The Dixie Chicks comments were said in a concert and designed to offend those people in the audience who agreed with President Bush. If people deliberately make offensive remarks they should expect people to be offended.

David Gwilliam, Aylestone, Unitged Kingdcom

I'm still trying to work out why, decades after Beatles records were destroyed following a media-distorted comment which was factually correct, another factually correct comment by an entertainer should have elicited even further hysteria.
Perhaps the DCX are right in alleging that Corporate Media America - polarised as it is between left and right - is the real cause of the furore. And that commentators should try to discover what was said (and not said) before also opening their mouths. That's if they have access to objective reporting in the immediate aftermath of an "incident", given the monopolistic coverage of 'news' in many parts of the USA, alas.
Shooting from the hip has always been dangerous. Four years on it is abundantly clear that the DCX never said anything against US and Allied troops. Forces then in the field who thought the Maines' comment about Bush was somehow including them should know better by now.
The 2003 Chicks' hit, "Travelin' Soldier", never gets a mention ..

Bob Downing, Seaford, England

When the outcry of American citizens are ignored on a daily basis by our elected officials, all the way up to the "LEADER" of our free and democratic society, I say thank you to those that are in the public eye for speaking up for what they believe. The Dixie Chicks are representatives of what our country is all about. Freedom. The last time I checked, freedom of speech is still on the list. Perhaps if more of us, famous or not, stood up for what is wrong and not working in this country, our world might be a better place. I admire the Dixie Chicks and others that speak from the heart , I support our fighting men and women that also do what they do because of a strong belief system in this country. It is unfortunate that what we sometime "believe" in, is based on what our leaders tell us to, is wrong. So, when those of us are strong enough to speak out, I say, Hoorah! So, to the Chicks, continue to use your voice and be heard, and the pats on the back will follow. congrats!!

Lana, Houston, Texas USA

Seeing the Dixie Chicks basking in their grammy spendor has made me realize they haven't learned a thing. Their mouths keep getting in the way of their music. I'm not interested in hearing their or any entertainment or sports celebrities' political views. I am tired of the media--this time CBS --giving the Dixie Chicks credibility by focusing on their supposed grammy wins over many other artists who were given no air time. This fuels in my mind the high probability that CBS fixed the award show to help their pathetic network standing, knowing the predictable, mouthy Natalie would have provoking comments.
I still will not buy Dixie Chicks any thing. Heh! Heh!!!

Mary, St. Petersburg, FL

Thank you Ayres... It's a simple fact that free speech is a two way street.....

Anne, Glendale, AZ

www.princeton.edu/culturalpolicy/workpap26.html

“Through analyzing airplay from a national sample of radio stations, this paper finds that contrary to prominent allegations grounded in the political economy tradition of media sociology, this backlash did not come from owners of large chains. Rather, I find that opposition to the Dixie Chicks represents grassroots conservative sentiment, which may be exacerbated by the ideological connotations of country music or tempered by tolerance for dissent. ” Spring 2003

Beansox, Los Angeles, Ca

Everyone has the right to their own opinion. That is not the issue. It is more about how you express that opinion that matters. If the Dixie Chicks wanted their opinion heard they should NOT have done it in a different country on the stage at their concert. Then they expect to be welcomed back with open arms when they return to the US. And even though you don't agree with the president, you do not express it in a childish way thousands of miles away. And then they try to apologize...even though they did it completely wrong, they should stand behind what they said instead of losing their spine as soon as they found out people did not like what they said.

Patrick, Phoenix, AZ

You have missed the point entirely. The Chicks have said repeatedly that anyone has the right to disagree with their views and not buy their music. What they are defiant about is the over-the-top behavior of some of their critics. Death threats to them, damage to their property, harassment of their families (including a grandfather in a nursing home) is a ridiculous price to pay for a sarcastic remark made about Bush.

Sandra Emerson , Raleigh, North Carolina

The Dixie Chicks have a right to speak their opinion. They are right, you know. The United States is the agressor in this war. This war is only making the world hate us more. They see us as the agressors, which we have become.

