Shut Up & Sing: The Trailer

I can't wait to see this movie.

What happened to The Dixie Chicks is despicable, all because they voiced their opinion about President Bush and his misguided War in Iraq (and yes, it IS his war). It's a sign of the times - if you disagree with the War in Iraq, President Bush, or you don't "Support the Troops," you're some sort of traitor, or worse. What's worse, the band stated their opinions abroad. My GOD! Damn the torpedoes - let's sink them!

Well, that's exactly what many tried to do. Censorship of their music began almost immediately, and I'm not talking about everyday Americans who didn't want to listen to their music for political reasons. I've got no problem with that. I'm talking about corporate America - the big media conglomerations that own the vast number of radio stations across America began banning their music.

Probably my favorite example from this trailer was the mass CD destruction during public demonstrations. Can book burnings be far behind?

This is a behind-the-scenes account of what the band endured - from declining record sales to death threats. How American.

As always, after I see the movie, I'll bring you my thoughts. I will say this, though - the band's plight has made me a fan, and I don't even like country music. What I do like are people who stand up for themselves in the face of ignorance and stupidity in an American society that increasingly frowns upon voices that don't "go along with the program." That's not what this country traditionally has been about. I don't admire them for their political beliefs - I admire them for their courage.

By the way, their latest album, Taking the Long Way, is excellent, specifically the song, "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice," which is basically a giant F-You to the president. Now that's American - express your view, disagree if you will, turn the channel, express your own view. But please, 86 the death threats.