Recently the Dixie Chicks have gotten themselves into some trouble, but not anything they aren't used to. No, this country girl group hasn't been arrested or found themselves in court. The lead singer, Natalie Maines, and her other band mates have gotten into the limelight because they broadcast their political opinions at their shows and on their social media accounts. Although the Dixie Chicks aren't as popular as they used to be, they have proven that their voice still has an impact.

This isn't the first time the Dixie Chicks have used their stage as a platform. In 2003, they critiqued President George W. Bush and his plans to invade Iraq. Maines stated at a show in London, "We do not want this war, this violence, and we're ashamed that the president of the United States is from Texas." But their comments were met with fierce opposition. Protests were held outside of their contests, with picket signs saying "Try the Chicks 4 Treason" and "Move to France." At this point, Bush had sky-high approval ratings and many cautioned the Dixie Chicks to abstain from discussing politics to save their career.

But against those warnings, again this Texas-based trio made their beliefs clear, this time on their DCX MMXVI World Tour in Cincinnati. They made an enemy of the 2016 Presidential candidate Donald Trump. As they sang their 1999 hit "Goodbye Earl," there was a background that showed Trump with devil horns and a comical mustache and goatee. The Dixie Chicks are far from the only ones to bash Trump, but in the meantime they have alienated themselves from a portion of their audience that supports him, especially from Texas. Some of Maines' attacks are more subtle, as she appeals to her over 132,000 Twitter followers with playful tweets like this one.

Both in 2003 and today, these comments could've ended their career. But they made them anyway. I respect their courage to make a statement on such a touchy topic. I respect their need to support what they believe in. Even more important, they still stand by their words about George W. Bush in 2003. They had a cause they believed in that was worth more than money or fame. Fans were given trash cans to throw away their CDs and radio stations refused to play their hits. At least today, they haven't released any new music that could be boycotted.

Although many believe that free speech is best done in private, is there some worth in a popular group doing more than just performing? They are given a large group of people that are willing to at least hear what they have to say. Plenty of modern artists use their platform to promote much worse causes. They sell merchandise, apps, and music to make money. They rarely take a genuine stance on current events, often living in their "pop culture bubble." It is refreshing to see a group unafraid to be honest with their music and opinions, rather than promoting a lie to draw in fans and make them feel special

I am not saying the Dixie Chicks' opinions on George W. Bush and Donald Trump are right or wrong; I am just saying that there is power in a group that is not afraid of mixing art and politics. The Dixie Chicks are far from the first group to mix them but they are one of the most notable and they received some of the worst backlash. They understand the consequences but they take the chance of making a difference.

Although many supported the Iraq war and many support Trump's stance on immigration, there's much for America to lose. If the Dixie Chicks made even a small contribution to stopping those policies, then I would say their comments are completely valid. Artists today could learn a thing or two from them about using their platform for good. As they said in their 2006 hit, it's safe to say they're still not ready to make nice, and they're definitely not backing down.