Forgot about this, thanks.

And, of course, they had the good taste to go on Letterman instead of Leno.

Growing up with country music and southern rock was hard enough. Had to stop listening to it because of the people. I know it's not Molly Hatchet's fault but boy am I glad these chicks wrote this song. tgs

What an awesome performance. I can't wait to get my copy of Time this week.

You can't tell how good a band is until you've listened to their live performance. Their political views are just the icing on the cake.

We've had a great history of protest music, so it's a very telling moment to have a song ABOUT protesting through music and the after-effects.

As others have said, very well done, also.

I'm ready. I admire these ladies, so damn much.

David Letterman "Good gig huh?" sounds like my grandpa trying to be supportive when he just wants to gohome and fall asleep in the recliner while watching golf

but a good performance

jbusch, if I may... have a good long look at Letterman. He is probably the only man in (all of?) TV that has been able to walk the line and not fall off. I'm not aware of him ever doing anything to warrant ridicule or disrespect. He is able to do what he does with smarts the likes of which may be lost forever when he exits - stage left.

How lovely, a visit from the Bird.

I admire these ladies too. I mean, it takes real guts to echo a popular sentiment from a stage at a concert, apologize when booed and abandoned by your fans, then swing back to the popular opinion when the polls dip. That's the kind of character I wish more people had.

C'mon. The Dixie Chicks? Are we that desperate for spokespeople? These girls are just riding the wave to the bank. Wake up.

It's not that liberals have hoisted the Dixie Chicks up as spokespeople, it's that the conservatives have turned them into the poster girls for anti-American sentiment, so the liberals just stood up and called bullshit.

I'm not really a fan of their music, but that song was pretty decent...and I like their message.

I'd have to yes too. I'm with you Norm, I'm not ready to make nice either.

I am somewhat sympathetic to the chicks, but that was THE laziest lip sync I've ever, ever seen... shame, shame!!

I think what average Joe says about them willing to make a stand again now that polls are down. I don't look at it as cynically though.

I thought it weak when they apologized, but it seems they were motivated more by death threats rather than loss of income. They were dropped by there flag waving fan base & now are going for the crossover market now that it's safe for them to put their heads out the door.

I liked the song. It's kind of hard to label. Reminds me of a Heart ballad. Nice strings orchestration.

P.S. Tommi, Letterman is a brilliant wit, but he's always been a jerk, showing open or thinly masked contempt for his audience & most guests. I love & hate the guy. As he does us.

I guess I like the Dixie Chicks a bit more because they don't like Bush, but I still find their music cheesy. If you want to listen to good country pick up a Ryan Adams or Gillian Welch album.

I also think that it's a wee bit cowardly to bash the president first only when you go overseas. First of all I don't believe in going around to other countries bashing your government--mainly because it has no possible purpose as a citizen, only as an entertainer wanting to sell albums or a person wanting to be liked. Bash your government all you want in your own country, and face the consequences, it's your civic duty.

Decent song, but I'll take Iris DeMent any day.

http://brutusworks.com/Iris-Dement-Wasteland.mp3

By the way, this song predates the Dixie Chick bandwagon by about ten years . . .

They weren't bashing their country, they were bashing George Bush. There is a difference. I think it's good to let the Europeans know that some of us did not vote for him and that we despise him.

I don't care for their music or any other country or country-rock music, but for political reasons, I like this song.

I don't much like Green Day either, but I do like their new political song, American Idiot.

I didn't say they were bashing their country, as one can easily see.

I don't have a problem with educating people in other countries about Americans and the American way of life--e.g. informing people that not all of us agree with the policies of the government. Maybe that's what they were doing. But I don't believe in making specific political statements in other countries. At its best it has no real point--you're not convincing or mobilizing anyone who has a vote. At its worst it smacks of disloyalty--if you can't win political battles in your own country then you are going to go get foreigners to get all excited in an attempt to change things. My own fellow citizens won't listen so I'll go to other countries and hope they get mad and make my stupid country pay for its foolishness. Right wing people have done it as much if not more than the left (e.g. Vichy France) . Not everyone cares much for patriotism or democracy but at any rate I think Americans touring Europe with their political complaints is not very consistent with either.

They make me proud. This is a free -country or it is supposed to be. Kind of hard to tell when you cross the right line... They stuck it out and that shows what this country is supposed to be made from. Not audiences of selected people!

//My own fellow citizens won't listen so I'll go to other countries and hope they get mad and make my stupid country pay for its foolishness. Right wing people have done it as much if not more than the left (e.g. Vichy France) . Not everyone cares much for patriotism or democracy but at any rate I think Americans touring Europe with their political complaints is not very consistent with either.//

Huh? That's quite the stretch to equate people in a time of war who were kissing the ass of their occupiers to people speaking their minds about their own country, telling the truth, no matter whether they are speaking to a foreigner or to one of their own countrymen. Loyalty? Come on. Since you brought up the Nazi occupation of Germany, let's continue, notwithstanding Godwin's law. Are we to be so loyal to Hilter (Bush) that we cannot even speak the truth?

