What's the deal with the Dixie Chicks??

Question

How can people in this country act so ridiculous about what that woman said? W is a complete embarrassment to this country IMHO and she has every right to express her opinion regardless of what it is!! I read the CMA awards are completely ignoring them because of this and I think there should be a boycott or something to country music because of this, it's just mind blowing to me!!! Anyone else feel that way???

Answer 1

I didn't hear about the CMA thing, but I agree with you that everyone in this country, famous or not, has the right to say whatever they want about government. However, with that sentiment, I will say that while the Dixie Chicks can say whatever they want, everybody else can react to it however they want, without prejudice. I mean to say its not right to exclude people from honors or awards or jobs or anything because of their political beliefs, but if you express political beliefs, you leave yourself open to people expressing themselves against you.

Answer 2

I think the Dixie Chicks are a complete embarassment to this country, but that's just because I don't like country music or that group, lol. I hate GWB too, but I think the CMA award people are overreacting.

Answer 3

The problem is not that their right to free speech was violated. The Chicks are upset because most of their fans did not agree with them and accept their viewpoint. If you remember the week before Natalie expressed her opinion in a concert overseas, they had just broken the record for selling out three concerts. Their hit regarding a soldier killed at war was on the top of the Country charts, and many of their conservative, pro-Bush, pro-war fans were rallying around that song. After the incident occurred these fans, as well as the Country Music industry, were humiliated and angry because they felt betrayed, not because of their opinions, but the circumstances surrounding the event.
I live in Nashville and have a lot of friends in the music business as well as the Country Music industry. I have not personally met the Dixie Chicks (I really do not like Country Music), but my wife has. The Chicks should have been a little more respectful of their fans and the industry that established and supported them for so many years, and regardless of their opinion, should have had a little more tact than to express this to a foreign audience.
They are not wrong for their beliefs. They took a stand and exercised their freedom of speech and expression. Many conservatives, like me, do not support the war, have not voted for a Republican administration, and do express their opinions in a respectful manner.
The problem is so many entertainers who are taking political stands apparently do not realize that just because they are acting on their own consciences does not make them immune to attack and controversy and certainly does not mean that their views are better or more correct than other's. Most are not even in touch with the reality of the common world. I will give credit to Bono of U2 and his political activities because he had to endure the loss of his Mother at an early age, and watched as thousands were killed, many friends of his, in years of violence while growing up in Dublin. The Dixie Chicks grew up in middle-class suburbia.
The Chicks are mainly upset because they believe their opinions should have no effect on the sale of their music. But just because we have freedom does not mean it comes without responsibility, consequences, and ramifications. Everyone is entitled to agree or disagree with the Chicks or any one else's opinion, and are free to speak out as well. Their fans and the Country Music industry would have accepted them and their views much better if they had shown a little more discretion regarding where, when and how they expressed their opinions.
Go ahead and boycott the CMA Awards and Country Music if you want, because as an American citizen, you are free to do that and I respect and applaud you for taking a stand. But remember that this is the same freedom that Country Music is expressing against the Dixie Chicks, and they have every right to do so, and I respect them for taking a stand as well. This is also why Yahoo! Answers is available and is still going strong.
The worst American is the one that does nothing.

Answer 4

I feel its ridiculous as well
l certainly don't understand the vile reaction .Burning and crushing Cd's in the streets. Banning them ,asking for boycotts. It was like a third world country.
And for what because a musician said something I personally disagree with.
That happens everyday.
And I don't buy the argument that it was because they were not on American soil when they said it.
At the time anyone who even SLIGHTLY disagreed with the decisions being made in Washington was being called out as unpatriotic and unamerican.
Think of that.
If we bleed to bring democracy to Iraq we should be able to say how we feel about it.
I believe that is called freedom of speech.

Answer 5

First of all would you be saying that if they burned the american flag? Everyone has the right to their own opinion,but,you dont have to listen to some groups rants if it is in contrast to your beliefs.What if you were pro-life and your favorite singer talked about how terrible and stupid pro-lifers were.Would you turn away from the singer? The Dixie chicks made their statement and now they have to live with it.What if Garth Brooks went vegetarian and he talked about how horrible it is that people could still eat and buy meat? That would be in contrast to popular opinion,wouldnt it! I dont like country and I personally feel everything you say and do will be judged when your in the limelight.....too bad,so sad......thats the way it is when you acertain fame.

Answer 6

they were shut out of the ACM's...not the CMA's. I like their music but dont share their beliefs. I don't let their beliefs sway me away from listening. I dont put a lot of emphasis on award shows.

Answer 7

They had the RIGHT to say it. It is a free country, but those who disagree with them also have the right to stop listening to them. It is how we express our disapproval.

I reminds me of a Will Smith song called "Lost and Found."

"While sure you're free to do it.
But what it mean to do it?
Did you mean to do it?
Did you need to do it?
Did you take time to think about the seeds you ruined?"

They can say what they want, but I and many like me will never be their fans again.

Peace,
LFotF

Answer 8

the fact that she said she was to famous for cmt and that they were legends, she said that she was much better than greats like Reba,Alan Jackson,George strait. i don't care what she says but that's so not cool to put down other artists that are better than them. I dint know what the deal is but they've still got plenty of fans. i just would rather not support em anymore

Answer 9

how can we?? she is the one who brought the stupid sh*t back up! why could she have not let it rest and not come back and sing a stupid song about it?!? i mean, we all forgot about what she said and moved on...which is why she made the song, because we FORGOT about them (which was fine by me). of course they are ignoring them...they are not good artists anymore and should not be recongized for it...not because of what she said, what 3+ years ago!!! she is the one who needs to let it rest.

as someone wrote "it is a free country"....this is very true, which makes us so great! however, why did they go to the UK to say how they felt and not here on their own soil?? beacuse they were too afraid.

Answer 10

The Dixie Chicks totally took advantage of their fame and being on stage to trash our President Bush....He is our Commander in Chief of the largest super power in the world and how dare she make a statement to hurt our men who are over in Iraq, not to mention their families..how dare she!