Five Reasons to Forgive the Dixie Chicks

It's been ten years since Natalie Maines, the lead singer of the Dixie Chicks famously stood in front of a packed house in London and said:

"Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, this violence. And we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas."

And, as I was driving across our great country the other night, while my beautiful family was peacefully sleeping in the car behind me, I listened to my favorite Dixie Chicks CD.  I sang along at the top of my lungs on my way home from Florida and thought about how sad it is that their amazing vocals aren't coming through the radio anymore.

Is it time to forgive them?  Don't they get to enjoy the same "freedom of speech" that the Duck Dynasty clan is enjoying?  Is it because they are women?  Country singers?

Natalie's comments may have been unpopular at the time, but 10 years later, does it seem like America may have overreacted?  I mean, death threats! Bulldozing and burning CD's, banning them from country radio!  Really?

Prior to Maines' 2003 comments, the group's previous two albums had sold at least 10 million copies each, and they were singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, and they had won eight Academy of Country Music Awards, including the male-dominated Entertainer of the Year category in 2000.

Here are five of my fav Dixie Chicks songs for you to enjoy while you ponder whether or not these three ultra talented women deserved their penalty...

5. You Were Mine

4. Goodbye Earl

3. Sin Wagon

2. Cowboy Take Me Away

1. Travelin' Soldier