Sam Hennis, Caldwell, Idaho

Ayres has the weird idea that Americans aren't supposed to object to an illegal and morally wrong war because he personally signed on for it and underwent some emotional trauma in the process.

Was he an only child?

Brenda Koehler, Reading, PA

Perhaps the Country & Western establishment hate the fact that the Dixie Chicks had guts enough to stand up for themselves instead of behaving like the good lil' girls they should be..and (what's even worse) - they were RIGHT.

It is not cowardly to stand up and speak in a democracy. It is cowardly to say nothing in the face of what is wrong that is cowardly.

Stephen, Swansea,

The grammys like everything else in hollywood are not awarded to the best entertainer, songwriter, etc.. but to the group/persons best associated with the left wing views of this group of people. Its been that way for years. Look at MSN they run an article on the Dixie Chicks each week no other group has appeared in thier entertainment sections over a time or two. Entertainers think that their views are what the general public believe but they are not. The silent majority spoke when they quit buying their records. I like thier music but if I wanted their political opnion I would ask for it. They have the right to thier opinions and I have the right to call them idiots and wish they would shut up and disappear

Carla Goldman, White Hall, AR

This disgusting article fails even to broach any of the reasons why the Dixie Chicks were so reviled following Maines' comments. For a start, they lost the support of the whole Country music industry - for which I think they have reason to feel aggrieved. Next, the point to be made is surely that they were so harshly dealt with because they are women: I don't see anyone attacking Bright Eyes or Neil Young, nor sending them death threats in real life.
It is so unfair and sour to suggest the Chicks were aggrieved at the loss of their millionaire lifestyle: I think they were more preoccupied by having to protect their families.
As for Shut Up And Sing, it's a film by a well-known documentarist that was started before the backlash even began, so cannot be interpreted as their own response - rather, it catches that moment, and sees the women for the intelligent, angry, unapologetic people they are.
I don't think that Maines et al for a moment question people's right to disagree with their views - what a shameful suggestion.

Caspar , London,

I was totally shocked and dismayed with the recording industry for supporting the Dixie Chicks Sunday night. I will tell you that the Dixie Chicks were NOT supported by the Country/Western community.

Their words in 2003 and again this past summer turning their backs on American Troops fighting in Iraq and now Country Music speaks of their determination to leave America. We do not want you, so go somewhere else. Your group is an insult to the people of America, especially this one. I burned all your CD's I owned and will never buy another one of your songs or support you in any way.

GOD bless, American, President Bush, Country Music, and above all the American Military who are fighting that I might sleep at night in peace.

Ernest, Alachua + Florida, United States

The only sour notes are the ones that are coming from this article!! Am proud she said what she said. I totally agree with her and admire her for standing up for not wanting to go to war and for people to die. "Taking The Long Way" is such an amazing CD!! Am so proud that the Grammy's awarded them the vindication that was long overdue!

Alex, London, UK

The Dixie Chicks have a right to their free speech...and people who don't support them have a right to their free speech....it's a basic American right whether you're a famous singer or a guy who bags groceries...that's what makes this country great. I believe the Chicks were so upset because some idot threatened to kill Natalie over what she said...that is unacceptable.
As for the crying foul over censorship...the Chicks are just trying to take the blindfolds off a large group of Americans who blindly listen to what they're told and don't question it.
Remember, it was ClearChannel (that company that owns a ton of stations across the country) that refused to allow local statations to play Dixie Chicks songs. As an American, we should question how much power a company like that has over people.

Joe, Charlotte, NC

This is being way over-analyzed at this point.In a nutshell:The war should never have been started,which we will pay dearly for.Corporate radio decided the Chicks shouldnt get played.Nashville and the lemming Bushies have egg on their faces and are too stubborn or ignorant to admit it.Soldiers are doing their duty by fighting in a war that I'm sure,if you polled them,they would rather not be in.Finally,"Taking the long way" is an outstanding piece of work by extremely talented musicians and deserved every award it was given.Buy the album,you'll see!

