Introduction
The Dixie Chicks had everything going for them. They were the best selling female band of all time, with many adoring fans. Their fame was well deserved. The music of the Dixie Chicks is definitely first rate. However the adulation they were receiving was about to change.
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On March 10, 2003 they were performing a concert in London at the Shepherd's Bush Empire Theater. During the concert, lead singer Natalie Maines, in opposition to the coming invasion of Iraq, made her now infamous statement.
She told the audience "Just so you know we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, the violence, and we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas." Natalie probably never imagined the backlash her statement would cause. She couldn't have envisioned the hatred that would be directed towards her and her band members.
The Reaction
On one talk show a male listener actually said that Natalie Maines ought to be parachuted into Iraq. Besides the venom and hate this person was spewing; what type of man would suggest sending a helpless, unarmed women over to Iraq to do his fighting? Apparently he wasn't a soldier going to Iraq.
Putting aside whether the war is justified or not, it appears that having an enemy to attack exposes some people's hate and anger. War gives them excuse to vent their negative emotions towards others.
In a war that's justified, such as when a country's liberty and freedom are under attack, these emotions can be sublimated into defending important values. In an unjustified war negative emotions become quite destructive to many people, even to the ones that hold them. Many peaceful, loving people are persecuted and ostracized.
Some people believe in the slogan "my country right or wrong." The emptiness of these words are verified by Nazi concentration camp survivors, people who suffered under communism through numerous five year plans, Pot Pol's reign of terror in Cambodia, etc. You can probably think of many more examples.
Natalie Maines' statement may have been ill-timed. She made her statement on what many people believe is foreign soil. Come on! England is our closest ally in supporting the war. It's not as if she stood next to Saddam Hussein in the Iraqi capital criticizing the war and the United States President. What she said was free speech, protected by the Constitution. Of course, the libertarian values of our founding fathers seem to have been forgotten.
I believe the only thing she is guilty of is impulsiveness and a bad case of Blabbitis. It is probable that she should have thought before she spoke, making her statement in a different situation. Natalie certainly paid the price, as did Martie and Emily. It cost them much money and a loss of esteem. Despite this, many people now believe she was correct. Over four years of a futile war effort has no doubt convinced them.
Whatever happened to free speech? What has become of warning people against folly and foolishness? Have we become a nation where propaganda and false patriotism take precedent over the truth? I believe we have arrived at a place in time where people are having difficulty distinguishing between truth and falsehood.
Illusions and myths seem to have taken hold of the people. Politicians know this and use it to justify wars, violations of personal liberty, inflationary policies and numerous other policies that are destroying our country. The libertarian beliefs of unhampered capitalism, individualism, sound money backed by gold--and respect for individual rights--have been replaced by bad economics and faulty, disastrous social policies.
Many individuals hide from the truth by escaping into "reality television" or any activity that will keep painful facts out of their consciousness. Of course, maybe you can't blame them. Natalie stood up for what she believed and look how she suffered the wrath of many. It is shocking that the falsehood of illusion is preferable to the light of truth.
The Love and Beauty of the Dixie Chicks
The Dixie Chicks display their sense of life in the music they sing and play. Their songs are of love, passion, heartbreak, understanding and empathy. It is understandable why Natalie Maines is appalled at the thought of hate, war and killing.
Could you imagine her singing songs of love and beauty that cut straight through our hearts, then supporting something contrary to what she sings about? It's unthinkable. As Spock would say "It is illogical".
Natalie sings, Emily strums those beautiful melodies and Martie moves us with weeping violins. Their souls vibrate with love and compassion. They are displaying the best within, allowing us to experience our most sensitive emotions.
Their newest album at the time was Home. They moved us with songs such as "More Love" and "I Believe in Love". Songs that cry for love and understanding. Words that ask us to throw down our weapons and see a new way. People don't have to fight. They can be compassionate, understanding, and love with all their hearts.
One song says it all. "Travelin' Soldier" is a song about a lonely young man going to Vietnam, the young waitress who befriends him, the letters from Vietnam that tell of his loves and fears, the heartbreaking scene at the football game where they read the list of the Vietnam dead, the pretty little girl with the bow in her hair crying alone under the stands. Travelin' Soldier can't help but to move you to tears.
Of course, when talk of war and hate are in the air, love and understanding take a vacation. Reason deserts the scene. People in the frenzy of war mongering unleash the worst that's within. Emotions such as love, compassion and understanding are eliminated. Loving Souls who are passionate about what they believe, such as Natalie, are often suppressed and persecuted. You don't have to be a Dixie Chicks fan to see this is true.