And you are constructing a straw man by equating democracy and patriotism. Yes, you were equating them by placing them in the same sentence, side by side.

The fact that they had to go to another country to get heard says a lot.

The Dixie Chicks do not represent the state department. They are American citizens who presumably have the right to voice their opinions where ever they are.

You can't pretend to be a pluralist, democratic country and then insist your citizen toe the party line in other countries.

You really need to read the US Constitution. It isn't very large and it is easy to read. It is the document that until recently defined what this country is.

Contrary to popular opinion, our first duty is to the constitution, not to the president or even the 'county' but to the constitution. It's the president's oath and the oath of all military personnel. Your first duty is to protect the constitution.

That is not off topic. The Dixie Chicks and all Americans have the legal constitutional right to speak, regardless of which side of the borders they are standing on at any given time.

To insist that citizens must conform to specific ideologies in other countries is utterly undemocratic and just a few years ago would have be labeled 'un-American', the sort of thing you would expect from Soviet citizens in foreign countries.

First of all, I can relate to the feeling of being in another country and needing to let those around you know that you are proud to be an American but you are disgusted with this current administration. Second, I wonder if those of you who are mad at The Dixie Chicks have a problem with Colin Powell airing out his grievances with General Franks, Rumsfeld and Bush on Britain’s ITV.

Speaking in other countries...

What do you call what Carter does? remember his time in Cuba speaking uncensored on state Radio? His comments were not 100% pro-USA, but they encouraging fairness and decency.

I went out and bought the DC's new album after hearing it here Norm. I picked up Neil Young's new one as well. Good heart warming stuff. Thanks for the tip.

From www.macyapper.com

REDNECK PECKERS NIX CHICKS Macyapper Cries Fowl

NASHVILLLE, Tenn., May 22 (UPI) -- It appears the war U.S. country radio stations mounted against the politically outspoken Dixie Chicks has not abated in the least. The band is promoting "Taking the Long Way," its first album since Natalie Maines told a London audience in 2003 she was ashamed to be from the same state as U.S. President George Bush. The comment sparked a radio boycott of the group's music.

*Spineless radio programmers cower before listeners with necks of red.

*They are clearly bags of douche.

"Although the album hits stores Tuesday, the first two singles from the album are not getting widespread airplay, Billboard.com reported Monday.WKIS FM in Miami reported it pulled "Not Ready to Make Nice" due to listener complaints after only one week.The program director at KUBL/KKAT in Salt Lake City told Billboard he was angered by its "self-indulgent and selfish lyrics."

*Undoubtedly a small but well organized band of dip-sh__s intimidating sunshine state wimps. And then there's Mr. Mormonville judging the artistic inspiration for the album. Thank goodness for self-appointed broadcasting nerdball guardians of the public morality.

*BTW, the fact that they said they were ashamed of Dubya on "foreign soil" is the biggest red herring since Clinton's BJ-GATE

I wonder how many of those 'boycotters' were verbally critical of Clinton and have never bothered to travel to 'foreign soil'.

I'm looking at you Red States. A tad Hipocritical?

Democracy IS criticism of government. And face it Red States, you weren't unhappy about Clinton lying, Bush has lied about war, national security, personal privacy, death and more death. What you disliked was Clinton's popularity and sexual practices.

Do you sleep well at night knowing you prefer war, death, suffering, US poverty, eroding liberty and national debt more than a single man getting a blowjob?

Shame.

"They weren't bashing their country, they were bashing George Bush. There is a difference. I think it's good to let the Europeans know that some of us did not vote for him and that we despise him."

If those vaunted Europeans, whom your type always want to claim are superior, bothered to read a newspaper or watch the news, they would know this already. A supposed 51% of about 27% of the eligible voting public? People throwing eggs at his car, constant protests in the streets? What more do you need?

Oh, I forgot ... this is a 'fascist state'. Right.

"I don't much like Green Day either, but I do like their new political song, American Idiot."

That really explains so much. Because 'American Idiot' is about the same level of political discourse: pop nonsense, repeating a catchy and inflammatory phrase with no deep analysis whatsoever, just to sell records.

And it works great. Living in Canada it was amazing to see gigantic 'American Idiot!' posters up on every street. You know, something every green-blooded Canadian can really get behind.

Ah, political discourse never got any better than when Billy Joe whined:

"The subliminal mind shit nigger America. Where everything isn't meant to be okay. Fuck my cock."