Derek, Montgomery, NY

Natalie Maines may have indeed voiced her opinion anyway - even if she weren't the lead of the Dixie Chicks. But she is and she used the bully pulpit provided for in her profession to veer off from practicing her art to doling out her personal opinion of a world leader. The fact is people don't care what entertainers think, despite what their egos tell them. Americans especially do not care for one of their own spewing negatives about their country overseas. That is why the Dixie Chicks are suffering - it was their stage used for political purposes. Get this: no one is getting in the way of their ART but the Dixie Chicks themselves.

JW, Luck, USA Wisconsin

I have a question. Who votes on the GRAMMY AWARDS?
Is it the public or the same group of semi-smart people that suddenly become experts on everything when the become celb's.

JACK STRICKLER, SAN BERNARDINO, CA. USA

I agree with Chris that their music isn't that good, but quality or innovation has never had much to do with winning a Grammy.

The Grammies awarded are (in my view) seen as validation of their silliness by people who hold the same views. And all this really does is politicize entertainment. What they do is certainly not art.

Bill Morris, Vineland, NJ, USA

When someone says "support our troops" what they really mean is "I don't want to argue". It's just anouther right wing slogan that stifles debate. This "article" above was the "support our troops" slogan in long format. Because you were with the soldiers doesn't make this stupid war any more just.

Russ McIntosh, San Jose, Ca, USA

You support the troops by trying to speak out against the quagmire they are in. Thats how you support them. Not by blindly following EVERYTHING the Administration says. The Dixie chicks spoke their mind and paid a price. But you also pay a price for not speaking. We see that price now.

Tony Bills, bronx, ny

Actions do have consequences and we all know opinions are not free. But there is no way, in my opinion, that occupational success should hinder on personal beliefs. Natalie Maines is 1/3 of the Dixie Chicks, but that is not all that she is. When she made those comments abroad, not condemning the war in Iraq or American soldiers, but rather a President that we've all seen become foolish over the past 7 years, it was on her own personal accord. The only involvement the musical group DIXIE CHICKS had to do with it was providing the public arena for her comments to become so huge and important. However, if not for the band, she would have voiced the opinion anyway, in some other public arena. Can somebody tell me why the Dixie Chicks, the MUSICAL group, who has been entertaining millions for a decade should suffer and be withheld accolades for the SPEECH (which is very, very free) of 1/3 of their members. Leave the music alone, or it will die. LET ART BE!! War is killing enough already.

Courtney, Detroit, Michigan

You support the troops by trying to speak out against the quagmire they are in. Thats how you support them. Not by blindly following EVERYTHING the Administration says. The Dixie chicks spoke their mind and paid a price. But you also pay a price for not speaking. We see that price now.

Tony Bills, ny, usa

If the Dixie Chicks are being censored by we Neanderthal jack-booted right wingnut reactionaries, why are they being broadcast worldwide on American television? Is that some kind of a big screwup by we Bushitler fascists? If we are censoring them, why are their photos in all the magazines and their whiny complaints all over the media?

Or could it be that the Dixie Chicks cries of censorship are actually an attempt to censor their critics, who have every right to loudly disagree with the Dixie Chicks' hateful nonsense as the Chicks have to spew it. Lefties like the Dixie Chicks believe free speech is only for them, not for anybody else. It is a profoundly un-American approach. They should stop being intellectual wimps and forthrightly answer their critics, if they were capable of arguing their position. They're not.

