If the Dixie Chicks were a male band..?

Do you think they would be as highly criticized for their "We're ashamed George Bush is from Texas" comment? I want to know why Kanye West got away with his "George Bush doesn't care about black people" rant. Especially when he said this publically on MTV with millions watching and the Dixie Chicks said it at their private concert. So do you think their career would be over if they were men?