If Betsy Ross were alive today she’d be a Dixie Chick. Ross risked her life and livelihood standing against incompetent government. While loyal monarchists kissed butt, Ross kicked it.

Women have long used cloth to make political statements and promote causes; and they’ve used music. Art is the salvation of humanity – who we are.

To have country music stations cowed into not playing the Dixie Chicks is about as topsy-turvy as things get. Defiance has been a mainstay of country music. Country was born of the music that immigrants brought with them. A reason we have more Irish than Ireland is Queen Elizabeth I ordered all Irish pipers and harpists be hung. That fuels an anti-establishment tune, or two.

Listen to, “Risin’ o’ the Moon.” Kowtowing has nothing to do with country music.

Hank Williams, a country music icon, was from Alabama, a stronghold of the KKK. He had the grit to pay homage to African-American Rufus Payne. “All the music training I ever had,” Williams said of Payne.

That’s not pandering to commercial interests or bowing to fear.

Ask Willy Nelson what is more redundant than “outlaw country.” Country music didn’t start out as commercial braying of sheep.

Just because someone is born into a dynasty such as the Bush family doesn’t mean they aren’t an idiot.

If we are not all allowed to say that in this country, in the language of the people, we have lost America.

Tom Bulger, Wilton