Tantor, Washington, DC

The ignorance of some of the above respondents is rivaled only by their
illiteracy. I wonder how you will feel about your views ten or so years hence -- when our delay, our moral paralysis -- abetted by an adversarial press, and an electorate and political class more concerned with assuaging their own present conscience than with a sober-minded assessment of the realities of militant, fascist Islam --
has allowed the imams of Shia Islam to nuclearize the Persian Gulf, the Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Freedom of speech DOES have its price. It is not free, and the price of this perfectly legal, perfectly protected, right of anti-Americanism -- as verminous and foul as I may consider it to be -- will be paid by "the children" you
on the left take such vocal pains to claim to try to protect -- while abridging still more of the "freedoms" you claim to venerate. You scored some Grammies. Yippee. Thanks for trying, Mr Ayres, and thank you for serving alongside my heroes.

Alex, Port Chester, USA/NY

While I laughed out loud at the title [Reporting for Cowards] of his Iraq War experience, I fear Mr. Ayres, like a number of others, may have become too embedded.
Sympathize, as one should, with the plight of the poor grunts carrying the heavy load, but let's not forget freedom of speech and what an important role it has played in the U.S. It may not be fashionable to worry about the eroding of The Bill of Rights, but those at one time were values that on their own merit, were a worthy call to arms.
I still await the real reason for the Iraq conflict and the laughs resulting from "this month's" corrected justification are becoming less funny and more tragic as the body count rises.
I too am embarrassed to be an American these days, and I am disappointed that the band offered any apology.
Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon suffered a few blows at the
hands of their contemporary troubadours and I don't recall any efforts to squash dissent even from a president known to keep an enemies list.

william Barlow, Toronto, Canada

The people who are saying this album is not worthy are the same people who have never listened to it. Chris Ayres is letting politics get in the way of one of the most beautiful albums ever recorded.

K.B., Little Rock, Ar.

Please save us from any more of this Dixie Chicks victomology...

The Dixie Cups had the right to say what they did, and no one has claimed that they didn't - and others have the right to oppose what they say.

From zero to hero? The "Grammy" winners are selected (like the Oscars) by a very elite group of individuals closely linked to a (very left-wing) industry.

Want to see what people *really* think about the Dixie Cups: check out their album sales (relative to their previous ones) and their cancelled concerts.

All this talk of "censorship" of the Dixie Chicks is so much horse balls...

R.B. Glennie, ottawa, Canada

Allegedly, the DCX album is rubbish. The implication is that they have won their grammys due to their ant-invasion stance. So they have gone from zero to hero as the Bush adminsitration has travelled in the opposite direction. Nothing to do with DCX, everything to do with the administration.
The DCX simply recognised what the US electorate didn't. Not their fault, not Bush's fault, the fault of the US electorate.
Chris Ayres is not calling for support for the military but blind support for a failed administration. Shame on him..

eddie reader, bimingham, uk

The Grammy Awards should be about the music. You have the right to call "Taking the Long Way" a "staggeringly inferior" album. Just as I have the right to ask whether you even listened to one of the best collections of songs in decades. Both sides focus on the message, and frankly I don't care. I just crank up the sound and let the vibrant and very real tones wash over me.

Michael Haisten, Phoenix, AZ

Let's not get stuck on stupid. Of course you can have "a dissenting opinion about our government.." Censorship involves government action -- not consumer reaction. No one is stopping the Chicks from expressing their opinion but actions have consequences. Its totally about the First Amendment: just as the Chicks are free to express their opinions . . . country music lovers are free to spend their dollars on acts that they like.

Ray, Sacramento, USA

Something rather interesting was revealed about those "CD-crushings". The dixie chicks' movie Shut Up & Sing reveals that almost immediately after "the incident" during a group session between the dcx and their pr entourage, their manager Simon Renshaw is overheard saying "Wouldn't it be great if they started burning CDS?" Now, it was either just a coincidence or a stroke of manipulative genius on Renshaw's part that it was soon after this that two radio stations called for the "burning" and crushing of dcx cds.

Claire, Austin, USofA/Texas

Here, here. Well said!

