Like a loyal Labrador Retriever, Time magazine followed the mandolin and banjo-infused melody and came trotting over to give the Dixie Chicks another fifteen minutes of fame for their latest public remarks about President Bush. The band's recent retraction of an obviously insincere apology issued several years ago for anti-American comments has rekindled another tempest.
If you aren't a country music fan and don't know the back story, here's a synopsis: The controversy over the band began awhile back during a concert in Europe when lead singer Natalie Maines expressed her shame that Mr. Bush was from her home state of Texas. What was probably meant as another general anti-war, anti-Bush wisecrack lit a storm of protest in the listener community. Country music fans are predominately conservative and quite overt in their support of our military. Maines' comment turned fans into CD-burning activists overnight, and the band's music was dropped from the playlists of many country stations nationwide. The band apologized, and the uproar faded. A meteoric career was instantly stonewalled, and the Dixie Chicks retreated from touring and performing for several years.
Fast forward to the most recent issue of Time, and you can see the Dixie Chicks on the cover, now suddenly unapologetic and ready to release their latest album, featuring the single "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice." Well, Natalie, people may not be ready to listen to you, either. The retraction -- something akin to "Bush doesn't deserve any respect" -- earned them a nice cover photo. I don't have an issue with what they said; the Dixie Chicks should enjoy First Amendment freedoms just as the rest of us. I'm amazed that Time found their remarks so profound as to warrant their placement on the cover. If that's the best the publishers can do with everything else going on in the world, what can you say? It must have been a slow day.
This entire episode isn't a free speech issue for me. Here is my gripe: Why does the mainstream media insist on being first in line to publicize the political speech of celebrities, now matter how erudite (not often, mind you) or asinine the comments are? What makes the ideologically charged rantings of famous people front page news? Does celebrity make one's opinions the conscience of a nation? Turn on any television and you're bound to hear Tim Robbins, Jeneane Garafalo, Alex Baldwin, or Sean Penn (yes, the Sean Penn whose john boat overturned in New Orleans in Katrina's aftermath -- THAT was news!) making some insulting, mean-spirited comment about W or Republicans. It's a shame the pandering media becomes useful idiots to these enlightened individuals by giving them a platform. Personally, I ignore them or change the channel and refuse to patronize any of their movies or buy their music. When's the last time a conservative celebrity (there are a few out there, right?) had a public forum to advocate their ideas?
I wish the Dixie Chicks luck in their "new" career. I used to like their music; maybe I'll give them another chance. I can't say the same for Time magazine. Where's my National Review?!!
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