While thousands of troops put their lives on the line for freedom, protesters mock the president in his efforts to free the world from terrorism.

Americans don’t have to be in support of the war on Iraq, but we should not be a country at war with itself. Instead, protesters should show their appreciation for troops overseas and not be so anti-American.

According to an article by Bill Bishop and Richard Florida in the The Washington Post lead singer of the Dixie Chicks, Natalie Maines, told an audience in London that she was “ashamed” that President Bush was from Texas.

But what exactly is she ashamed of? That Bush is the leader of a country that wants to take a stand on terrorism, instead of sit back and watch Iraq take more biological control of the world?

According to the article, as a result of Maines’ statement, many country music stations in different parts of the United States. boycotted the Dixie Chicks’ latest album and their best-selling single, “Travelin’ Soldier.”

Music stations are right in this boycott. The First Amendment is one of our country’s greatest freedoms, but to bash the president during a time of war and death, is un-American.

Republican or Democrat, we are all Americans. And as Americans, we should be opinionated and take stands. But this war should not be about politics.

Instead, let’s focus on the real issue: American troops are dying for the lives of all of us, even the anti-war protesters.

Celebrities have more power than they will ever know, and they should not be abusing that influence.

They don’t have to like the president, but they can at least act in support of the country that helped give birth to their fame.

In a letter to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Lonnie Lewis, a soldier now in Kuwait, wrote his mother after she asked him how he would feel if she joined other relatives of service members in an anti-war demonstration in Hollywood.

“I can only speak for myself when I say that my life is an easy expense to ensure that my family and friends can live in peace. I strongly believe in what we are doing and wish you were here to see for yourselves the honor and privilege that American soldiers aboard this ship are feeling, knowing that we are going to be a part of something so strong and so meaningful to the safety of our loved ones. Then you would know what this potential war is about,” said Lewis in the letter. “We as soldiers are not afraid what may happen. We are only afraid of Americans not being able to understand why we are here. I ask for your courage as Americans to be strong for us; I ask for your understanding in what we believe is right. I ask for your support in what we are sworn to do: defend our country and the life of all.”

Thousands of Americans protesting is not going to stop bombs from falling on Iraq. All the protests are doing is keeping police tied up, making them unable to protect their cities from real dangers.

Troops are dying for the rights and freedom of every single one of those protesters. Let’s not use our freedom to fight against the men fighting for that freedom.