i’ve refrained from comment about the whole natalie maines (A#1 dixie chick in the mind of jaycie, who when she first moved told the next door neighbor that her name was natalie) kaffafel of a few weeks ago. but this morning my friend bonny sent me an editorial column from the Alburquergue Tribune about the incident. i enjoyed it muchly, because i agree wholeheartedly.

it touches upon one of the things just drives me batty in post-9/11 america. if you aren’t for the president and this stupid war and the patriot act and everything else, well, dammnit you’re a terrorist. you’re an unpatriotic, mom-hating, pinkie-commie who kills puppies and children for fun.

which is just so much bullshit.

i probably love the US more than most anyone i know. i love this country with its imperfections, and nonsense and insipidness.

but you won’t ever see me waving a flag. i’m more likely to burn the flag than wave it. but i have no desire to do either.

it’s frustrating. i know the red-neck, chest beating, gun-toting, dixie chicks booing bastards have the same rights as i do. it frustrates me because i have a hard time swallowing that kind of intolerance. the kind that won’t let anyone have an opposing view. groupthink makes my teeth itch.

it frustrates me because those who would ban the dixie chicks from their radio stations don’t realize that this whole maines’ ordeal is the crux of what makes our nation so beautiful (at least for the time being i’m sure the commander and chimp bush will change that if he has his way). that opposing views can be loudly proclaimed and it’s not illegal. here you’re allowed to think. and i’m allowed to think you are wrong.

bah, i’m off to a pancake breakfast with the sister club.