Texas Trash

Okay, that's one of my nicer nicknames for the Dixie Chicks, who are in the news again. I'll spare you reading the rest of them. I will say I am a pretty creative gal, though. *wink*

Anyway, since everybody and their brother is weighing in on this little controversy, I felt it necessary to share my opinion as well. In bullet form, to keep it short (yeah, right...).

* I have never liked the Dixie Chicks. Not much of a country music fan, especially the dreck that seems to be country music today. Shania? Faith? Tim? Ewwwww. Oh, god, I don't even know the names of the rest of 'em. Play me some George Strait, Alan Jackson, or Randy Travis and we can talk.

* I happened to agree with Natalie Maines' comments about Bush. I don't necessarily think the forum was the best choice, but she has a right to free speech, as all Americans do.

* I think it is fine for people to boycott a group if they disagree with their political ideas. I do NOT think it is ok for people to issue death threats. Ever.

* Bruce Springsteen (betcha wondered how I snuck HIM in here, huh?) had his own opinion about the controversy at the time (this from the BBC).

The Dixie Chicks received death threats, had their records burned and were removed from radio playlists after singer Natalie Maines said she was embarrassed that Bush was from her home state of Texas.

But Springsteen said the band were merely expressing their "right to free speech" and had received a "raw deal" from critics.

In a message on his official website, the star said: "To me, they're terrific American artists expressing American values by using their American right to free speech.

"For them to be banished wholesale from radio stations, and even entire radio networks, for speaking out is un-American."

Amen. I DO love that man.

* The lyrics to the new song are good. Of course, it is a helluva lot easier to say you're not gonna back down from your opinion when the vast majority of people in the country now agree with your position, whereas before they did not. Polling is good, right, Natalie?

* The new song is as whiny-assed and screechy as all of their other songs. So if you like that kind of sound, enjoy. Thanks very much, I'll be having NONE of that.

* Last thing? Yep, I agreed with Natalie when she said she didn't like Bush. I agree with her now that he is not what our country or the world needs right now (or ever). Here's the difference, though: I said it then, I say it now, I have never backed down from my position or wavered, even when people have accused me of being unpatriotic or worse -- I am against this war. It is a bad idea, and our president is making a mockery of the office.

Excuse me while I go don my black t-shirt which reads, "I told you so."