Do the Dixie Chicks Hate America?

It really seems that way.

Michelle Malkin at Hot Air has the video report that "We aren't read to make nice either".

The Dixie Chicks, the name of their group suggesting that they are a Country group, cannot seem to sell to Country fans.

Instead of just "shutting up" and singing, in which fans and listeners could enjoy thier music, they seem to have a need to use their music and concerts as a place to make political points, putting down the President of the United States both in America and in other countries, putting down their fellow Country singers and even degrading Country fans themselves.

Maquire says she is not trying to say the country music audience is mostly rednecks. "But over the years, and especially, since country music's turned into this redneck theme, it's become kind of a negative,"

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The negativity I hear and see in YOUR statements Dixie Chicks, where as with other Country singers, I hear uplifting music, Patriotism, belief in self and Country, music that charges you up, speeches and talks that inspire and charge up the crowds; not a hate-filled screed that rips apart others and what you believe in.

By the way, you didn't seem to mind when these "rednecks" were buying your music, just when they took offense to what you said and spoke out against you.

So she is done with those that speak out against her, and if we as Americans take the same attitude, can say the same as she, that we are done with you and you can leave.
(just equating this to how she is acting and talking):

Maines says she’s finished with the genre and is none too pleased with the fans, basically labeling them as redneck hicks. She tells Entertainment Weekly, “the stereotype is true.”

“So I’m pretty much done. They’ve shown their true colors. I like lots of country music, but as far as the industry and everything that happened… I couldn’t want to be farther away from that,” Maines told EW.

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“The entire country is controlled by money. And I think that’s what people feel, they don’t — their voice isn’t heard. They don’t have a say. It’s corporate America. My friend made up the word corpocracy. I love that word.”

It is a Captilistic society, do expect people and businesses NOT to make money?
I do not see you giving your CD Music away for FREE and not charging for your concerts, so your more than a bit hypocritical in stating this.

Was it any wonder when they do this that there will not be a backlash?

Maines: Oh, my God, yes. We never in a million years knew people were listening to what we said. Like Emily said, we never use the stage as a place to preach our political beliefs or spiritual beliefs. And we still won't. And that's not what I was doing that night either. It seemed odd to not mention anything about what was going on, granted I mentioned it in the wrong way."
-- Syndicated radio interview with Bob Kingsley, 4/24/03

You don't use your music and the stage to preach you political beliefs?
You sure about that?

and now the Dixie Chicks question your Patriotism, and how you display it. They don't seem to know what it means to believe in something, including pride in your own country.

"A lot of pandering started going on, and you'd see soldiers and the American flag in every video. It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism."

"The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism," [Natalie] Maines resumes, through gritted teeth. "Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country… I don't see why people care about patriotism."

Why, through GRITTED TEETH, is she so angry about people who show their Patriotism, their Love of their Country, their Pride in their Country? Why does Patriotism make her so angry?

The more I hear Maines speak, the more she sounds like a petulant child.

Natalie just doesn't get it.
Country fans are usually the MOST patriotic, not saying that those that don't listen to Country aren't, but for the most part, the majority of Country music fans and Country music stars show their Patriotism, their Pride in their Country in their music.

It's a belief in something, a firm belief and Patriotism is taking Pride in your Country.
It is not just a place to "Live".

Karl over at Leaning Straight Up has an excellent post on, What is so bad about Patriotism?

It would be wishful thinking, but perhaps Maines and the rest of the Dixie Chick group that seem to follow Maines lead, should head over and read what Karl has to say about Patriotism, since they don't seem to understand.

Jasyn at Obviously Right points out an interesting observation:

Patriotism is the love of your country. Like any other love, it's based on gratitude, appreciation, and admiration.

Liberals don't love America, because they don't admire America, appreciate America, or feel any gratitude for America. They're not patriots.

Instead of admiring America, they attack it and tear it down. They magnify our faults and minimize our strengths. They lecture constantly about the evils America has done, but ignore the good America has done or is doing.

In their minds, America does no good, only evil. This is false, and so they do not- can not- understand America, and without understanding they can't appreciate America.

