Dixie Chicks singer sued for defamation

You might be surprised at the number of innocent people who confess to a crime. There are a number of reasons why it happens, but it's not infrequent.

JC:

Her comments in Europe were spot on. Time has proved that. Clearwater's actions against her was un- American.

Read the artical.... she pointed out the DNA evidence and the step-father's actions.

If your only beef with her is her beliefs, then the problem is yours.

Read the artical.... she pointed out the DNA evidence and the step-father's actions.

Is she a forensics expert? Is she a lawyer? A psychologist? Why on earth would anyone care what she has to say about this case?

I saw the documentary they were discussing in the article. There are some extremely strange things the step father did. They have teeth impressions from one of the bodies it does not fit the the young men in jail. The step father then went and had all his teeth pulled and got false teeth???  Now they have DNA from the bodies that matches non of the convicted killers.  His behaviour through out the documentary was very bizarre. The police conclusion these young men  were guilty because they liked devil music and had or have belief in the occult bothers me. I believe that if they now have DNA to link someone else to a crime then they deserve another day in court. But prosecutors do not like there conviction rate  messed with and this would be 3 huge profile losses. I am not a huge fan of Maines but that being what it is With out her would any of you know about this story about the Memphis 3.

Boo, I agree with almost everything you just said. However, I would have to draw the line at her openly accusing someone of a crime without knowing all the facts. She has a national audience, and to point the finger at someone because the facts she has seen perhaps point to that person can be incredibly devastating if she's wrong.

I don't know if this guy is guilty or not, and I agree that the case needs to be looked at more closely, but to "convict" this guy without a trial is not any more fair than jailing men who may be innocent.

Yes very true. Thank you Fed.

They (the police) stop investigating when they have their sacrificial lambs.

And for the public to ignor this and let it happen is a bigger crime.

you all better hope that someone takes an interest in you when the law and all that has changed in the last eight years comes to your door.  YOu better hope someone who can get a headline on your behalf does so.......because your nothing in this new world, just as those three have been nothing, and until this member of our VILLAGE got involved they could just kiss their 'probably' innocent ass goodbye.

She probably knows more about this case then you will ever know, given the media's tendency to draw out the mob mentality.........and once that mob turns on you, game over, or don't you recall our propensity for that.  Justice has grown into a stepping stone for careers, there are not as many "driven by the thrill of justice' attoneys left out there.  Last time I even looked into an attorney, the response was, "I don't see a way to get any money out of this".

No @!$%#.  and they don't check political party before they nail you should your profile fit their need.

Yeah, just because she's an American she thinks she can say anything she likes!

Isn't it about time the USA outlawed this whole stupid "freedom of speech thing"?

I feel sorry for the other 2 girls, Maines is the mouth piece and the reason the band went down in flames..maybe the other 2 should think about going out on there own !!

Freedom of speech is one thing: defamation of someone's charachter is another. She could've quietly put her money into this case, instead of making these claims.

You find those WMD's yet??

Yes yellow cake uranium was trans ported from Iraq to canada in JULY look it up!

ohhhhhhh, have I waited for this moment.  Natalie Maines has more Americana running through her little finger then most have streaming throught their minds!  Up until she opened her mouth no one had the courage to say what millions where thinking, most are too damn scared to say one political word if it meant they might alienate someone they needed to continue on up that wanna be ladder that conservative neocons built in the hopes that they would get their part of the trickle down before it disappeared.  common sense citizens!

This woman lives by the same standards we do and yet because of her ability to take to the public scene, during a concert that employs how many other americans and produces a products that employs others, she should shut her mouth, endure death threats for the privilede? Well, why not, anytime true interupts commerce someone has to die in the neocon world.  The right to speak is weighed heavily by the amount of truth in it........or she would be sued.  I didn't see Mr. Bush do anything but try to kill her career, along with his neocons zombies.

this man who has build a pipeline with the support of Blackwater 'guards' to bring a resource, not to mention make money for oil loyalist friends and foul how many nations doing it.  this man who has changed posse comitatus by executive order, also by executive order invoke our ability to torture human beings until they confess something, anything, (oh, I belive there is a confession in this case, anyone know how they got it?)  this man who has just changed environmental laws so that mining can pick up and dump it's poison in mountain rivers and streams and destroy our natural resources for generations as nothing will ever grow htere again.  this man who has done nothing to encourage Paulson to tell us where the money went!  this man IS AN EMBARRASMENT TO MY COUNTRY!

