the dixie chicks

They're on the cover of Time magazine this week. You might recall the story: At a concert in London in 2003, Chick Natalie Maines told the crowd, "We're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.'' Uh-oh.

They're releasing a new album, so the world wonders what sort of reception it will get. Here's what I wonder: Why should anyone care what a trio of musicians thinks about the president?

I've made this argument a million times, be it about Tom Cruise or John Rocker or Bruce Springsteen. Their political views don't please me or anger me. They make me chuckle. I don't care what Nelson Mandela thinks about the designated hitter. Why should I care what Natalie Maines thinks about George Bush?

Maybe in a larger context, I'm missing the boat. You could argue effectively that music played a role in our pulling out of Vietnam. You could look to Bono and say he has raised awareness of global hunger and the like, especially in Africa. I have no problem w/high profile entertainers using their status to do something grander than make money. I just don't give a damn what they think about politics or the environment or foreign relations. I enjoy Springsteen's music, much of it. I couldn't care less about his take on Bush.

Act. Play music. Be a Chick. If you want to be political, run for office. Meantime, entertain me.