Natalie Maines Issues Defiant Presidential Quote on Website (How Sorry is she Really?)

Natalie Maines.com ^ | March 19, 2003 | Natalie Maines

[ewing]

'To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the Presdient, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.'

President Theodore Roosevelt

[Ozarkie]

If you click on the picture it'll take you into the site. My problem is that I don't want to register just to read the comments although I'd like to see them. Hmm....Oh well.

[Petronski]

"I am deeply
saddened."

[Petronski]

That server of hers must be taking a beating.

If by 'server' you mean 'sorry-ass career,' then I agree.

[InvisibleChurch]

i'm not arguing that she said anything, just that what she said was dumb

[WoodlandsTXFreeper]

Good for you. If there is a Dixie Chick CD crushing / burning in the Houston Metro Area, I WILL BE THERE. Heck, I don't even own any Dixie Chick CD's, but I'll buy one just to crush it!!

[hattend]

So it doesn't matter if the product is good or not, if they piss you off, try to convince as many people as possible to take their income away? Yes, I do object to that...

If I tell you what I think about the Vichy Chicks and how I would never buy another thing with their name on it and you choose to continue to buy (or not), how am I taking income away from them? It's my choice and yours. Supply and Demand.

They made a statement and they have to live with the consequences. It's called responsibilty for actions.

America, what a country!

[MortMan]

My comments in her guest book:

"Natalie, Vis-a-vis your comments on a London stage, I'm afraid you have mistaken your right to free speech and my right to not listen - or support your career henceforth."

I did find some of the comments in the guest book crude and disgusting - Insulting someone for being ignorant does nothing to educate them.

[delinker]

If-God forbid- we rely on the dixie chicks for our politics we are in for a very sad, rough ride. Luckily we are NOT reliant on "stars" such as natalie maines to come up with our political directions. She is an entertainer? She needs to entertain not opine to us about politics; particularly when it's nothing short of vitriolic, empty and unrefined negative rhetoric in the first place.

Bottomline: the chicks have dug a hole and will now have to deal with the repurcussions, according to another American tradition: the FREE MARKET. Note to natalie maines: FREE SPEECH also requires the courage of your convictions, not multiple (and inept) apologies that only serve to staunch the loss in your cash flow.

[TennTuxedo]

Nashville, Tennessee blogger Bill Hobbs said this about Natlaie Maines's apology:

"Dixie Chicks singer Natalie Maines is trying to undo the damage done by her rude slam of President Bush in front of a London audience. Here is here statement - and the between-the-lines translation:"

What she said: "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."

What she meant: "As an American citizen concerned that I just put millions of dollars in future earnings at risk, I apologize to President Bush because my disrespectful remark has angered country music fans all across America and I respect the fact that radio stations are pulling the Chicks off the air, fans are destroying Chicks records and, while I thank God I waited to insert my booted foot in my mouth until after we sold $49 million worth of summer concert tour tickets, I know we're going to be hurt financially long term if I don't fix the situation. We are currently in Europe, playing concerts for fans who paid a lot of money for tickets and a lot of them are having anti-American feelings right now, and we're from Texas so I took a gratuitous slap at President Bush in order to ingratiate myself further with our European cash-cow fans. While war may remain a viable option, our viability as a hit country band back in the states is less certain. I just want to exhaust every possible alternative to keep us from losing sales to American children and American soldiers. I love my country - where else could a fat chick like me make a zillion dollars singing other people's songs. I am a proud American. So please let me come home. Please..."

[stuartcr]

I guess if there was someone that thought highly of what you had to say, liked their music but did not care what they said on their own, listened to you, and stopped buying their product because of what you said, that would be what I mean. It's fine for you to not buy their product, or those of France, or any one that you don't agree with, but I don't think you should try to influence others, and that is what I see here, all over freerepublic.

[Hildy]

It's this an OFFICIAL website. If so, I've gotta say she's got guts. I think it's high time to let this go. Buy her CD's, don't buy them, it's an individual choice. But to destroy her career and life is uncalled for a downright dangerous precident. I don't go for it.

[b4its2late]

She must have some French blood in her.......

[stuartcr]

Why can we opine, but not them?

[b4its2late]

She must have some French blood in her.......

[b4its2late]

A couple of pints, as a matter of fact.....

[MaggieMay]

Stuardcr, you sound suspiciously like Simon Renshaw, manager of the Dixie Chicks. Trying to solicit some sympathy for the DC,at the FR? Good Luck.

[hattend]

It's fine for you to not buy their product, or those of France, or any one that you don't agree with, but I don't think you should try to influence others, and that is what I see here, all over freerepublic.

You're kidding, right? Are you a bubble-boy? It's not just in FreeRepublic.com.

People have had other people trying to influence them from the day they were born.

My telling people about the Chicks and trying to convince them to not buy their products is no different than Ford trying to get you to buy a Ford and not a Chevy.

It's the marketplace at work. Put out an inferior product and word of mouth will kill you.

[stuartcr]

Their product is not what this is about, it's more like the opinion of Henry Ford. Back during the superbowl, freepers were all over how great the Dix Chks sounded, and how great they were...their product has not changed. Chevy did not say buy their product because we don't like what Mr. Ford said.

[Redcloak]

I hate to be a killjoy, but www.nataliemaines.com is a fan site. It doesn't look like Maines has any control over its content whatsoever. I'm all for smackin' her for what she's said, but only for what she's said. This seems to be the work of a rabid fan.

[hattend]

...their product has not changed.

Well, I can see where we are having a big disagreement.