Thank you Brenda for pointing out that the raises giving to the military personal had nothing to do with President Bush and in fact were a result of proposals pushed through by the Clinton administration.
The situation where many of the brave men and women in our military recieve pay near poverty levels is a disgrace and a situation that was the same during the Reagan years, the Bush Sr. years, the Clinton years, and is still happening today. . .
The massive amounts of money going to the "military" are for the most part going to the huge defense contractors, and too much of that goes for $500 toilet seats and defense equipment and systems that don't work or are obsolete upon arrival. . . and then part of the money is kicked back to the politicians in the form of both legal and illegal campaign contributions, trips, etc.
Both Democrats and Republicans are equally guilty of perpetuating the situation because they all benefit, and our military people end up getting the shaft.
As far as the comments by the Dixie Chicks or anyone else celebrity or otherwise; not only do they have a right to voice their opinion, but as Americans they have an obligation to speak out if they disagree with the policy of any President or government official. . . just as anyone who agrees with the President has the right and obligation to voice their support in the same manner.
I have no problem with people being upset with them and burning their CDs, boycotting them, etc. but I would like to point out that as this Iraq situation progesses and Bush continues to lose support and the benefit of the doubt both here and abroad, the list of celebrities, writers, friends, and other countries you'll need too boycott is going to be so extensive your list of what foods you can eat or what kind of entertainment you can enjoy is going to be pretty small. .