I went back and researched the incident in question. There is no doubt that Maines did directly attack then President Bush as reported in the Guardian. However, subsequent statements by Maines and President Bush have been overlooked. Here is what was said in March and April of '03.

London on March 10, 2003, at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre in England, during the introduction to their song "Travelin' Soldier", Natalie Maines, a Texas native, said: “Just so you know, we’re on the good side with y’all. We do not want this war, this violence, and we’re ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas.”

The comment about United States President George W. Bush, who served as the 46th Governor of Texas from 1995 to 2000 before his election to the Presidency, was reported in The Guardian's review of the Chicks concert as an attack on President Bush.

To her great credit, Maines issued an apology on March 14: "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American.”

President Bush responded to the controversy in an interview with Tom Brokaw on April 24:
“The Dixie Chicks are free to speak their mind. They can say what they want to say ...they shouldn't have their feelings hurt just because some people don't want to buy their records when they speak out ... Freedom is a two-way street ... I don't really care what the Dixie Chicks said. I want to do what I think is right for the American people, and if some singers or Hollywood stars feel like speaking out, that's fine. That's the great thing about America. It stands in stark contrast to Iraq ...

IMHO, it should have ended there. Maines had apologized for her off the cuff remarks. Bush had, in turn, emphasized the importance of free speech for all Americans.

Unfortunately, it did not end there. CW fans, enraged by what was perceived as an attack on their country, did not take into consideration Maines’ apology or Bush’s upholding of free speech for all Americans. Maines, apparently embittered by repeated attacks, was later to go on the attack against President Bush.

This was a great loss for the American people. While I am conservative, I have enjoyed the talents of many artists that I believe to be hard left – among them Barbara Streisand, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, PP&M and yes, The Dixie Chicks.

Maines apology should remind those of us who are of a conservative bent of the respect we owe the office of the President and our more liberal friends of the respect they should have, and should continue to show for President Bush and VP Cheney.