I will support the Dixie Chicks until there ain't no more Dixie Chicks to support, @!$%# if I could still have children I would name her Natalie.

It takes more then a regular pay check to be good damn citizen, and uphold a standard of this here republic and then let no one terrify you out of it.\

SHE IS A @!$%#ING HERO for having the knowledge of her own American freedoms to voice an opinion that happened to be true even after her life was threatened.

Reform neocons, while you still have a nation to save.

freedom to the Miami three.

KL... beautifully said!.. wish I could vote it up a few times

KL:

Reform neocons, while you still have a nation to save.

Too late.  The (neo-com) overlords have put America up for sale and China is buying:

Fed approves Chinese bank CCB to open office in US

You find the WMD's yet???

This story is bigger than Maines. If there is evidence from a crime scene that matches some one else????? Would you not like to know that the 3 in jail were not rail road ed for a crime they possible did not commit????

the war on terrorisim......ummmm, go back to page 1, start with the twin towers, and work your way thru....you will findthat when we went to war, it was going to be in theglobal stance against terrorisim approved by the House.....A War on Terrorists

Is anyone here familiar with this case? Hobbs is as guilty as sin! Watch his police interivew video and it's pretty obvious. What Maines has said is what hundreds of thousands of other people have been saying for a long time. This is not a Dixie Chicks issue. It's about 3 innocent people being sent to prison because some backwoods cops can't admit that they don't know how to do their jobs.

I agree with you regarding the incident in Europe. And you know, these elitist wealthy entertainers will not be impacted by "sharing of the wealth" at all.

Oh I don't know "Real Deal" pick a war:

The War on Drugs

The War on Terrorism

The War our Civil Rights

You find the WMD's yet?

You trying to get Boo to post that yellowcake bull again?

BTW the yellowcake he refrs to was not weapons grade and Iraq did not have the capacity to turn it into weapons grade and The UN and the inspectors knew it was there and I could go on for a long time but just one thing kills his argument. Evn Bush has not used that as evidence

Wars on nouns can't be won.  And police action my @$$.

You find the WMD's yet??

Tyler, do you actually have anything constructive to say, or are you just going to keep parroting the same line over and over?

so your answer is no?     P.S,   MAVERICK  MAVERICK MAVERICK

P.P.S.  even the chimp was sad about no wmd's      You see the interview this week?

The US "justice" system is more about finding someone to blame than actual justice.  Notice how black and Hispanic people are minorities in US society and yet make up the bulk of those in prison.  Notice how judges and prosecutors fight revisiting evidence with DNA testing after a conviction, even though the use of this technology has proven people to have been wrongfully convicted time and time again.

The real outrage here is that it takes millions of dollars and the efforts of high profile celebrities for regular people to defend themselves in a US courtroom.  But who cares about that, as long as we find someone to blame and lock up in the dungeons of the US penal system.

hmmm real grownup language , asshats?, my kid said something like that when she was 14, perhaps a few people need to grow up, and get with the program. # people confess...all 3...now in the light of things, if it were just 1 person...errr maybe 2, i might have taken a 2nd thought as to perhaps something is amiss. However, all 3 confessed, all 3 had evidence against them, and all 3 were convicted,jailed, and hopefully never heard from ever, such as Maines should be. We all have something to say about something, , looking at Your great thrill of concern STFU, and Dr Zook, you both think the world is out to conspire against someone because of some feeling of whatever it might be in your life, but look....there is a thing called justice....if you say you DIDNT do it, you get to challenge evidence, even if it is your own confession. When you are interviewed for such a thing, it is recorded, on audio, and as well video....as to lay proof the IF you confess or deny allegations, 1 that you were not beaten coerced, or bribed into doing either.  2 To show the state of mind you are in at the time of interview...and the list just whips right along as for those reasons....interviews with suspects, and even witnesses, or on 2 separate tapes, 1 audio, 1 video/audio.