Cuts right to the heart of the matter, doesn't it? And if that's not stupid enough for you, how about that pointless 'Iraq war' video for their slow song (because Green Day always do fast song/slow song on EVERY FUCKING ALBUM). Nothing to do with the song? It's okay, it's POLITICAL!

Frankly I'm surprised more people aren't jocking Eminem. I hate the guy but he was one of the first to come out with a really political song - Mosh - and nobody gives him credit.

Hi Joe!

Put down that flag and relax. Have a glass of wine, errr, I mean a glass of beer. Chill out dude. :D

I just know that this response from a tree-hugging, Prious-driving (actually I drive an old Dodge pick uo) hippie, really makes your day.

Peace Jo Ann

Just got the new CD yesterday and even the rednecks in my office really liked it.

Bush-lovers... thanks for that protest against them. If not for you, I never would have discovered them.

I SUPPORT THE DIXIE CHICKS 100%!! I HAVE NEVER STOPPED LIKEING THEM EVEN WHEN THE WHOLE WORLD DID!

Can you blame her for giving an apology? The women have families, for God's sake! They get hell and threats for voicing their opinion. They apologizes, and get more hell and threats for "doing it for record sales." They write this honest, personal song to express their feelings.......I think you know where it goes from there.

I am amazed at the fact that we can call ourselves a free-thinking, fair democracy when many people are still so close minded. If anyone is doing anything for popularity's sake, it's obviously the radio stations.

Craig, you're entirely correct about the "voicing on foreign soil" thing being a red herring.

And John McIntire....you are very funny. :)

I am an American. I vowed once to defend the constitution with my life. To this day, I still do, in my own way. I voted for Bush, only because he was better than the alternative. I love the Timidly accepting all that is dealt to you is. fact that these women are speaking their minds; Are putting their talents to work. I love the song. I will fight for anyone to have their say. There is a reason the Founding Father's put FREEDOM OF SPEECH as the 1st Bill of Rights.

Standing up and speaking your mind isn't unpatriotic. It is your Right as an American Citizen.

The Dixie Chicks make me proud to be an American again...thank you ladies

Craig,

First of all, it is not Billy Joe. His name is spelled Billie Joe. Oh...you don't like the song, American Idiot, either? Hmm. Actually, this song is nothing of political discourse. If only you were not so narrow-minded as to see and understand the actual meaning of the song and what it is saying. This gives proof that it was very deeply analyzed and also that. [text removed by Norm ] And this "Iraq war video" you speak of is not for their "slow song." It is called "Wake Me Up When September Ends." Yes, you are correct in this matter. Well..not really at all. In this case, this song is about Billie Joe's dad and how he had died of cancer when Billie was only 10 years old. If you would only take time to see that what Billie Joe is saying here in this video, along with other band members, is that he is just as saddened about this unnecessary war as he was when his father died a clearly unnecessary death. This video shows a small sample of how horrible this war is. However, most people only wake up each morning to see news reporters reporting more deaths here and there. What do these people do? They merely look up and think that it's only another death. Yes, more deaths..correct? But do these people have any idea that these numbers stand for real living people. Breathing people with hopes and dreams just like you and me. They have loved ones and family members just like you and me. But these people only say, people have died in other wars..correct? Many! Yes..but those wars were absolutely necessary. But what is the point of this war? If you could please provide me with this information..that would be greatly appreciated. Set up their country with a government and rid them of their problems? Do you know how many problems the U.S.A has at this moment? More problems than anyone in the world could ever begin to think of. Personally, I believe that we need to take care of America's problems first. This country's economy is terrible at this moment and something needs to happen. The world will be right when the next president comes...hopefully. Yes..this is all in one big blob...deal with it. Thank you!!!!

I think the Dixie Chicks should tak a cue from Gretchen and write a "good" song!! This takes the cake and I am glad they don't claim to be country because at least some people know how to still make a stand for something... geez.. it's getting so rediculous that some of you would probably vote them into office.. Is 23 yrs too young to have this kind of logic? Also.. Um I think it was Greenday that wrote the... F*@! America song too... am I right?! .. I had to listen to it in the morning while my sister got ready one day and it was so wretched. I'm like, loooK... Dad is at war right now and I had to listen to this?! No. No. People. I mean stick up for that stuff all you want, but I would suggest moving to Europe instead of confusing yourself in a country you obviously take for granted. The Chicks used to be my favorite band. I posted this because I heard Gretchen Wilson's new song and was finally inspired.

I do believe that the appearence on the Oprea show today just shows what an air head the Dixie Chicks has in there group. Come on now does she really think that President Bush is responsible for Katrina, after all look at the Mayor and the governer of New Orleans. Guess those blonde roots run deep. If I were the other two members of the Dixie Chicks I would leave and start my own band without that bubble head. From America and Proud Of It