This week I considered writing about Hillary’s emails but 1)
you already know what I think about that, and 2) I’ll have lots of
opportunities to expound on that subject as the Right will continually conjure
up more conspiracy theories. At least
this new so-called “scandal” gives Fox News something new to talk about besides
Benghazi. Benghazi. Benghazi.
I have to admit that I’m jaded from discussing the antics of
the Georgia General Assembly but I feel obligated to mention the Bills I’ve
been following here; the Medical Marijuana Bill, the Religious Preservation Act
(that keeps changing names to make it sound more palatable), and the
Destruction of Public Education Bill, a.k.a. Opportunity School Districts. How appropriate that last Friday, the 13th
was Cross Over Day! Cross Over Day is
the deadline for a Bill to pass from one chamber to another to have a chance of
winning final approval this year. All
of the aforementioned Bills are still alive.
The suspense is building and it’s going to be a battle royal,
especially with the Religious Freedom Bill.
The proponents of this Bill picked up a key supporter last week, the
Wiccans, witches that worship nature. They sent a letter to Senator Josh
McKoon, sponsor of the Bill, thanking him for legislation giving their religion
legal standing. Also, last week one of Georgia’s most prominent citizens, Sir
Elton John, spoke out against this Bill as being discriminatory.
With all that out of the way, I’m most anxious to talk about
the Dixie Chicks. Yes, the Dixie
Chicks! In case you are too young to
remember or have forgotten about this trio that dominated country music in the
late 90’s with hit after hit, let me enlighten you. In March 2003, they had the number one album on the U. S. charts,
called “Home.” And the number one
single with “Travelin’ Soldier.” They
were revered entertainers.
It was at this time in our history when President George W.
Bush and the Neocons in the GOP were working America into a dither about Iraq
having weapons of mass destruction and demanding war. The world’s largest anti-war protest was held in Italy and the
Dixie Chicks were performing in London.
That night, the Dixie Chicks went from most loved entertainers in
America to the most hated. Why? Because the leader of that Texas group,
Natalie Maines, dared speak her disapproval of war and by saying, “Just so you
know, we are ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas.” Only two sentences! Their punishment for disrespecting the
President on foreign soil was harsh and swift.
They were threatened, their children were threatened, and there was no
place they could go without a demonstration.
They and their music were banished from all of country music.
The story of the Dixie Chicks begs the question, where is
the public outrage and demand for retribution for the forty-seven (47) U. S.
Senators who signed a letter to the Ayatollah of Iran written by Senator Tom
Cotton (R-Arkansas) that was by definition treasonous. Cotton is so new to the Senate the tea is
still wet behind his ears, but what’s the excuse for Georgia’s Senior Senator,
Johnny Isakson? I never had him pegged
as an insurrectionist.
I must say it’s been interesting listening to the Senators
varied excuses and backpeddling. The most honest, and yet appalling excuse I
have heard for signing the letter was by Senator John McCain. The signing took place at a Senate
luncheon. He said, “It was kind of a
very rapid process. Everybody was
looking forward to getting out of Washington to flee a snowstorm.” He also stated, “I sign lots of
letters.” That is very frightening to
think that not many of the Senators even read the letter before affixing their
signature. I think I’d rather believe
that excuse than that it was a deliberate attempt to weaken the President, thus
the entire Presidency in the eyes of the world just for spite.
Back to the Dixie Chicks.
Is it just me or do you think there’s something wrong with a country
that holds their entertainers to a higher standard of conduct than their
highest elected officials?
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