 So please calling someone an "asshat" because you do not understand something, for instance that because a Chixi Dix says something, does not mean it is true, some people like infants, make noise, just for attention, such as I feel Maines does....Perspnally i think Maines is not all that attractive, has no talent outside of running spewage, and thinks her career is actually going to go somewhere, by having the slim few for groupies help take her voice on a pointless issue will help. All i can say to her is good luck with that, let me know how it works out for you.....wait, 2nd thought, i don't care how it works out for her, she's a loser.

"..Notice how black and Hispanic people are minorities in US society and yet make up the bulk of those in prison...."

Reasonable.  They commit the bulk of the crimes.

black, and hispanic combimed are not a minority, nor do i think they should be reffered to as any longer. the term "minority" means pity me, because i have a less count of bretheren as yorself. In all aspect, with everyone being so EQUAL and all, ect, ect, ect, there is no minority, its a way of playing the race card, without calling it a racecard....kinda like instead of a joker being wild, tossing in 2's or jack's.

STFU, I can understand from your comment why you support her. Apparently you too, are a complete idiot and just as stupid.  I wonder how many people other than myself wish you would just shut up and go away?

Hear, hear STFU!!!

Is this considered respectful discourse? The individual in question may be guilty. Does that give a person the right to defame his charachter?What if he is innocent? Better to quietly put your money into an investigation so that you can see justice served. Perhaps that will occur now, in the course of the defamation litigation: if he is now found innocent, will you believe that? In addition,when your country is at war, and young people are putting their lives on the line for freedom, is "I hate Bush" and "I don't claim him as my president" really effective protest? It is small wonder Europeans percieve us as rude, and uncivilized. And Megan, my children had a buddy that used the term "butt nugget" when he was in 4th grade - thought you might want to add that to the juvenile expressions you've now heard! When they were in 4th grade it was kind of funny, but I raised my kids to engage in respectful debate, rather than use colorful metaphors such as that and "ass hat," in order that they appear to be adults when they are adults.

yeah! dude, cos it's people inbred rednecks like the dixie chicks that account for the worldwide revulsion at the dishonesty, corruption and all round asshattedness of the great satan, and nothing at all to do with the illegal wars, the coercion of the UN, the illegal concentration camp in cuba, the illegal torture, the flat refusal to subject their stormtroopers to international law, no matter who they kill in whatever circumstances.

Nahh tll that is gust good 'ol boys playing a bit rough.

Notice how black and Hispanic people are minorities in US society and yet make up the bulk of those in prison.

That is irrelevant in this seed. The victims, perps, families and all involved in this WM3 case are white. The only person of color is a story of a bloody black man who washed himself in a fast food restaurant's restroom the night of the murder — I don't think there was ever any verification of that story.

STFU... Thank God someone on here makes some damn sense!!!!!

I stopped listening to WGNA (a NY country station) because they started to refer to Natalie as insane. I love country music, but I am sick to death that a woman's sanity is brought into question when ever she speaks her mind and a small minded group does not agree. And I will no longer stand for it.

Thank you!!

"... And I will no longer stand for it...."

So--disagreement with whatever you may think, should not be allowed?  I am curious, have you ever heard of free speech? 

Yes I have heard of free speech.

And guess what???

After I heard WGNA debate her sanity, I simply changed the stations.

• I did not call the station and complain
• I did not take all their signs and burn them in an effigy.
• I did not take to the press and write hatefull things about them.
• I don't even remember their names, I don't loose sleep on it.
• In fact until now I never even mentioned it. 

So sure they had a right to debate a woman's sanity.

I just left hearing the conversation and never looked back.

Too bad ya'all are stuck on pause. So much so you don't bother to read the details of the case. 