Robin McAlpine, Lake Elsinore,, CA

The Dixie Chicks are in the same catagory as Jane Fonda, and the american people treat them as heros what is wrong with us?? I would not buy a cd of theirs or anything Jane Fonda endorsed..but what do you expect from Hollywood!! most of the actors and singers don't know anything about the goverment until someone tells them to protest something, and it's probably their managers..
WAKE UP AMERICA AND SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!!

Janet, Orlando, Fl

I couldn't have said it better. As good an example as any of people with using their freedom and platform (the musical and oscar stages, respectively) to voice their opinions.

Brian Reynolds, Dallas, Texas

In case you haven't ever listened to the album-Maines did grasp the concept that she would, and did, in fact pay a large price for her opinion. And she was willing to keep paying. Listen to the album. Since when in the USA can we not have a dissenting opinion about our government? What was incredibly terrifying to me was that we were supposedly going to war in Iraq to fight for the right of the Iraqi people to stand against the tyranny of an inane leader, when back here at home, they were persecuted for doing the same. Over 34,000 civilians were killed in Iraq JUST LAST YEAR! Wasn't this supposed to be a war against terrorism and random killing? Could someone please tell me how Bin Laden still lives and breathes while 10's of thousands of civilians die and our leader still holds that we have somehow benefited the Iraqi people? We have destroyed them. We lost over 2,000 on September 11 and we were devastated.-went to war over it! What would WE do if we were losing 34,000 a year?

Andrea Harrison, Rockwall, Texas

You couldn't have said it any better. Well done. It's so fun watching people associating voting for album of the year with 'taking a stand' against censorship... They're too blind or stupid to actually see the support of selfishness and self-promotion ingrained in that very act... It's OK for me to say you're wrong - but how dare you criticize me!?!?

Eric Skaare, Ramsey, MN

The irony to this passage is that you assume your opinion is of far greater weight than a singer or documentary film maker merely because you are in the war zone yourself. I work in the tv industry and was offered a job in Iraq and turned it down because I dont want to be shot and I dont support the war or the President who created it int he first place. It matters not where you are or who you are if you choose to speak out against a futile war that means nothing at all other than payback and economic gain. And if that riles the marines well I simply dont care.

Craig, L.A, U.S.A

What disingenuous, sly drivel. The Dixie Chicks had every right to express theujr disapproval of the ludicrous Iraq war and President Chimp, and more power to them for doing so. They handled the resulting redneck furore very well. The rednecks did at least have the mitigating factor of ignorance in their kneejerk response: this columnist does not.

Whistling Dixie, London,

Sorry, Good music is good music. The true fan isn't doesn't care about the politics.
To write and sing songs that touch american's should be rewarded. The Dixie Chicks deserved the acclaim.
I am listening to my CD player in my 60 mile commute more than radio since Dixie Chicks have been banned from the airwaves. What other music is being kept in the closet? The small local town radio station that played requested music is missed...rock on Dixie Chicks, you deserve the awards!

Debbie Jenson, Mansfield, Washington

Excellent, Chris! I choose not to spend time or money on the Ditzi Chicks..and I like all kinds of music--from Allison Kraus to Toby Keith to Josh Groban to Itzac Perlman. Not enough has been said about Carrie Underwood's Country win. Just watch her go!!! And I'm 78 years old. I am also a patriot and the Chicks, Michael Moore, and the usual Hollywood crowd are not. Keep doing what you are doing--telling it like it is.

T. Rollins, LaGrande , USA Oregon

I think what they objected to most was the many death threats they received. Death threats do go beyond the pale for an expression of opionion, and no American should defend those death threats. Sure, people have every right not to like or agree with the Dixie Chicks, but the threats are not in line with traditional American values.

laurel, Bradenton, usa/FL

I agree with Chris Ayres completely. I would add one additional fact: The Dixie Chicks, also, said they didn't like Country Music. They were telling their fans that they didn't like the music their fans were buying. They insulted the USA, the President of the USA, and their own fans. It's mostly liberals who buy their CDs now and most liberals aren't Country Music fans.

