[North_Dallas_Man]

My family and I are frequent Lipton tea drinkers, and my grandmother has been drinking it every day for YEARS. We are all big fans of your product. However, we are also proud Americans.

I discovered today that you are sponsoring the Dixie Chicks on their current tour. I know that Lipton is in no way responsible for the misguided views of Natalie Maines, and it is unfortunate that your support of her has garnered Lipton the "black eye" that it has. However, as their sponsor there must be some option which you can exercise to disassociate Lipton from this mindless liberal.

As a long-time Lipton fan I will be watching your response to this. As a proud American, I will be switching brands - as I'm sure my grandmother will - until Lipton has withdrawn its support of Natalie Maines.

Jeff Stubing

[kxkraze]

> > 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.
> >
> > Specifically to Natalie Maines: This Texan and
> > American will continue to risk his life to
> > guarantee your freedoms. What will you do to
> > deserve it?