Jessica Simpson, country music singer

Jessica Simpson can't get no respect.

Another day, another blog denunciation of Jessica Simpson as a country singer.

The rejection of Simpson as a country singer by so many is a little confusing, considering her debut country album,"Do You Know," reached the Number One spot on the United States and Canadian record charts.

I'm not a big Jessica Simpson fan, but there's no question the woman can belt out a song.

She's considered country by Dolly Parton, who sang with her on her debut; and country enough for Rascal Flatts, with whom she will tour a little this month and next.

She's country enough to be invited to sing at the Grand Ole Opry and, heck, she was brought up Baptist in Texas.

Her version of "These Boots Were Made for Walkin'" earned the People's Choice Award. Not exactly a country song, but certlainly country-flavored.

I suspect she is simply disliked by a lot of people. Her persona of stupidity in her reality show with ex-hubby Nick Lachey was annoying to me, but won several awards.

She was a charming Daisy Duke.

Many moons ago, my dad worked for a while in the motion picture business as a set builder. His reflections on seeing Stan Laurel in action remind me of Jessica Simpson and others who get stuck in dumb-blonde roles: "You have to be rather intelligent to act that stupid."