Willie Nelson has spent decades earning the affection of Americans across political and cultural lines. His music is part of the national soundtrack, and his advocacy for family farmers has given him genuine credibility when he speaks about rural life.

That is what makes his recent attack on data centers so disappointing.

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Nelson urged communities to “fight against data centers invading our land,” calling them “loud, water thieving” and “light polluting.” He claimed they steal farmland, harm family farmers and “only destroy the environment around them,” before warning that whoever controls food and water “controls the masses.”

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Those are not measured questions about a particular proposal. They are sweeping claims about an entire category of infrastructure from someone with no demonstrated expertise in data center engineering, utility planning or land use policy.

Nelson has every right to defend Abbott, Texas, where he grew up and still owns a home and farmland. Rural communities should closely scrutinize any major development that could strain water and power, add noise and traffic, or affect neighboring property.

Some data center proposals are poorly located. Some impose real costs. Some should be rejected.

But celebrity does not........

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