So much for freedom of speech. While they are touring in Europe, the Texas-based Dixie Chicks have come across a lot of anti-U.S. sentiment. As a result, singer Natalie Maines made some controversial comments about fellow Texan George W. Bush during a London concert. Maines told the audience, ‘Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.’ Some radio stations have called for a boycott—and one even called for a destruction of Chicks’ CDs. Cybil Wilkes on the Tom Joyner show called for folks to BUY the records in support of the singers. Go to www.Dixiechicks.com to send support. They also have a statement on the site from Maines saying: ‘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.’
From the Dixie Chicks: ‘We’ve been overseas for several weeks and have been reading and following the news accounts of our governments’ position. The anti-American sentiment that has unfolded here is astounding. While we support our troops, there is nothing more frightening than the notion of going to war with Iraq and the prospect of all the innocent lives that will be lost.’