Dixie Chicks

I know that Mindy promised that I would write a post about this weekend's flea-markets and other shopping, but I have run out of time today. Suffice it to say that we spent a ridiculous amount of money and had loads of fun rebuying what we sold back in the States. I will provide the promised post tomorrow.

As for my first day of house husbandry, I was unable to delay the deliveries and learned that the people at the launderette would do the wash for only slightly more than if I did it myself. Guess for which I opted?

Instead, I wanted to write a quick note about New Zealand's opinion of the Dixie Chicks. There is basically NO country music here. You will catch a fleeting note of country every now and then, but nothing compared to what we had in Texas. I would say good riddance, except that Kiwis are totally unfamiliar with the "Texas Country" genre of which the Lone Star State is so rightfully proud. Perhaps I could introduce it here without interesting the Kiwis in the Nashville brand of country, which really sucks. The one exception to the "no country music" generality above is the music of the Dixie Chicks. It is heard widely and played on radio stations of all types.

Unlike their cold reception in my home state, I heard the Dixie Chicks referred to on a New Zealand radio commercial (touting that it played Dixie Chicks' music), as "Rebels, Heroes, Renegades, and Mums." Heroes? The Dixie Chicks? Well I think so, but I did not believe that anyone else held that belief until I arrived in NZ.

Telling Shrub (Bush Jr.) to "stick it" is not wildly popular in Texas. Therefore, the Dixie Chicks have been ostracized by fans in Texas, their homestate and mine. Radio stations across the United States, but particularly in the more ignorant locales, have refused to play Dixie Chicks music.

Halleluah that there are those (and I include myself here) that not only respect political dissidents' right to speak their mind, but also freely give support to those who speak up. I am proud to count myself among Kiwi's in celebrating the Dixie Chicks, their unpopular comments, and their refusal to recant, even if I find their music grating and whinny at times.

I hope that those who read this post would join me in purchasing the Dixie Chicks' new CD. For God's sake, do not buy it at Wal-Mart -- it will be censored and you will be supporting all kinds of societal evils. Check your local, independently-owned music store. Remember "Mom and Pop?"

And if you have a radio station in your area that refuses to play their music, I urge you to call and complain. I do regret that the best sign of solidarity in this situation is also blatantly commercial and lines the pockets of all kinds of middlemen who don't deserve a penny, but I am not creative enough at this moment to divine an alternative. If you have one, post it in the comments.

Well, I need to go check on the nice Middle-Eastern boy that is doing my laundry. Cheers.