One of country music’s most powerful executives, says gun-toting, Bible-clinging fans like former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee are no longer welcome.
The controversy started when the Country Music Association triggered a massive outbreak of microaggressions after they appointed Huckabee to the board of its charitable foundation.
Huckabee has been a longtime supporter of music education so his appointment to a charitable board that supports music programs for young people was a perfect fit.
However, a mob of social justice warriors, led by openly gay country music executive Jason Owen, protested – calling Huckabee’s appointment “grossly offensive” and “heartbreaking.”
“This man has made it clear that my family is not welcome in his America,” the owner of Sandbox Entertainment wrote in a letter to the CMA. “And the CMA has opened their arms to him, making him feel welcome and relevant.”
Owen, whose roster includes Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves and Midland, threatened to pull out of the CMA Foundation over Huckabee’s appointment.
“Huckabee speaks of the sort of things that would suggest my family is morally beneath his and uses language that has a profoundly negative impact upon young people all across this country,” he wrote.
For the record, Huckabee is a born-again, Southern Baptist preacher who follows the teachings of the Holy Bible. And that includes the Bible’s directives on marriage.
Owen also objected to the former governor’s involvement with the National Rifle Association calling it “harmful and damaging.”
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“What a shameful choice,” he wrote. “I will not participate in any organization that elevates people like this to positions that amplify their sick voices.”
Less than 24 hours later, Huckabee resigned from the CMA Foundation Board and wrote an open letter to the industry titled “Hate Wins.”
“If the industry doesn’t want people of faith or who hold conservative and traditional political views to buy tickets and music, they should be forthcoming and say it,” Huckabee wrote.
Huckabee said he did not want the controversy to overshadow the good work of the foundation – helping children.
“All of us have deep passions about our beliefs. I do about mine. But I hate no one,” he wrote. “I wish upon NO ONE the loss of life or livelihood because that person sees things differently than me.”
Has it really come to this, America? Must we renounce our religious beliefs and bow down to those who will not tolerate tolerance?
“I hope that the music and entertainment industry will become more tolerant and inclusive and recognize that a true love for kids having access to the arts is more important than a dislike for someone or a group of people because of who they are or what they believe,” Huckabee wrote.
I’d be willing to bet a gallon of sweet tea and a bucket of chicken that a good many country music fans go to church, own a gun and share the same beliefs as Gov. Huckabee.
That’s why there are more country music songs about God and pickup trucks and honky-tonks instead of Chevy Volts and juice bars.
Folks, I’d be lying if I said I was not concerned about Gov. Huckabee’s public flogging. As difficult as it may be we have to ask whether the country music industry has been overrun by a bunch of anti-Christian, gun-hating bullies.
I certainly hope that is not the case, but one thing is mighty clear – we’re not in Hee Haw anymore.
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