THANK YOU, STFU!!!!

You and Dragonwoman seem to be the only ones so far who have written intelligently on this subject.

I've sent you a friends request!

Go Natalie!

Cheers & Happy Holidays

Libra,,, You are already on mine.

Thank you for joining the conversation.

All I have seen is the same ole crap I have been hearing from the same folks that think Palin is right for office.

Other well known individuals who have committed time and energy to allow the West Memphis Three a voice include:

Metallica, Winona Ryder, Henry Rollins, Robert Smith (of the Cure), Hank Williams III, Trey Parker (of South Park), Will Ferrell, Margaret Cho, Jello Biafra, Eddie Spaghetti (of the Supersuckers), and many others.

How many of them hold a law degree? How many are forensic scientists? I guess we should give their opinions more weight than those of the judges, prosecutors and jury who heard all the evidence?

maybe they should, get somebody to LOOK at the evidence.

I said:  "..Notice how black and Hispanic people are minorities in US society and yet make up the bulk of those in prison...."

So Spike responded:   "Reasonable.  They commit the bulk of the crimes."

Yeah like in in Paris, Texas, where judge sentenced a fourteen year old BLACK girl to seven years in prison for pushing a teacher’s aid.  The girl had no previous arrest record, and the teacher’s aid wasn’t hurt. Three months earlier, the same judge sentenced a fourteen year old WHITE girl, convicted of arson, to probation.

I notice that in articles I have read, where people have been proven to be erroneously convicted of a crime and later released, they have invariably been black men.

It does not surprise me then that statistics show that "they" (non-whites) "commit the bulk of the crimes" when the US justice system system is so blatantly racist.

Yeah like in in Paris, Texas, where judge sentenced a fourteen year old BLACK girl to seven years in prison for pushing a teacher’s aid.  The girl had no previous arrest record, and the teacher’s aid wasn’t hurt. Three months earlier, the same judge sentenced a fourteen year old WHITE girl, convicted of arson, to probation

No Dr Zook,

Why notice something like that. It might make people all sad... lets all take pot shots at a celebrity woman who should keep her "catfish" mouth shut.

"How many of them hold a law degree? How many are forensic scientists? I guess we should give their opinions more weight than those of the judges, prosecutors and jury who heard all the evidence?"

That was then and this is now.  Apparently, those with law degrees and forensic scientists are attempting to reopen the case based on evidence not presented to the court and jury at the original trial.  If you're not aware, a shockingly high number of convicted prisoners are freed on an ongoing basis because of later proof of innocence, a fair number from death row!

It seems that in Arkansas, as in most states, it is next to impossible to reopen a case.  Most prosecutorial agencies will remain deaf to new evidence rather than surrender a past victory.  Most trial judges are retired by the time these issues arise, and many retired trial judges are among those pleading for such cases to be reopened.

So what's left for those who care?  Well, celebrities are in a position to use their fame to draw public attention to the plight of those who suffer, in their opinion unfairly, in the darkest recesses of our legal system.  No, they are not attorneys.  Nor are they forensic scientists.  But the attorneys and forensic scientists don't have teh same public cachet as do celebrities.

I'm sure that it bothers your conservative temperament when anybody, espacially an outspoken liberal, tries to shake up the existing order.  But, then again, from the point of view of the wrongfully accused, there isn't enough that can be done.

Again, if there is nothing here, then nothing will ultimately happen.  Perhaps Maines will have to pay a libel judgment.  So be it.  But to take the position that her views are somehow invalid because she's a singer or because she publicly criticized Bush?  Well, to me, that's just plain un-American.

If it were almost anyone else there would probably be a lot less criticism. Maines has made a complete and utter idiot out of herself on more than one occasion so she has little or no credibility with many people. Unfortunately in this situation her rep is overshadowing the case itself.

   Now now does that also make the hundreds of thousands of people who also believe in what she said utter idiots also. Courts in the southern end of this country almost always defend the results of the first trial. This guy is looking for a fast buck and must prove that what she said did him harm. The fact that he was questioned by the police in the killings made him a suspect.