Don, St. Louis, MO, USA

"I believe that we all, including our President, are human and make mistakes" - Lars Lawson, Indianapolis, IN

Unfortunately, the cost of Bush's mistake is the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives, terror for millions or Iraqis, and hundreds of thouseands of deposed refugees. The US can no longer hold the high moral ground they once had, and the World will prefer a non-imperialist world power. China or India sounds just as good.

Pete, Cov,

The despicable celebrity is the one that decries the purpose of the war while men are fighting for their lives in pursuance of that conflict. The left-liberal gripe is a conflict over the eradication of suffering, but the bien pensant sees the solution as based on the contents of the ether rather than hard grind of confrontation. In America and Britain, stability in society was born of terrible internecine war but the product was solidity. From Dixie Chicks to John Lennon the ingratiation of the celebrity with his public is but a financial deal that makes life into a fluffy bunny, such opinions are self-evidently the cosseted views of the of the over-indulged who are little but fifth columnists. They are encouraged by a contrived commercial market to manufacture sentiment; a hour with BBC Radio One will leave you in no doubt. But if education is undermined and 'yoof' is not challenged so sentimentality is all that remains.

Malcolm Turner, Alsager, England

In the old west of the US, they used to say, "Speak your mind, but ride a fast horse."

Alice, Dallas, Texas

I love how his bio mentions he lives in the Hollywood Hills and then he complains about the Chicks making money. This sounds like just another Geraldo type embedded journalist that wants to pat himself on the back for his belief that he's some type of combat veteran. Did it occur to you GI Joe, that half a million have died in Iraq because there weren't enough people speaking out in 2003?

Phil, Houston, Tx

I am totally shocked! Not that you hate the Dixie Chicks(typical), but that as a reporter, you had NEVER heard of them 4 years ago.....Come on!!! I`m not the biggest country music fan around , but please.. .I`m sorry, but I really can`t accept your judgement of the Chicks album as "staggeringly inferior to its rivals in the same categories"....Exactly which of these rivals had you heard of before the Grammy`s? Go Chicks!

Amy, Jacksonville, Florida

Bottom line...the Dixie Chicks were right.

Liz, Houston, TX

This article sounds more like sour notes from a Republican.
I 'm sorry you were terrorized while learning to use a gas mask. But just imagine what the innocent Iraqi civilians felt as their loved ones died and bombs fell. At least you had the Marines and a gas mask protecting you.
President Bush was trying to save the Iraqi people and protect America (so the story goes).. seems like that's what the Dixie Chicks were trying to do, too. A president has bombs he can play with, a musician has her voice.
You stated that the DC seem to believe they should be able to say what they want with no consequences.. I guess you haven't really heard the complete "staggering inferior" album.

Andrew, Austin, TX

So, you went to battle to uphold what? Freedom isn't just a priviledge of right-wing Christians. Sounds to me like you can't handle a woman having an opinion.

Mark, Bellefonte, PA

Perhaps you are amazingly biased, as you stated. I believe in the freedom of speech. I believe that we all, including our President, are human and make
mistakes. I believe in a Nation, controlled "by the PEOPLE, for the PEOPLE". It seems to me and millions of others, that our President is chosing to ignore the country he serves and do whatever he damn well pleases. What IF the war was wrong???
Because the President "says so", does that make it right? Supporting troops, and wishing & praying the lives of fellow Americans, and human being is
SUPPORT. Whether we agree with Bush & the war, or not. Don't be ignorant, or blind. Think for yourself. Let us always challenge, live, breathe, and be free...
as a Nation. I hope to always be able to speak my opinion, and to stand up for things I don't agree with.

Lars Lawson, Indianapolis, IN

You think the complaining by the Chicks about the bachlashed out did the bachlash itself? What they did was couragous, they did not back pedel they stood firm while their base left them.
Also, who told you the album was staggeringly inferior? Are you a critic? Or is your, "I tagged along with the Marines thus I am morally endowed to judge music critically " experiance kicking in?

Josh, Minneapolis, MN