Back in 2003, Natalie Maines and The Dixie Chicks were pretty much run out of town on a rail for saying, “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas,” at a concert performance in London. The hew and cry from the Red State soul of country music was that you just didn’t criticize the President on foreign soil, especially during wartime. Rallies were held where Chicks CDs were burned, and for several years after, the band was persona non gratis in the music industry. It was very nearly a career ending statement.

Fast forward to Wednesday, September 23, 2009. Former Alaska governor, 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee, and presumed 2012 Presidential candidate Sarah Palin speaks to an investor conference in Hong Kong. During the course of an hour and a half, she rails against Obama’s policies and plans on everything from the economy, healthcare, foreign policy, to even Afghanistan. This sure sounded like criticism of the President. I’ve checked the map twice and I’m pretty sure Hong Kong is considered foreign soil. And this morning’s paper sure made it sound like we were still in a war.

I assume that shortly the right-wing conservatives will start their career ending assault on Palin. I would have thought we’d have heard the klaxon by now, but Hong Kong is farther away than London, so maybe the percolation time is longer. But I’m sure somewhere there’s a Fox News producer rummaging about for a fresh can of Whoop-Ass to open on poor Sarah. After all, it’s the fair and balanced thing to do.