Not Ready To Make Nice
By Keith Boykin, in music
Monday, February 12 2007, 10:28AM
Memphis, TN -- Hollywood sent a message to Washington last night. By selecting the Dixie Chicks to win nearly all the top prizes, the music industry basically put President Bush on notice. I know it's just entertainment and it's just a TV show, but I couldn't help feeling the power of politics in the air last night. I watched the Grammys with my young godsons who really don't know much about the Dixie Chicks, but as I explained the controversy to them, I couldn't help feeling a sense of history.
It was just a few years ago in this country when the right-wing lunatics were ready to ban the Dixie Chicks because the group's lead singer, Natalie Maines, had criticized George W. Bush. At the time, America was consumed with shallow, self-congratulatory xenophobia poorly disguised as patriotism, and war-loving citizens attacked the peace-loving French by renaming "french fries" as "freedom fries." Yes we were a stupid people back then, just a few years ago. Whooped into a war frenzy by 9-11 and the Bush war buildup, we lost sense of who we are. The Dixie Chicks were among the first to remind us, by challenging the president on his lies.
Now the majority of Americans are finally coming around to the truth. But if the American people can stand up to the president and the Dixie Chicks can stand up the president, why won't our elected officials stand up to the president?
Last fall, the American people sent a clear and unmistakble message to Congress and the White House that they were tired of the lies and excuses made up for the war in Iraq. They voted the Republicans out of power and gave George Bush the lowest approval ratings of his presidency.
Three months later, the public is still dissatisfied. The polls continue to show that Americans are fed up with the war and ready for our troops to come home. But instead of preparing to pull out U.S. troops, the Bush Administration is going the opposite direction and escalating the war. At least this time the public is awake and the American people have said no. But our so-called leaders in Congress still haven't taken action.
Members of Congress can't even get together to approve a non-binding resolution against the president's troop buildup, and once again we're hearing the same old pseudo patriotic rhetoric about protecting the president's reputation in time of war. Who cares about protecting the president's reputation? I don't care if George Bush is embarrassed by a congressional vote. He ought to be embarrased by the mess he created that forced the vote in the first place.
It's the American people who need protecting. More than 3,000 American troops have already been killed in the Iraq war and tens of thousands of others have been permanently wounded, injured or hospitalized. And that's not even counting the 30,000 Iraqi civilians who are killed each year in this so-called war of liberation.
It's time to put a stop to the lies of the Bush Administration. But too many members of Congress are still afraid to do anything out of fear that the White House will paint them as "soft on defense." In case they haven't noticed, the White House and the GOP don't have much pull right now with the public. That's why it makes no sense that the Democrats and the Republicans haven't pushed harder to stop this war.
If the Dixie Chicks can do it, then the Democrats and Republicans can do it too.
Comments conceal
James
February 12 2007, 11:21AM
Welcome to TN, Keith!
gs
February 12 2007, 11:39AM
Well, at least Hollywood is consistent with their left of center moonbat ideals. The Dixie Chics had their tour cancelled and limited radio play but they got top honors. Pleaeeeeese, Mary J worked too hard not to win top honors for some non-patriotic passive country singing white girls. Thank God no one in Washington listens to musicians much nor takes them serious. THey just need to shut up and sing.
On another note, TI deserved top Rap honors over Ludicris.
Bernie
February 12 2007, 12:02PM
It's time for the American people to light a fire under Congress. They aren't acting decisively because we aren't threatening them to do so. They all need to be reminded that they too can be turned out of office in November.
Impeach Bush.
Blue
February 12 2007, 12:06PM
I think it just shows how much sentiment has shifted in this country. I was happy to se them take their statues, and I don't even listen to them at all. Good for them. That whole thing was blown way out of proportion.
anthony davis
February 12 2007, 12:49PM
I agree it's time that we hold Congress accountable for standing up to the President.He's on a wild and reckless mission in the Mid-East that will ultimately lead to devastation.As Americans we need to keep a serious eye on this troop buildup because Iran is next on his radar.He already has a carrier fighter present in the Gulf and now he's trying to slowly build his case to support his impending war against Iran.This guy is very dangerous and what is so dangerous about him is that his power is going unchecked.
nuneuro
February 12 2007, 1:21PM
I thought the Grammy Awards were meant to recognize performers for their artistic talent, not their political beliefs. Although, I am happy to see the political sentiment shifting against the useless Bush administration, it is truly unfortunate that those artists with real talent, whose songs are a daily part of our lives, went unnoticed.
cmoney
February 12 2007, 2:44PM
WHAT?! The Grammys are political? Who knew? :-) As much as I like that the Dixie Chicks were true patriots who didn't cower to Right-Wing fascism, I find it difficult to accept that the Dixie Chicks won more awards than Mary J. Blige. Last night was HER night and she only took three trophies. Instead, the Academy decided to play politics. Nevertheless, that was one of the best Granmmy programs ever. Chris Brown gave up an amazing performance (with the help of a back up tape). Chris and Mary J. Blige's brought down the house. And GS: Don't talk about my Ludacris!!
