While we’re talking about New Orleans today — ABC News reports:

Faith Hill and Tim McGraw — two stars who usually stay out of politics — blasted the Hurricane Katrina cleanup effort, with Hill calling the slow progress in Louisiana and Mississippi “embarrassing” and “humiliating.”

The country music artists — who are natives of the storm-ravaged states — were at times close to tears, and clearly angry when the subject of Katrina came up during a news conference today. They had met with reporters in Nashville to promote their upcoming Soul2Soul II Tour, but when asked about the hurricane cleanup, the stars pulled no punches. …

… McGraw specifically criticized President Bush. “There’s no reason why someone can’t go down there who’s supposed to be the leader of the free world … and say, ‘I’m giving you a job to do and I’m not leaving here until it’s done. And you’re held accountable, and you’re held accountable, and you’re held accountable.

“‘This is what I’ve given you to do, and if it’s not done by the time I get back on my plane, then you’re fired and someone else will be in your place. ‘” …

The All Spin Zone: “Don’t look for Bush’s base to go demonizing Faith Hill and Tim McGraw like they did the Dixie Chicks.” Facing South: “When the King and Queen of Country say your Katrina policy is “bullshit,” you’ve got problems. And just watch, they won’t get the Dixie Chicks treatment — they’re too popular, and the public is with them 100% on this issue.”

Oh, but don’t count wingnuttery out. The smearing of McGraw and Hill are well underway over at Free Republic and rightie blog NewsBusters. Sample comments from the Freep:

I’m a big country music fan, but always suspected these two were a couple of lefties. In the words of Laura Ingraham, “shut up and sing”.

The dumb arse Tim thinks Clinton is the greatest President ever. Nuff said.

Fox News said these two are getting ready to kick off a concert tour. I just did a search on Google and it’s true. They have a tour called Soul2Soul starting in April and running through August. They must be trying to get some free publicity to push their tour.

These two should be careful or they’ll go the way of the Dixie Chix (excommunicated from Country Music).

I won’t buy her (or McGraw’s) CDs because they are Lefties.

Hopefully the country music radio stations will pick up on this and Dixie Chick their arses.

What is it with fascists and music?