Dixie Chicks: Chirping to Anyone Who Will Listen

Seems Natalie Maines isn't finished making really courageous public statements guaranteed to inflame her few Red State fans left and make her Blue State fans exultant. Here's her latest crowd pleaser:

The Chicks can't hide their disgust at the lack of support they received from other country performers. "A lot of artists cashed in on being against what we said or what we stood for because that was promoting their career, which was a horrible thing to do," says Robison.

"A lot of pandering started going on, and you'd see soldiers and the American flag in every video. It became a sickening display of ultra-patriotism."

"The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism," Maines resumes, through gritted teeth. "Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country… I don't see why people care about patriotism."

A "sickening display of ultra-patriotism...," she says. "I don't see why people care about patriotism," she says.

She is serious.

I suppose it would be wasted energy to point out the value of showing gratitude to live in a country that allows people to espouse any view, even silly ones. Or that while our country enjoys unparalleled abundance--twangy singers can make $62 million in one year for singing for a couple hours a night--other countries suffer from the consequences of lawlessness which begets crime which sabotages the economy which causes famine which spawns the spread of disease. It would be futile to point out that many men and women, by choice, fought and continue to fight for, ideals like freedom, justice, the pursuit of happiness and liberty--not just for Americans but for Europeans and Japanese and South Koreans and Taiwanese and Phillipinos and now Iraqis and Afghans, too. Why honor sacrifices like that?

Why be a Patriot? Why love and defend our country? No doubt, gun-totin' Army dudes are wonder this every time Ms. Maines opens her bellowing beak.