Is Protest Music Alive and Kicking?

The LA Times does a good job of covering the obvious and subtle ways political protests have become matter-of-fact throughout the pop world, whether it's a video, song lyrics even in pop ditties like "Hips Don't Lie," fan mash-ups and frequent artist commentary from the stage. It ain't just Neil Young. And since most fans agree with them, they're not paying a price. (Yes, Springsteen's recent shows have been slow sellers and his CD of folk music has done so-so business. But I think a tour where Springsteen DOESN'T play "Born To Run," "Thunder Road," et al and delivers an album of 100 year old folk tunes would have been an iffy commercial prospect regardless of the political times.