I also enjoyed Robert Everett-Green's article on the Dixie Chicks that you linked to, Derek, and was a little dismayed to read so many chiding, borderline abusive comments that conveniently ignore his point entirely. Even the usually erudite Paul Wells of Maclean's chimes in with a snarky kick at the Globe critic in a recent blogpost.

I don't think Green was reflexively adopting a pro-Canadian, anti-American, or even anti-Dixie Chicks stance. Nor was he trying to promote himself as an arbiter of taste for the nation (at least no more or less than other critics, bloggers, or anyone with an opinion about music does). He was merely offering an alternate take on the 'aren't these Dixie Chicks courageous and aren't the Grammy voters therefore courageous by association' line that most of the mainstream media has been peddling ever since the trio picked up their trophys on the weekend: that perhaps their stance wasn't as brave and political as it appears, that the ensuing publicity that they have received has been well-orchestrated, and that the have ultimately benefited greatly from their positioning as anti-bushites.

I didn't think that Green was being condescending but perhaps my continuing disdain for the Grammy's has clouded my judgment.