 Tomcats off carriers around the world, executing the missions that preserve the very freedom you claim to exercise.
I have proudly fought for my country in the skies over Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan without regret. Though I may disagree wholeheartedly with your comments, I will defend to the death your right to say them, in America.
But for you to travel to a foreign land and publicly criticize our Commander in Chief is cowardice behavior. Would you have so willingly made those comments while performing for a patriotic, flag-waving crowd of Texans in Lubbock. I would imagine not.
How dare you pocket profits off songs about soldiers, their deaths and patriotism while criticizing their Commander in Chief abroad, even while they prepare to give their lives to ensure your own freedom of speech.
Please ask yourself, what have you done to deserve that sacrifice? Do not try to justify your comments by claiming that you made them only because you care about innocent lives.
Never once in our history have we committed troops to war for the purpose of taking innocent lives. We do it to protect innocent lives, even yours. If the world leaders of the late 1930's had the vision and courage of our present Commander in Chief, perhaps the evil men who caused the death of millions in WWII would have never had the opportunity to harm a soul.
The potential loss of millions of lives in the future at the hands of today's evil men necessitate action. In a separate correspondence, I am returning to you each and every Dixie Chicks CD and cassette that I have ever purchased.
Never again will I allow my funds to support your behavior. All you have done is to add your name to a growing list of American "Celebrities" who have failed to realize that they have obtained their successes on the backs of the American blue-collar workers such as our servicemen and women.
To Natalie Maines: This Texan — this American will continue to risk his life to guarantee your freedoms. What will you do to deserve it?
The Dixie Chicks then cried out with the words of their song, "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice".
(Caution: This song contains swears. Ask parents permission before playing it.)
I am still a big supporter of the Dixie Chicks and "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice" has become one of my favorite songs. I think it's terrible that US citizens reacted so harshly to the words of Natalie Maines in London. Don't all Americans have the right to freedom of speech? In the words of the Dixie Chicks:
"It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her/Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger"
For lyrics to "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice", click here.
