An open letter to the Dixie Chicks

Dear Martie, Emily and, especially, Natalie-

It's been a while since we heard from you. You were producing hits, then you said something in London that was taken far too seriously, then you had A LOT to say, then you went to war with Toby Keith and then you all had some babies (congrats, by the way).

Now, I did hear that you recently declared yourselves to no longer be a country act. As a county music fan who has been tormented by pop music on the country station (Faith and Shania--I'm talking about YOU!), I admit to being secretly pleased that pop music fans will now get country music on the radio. You see, I really, really like your music.

So, when CMT (yes, so much for no longer being county--CMT is still playing your videos) played your newest video, I immediately took notice. I will say now that I think it's a great song--I say it now because I'm now going to complain about it.

Okay, we all know what "Not Ready to Make Nice" is about. Here's the thing...we don't care. Now, I'm not talking about your comment about President Bush--so what? Whether or not I agreed made no difference because you were stating an opinion. And you apologized to Diane Sawyer or Barbara Walters or someone like that (very noble!) The problem came after that.

Here's the thing. You claimed that you were victims of people trying to stifle your freedom of speech. That's not what happened. You (Natalie) made a comment about Toby Keith's song saying that he should not have written it. Then you made a comment about President Bush, 3 radio stations (or so) in the Bible belt got mad and you claimed freedom of speech. Then you somehow got into a fight with Toby Keith which looked, at least from where I was standing, to be pretty one-sided. Then you (Natalie) decided to wear the F.U.T.K. shirt on the ACMs and then you wondered why people felt you went to far.

The freedom of speech is a bitch. The thing about it is that you aren't the only people who get that freedom. Yes, you can say whatever you would like. But so can the radio stations. And so can Toby Keith. And so can I. Do you understand why I get so tired of you spouting off about whatever and then crying when someone says something to counter it?

So, then you have to consider that you can say anything you would like, but should you? Again, I have no argument with you on your stance about Bush. Given the time and situation, I actually thought it was appropriate. But you know how I felt during your tirades against Toby Keith? Mostly, I felt like I should vacuum or I should work out or whatever because I really don't put that much energy towards celebrities. However, when I did put that little bit of attention towards your little spat with Toby Keith, I felt like a kid whose parents were getting divorced and I was stuck in the middle.

You don't like Toby Keith--fine. You want to scream at him--fine. Just don't do it when everyone else has to put up with it.

I guess what irked me most about this song is that you decided to spin this whole thing and play the victim role. What's with that double standard? You accuse other artists of being disrespectful and then, when they say anything against you, your "rights" are apparently being challenged. You are one of the most talented acts in years, why do you feel you have to resort to cheap dramatics?

All this being said, I've already pre-ordered your album. And I'll most likely buy your future albums. But you are no longer "The Dixie Chicks" to me. You are now "The Dixie Chicks...(hm)". That little "(hm)" says so much--it's that little reminder that you once decided to take the low road in a very public way.