But as far as whether opposition to the war or to President Bush has anything to do with it, I just finished a book I'd highly recommend called "Rednecks vs. Bluenecks." It's about the left vs. right, liberal vs. conservative battle in country music, sort of starting out and centering around the Dixie Chicks mess, then going into a historical perspective of politics in country music and then talking to a whole bunch of liberals and a whole bunch of conservatives in the business. They also talked to one guy in particular ... Buddy Miller, a great singer/player/songwriter ... who swore that he was absolutely dead-center in the middle, and had a separate chapter on Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash, who always sent out different signals and can't be pigeonholed politically.
Anyway, one of the people they talked to on the liberal side was Raul Malo of the Mavericks. The political stuff he spewed out would be worth a "puke alert" on this site, he was so over the top that he was rivaling Steve Earle, whose Marxist diatribes for the author were in a class of their own.
Still, Mr. Malo went to Iraq to entertain the troops last Christmas, said he was happy and honored to do so even though he is vehemently opposed to the war, and while he was there he didn't mention politics. So while his personal beliefs are nauseating, I give him credit for going over there.
I noticed Henry Rollins name on that list. I don't think he is for the war either. I don't really care for some of the stuff he says or his music. But it is nice of him to go over there.
It seems like a lot of country musicians in particular support our troops even if they might personally disagree with the war. It was amazing; shortly after my brother went on active duty his taste in music shifted radically from classic rock to country - as he says, most country stars sure seem to appreciate the military, and they are generally pretty popular among our young servicemen and women.
People like Robin Williams and Henry Rollins have my respect; they disagree with the war but do not hesitate to go overseas to entertain and bring some joy and lighthearted fun to our troops. The article said Robin Williams is planning his fourth USO trip since 2002 for next year. That's a great deal better than those celebrities who both denigrate our administration's decision to go to war, AND who ignore or outright degrade the troops.