Have to say above all I mean no offence to anyone serving or their families in this. If you read this through hopefully my meaning will be clear. Please if you read, read to the end, because there is more here than just this movie too.
I had wanted to see this for months, since it came out, but it has been constantly checked out. Months, I was so lucky to be there and get it. I missed much of what was going on, I heard a bit, but so much was happening, I knew what I thought, and it wasn't for a while that I knew how much had happened. I couldn't have fathomed the reactions of some. Gotta say even with all that was going on, had I known, I would have tried to protest for them, a pro-protest. I have had all of their Cd's, and when all were stolen from my car, they were the first I replaced. The new CD was the hardest, being sold out everywhere I went, it took days. Their work, and talent is beyond so many and a comment didn't effect my opinion of their music. I wish I had known just so I could have said and done more to counteract the, well people that came out. It is the same no matter what the protests, it attracts frightening people, who are willing to say or do anything for their message to be heard. They aren't informed, seldom have the facts, nor do they care.
I know and love many people who have or are serving in the armed services. Family and friends who either served themselves or were married to someone who has. My dad and his whole family all served. I respect what they are doing, and have seen good done from them serving. So much good that is being done, that is so beyond the fighting. Their service, all of it to our country deserves my highest respect.
When I first heard what Natalie Maine's had been quoted saying, I assumed she meant differently than many did. I have liked the band for so long, many songs actually helping me through hard times. She says things in a way that sometimes aren't clear, but if you know her style and about her, you'd know she is very well informed, and usually says things other people later agree with, although sometimes being very blunt in doing so. I assumed, that she didn't think there was reason for troupes to be sent in at that time. With me, and from what I have seen again guessing, that she didn't want a war without reason, I get that having seen many people gone before, and from what I knew, and thought, I couldn't envision this ending soon, or really effecting those needed. Terrorists don't care who is being hurt, that isn't going to help the cause, and I envisioned a long struggle separating families, and maybe not to return to each other again, or for long in between tours of duty. That isn't including those serving who have lost loved ones at home, children have died at the hands of their caregivers, a few born after the father left, who never got to see their child, or really young, when their parent left, before being able to know them, and can't now. Those serving have given their lives to our country, and I worry if they have the respect they deserve, and their needs met as much as they deserve.
Natalie's statement to me was just her point of view, I like her style, and it's always free speech. Who cares if she doesn't like the President, to me that is acceptable. I don't believe the President, should be unquestioned ever, or liked only because of the title, even if what they do isn't what we agree with. Worse the apparent forced worshiping of a cardboard cutout of the man, by children. He is human and bound to make mistakes, that others don't like. I don't see the problem with saying, I don't like that, or what he is doing, no matter where the little club is located at. Of course then media taking off making it sound like a big venue and playing on everything they could didn't help. I personally won't like everything anyone does, because they have a title, or what the media reports alone.
Her statement was free speech, it's an opinion, either way to me wasn't enough to make me throw out their music, or think less of their talent. I really can't fathom burning or crushing anything, just because of one statement. It's an old action done often during fear, ignorance, or just following the crowd, but really is ironic to burn something, against someones right to free speech, something that just shows to me more ignorance, and an inability to think of anything on their own, resorting back to burning the evil, and in this case claiming in the name of troupes who are fighting for others to have free speech going against what this country I always thought stood for.
I didn't insist on another stars Cd's being destroyed when He made a comment implying a desire to hurt Natalie. That is different than just not being proud of the presidents decisions, it's a guy with some following implying the way to handle something is to hurt a woman who bothers you.
I think it's funny that they say that the DC are ignorant, when the protesters statements in fact are ignorant, among other things, and irrational, and flat out scary in some cases. It's also just disturbing the lengths people will go, teaching children to hate strangers over a rumor, and for people, men especially wishing harm, or even death on three women, three mothers, all of whom were pregnant at some point during the time this was going on. Why would it ever be OK to threaten to hurt or kill three pregnant women?
I don't destroy and music, books, whatever, I don't see the point, to me a better way would have been to sell Cd's and use the proceeds to help those now serving. Some people sadly on their 3rd or more tour of duty. I am sad for them, for family, and just all that they love. I wish there weren't any time of separation, even if they return safely. They could have sold the Cd's to do something good for those serving.
In every war there is medical advances due to the injuries. Previously been prosthetics, and PTSD, now is Brain injuries. Many, many people coming home injured that will not be the same. I am bothered by the care they receive, it should in my opinion be the best, forever, until they are where they were before leaving for war. If they are scared, do anything to help them look the way the used to, no matter how long it takes. That is hardly the case now, and that needs to change. They deserve the best care possible, and continued care as long as needed. If there is a treatment out there that would help them have a life closer to what they had before they were injured Serving our country.
The President, his wife, and so many others, have more care after their service, for life, than any person serving our country in the war. They will be taken care of for life, while those risking their lives on the orders of that president, who is about to receive all anyone could need or want for life. I'll add the exact amounts later, I believe it's 200,000.00 a year for the President, plus other benefits, this is someone who was independently wealthy before. It seems the people who serve should have more care and concern towards their well being, and their families. Veterans need and deserve the best treatment far beyond what they have now. I would respect Mr. President a lot more if he were to give up his salary which truly he doesn't need, to help these people he sent to war, and was a large part of why they are gone, or hurt today.
As for the Dixie Chicks, they earned my respect with their talent, and ability long ago, that won't change. I respect them more now for sticking together through this, that is amazing, and I think it's trajic that people treated them as drastically as they did. I support their right to free speach and personally don't listen to the stations that don't play them ever, it just shows how ignorant they or the listeners are, if they were preasured by listeners, who clearly have very scary values considering who they have singled out, and yet others who are accepted but have obvious value issues, that are crimes. If someone can do a crime, and not be flogged, but your right to free speach, is damning. Sorry that's just messed up.
I support them, and am totally against threats and hate in the way it has been, towards them, was uncalled for, and I hope more people see their side, at least now, more and more stars are following suit.
The world is a sad place when threats and actions are acceptable, and their money to help is no good. They are braver than I can imagine, and I hope they know there are many of us that are on their side too!
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