Can't we all just...shut up and move along?

The radio station I listen to in the afternoon is now playing the Dixie Chicks song Not Ready To Make Nice. I personally like the song. But the station has decided to PLAY A DISCLAIMER BEFORE THE SONG AIRS. Yes, it's ridiculous. It's pathetic at the lowest level. Either stand up and say "we're playing this song because we like it and it fits our demographic and you can tune us out for four minutes if you want" or don't play it at all. But don't pander to the lowest denominator of people who are angry at three women who play music and expressed a political view while on stage three years ago. Which is really all that happened. If you're going to warn people you're fixing to play someone let it be Brittany Spears!

Do most people even know what was said? Seriously? I hear a lot of people who are still (three years later) angry as hell at them because they said things about the President and the war and about hating the soldiers and that America is evil and...on and on. But they can't tell me what was said exactly or even sorta. It's all vague communist overtones sort of stuff they are sure and that makes them EVIL.

Three years? People, MOVE ON. The truth is that she said that they were ashamed the President was from their home state. That's it. Hey, at this point aren't we all ashamed the President is American? I believe the latest approval polls agree with this. That was the extent of the rhetoric. And for this? Three years of country stations bashing them has rained down upon us. Not just that but they still receive DEATH THREATS over this. In an interview with Diane Sawyer in 2003 they admitted that they worded what they wanted to say badly. They even apologized for the remark less then a week afterward. Should they have apologized? No. It was their political view. No one should apologize for expressing thiers. It may be unpopular. It may be inappropriate at the time. It may be inappropriate to the place. But you have the right to say it and stand by it.

Isn't that part of the point of being an American? Isn't that something we always like to lord over other countries is that in America we can express our political ideals and thoughts freely and without fear of persecution? How are the "good" Americans upholding our ideals and Constitution that they claim to be so dear by threatening the lives of three women who stated their opinion?

So what's the message here? Women should not express their opinions? That if you are on a stage at your own concert you should not express your opinion? That you should express opinions if you are women only if they are the popular ones? That somehow these three women are going to cost American soldiers lives because of what they said? Why are you people mad about this? I assure you that you have friends, family and acquaintances who said much worse?

So why all the rage directed at these women? What is it about these three people who you've (most likely) never met. Never (likely) will meet. Never (likely) hang out with. Never (likely) go to PTA meetings with or lunch with or go to church with or anything else, why is anyone so upset about this? I have taken the liberty of compiling a list of people who's live you are probably equally involved in. If any of these people express the opinion that they are ashamed of the President, I expect all of you good folks to boycott, form pickett lines and call in death threats to them and their families.

The pizza delievery guy
Your pediatrician
Your drycleaner
The check-out girl at Publix
Your mailman
The guy who refills the vending machines at your office
The clerk at the QT
Random trick or treaters
The Santa Claus at the mall
The people who clean your church
The random woman who took your photo on your last vacation because you both wanted to be in it
Flight attendants
The people who work at Kinko's
Your fishmonger
Your meter reader
Mrs. Dash, Sara Lee or Mrs. Fields
The girl who hands out the free samples of wassail at Williams Sonoma at Christmas
The lifegaurd at your pool
Your vet

Are we getting the idea?

There are still radio stations galore that are not playing the new single. It's the number one song in the country. It sold over a million copies in a week. It's a great song. But those stations will continue to "boycott" three women who expressed an opinion (perhaps in the wrong place at the wrong time).

You know what? Boycott my next CD too because I'm ashamed of everyone who still cares enough to be mad.