There's Your Trouble

Ten years ago this week, the biggest American country band in the U.S., the Dixie Chicks, stepped upon a stage in London to an enthusiastic crowd.  With the imminent conflict in Iraq looming, lead singer Natalie Maines stepped up to the mike and said, “Just so you know…we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.”  Within days, the remarks exploded throughout the U.S. shortly thereafter, the band’s career was essentially over.  In the aftermath of the controversy, there was a national debate over the first amendment and the right for Ms. Maines and the rest of her band, made up of Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, to speak their mind and voice their concern about the imminent conflict.  It is a discussion that still rings today.  Yet, there were three components of Ms. Maines’ comments that drew the greatest ire. 

One, the comments were made about an upcoming military action.  A friend once asked me, as a combat veteran, is it possible to criticize the government without affecting the troops asked to carry out the national policy.  Now, it should be noted that in my experience, as part of the First Persian Gulf War, opponents to the war was rather thin on the ground but we were aware of them.  In a general sense, I think most soldiers can separate them but we often personalize our mission and grow to care a great deal for our goals and the people we are seeking to help.  Therefore, it is hard to differentiate the criticism.  Additionally, people who have criticized the war effort will throw in, usually at the end or the very beginning, a “but we support the troops.”  It appears to be a throw-in and not sincere.  That is not to damn everyone who has said that but the perception is that it is disingenuous.   

Second, Natalie Maines made this “mistake” of declaring her political views in another country.  Right or wrong, Americans tend to consider such actions similar to that of traitors.  It is one thing to complain about the government in country – indeed, it is a healthy component of a thriving democracy that people have the right to speak their mind, no matter the opinion.  However, once a person is on foreign soil, one does not air dirty laundry.  President Bill Clinton, in his run-up to his 1992 victory over George H.W. Bush, experienced difficulties with stories about his protest in England against the Vietnam War.  Now, one can certainly suggest that one’s constitutional rights are not checked at the customs’ gate and that we should be able to exercise our privileges anytime, anywhere.  While that is true, there is a question of decorum.  Ergo, the situation of the Dixie Chicks in London certainly violates this widely held opinion of when and when not to criticize one’s government. 

Lastly and among those who support the Dixie Chicks, there is a bit of hypocrisy.  In an effort to extol the women’s right to speak their mind, they denigrate the right of those who oppose the band to speak theirs.  Hollywood stars and other musicians like Madonna and Merle Haggard complained that the backlash was ending their career.  The constitution says that each of us has the right of speech but there is nothing in the document to suggest we have the right to be taken seriously or agreed with.  One cannot choose to exercise free speech while at the same time hoping to choose the consequences or fall out.  Free speech does not work that way.  Each of our freedoms has consequences, both good and bad.  In the case of the Dixie Chicks, they may rightly declare they have the right to speak their mind but they cannot abridge anyone else’s rights and therefore, the consequences.   

Personally, I think the women are extremely talented and though I disagree with them, I do, on occasion, like to listen to their music.  However, politically, their concept of the first amendment is a bit childish and lacks a complete understanding that we all have those rights and one must endure the consequences.  The ladies have remained unapologetic – they should if they meant what they said.  Unfortunately, they also misjudged the situation and in doing so, truncated a great career.