Hmmm....

From The San Fran Chronicle: Macy's is moving rocker Joan Jett and her band off the South Dakota tourism float in its Thanksgiving Day parade after ranchers complained about having a vegetarian and animal rights advocate representing their state.

"I've decided to switch from South Dakota to another float because people's political agendas were getting in the way of what should be a purely entertainment driven event," Jett said in a statement released Friday. "I will remain focused on entertaining the millions of people watching, who will be celebrating a great American tradition."

Orlando Veras, Macy's parade spokesman, told The Associated Press on Friday that a new performer for the South Dakota float will be announced later. Veras said that the annual parade in New York City is about entertainment, not advocacy, and that Macy's was making the change "to prevent any further distraction from our entertainment mission."  http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/AP-NewsBreak-Macy-s-moves-Joan-Jett-off-SD-float-4985608.php

I'm torn.  I think that Joan Jett is a great performer but...

There is no connection of Joan Jett to South Dakota and the ranchers were right to complain.

But what I found strange was this: The state pays $175,000 to support the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and have a float in the event, and $5,000 of that goes to pay expenses for the artist on the float, officials have said.

If I were a taxpayer in South Dakota, I would be pretty pissed that they are spending $175,000 for a float in a parade.