Drudge Sirens: TEARS ON TV: DIXIE CHICKS EXPLAIN BUSH BASHING

Drudge Report ^ | 3/24/03 | Drudge

[Pro-Bush]

In a candid and emotional exclusive interview, Diane Sawyer talks with the Dixie Chicks -- Natalie Maines, Emily Robison and Martie Maguire -- who finally speak out about controversial comments regarding President Bush and the war with Iraq, made last month overseas -- during a London concert.

MORE The on-stage remarks, which many say were unpatriotic, have resulted in a flood of criticism and a backlash that has included a boycott of their music.

The interview will air on “PRIMETIME THURSDAY," THURSDAY, APRIL 24 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network, but the DRUDGE REPORT can now reveal some highlights:

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NATALIE MAINES ON WHETHER SHE IS TRULY SORRY FOR HER ON-STAGE COMMENT ABOUT PRESIDENT BUSH:

MAINES: I think it came down to, it was ... that it was in a foreign country and it was that it was an off-the-cuff statement…And I think the way I said it was disrespectful. The wording I used, the way I said it, that was disrespectful…

DIANE SAWYER: …I hear something not quite ... what? Whole-hearted ...

MAINES: …Really?...

SAWYER: ... when you talk about apologizing for what you said about the President.

MAINES: ….It's not because it's not genuine. It's because I'm on guard now…I feel regret for, you know, the choice of words. Or the non-choice…Am I sorry that I asked questions and that I don't just follow? No.

ON PERSONAL THREATS:

MAGUIRE: …I also believe that yes, some of our fans were upset by it, but… does the punishment fit the crime? How far are you going to go? I think it's rational and totally acceptable for people to write a letter... and say "You know, I was really offended by what you said about the President."… we know some of our fans were shocked and ... and upset, and we are compassionate to that. I totally understand it. My problem is, when does it cross the line? When is trashing Emily's property okay? When is writing a threatening letter okay?...

MAINES ON THE FIRST SIGNS OF THE BACKLASH:

SAWYER: When was the first sign you had that there was sort of a seismic tremor from this?

MAINES: We were going into this hotel…and he [the Dixie Chicks' manager] got a call … he's pacing back and forth. "Oh, no!" You know, we're automatically going "What? What happened?" And then he says, you know, he gets off the phone and I was like, "What? What happened?" "Well, the AP picked up what was said the other night... But don't worry, it's going to blow over in three days." And I looked at him and I go, "No, it's not." He goes "Yes, it is, yes. Don't worry about it." You know, giving the old manager spiel. And I said, "Oh, I don't think so."

MARTIE MAGUIRE ON THE FALL-OUT:

MAGUIRE: …We are pretty tough and we have each other and we stand by each other through thick and thin and we know we're going to make mistakes…But this was colossal. This felt so colossal.

ON THEIR SUPPORT FOR US TROOPS:

NATALIE MAINES: …we support the troops. We support the troops l00 percent. We have said that from day one. People have quoted we don’t support the troops, which is the opposite of anything we have ever said. There is not a correlation between not wanting a war and not supporting the troops who are doing their job…

EMILY ROBISON: Martie and I have family in the military. But it’s nothing more than that we want to do than have our troops be safe, successful…you know we’re very patriotic…

DIANE SAWYER: ...But there are those who say to support them is to understand how much they believe in what they're doing. And it does matter to them that you believe in what they're putting their lives on the line for.

MAINES: …as passionate as they are about their cause, I love that about them, but accept that I am passionate about mine as well…

ON THE LONDON CONCERT:

SAWYER: Why did you say it?

MAINES: Out of frustration. At that moment, on the eve of war, I had a lot of questions that I felt were unanswered….

MAINES: You know we didn't walk off that stage going, oh my God, oh my God, I can't believe I said that.

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[SpyGuy]

Thanks Saundra, but don't just look at the picture, watch the short video! (Click on the photo)

;-)

[Charlie OK]

I agree Illbay. I have always supported our troops, but damned if I ever supported the Clintoon.

[VRWC_minion]

Re-read that. She said that the people who she tried to convert to country music saw people who listened to it as dumb, conservative redknecks. That wasn't her charicaterization as she would be calling herself that(duh!)

You need to reread it. it= music, not conservatives. She doesn't defend the idea that conservatives are closed minded conservatives, she defends that the close minded conservatives have good music.

[AFPhys]

NATALIE MAINES: …we support the troops. We support the troops l00 percent.

Dear Miss Maines: I could not care less about whether you "support the troops." My total disgust with you is that you apparently do not support our country and our president, and his obligation and responsibility to do what he believes necessary to protect us. He has far more knowledge about these matters than you have the capability to even imagine.

