The Dixie Chicks aren't letting a little controversy get in the way. Remember, in this (the music) profession, it's all about name recognition. They've got it. A little controversy has always helped record sales. Remember when they burned John Lennon records? How about Elvis? Madonna has been chastised by the public as well. What do you do when you become newsworthy for your political views? First, the record company starts cranking up production. You're in the news. That sells your records. Doesn't matter what the news is. Then, if you're female, you take your clothes off. Just as the dixie gals are doing on entertainment weekly. Repeat after me, SEX SELLS. You learned this in marketing 101. The fans will quickly forget everything you said about the bush as they gaze at those young hot bods. ...Then you laugh all the way to the bank.

On the topic of selling sex, there's a new line of women's undies called Ruby LaRue. Apparently they have designed into them, a uhm, nylon cord which is strategically placed to make wearing them, uhm pleasurable. 'Cept I couldn't tell you if it's an improvement or not over very tight blue Levy's - which apparently serve the same purpose. I don't know but I've been told...

I'm noticing an upsurge in French tourists recently. Boy, I'll bet those fares are cheap. Doesn't matter to me. My store is smack in the middle of the melting pot. I don't care where you're from. I don't care what kind of strange vowels and consonants you utter. I don't care who is in charge of whatever country you left or what they think or what you think. As long as you have access to some kind of monetary system that's compatible with my cash register, you're OK by me. And if that fails, there's always barter...