JLee
February 12 2007, 4:59PM
I'm a big fan of Mary J Blige, but song for song, the Dixie Chicks had the better album (and I'm black, by the way). It's not a black or white thing; it's a quality thing.
chicagoangel
February 12 2007, 6:26PM
the oscars are political and so are the grammys....get that bull out of here the dixie chicks had the better album in those categories and its decided by 11,000 voters.
Mary J Im glad she won 3 of 8. She was not the only artist there so it was NOT HER NIGHT! it was the music industries night!
Mary had the best performances..I was so happy for her. she had never won a grammy in her career untill now! she was a big winner.
but with all the dixie chickes have gone through and people turning their backs on them and concerts being canceled and radio stations being assholes, they deserved what they got last night!
Why is there such a hatred toward famous people who speak out against things? are they nt americans too?
Cadence
February 12 2007, 7:13PM
It's dismissive to the quality of the cd to say that the only reason the Chicks won was to send a political message. It's a good cd, and Natalie is one of the top vocalist today.
Besides, they still aren't being played on many radio stations, which has effected sales of the cd as well as their concerts, which saw many dates having to be canceled. They are still being blackballed by country stations and country fans, they were nowhere to be found at the country music award shows. It's nice to support the Dixie Chicks politically, but more people need to support them by requesting radio stations to play their music.
CPAPhD![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.keithboykin.com/blog2/nav-commenters.gif)
February 12 2007, 9:40PM
It is what it is.....Personally, I wanted MJ to win...but oh well. Welcome to the "M" Keith!
Mark
February 12 2007, 11:34PM
I must say I totally agree with you Keith. It has always seemed funny to me that this President calls this war a liberation for Iraq yet no liberation is done for the people in Africa. And do we know why? Well, I think now we do. Cause there is no oil in Africa. If this war was really about liberation and freedom for a people in need then it should be in Africa. It is really sad, sad I tell ya.
kaccompany
February 13 2007, 8:37AM
Even though they're in a genre that I don't follow closely, the DC's album has been at the top of every Top 10 list for last year and their album won because it deserved to. To say that MJ's performance was the best of the night is sort of right... her performance was, as it always is, the most histrionic. It was also, as it always is, almost absent of pitch. She continues to be one of the worst live vocalists on the planet.
Felicia
February 13 2007, 12:35PM
Yes, I, too, felt the "politics" in the air. It was a nice and freeing moment. Although I doubt Bush and his camp care one way or another, it was wonderful to see that Hollywood isn't always about "appealing to the masses."
GQ
February 13 2007, 3:55PM
I normally don't respond to comments but it's interesting that certain folks are shifting the focus this Column into a Dixie Chicks vs. Mary J. Blige. How petty can you get?? I'm sure if Mary J. read these comments she couldn't care less if she won more awards than the Dixie Chicks, but maybe she'll mention your names in her next acceptance speech. (right GS and cmoney?) No matter what all of you feel, it's not easy to stand up for yourself and what you believe and speak out when someone lies and does wrong like George Bush. Hell, in the case of Dixie Chicks, it's suicidal. And to GS, there is nothing "passive" about speaking out against George Bush and to later take all kinds of shots from right wing conservatives, to angry fanatics, all the "haters" and even taking comments from you. They deserve props for taking all that crap and making a very solid concept album. By the way, I have at least 5 Mary J. CD's and only one Dixie chicks CD.
craig Young
February 14 2007, 11:31PM
I have to agree with GQ. But the Dixie Chicks are Mary J are amazing artists. To get all bent of shape because one won over another is silly. I do think this album wasn't the Dixie Chicks best album. I am a country music fan (also black and gay) and they had some really good stuff. So has Mary J. I think at base there is a tinge of well Mary J is black and the Dixie Chicks are white to all of this. If we one to live in a better places for when you see two really talented groups of artists, let's just respect that they both won something and that they both are talented.
TR Ryan
February 15 2007, 6:51PM
The Circle goes like this: didn't know the Dixie Chicks; bought their CD in support to speak out against their backlash; listened to the CD and fell in love with the Dixie Chicks; tuned in to the 2007 Grammy's just to support them...and it was there, right there during the 2007 Grammys that I fell in love with Mary J. Blige...thanks to the D.C.'s. The most powerful thing was the message that both symbolized that evening. Lets not loose the importance of either message by picking one over the other. MJB is amazing. The Dixie Chick album is amazing. We saved the cheerleaders - we saved the world.
CJ
February 15 2007, 9:21PM
Who exactly is Keith Boykin? Now you are feeling the Dixie Chick's power? Keith, judging from your last appearance on Zahn's program, the only thing you have been feeling lately is the putty knife on your ashen face to slather on the concealer. Please son, your vapid words and nescient arguments possibly ring true to your sheep, however real and informaed people find you irrelevant and quite ridiculous.
PaulnJames
February 15 2007, 11:06PM
I have to agree with CJ. I caught the Paula Zahn show and there u go again, decreeing "homophobia...blah blah blah..." Just stop it already.
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