*sigh* They even got death threats. If you don't know what this is all about, you may want to read my previous post about this.

You know, I wonder if some of this volatile backlash against them isn't somehow related to the fact that they are *female*. There's many who would pooh-pooh this and roll their eyes at it, but honestly, there's been a LOT of high profile people in the news protesting the war in Iraq, and none have recieved such lingering and public hostility from "fans" as the Chicks did. Sure, there's been some, but not to the extreme level that was aimed at the Chicks.

I think there was an expectation on the part of fans that a group of female singers would never say anything controversial or substantial. This DESPITE the fact that the Dixie Chicks have consistently done exactly that in thier music. The Chicks regularly sing about feminist issues, or give their song's female protagonists *power*, and show a sense of independance, rebellion and 3rdwwwave feminist style in their music. It would have seemed that their fans were used-to and *accepting* of that.

But no. The conservative part of the Dixie Chick's country music fan base just painted the stereotypical picture of feisty-yet-unthreatening-and-sexy onto the Chicks that they seem to apply to all female country singers, despite the actual message the singers are trying to get across. I was never surprised that the Dixie Chicks would voice an anti-war sentiment, because I *listened* to their music and knew they were strong women and where they were comign from.

I think that what's really happening is that a vocal group of country-music fans and radio stations that have a highly conservative perspective took the opportunity to bash the Chicks (and thus this growing female strength, independance and thought) and ran with it in an effort to de-legitimize the Chicks and what they sing about.

It sucks.

More news:

Dixie Chicks Pose Nude in Answer to Critics

Dixie Chicks 'get death threats'

Dixie Chicks Speak Out On ABC

Springsteen Offers Support To Dixie Chicks

Posted at brucespringsteen.net, Springsteen's statement reads: "The Dixie Chicks have taken a big hit lately for exercising their basic right to express themselves, 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. The pressure coming from the government and big business to enforce conformity of thought concerning the war and politics goes against everything that this country is about - namely freedom. Right now, we are supposedly fighting to create free speech in Iraq, at the same time that some are trying to intimidate and punish people for using that same freedom here at home. I don't know what happens next, but I do want to add my voice to those who think that the Dixie Chicks are getting a raw deal, and an un-American one to boot. I send them my support."

Springsteen has made anti-war statements of his own during his concerts this year--sometimes playing the late Motown singer Edwin Starr's protest hit "War"--and in other concert comments has also bemoaned the loss of civil liberties.

Good for him!!

Via Medley: UF STUDY: REMAINING CHILDLESS DOES NOT LEAD TO LONELINESS IN OLD AGE

Sounds like common sense to me.

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