"The Dixie Chicks have every right to express their political opinions, even in places where people have paid to hear their music, not their opinions. However, people also have every right to disagree with the opinions of the Dixie Chicks and to express their disagreements in public venues (like Free Republic) and by not buying Dixie Chicks music and concert tickets.
Politics is always a pay-to-play venue."
Agreed. And it's not just the dixie chicks. After years of traveling and too many concerts to count, I received a politically charged e-mail and promptly gave up 4 Warehouse memberships that afforded me 8 great seats at DMB shows.
Truthfully though, I wish they'd all shut up about their politics...they ought to know it's bad for business and WHATEVER they say is going to piss off at least 1/2 the population. When they do it anyway, I have difficulty getting past it and then more difficulty enjoying the music.
:-) Alice Cooper put it well. He said, why would anyone want to speak to a star about politics? We're morons.
Mr. Cooper is not a moron, but I like the quote anyway.