Personally, the only way you can ever get back on my "play list" is if you went on a long "mea culpa" tour at our military bases, withstood the boos at each of those stops, acknowledged your ignorance and impertinence at each of them without making excuses, and reformed your attitude toward our country and the responsibility of our president.

I put up with the 'Toon and did not criticize his judgements made as Commander-in-Chief (though I did question his wag-the-dog timing in one case) ... you must learn to suck it up and do the same if you wish to be thought of as an American.

[Charlie OK]

So, anyone, what could she say? Would something like this be enough: "I said things out of frustration. I'm sorry I offended people. I simply disagree with President Bush and the war. I hope there are as few casualties as possible to our troops. I simply can't support the war just because some people want it."

If she said this as well as "I know this may not be a popular opinion, and I am prepared to face the consequences" or something like that, I would respect her. But I wouldn't buy her CDs. Course, I never did in the first place.

[bmwcyle]

I think that time will have a affect. In things like this the band breaks up and they go their ways. I think the little blondie will screw up again and again. Fans are still Sheeple.

[q_an_a]

The good news is that they didn't follow the Ali example and let they story die. They go on TV to solve the problem that many people did not know about, now everyone that sees ABC will know and dislike them even more.

In Dallas where the Chicks got started there is a women famous for solving PR blunders, they are breaking all of her rules and this helps those who dislike her "choice of words." Just remember to put some ice on it.

[CyberCowboy777]

Didn't you know that all rednecks marry their sisters and work dead-end factory jobs or live off possum stew. It 'cause their stupid and closed minded!


And the poor Chicks were so trying to provide a fresh 'progressive' voice, to influence and try to 'make a difference'.

[MightyMouseToSaveThe Day]

That's such a bunch of malarkey anyway. I don't remember her asking any QUESTIONS on stage that she needed Bush to answer. She only insulted him. what was her question? She apparently doesn't even know the difference between a QUESTION (which demands an answer) and an INSULT (which demands a boycott!).

[Common Tator]

So, anyone, what could she say?

Anyone who doesn't like what was said and has bought a ticket to our concert can get a full refund by returning your ticket to the place it was purchased.

That is what the Vichy chicks could say.

It was not me or any of the program directors that stopped playing the Dixie Chick records that went on TV with Diane Sawyer to try to spin their image.

The Dixie Chicks and their management are saying to the fans that bought tickets to their tour before Maines spouted off, you are stuck with the tickets. There will be no return and no refunds.

When the Dixie Chics say to the fans, you bought our tickest and are SOL, the fans are saying you said what you said and you are SOL for the future.

Bye.. Bye.. Vichy Chicks. Best save everthing you make from this tour... There will not be any more.

[wardaddy]

I agree and felt the same exact way but once it started, I muted my opposition. It's delicate once our troops are in harm's way.
At that point, I muzzle my reservations except in like minded company...like here for example..lol

[Tribune7]

Every time I hear them by accident, such as on the radio, I do not enjoy their songs anymore.

The same thing happened to me with Steve Earle. These bozos really got to watch what they say. We don't need their music.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

A statement like that would acknowledge their responsibility and would probably garner some grudging respect.

Not by this crowd. This crowd won't be happy until the Dixie Chicks' careers are OVER and they are never heard from again.

Just ask them.

Will any of you ever be ready to forgive them and start buying and listening to their music again?

[Charlie OK]

see my reply #105

[Darksheare]

How can they make things 100% right in my mind?

Hmmm...
Er, ah, that is..
*Cough*
*Embarrassed look*

They just go away?
But first:
They shine boots for soldiers, they actually take a visit to teh childrens prisons that existed in Iraq, they actually see what they were defending firsthand, they actually be forced to see the suffering that Saddam forced upon his people.
And not even then would it be 100% right.

'Course for some people, and increasingly for myself everytime they try to talk themselves out of the hole they dug, they could just die and that would be fine by many.

The next best thing would be for them to just shut up and go away quietly.
The proverbial, "Don't cry, don't scream, and don't make me chase you down." action.

[Mister Baredog]

And the acclaimed "journalist", the insufferable Diane Sawyer, allows herself to be used

Now that's funny! Face time for Diane can NEVER be a bad thing, the story doesn't matter as long as the sponsors are buying.

[retrokitten]

Didn't you know that all rednecks marry their sisters and work dead-end factory jobs or live off possum stew. It 'cause their stupid and closed minded!

LOL! You owe me a new keyboard! I blew possum stew all over mine when I started laughing at your post!!