Can you imagine the world transformation that would take place if enough people worked up a frenzy about love, understanding, compassion and empathy instead of acting out their destructive emotions? What would the world be like if people adopted one of the most important libertarian virtues--respect for a person's life, liberty and property.
Tolerance versus Intolerance
Angry mobs bulldozing and destroying the CDs of the Dixie Chicks is eerily similar to the book burning sessions of the Nazis. Any books that were at odds with the party line were destined for the burning heap. Woe to dissenters.
Often dissenters ended up suffering horrible deaths such as being burned at the stake or asphyxiated in gas chambers. Now that's a solution! Kill the person with a new idea or a different point of view so you can perpetuate your own illusions. You may believe I'm exaggerating, but Natalie Maines was the victim of death threats.
Some people don't want to learn anything that will take them out of their comfort zone. So they go to any extreme to stay firmly enslaved in it; even killing and imprisoning others. Enlightened souls have been persecuted throughout the course of history, only to be canonized at a later date.
You would think that in America, home of the brave, land of the free, that dissenting views would be welcomed. Apparently this is no longer true. We have become a nation of the "politically correct." We attempt to persecute those who are politically incorrect.
Ironically I have discovered that what is politically correct is usually logically incorrect. Of course if you can't prove someone is wrong with logic and reason you have to assassinate their character and reputation. Propaganda, accusations and empty assertions become the catchwords of the day. What is amazing is that many people actually believe them. How long will it be before these delusions are actually legally sanctioned?
A person of love and peace--one of reason and logic--may wonder how to keep from getting angry about illogic and the hateful actions of others. Jesus said "Love your enemies." I sure you don't have to go to this extreme. However you can show that you're an individual of empathy, compassion and understanding.
When discussing or debating issues with people who support war and hate you must remain calm. Keep a cool head. Explain your point of view in a clear, logical manner. Then let it go. You'll be surprised how effective your discussions are.
Losing your head, getting angry, ranting and raving will not change anyone's mind. You don't want to be like Queen Gertrude in Shakespeare's Hamlet who not knowing she was speaking of herself said "The lady doth protest too much, me thinks." If you believe you are a peaceful, loving person act like one. Your calm demeanor will have a far greater effect on people than angry words.
If you would prefer to live in a society that practices the virtues of tolerance become a tolerant person. Some supporters of the war in Iraq might have some excellent points that support their arguments. Others may be ill-informed. Listen to what they have to say. You may learn something valuable. Also the more you learn the better you will be able to support your arguments against war and hate.
Conclusion
There are many lessons to be learned from the Dixie Chicks fiasco. Supporters and non-supporters of the war should realize that mass thinking is not necessarily correct. The masses have been proven consistently wrong through the course of history. They may have been misled by government leaders--but this is also a common occurrence throughout history.
The lesson to be learned is the power of independent thought. Become knowledgeable about praxeology (the science of human action and its better know part--economics), become familiar with Libertarianism, study history, get all the facts, and then arrive at a logical conclusion.
Passion and drive help you achieve your goals when you are moving in the right direction. When you're heading in the wrong direction your passions will keep you on the path to hell.
Another lesson is the art of practicing love and tolerance. People make mistakes. They are human, liable to error. Demonstrating some compassion for your fellow beings shows you are a mature and understanding person. Plus you won't be able to convince people of the soundness and virtues of Libertarianism if you're beating them over the head with it.
Judgment without the facts hurts many people. The condemnation of Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks turned out to be unjust. The war in Iraq is an unmitigated disaster. It is impossible to deny it, unless of course you still reside in a world of illusion. She was correct in her support of love and peace. In this case the anti-war stance is the just and the right stance to take.
The Dixie Chicks in Retrospect - A Libertarian Perspective
Robert A. Meyer
http://libertarianway.com
Robert A. Meyer has an extensive background in many areas. For 30 years he has been investigating and studying economics, philosophy, psychology and metaphysics. For almost 20 years he has been involved in meditation practices to expand his power of reason and help him reach higher states of awareness. His sales career also helped give him a deeper understanding of human nature.
He realizes there are basic principles of Human Action that will help you become successful at achieving your goals and desires. His knowledge that life is to be lived on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level allowed him to discover "The Libertarian Way." He lives "The Libertarian Way" and experiences its many pleasures and ecstasies on a daily basis. Even more important is that he discovered that enjoying Libertarian Pleasures greatly diminishes emotional pain and suffering.
Robert A. Meyer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He currently lives in Benbrook, Texas with his wife, Gloria.
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