Ledger Pop Journal - Celebrity News & Sports

When the whole firestorm that surrounded the Dixie Chicks and specifically lead singer Natalie Maines emerged in 2003 I thought it was a bit blown out of proportion.

Dixie Chicks Natalie Maines Jumps the Shark

I completely disagreed with her off the cuff statement in London that she was "ashamed" of the president being from Texas - but as she was just an entertainer - I thought the reaction was a bit overdone.

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I am from Texas and live in Houston and though I've disagree with the president on many issues am proud he is from my state. Still - I was willing to write her off as just another entertainer trying to make a political point.

But now - there is no more defending Natalie Maines - she has jumped the shark.

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In an article from the UK - again in the UK - she says:

"A lot of pandering started going on, and you'd see soldiers and the American flag in every (country music) 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," 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."

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Well - Nat - you proved them all right. I was a fool to ever defend you.

There is no response to a statement as ignorant as that. "I don't see why people care about Patriotism?" Has she ever even picked up a history book?

This statement can only be described as pure ignorance.

--Jeff Freeland resides in Houston