No, just Maines ;)  I checked out some of the stories and the web site and sad part is she's probably right about him. Hopefully people will be able to get past the fact that is it Maines and focus on the issue that actually needs the attention. Someone with a bit more credibility would be a lot more helpful in getting this case the attention it needs.

I am glad they are looking at the case. I never heard about it until the hoopla about Maines.

I hope this guy diggs himself a deep hole based on his greed. Here in New York we have laws to prevent criminals from profiting on their crime. He may have nearly gotten away with it. But he got greedy.

The man changed his teeth, to hide evidence. And there are fools who are spending more time caring about what comes out of Natalie's mouth.

Another entertainer whose music I will not purchase.

Pre AntiAmerican? Where is she Anti American. 70% of of Americans believe what she said about Bush and the war in Iraq. Are 70% of americans AntiAmerican. Too many times people with weak positions fall back on that AntiAmerican line.

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel. Samuel Johnson 

I consider the last 8 years and the Palin part of the McCain campaign to be Anti-American.

You are pathetic and definately not a Christian!

The fact that you are lusting after her "hot" husband makes you cheap as well.

Sorry Linda but don't be stupid, do you honestly believe democrats don't lie? I am a registered democrat and I know if a politicians lips are moving their usually lying.

Defamation lawsuits usually end in the guilty party paying money not jail time.  And yes, this Reublican agrees somewhat with Joeb929.  When a politician is speaking, you can almost be certain that he/she is not telling the whole truth.  Rather, they are only telling the part that will win them votes. 

I suspect Linda is a typical Bay Area liberal still deriding those in the heartland "clinging to their crosses and religion."  Maines is just too stupid to understand she was in a business that doesn't need a mouthpiece for her liberal vents.  Celebrities have every right to speak their mind, but they can support their causes with a check or a quiet, dignified statement that would cause people to question the investigation.  There has to be another agenda for Ms. Maines behind all her name calling.  Don't know what it is and don't care.   

lol! every right to speak their mind, just so long ans you agree?? isn't that what you mean?

you people crack me up

No, Jon.  It wouldn't be any fun or help us crystalize our opinions, if we didn't have a dialogue with the opposition.  Is that too hard for you to understand?  BTW, who are "you people?"

Celebrities have every right to speak their mind, but they can support their causes with a check or a quiet, dignified statement that would cause people to question the investigation. 

So Katy,

It is not what she said but the way she said it that has your skirt all in a bunches????

Perhaps you should give all of us an etiquette lesson on how we should speak.

Perhaps write your Senator and Congress and have them create a bill to add an amendment curbing just how our Freedom to Speak should be used.

Dragon person -

Who says there can't be a "civilized" conversation about politics and not some rant that tries to destroy the credibility of one who opposes an opinion?  Apparently, "civilized" is not part of your dictionary.  Too bad.  We could accomplish so much more if it were important to all of us.  It really isn't about proper etiquette, but kindness within the person.  Good manners, I've been told, are simply the "grease" that allows us to have a civilized society.  Try it, it could ease the anger within you.

Katy darling!  at last a true blue civilized conversation...........without you we would continue to throw ourselves about in our trailer park anger and simply waste away from ignorance, striving for betterment if only to procure to our big box store delighted little hearts!

Dragon(person)?  wow, where you lowering yourself through political correctness?  or just using your language to raise yourself up above the 'fray'.  Kindness lives in many places.  It isn't up to you to set the standards of how that is distributed.  Careful........you bs is showing.

by the way...........how did you feel about the article, or did you come in to put posters down.  which would in a strange way, make your comments, the comment of an elitist pimp.

Katy:

I always find it funny when someone who disagrees with me, starts out by mangling my handle (DragonWoman... really is simple... isn't it???)

and then starts to go at me with "civilized conversation"

a bit of an oxymoron.

Been someone of good manners, still do from time to time... I do know from experience that sometimes you have to shout to be heard. If that does not make me a lady... I will make my peace with God.... not you.

