I agree rathi, it is like concerning yourself with what Tom Hanks political opinion is. What makes that guy more qualified than me on the subject. In fact, I would listen to most DP posters over entertainers, since most DP posters research stuff independently. I have a double Major in History and PoliSci, what was Hanks in? Or Oprah? Or Sean Penn? :lol:
Most people have a herd mentality. They like to be part of groups. They will go along with what most other people do or say. They don't like to stand out from the crowd. They are content to stand around in, generally, the same place, doing, generally, the same things they've always done. Generally speaking.
When there is no perceived actual leader to follow, people's herding mentality (as well as other psychological mechanisms) will allow/motivate them to project leadership status on anyone who is
likable.
The person(s) who have charisma, are good looking, are large in stature, who have an impressive resume, who dress well, who are popular and etc. may have ZERO knowledge on the subject at hand or ZERO leadership skills, ability or talent but if the person is likable for any number of reasons, by enough people, they can be selected as a leader.
And when I say 'selected' it isn't a formal selection by a group or board or committee or an actual referendum, necessarily. It is as simple and subtle as a brief moment when you sum up a person. And that is done in the span of less than two minutes. If you decide there is something likable about a person in the first two minutes you are exposed to them, they can become your leader. You may not assign them that status immediately, but the possibility is decided in the first two minutes. In our minds everyone we know has a little box beside their name for leadership potential. Until the person in question says or does anything to enhance their leadership standing or to detract from their leadership standing, if you like them the box remains unchecked. It's a possibility that you might follow that person.
The Dixie Chicks are attractive women, no doubt. They are also very talented. Anyone can see and hear that. Their beauty is immediately apparent. Their talent is unquestioned within the first 2 minutes of hearing any of their songs.
And until they spoke out against President Bush they were simply attractive and talented girls from Texas. But when they did, that is when millions of mental leadership boxes were being checked positive and millions of others were being checked negative.
The one who actually spoke up and out about President Bush and the impending Iraq invasion was lead singer, Natalie Maines.
During the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, several weeks after their Grammy success, the Dixie Chicks performed in concert in London on March 10, 2003, at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre. During this concert, the band gave a monologue to introduce their song Travelin' Soldier, during which Natalie Maines, a Texas native, was quoted by The Guardian as saying,
"Just so you know, [...] we're ashamed that the President of the United States is from Texas."[7]
Though this is the official circulation of the comment, the full text of the statement Natalie Maines made was as follows:
“ 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 that the President of the United States is from Texas. ”
—Natalie Maines, [8]
Directly after Natalie's statements on stage, co-band member Emily Robison reportedly remarked that the band supported the American troops 100 percent.[9]
The comment about President Bush, who had moved to Texas from Connecticut at age two, was reported in The Guardian's review of the Chicks concert.[7] Shortly thereafter, the U.S. media picked up the story and controversy erupted.[10]
Maines' remark sparked intense criticism; many Americans believed that she should not criticize her country's head of state on foreign soil, or criticize the Commander-in-Chief while the country was on the verge of war. Maines insists, however, "I said it there 'cause that's where I was."[11]
The comment angered many country music fans and was financially damaging. Following the uproar and the start of a boycott of the Dixie Chicks' music, Maines attempted to clarify matters on March 12 by saying, "I feel the President is ignoring the opinions of many in the U.S. and alienating the rest of the world." [12]
The statement failed to quiet her critics, and Maines issued an apology on March 14: "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American."[13][14]
While some people were disappointed that Maines apologized at all, others dropped their support of the Dixie Chicks and their sponsor Lipton. In one famous anti-Dixie Chicks display, former fans were encouraged to bring their CDs to a demonstration at which they would be crushed by a bulldozer. The degree of hatred directed toward the Chicks - including death threats[15] - provoked concern among the band about their safety and that of their families. Bruce Springsteen and Madonna even felt compelled to come out in support of the right of the band to express their opinions freely.[16] (Although Madonna herself was pressured to postpone and then alter the April 1 release of her "American Life" video in which she threw a hand grenade toward a Bush look-alike, after witnessing the backlash against the Chicks.)[17]
The other two members of the group supported Maines' statement and by doing so they took a stand apart from the 'herd' of most Americans at the time. This made people who had the same point of view check the box in their mind, "leader." That's how people like Cindy Sheehan could become such a popular figure in the anti-war movement. People saw her as a regular person, a mom who lost her son in the war. They liked her and sympathized with her. That's all she needed. She knew nothing of the facts of the decision nor did she have the intellectual depth to seek these answers. She was a person in pain over her son's death and who was confused about the whats and whys of the war in Iraq and she decided to seek answers that the President could not give because by giving her those answers it would hurt our foreign relations.
So she became an activist and because in people's minds she was likable and hadn't in any other way disqualified herself in their estimation, Cindy Sheehan was seen as a leader. With no apparent college degree, no known management or leadership skills, no experience in government people were willing to follow her until, over time, she began to disqualify herself as a potential leader in many peoples minds.
And so it was with the Dixie Chicks. They have no leadership skills, political expertise or a background in foreign affairs. All they apparently have is a willingness to be outspoken.
To many Americans who share their point of view about the war they are leaders in the anti-war chorus.
To many other Americans they are seen as disloyal.
Here's what I think.