Without appreciation, they feel no gratitude. They take for granted all of the vast blessings and benefits they enjoy because of their citizenship. Their liberty, their prosperity, the fruits of the labors of previous generations, all of this means nothing to them.

Americans should love America. This country is great and she is good, and her people are among the best in the world. Few other nations are as generous and forgiving, few other nations are as selfless.

America is powerful, but we do not seek conquest or empire. Instead, we employ our power to defend others, though they spit on us. We use our power to spread freedom and liberty, and in this are unique among the great powers of history. To know America is to love America, and those who do not know cannot love.

Without love, one is not a patriot. For these Leftist un-patriots, the love patriots hold for America is incomprehensible, they do not understand how anyone can love this country. So they deride the love of America, and defame the patriots who love her.

And without love, they become a sad band of misanthropes, constantly on the verge of a bitter screed about the evils America does, never appreciating what America does for them and for others, and never understanding the grace and goodness of this great land. Without patriotism, they are driven to attack her, which is why patriotism is so significant.

Love is selfless, and the ability to sacrifice ones self for the good of this good land is of paramount importance. It's what keeps America safe, especially in times of war, and ensures that the blessings we enjoy are handed down to those who come after.

Excellently put Jasyn. Thank you.

Magnify the faults and ignoring or downplaying the strengths, benefits and good nature of America seems to be the common for Liberals and the Media - because they just don't seem to understand what Patriotism is. What they do is the OPPOSITE of Patriotism.

From Gene Autry touring the Pacific in the 1940s to Toby Keith touring Iraq and Afghanistan in the new millennia, America's country music stars have long been staunch supporters of America's men and women in uniform. Country fiddle playin', guitar pickin' singers, songwriters have traveled the world to bring a touch of home to U.S. service members defending freedom.

Country Music Stars and the Troops
You won't see the Dixie Chicks in the above list.

"It’s really something to see artists come and support us. The morale boost that it gives is just like getting good letters from home."

Master Gunnery Sgt. Tom Rose, Marine Corps Forces Command, Norfolk, Va.

But now the Dixie Chicks have to go to another Country to whine and complain:

"The reaction was as if Natalie had said 'Death to the President' or something," says violinist and vocalist Maguire.

"It was the bullying and the scare factor," shudders banjo and guitar player Robison. "It was like the McCarthy days, and it was almost like the country was unrecognisable."

The Chicks can't hide their disgust at the lack of support they received from other country performers.

....

"I think for longevity's sake, our music had to mature and we had to mature as people," says Maguire.

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First of all, your not even old enough to know anything about the McCarthy days, so how can you sit there with a straight face and equate Americans who dislike what you say and found it contemptable so chose not to support you finacially by not buying your music to McCarthism?

Perhaps your music has matured, but still waiting on you to mature.

I guess you don't agree with Freedom of Choice either?

The Freedom of Choice and Freedom of Speech for those who do not agree with you to show you buy not buying your products and/or speaking out against what they find offensive in your music and statements.

While you are free to bash and degrade your fellow Country Singers, Country fans, Texas and America...we also have the same Freedom to not buy the screed your selling, to turn our backs on you, to not go to your concerts and to turn away from you.

Freedom works both ways.


Others blogging this:
Sister Toldjah - "The Dixie Chicks: What’s the big deal about patriotism?"

Rhymes with Right - "Just Call Them The Dixie Victims"

A Lady's Ruminations - "What did they expect?"

California Conservative - "The Dixie Chick Don’t Get Patriotism"

Bryan at Hot Air - "Dixie Chicks: No need for patriotism"

Flopping Aces - "Dixie Chicks Care Little For Patriotism"

The Squiggler - "Dixie Chicks ... what did she say?"

Amy Proctor - "The Chixie Dicks On Patriotism"

The Bullwinkle Blog - "The Hate Behind The Dixie Chicks"

Reality and Sanity - "Clueless Chicks"

Tammy Bruce - "Dixie Chick Confused by Patriotism"

Anti-Idiotarian Rottweiler - "The Ditzy Twits, Ditzier Than Ever"

Cold Fury - "Just don’t question their patriotism"

The Coalition of the Swilling - "Am I Allowed To Question Her Patriotism Now?"