KL: ????????????

not sure if you are being satirical. I can be sloooooowww.

comment of an elitist pimp?????

Not sure how I did this, If you find something I say BS... feel free to shout it out. I do so if I see a scene in a movie, or hear something that is.

Did read the article... was a while a go, as this vine is building over time. I am disturbed by our justice system. When I started on this particular vine, back on the 5th, I saw something that disturbed me just as much as injustice..... mob like hatred.

Let us just put a person we can all hate on on a vine and each take turns hurling stones at her. I don't know if this guy is guilty... evidence sounds strong.

I know I have grown tired of this particular argument.

peace out =}

Dragonwoman, I was speaking to how Katy was addressing you, the entire comment is for Katy's edification. 

sorry if I wasn't clear.  Katy comment erked me, 

We're cool, like I said I can be slow. She is not the only one who has come at me and won't be the last. I have been called DragonFart, DragonFly, etc (surprised not DragonB!tch)... Think it says more about the person dishing it.

Catch you around the Vine. Probably should have been done with this site awhile ago.

Well said.

Yeah NancyLou, you're all for that freedom of speach and all except when you don't agree with it.

Inflammatory is only when someone is all upset.

Defamation is only if she is wrong.... It will be interesting if she is not.

I wonder if all you Natalie haters would take your words back or apologize. I seriously doubt it, ( that would take integrity)since she was right about Bush (who lacks integrity).... Who by the way is not a real Texan.... but a poser.

You find those WMD's yet???

   I spent years in the record business and this will only improve their sales as it did after the Bush statement. Their concerts have been consistently sold out and that dear friends is where the real money is in that business. Controversy gets your name in headlines and for every person who probably would not go to their concerts or buy their records anyway there are in their case 10 that think they are picking on them and will support them. After all its all about music. In my collection I have many selections that are by people who have different opinions than myself. I play them for the music not their political beliefs. I am sure this person is convinced that the cause she supports is the correct one. If she does she has the right to speak out on it just like any of us have. If she harmed this fellow in any way she should pay but that is for the courts and the lawyers to decide. All we have to go on is the few paragraphs devoted to the story and that is not enough to make an informed decision.

I have a brother who is autistic. We had a problem keeping him from going after fire alarms.

I always worry about him getting mixed up with some legal mess. Finding his way into something he may have not done, but not knowing how to communicate. Not knowing how to stand up for yourself.

Unless you have been in those shoes, or seen them from up close.... you have no idea how easy it is to manipulate someone into being the scapegoat.

thank you readabout it. =}

Shame on the legal system... not on someone who shines a light on it.

I hate to point it out to you, but history proves that most Americans agree with what she said the FIRST time. 

Agreeing with something does not make it true...

Dr Know

Agreeing with something does not make it true...

I agree with what she said the first time. I wrote about what she said the first time. Hundreds of other also agreed and wrote about what she said the first time, eventually tens of thousands agreed and last I heard 250,000,000 million americans, 360,000,000 europeans and about a billion or so others finally discovered the truth and agree that she was right the first time ...

To top it off, the big cheeze hisself even agrees he was wrong ...

go figure

No, I agree with Dr Know:

Agreeing with something DOES NOT make it true. Many agreed with Bush (for awhile). And how many are chanting "Sarah".

But neither does a lot of hate filled statements ( with derogatory words) telling someone to SHUT UP, and sing.

Agreeing with someone does not ALWAYS make it true. Some who agree with anothers statements know the facts to be true.

Let us review:

On the eve of the Iraq invasion, while in concert in London for the 2003 Top of the World Tour, Maines commented that the Dixie Chicks were...

"Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas."^[2]

Negative public reaction in the United States to this comment resulted in a loss of standing in the country music industry for the Dixie Chicks. Boycotts by country music radio stations and death threats hindered the band's continued success.

I agree with this completely. And it's a true statement from their point of view. I'll take it a step further and say I am ashamed that so many of my fellow americans voted this guy a second term.

I agree with Jeremiah Johnson.

*raises hand to be counted*