Not Ready to Make Nice

Moral courage and intellectual honesty are their own rewards, but it's nice to see that it didn't stop there for the Dixie Chicks.

The Dixie Chicks got the last laugh Sunday night. Rejected by the country establishment, the polarizing group was tickled to find itself in the warm embrace of the broader Recording Academy, which honored the Chicks with five Grammy Awards -- including the three biggest: album of the year, record of the year and song of the year.

The Texas trio also won for best country group vocal and best country album. The latter award was especially surprising, since they were excommunicated from the church of country music in 2003 after singer Natalie Maines popped off about President Bush and the war in Iraq. Upon bouncing to the podium after the result was announced, Maines said what just about everybody inside Staples Center was probably thinking: "That's interesting." She closed her gaping mouth just long enough to grin mischievously, then said, "Well, to quote the great Simpsons, 'HA HA!' "

Enjoy it, ladies. You endured some of the most savage treatment this country's haters have to offer. You conducted yourselves with dignity and integrity. All that, and a "Simpson's" reference, too. You are great artists, and great Americans. We're proud of you.