Dumb Clucks

How to sound stupid about patriotism.

By Myrna Blyth

Oops, she’s done it again. Natalie Maines, the pudgy, pug-faced, pugnacious Dixie Chick, just can’t seem to keep her Jimmy Choos out of her mouth — at least, not when she’s talking to someone with a British accent. Last week, the Daily Telegraph’s Adam Sweeting got together with Maines, joined by Emily Robison and Martie Maguire, the other members of the trio, to discuss their recent falling out with the world of country music. They talked over a lunch of asparagus tempura and tuna sashimi or salmon teriyaki with organic greens. As Sweeting remarked, “The Chicks have traditionally been branded a country band, but clearly it's some time since their diet consisted of ribs, tacos and pancakes.” Shoot, I remember when the trio’s primary goal was not discussing the pros and cons of America’s foreign policy with Diane Sawyer but scoring a cover on Redbook.