F.U.T.K.
So last night, I went to see one of the most amazing documentaries I've ever had the pleasure of seeing...
I don't know where I've been over the last little bit, but I could have sworn country radio had started playing the Chicks again. I guess not. Then I found out what Jeff Foxworthy said on the CMT Music Awards and it made me sad. Because I love country music. And I agree wholeheartedly with his closing remarks about why he loves country music. However, the pot shot at the Dixie Chicks was completely uncalled for and made country music fans look like a bunch of redneck babies. And I know they're not -- most of my family listens to country.
I'm not going to pretend like I didn't get worked up over what Natalie Maines said when it happened. I'm pretty sure I was vocal about my disagreement with her. This was 2003 and I lived in Texas and support for the war was at an all-time high. But I was never one of the people who felt like burning my CDs or throwing them away -- they're still safe inside my car.
Looking back, though, I can't say that I disagree with her. Now, I would never say anything like "I'm ashamed the President is from Texas" because I still feel it's a bit disrespectful. Not because I necessarily like the guy, but because he's still the President and that's just how I was raised. (Well, that and I'm a chickenshit non-confrontationalist.) But I have to say that the man hasn't done anything for peoples' perception of the lands from whence I came and I will admit that I resent that. Not to sound like an episode of Studio 60 or anything, but part of free speech means that sometimes we're going to hear things we don't agree with or don't even want to hear.
And for that reason, I'm not going to be someone who disses on the people in the film who disagreed with them and didn't want to listen to them anymore. That's the other side of the coin -- those people had every right to voice their opinion, as well. I may not agree with it and see it as a bit of an overreaction, particularly the death threat, but they had their reasons for feeling like they felt. I personally feel it was wrong to accuse the Chicks of not supporting the troops simply because they don't support the war or disagree with the president. Well guess what, I don't agree with the war and I don't think anyone who knows me would automatically assume that I don't support the men and women overseas. But Toby Keith's music makes me want to kick something. (Where can I get me one of those F.U.T.K. shirts?) Group-think on EITHER side of the issue makes me want to scream.
And you know, maybe it's okay that country radio isn't playing the Chicks anymore. As one of the producers said last night, it's their loss. Taking the Long Way is one of the best albums I own and dammit, I will see The Dixie Chicks in concert at some point. (Seriously?? Why did they have to have their show here Thanksgiving weekend last year??)
That was long and rambly, but I think I said my peace. Now if I could just stop feeling like a walking hormone, that would be fantastic.
Click to viewI don't know where I've been over the last little bit, but I could have sworn country radio had started playing the Chicks again. I guess not. Then I found out what Jeff Foxworthy said on the CMT Music Awards and it made me sad. Because I love country music. And I agree wholeheartedly with his closing remarks about why he loves country music. However, the pot shot at the Dixie Chicks was completely uncalled for and made country music fans look like a bunch of redneck babies. And I know they're not -- most of my family listens to country.
I'm not going to pretend like I didn't get worked up over what Natalie Maines said when it happened. I'm pretty sure I was vocal about my disagreement with her. This was 2003 and I lived in Texas and support for the war was at an all-time high. But I was never one of the people who felt like burning my CDs or throwing them away -- they're still safe inside my car.
Looking back, though, I can't say that I disagree with her. Now, I would never say anything like "I'm ashamed the President is from Texas" because I still feel it's a bit disrespectful. Not because I necessarily like the guy, but because he's still the President and that's just how I was raised. (Well, that and I'm a chickenshit non-confrontationalist.) But I have to say that the man hasn't done anything for peoples' perception of the lands from whence I came and I will admit that I resent that. Not to sound like an episode of Studio 60 or anything, but part of free speech means that sometimes we're going to hear things we don't agree with or don't even want to hear.
And for that reason, I'm not going to be someone who disses on the people in the film who disagreed with them and didn't want to listen to them anymore. That's the other side of the coin -- those people had every right to voice their opinion, as well. I may not agree with it and see it as a bit of an overreaction, particularly the death threat, but they had their reasons for feeling like they felt. I personally feel it was wrong to accuse the Chicks of not supporting the troops simply because they don't support the war or disagree with the president. Well guess what, I don't agree with the war and I don't think anyone who knows me would automatically assume that I don't support the men and women overseas. But Toby Keith's music makes me want to kick something. (Where can I get me one of those F.U.T.K. shirts?) Group-think on EITHER side of the issue makes me want to scream.
And you know, maybe it's okay that country radio isn't playing the Chicks anymore. As one of the producers said last night, it's their loss. Taking the Long Way is one of the best albums I own and dammit, I will see The Dixie Chicks in concert at some point. (Seriously?? Why did they have to have their show here Thanksgiving weekend last year??)
That was long and rambly, but I think I said my peace. Now if I could just stop feeling like a walking hormone, that would be fantastic.