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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[Stop Legal Plunder]

"Cry Me A River" is the perfect theme song for the Dixie Chicks. I recommend listening to it while perusing this thread. I don't know how to post a direct link to the recording [someone please help with that], but you can listen at:

http://www.rienzihills.com/SING/crymeariver.htm.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Dumb as dung. THey have the right to say any stupid thing they wish, and everyone else has the right to spend their money as they please.

[NYCVirago]

It must now be part of the liberal talking points to spin anti-war, anti-Bush comments as merely "asking questions." I noticed that both Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon have claimed the same thing recently.

Anyhow, I guess I'm just a dumb fan, because I missed what question Natalie Maines was asking when she said that she was ashamed that Bush was from Texas.

[CyberCowboy777]

I'd like to see her apologize for using the stage we paid for to make a statement of a venomous political nature.

She choose to say what she say and I choose to throw out my two DC CDs.

It has nothing to do with 'really' liking the music. It has to do with trust, decency, respect and etiquette.

The very fact that she feels it necessary to flaunt her opinion with a microphone paid for by those who by majority SUPPORT the POTUS is a sign of her disrespect for the fans.

There are other Court Jesters to be had.

[KSCITYBOY]

I never cared one way or another about their music. The most entertainment I will ever get out of the dixie chicks is watching them as liberal idiots lose box office bucks. So right now for me they are at their best. I hope all liberals in the "entertainment industry" lose money and stumble over their tongues back peddeling.

[Stop Legal Plunder]

The Lyrics to "Cry Me a River":

Now you say you’re lonely
You cry the long night through
Well, you can cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you

Now you say you’re sorry
For being so untrue
Well, you can cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you

You drove me, nearly drove me, out of my head
While you never shed a tear
Remember, I remember, all that you said?
You told me love was too plebeian
Told me you were through with me and

Now you say you love me
Well, just to prove that you do
Come on and cry me a river
Cry me a river
I cried a river over you
I cried a river over you
I cried a river...over you...

[spaceman spiff]

My 2 cents:

The Dixie Chicks did the best Star Spangled Banner I have ever heard. I am VERY sorry their comments ruined it for me.

Prediction: (may not happen, of course) After the war winds down, W invites the DCs to the WH for a command performance. After all, he is a uniter, not a divider. And maybe he can change their minds some.

[Hildy]

What more can she say? She feels that the war was wrong. She said she was sorry she was disrespectful to the President. If she isn't sorry about what she said, then why do you want her to say she's sorry. Geez...

[Mister Baredog]

I don't understand who's buying this, unless it's backlash from libs, though I can't believe there are enough of them to make an impact

I'm SOOOO looking foreward to the numerous HEADLINES about their reception at various venues when they go on tour. It won't take too many unhappy fans to make a big STINK.

[NYC Republican]

The start of the tour can't come soon enough. I hope Americans aren't so fickle as to forget about it by then.

I LOVE the fact that there's an alternate concert. It's like the alternate Clinton library in Arkansas. A great equalizer...

[Hildy]

I don't hear her whining that people should buy their albums. I hear that she's frightened because they and their families' are getting threatening calls and letters and their property is being vandalized. I don't blame her, I'd go on TV to stop that also.

[kegler4]

"I don't understand who's buying this, unless it's backlash from libs, though I can't believe there are enough of them to make an impact."

A relative (relative to the number of people who buy records) handful of outraged Freepers, many of whom never bought the Dixie Chicks anyway, a few boycotts, and some boos at a concert just don't make that much of a dent. A certain percentage of their fans never heard about what Maines said, many of them don't care as long as the music sounds good, and some who did care have since started listening again. No matter what we think of them, the Dixie Chicks aren't going bankrupt any time soon.

[Warren_Piece]

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

This is why I love James Taylor. Yeah, he's a lefty, heck you can tell just by LOOKING at him. Except for the "No Nukes" wierdness in the 70's, he's been very careful to craft that everyman image, and keep "partisan" politics transparent. Yeah, he'll sing about the environment, but I've never heard him say "Don't vote Republican" from the stage. He may be a lefty, but he's a good businessman.

[CyberCowboy777]

You know, they released a live DVD after she made her comments, and it has sold two million copies.

So? 50% of the population does not even vote!

Obviously if even 10% of the 'real' fans stop buying that has an effect.

Why are you so angry at those that want to express an opinion?

[Mister Baredog]

That was FUN, thanks.

[FITZ]

I will NEVER listen to them again!

I finally listened to them for the very first time ---in one of those music stores that plays music if you scan the CD so you can hear before you buy ----I don't think they're all that great anyhow. Certainly nothing I couldn't do without.

[longtermmemmory]

you can't "support the troops" without supporting the mission. Does she support the mission? In that case her statement was about her hatred of Bush not anything else. (remember they openly refused playing at the presidential inaguaration in 2000. Said some nasty things in rejecting the invite.)

BTW anyone have a image still of maines driking from a bidet from one of their commercials on CMT?