Posted on 04/23/2003 10:43:48 AM PDT by 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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I don't ever buy CD's. A limited budget and an infant at home will do that. However, I will say that I enjoy their song "travelin soldier" and was considering buying the CD because my best friend is over in Iraq. But now, I just don't want to give them my money. As far as 90%, I will say that it may have started out that way, but I am betting that once word got around, more of "their fans" ceased being fans.
I was at a Festival in my (small) town where two little teenage girls were singing country songs in front of our church. They performed "travelin soldier", but even they felt obligated to let everyone know they weren't fans of the Chicks anymore, they just liked that song.
I have no idea what a 'satisfactory answer' might look like to you but I believe that Natalie Maines would have done herself a lot of good by saying that she disagreed with the war in Iraq and while dissing the president in a foreign land on the eve of war was - on hindsight - a mistake as far as PR was concerned it was also her right and that she understands if some fans are angry and other, non-fans are attacking her. That is their right too, short of threats and physical harm, of course.
Most of us understand that our actions have consequences and for Maines to simply accept the negative consequences of her act of claiming she was ashamed the president was from Texas and stop back-tracking and attempting to play the victim would 'satisfy' me just fine. Own up to the words Natalie, and if you are sorry, just say: "I'm sorry, I was wrong to do that". If not, say that and accept the negative career consequences as the price for standing on principle.
Performers are always vulnerable to public whims and if they wish to alienate half their audience with anti-war or anti-Bush comments, fine. Just stop the 'censorship' whine and take the consequences (as others have) that don't have multi-million dollar bank accounts to fall back on. It's the half-hearted apologies and 'poor me' whine from this woman that remains annoying.
As far as 'class envy' goes I only envy the fact that a Natalie Maines gets to trumpet her political views to the world with a fame megaphone while the rest of us, the not-famous folks that support these actors and singers, cannot have the same opportunity and then, when we are angered by a Dixie Chick remark, we are said to be 'mean' and other such self-serving nonsense by the same pampered people who seem to believe they have some special right to pontificate that no one may disagree with. Sorry, not in the real world, Natalie.
Translation: you stupid fans should write me a letter that I'll never read instead of boycotting me.
You know, like, you can be offended and all, but DON'T STOP GIVING US YOUR MONEY JUST BECAUSE YOU THINK WE ARE ANTI-AMERICAN!
No. Entertainers are free to think whatever they wish. If they choose to shove it in my face and I don't agree, I probably won't buy their crap.
Nice try, but I don't think so! The fact that she mentioned 'conservative' with 'dumb' and 'redneck' is the key. In her mind, conservative goes along with dumb and redneck. Why include the word in a description of country music fans unless it was meant to be derogatory? Would she have stated that CM fans aren't 'dumb liberal rednecks'? She's digging a deeper hole. When will this chick learn to shut her big fat mouth?
Why so series? Do you really think there is a chance in hell she thinks this way. She is cursing us as we breathe. Her attack on foreign soil wasn't some reasoned argument, it was a nasty personal attack on the leader of our country. To some of us that means something. If you mention free speech I'll puke.
Sounds like the one who "has already made up [his] mind" without listening is you.
Why ask if you've already posted an answer (and tried to attribute it to me, to boot)? It's hypocritical, at best -- stupid, at worst.
At any point if you'd like me to answer, try asking in a repectful manner. You and the Dixie Chicks could both learn a thing or two in that regard, it seems.
I doubt if Cochran represents their fan base.
You are correct. There is nothing that she can do to make things 100% right. That's called "the consequences of your actions."
So what is wierd to me is that almost everyone who has a problem with the DC has already made up their minds
What's your implication? That we are "unfair", "mean-spirited", "un-compassionate"?
She took an action of free will--criticizing our Commander in Chief on foreign soil on the eve of our troops going into combat. Now we are taking actions of free will--not supporting her with our dollars. We don't need to wring our hands and wait to hear all her lame excuses and backpedaling before making our decision.
In fact, if it weren't for our actions now, she'd not only not be apologizing (if that's what you call it), but she'd be out there in every public venue still criticizing the President and our actions in Iraq.
On the other hand, if she made genuine amends (not scripted and parsed statements that she later contradicts), then she would likely be forgiven by many, although not by all and not 100%. Again, people need to learn that they are to be held accountable for their actions, and some actions can never be fully undone.
And the comments wishing financial disaster to them are baffling, quite mean and look like jealousy and class envy.
Nonsense! Their fans--we the American people--made them rich because we liked them (for whatever reasons). Now, we no longer like them (for whatever reasons) and we no longer wish to support them with our HARD EARNED DOLLARS. I have to wonder if you are a liberal. Because you certainly sound like you think they are entitled to OUR money.
I'd love to see them, at this point, say something like - "Anyone who has been a fan of ours for years and has decided to no longer listen to our music soley based upon my comments were never true fans, and frankly we don't care if you buy our music ever again or not. If you feel I am a disgrace for stating my opinion, then I likewise find you a disgrace to true fans of our music."
Oh I see. So you think being a music fan must transcend all other values. How dare we Americans put patriotism and support for our troops ahead of our loyalty to the DC music? What were we thinking? Excuse us "fans" for forgetting that performing artists are GODS and must be worshiped no matter what they do or say.
Do you know the etymology of the word "fan"? It is short for "FANATIC: A person marked or motivated by an extreme, unreasoning enthusiasm, as for a cause." The key word there being UNREASONING. I guess then, that you are a "true fan".
Then why did they have this mournful kind of interview? If there's no dents ---why would there be the questions and this kind of answers trying to justify themselves?
On the other hand, if they showed up in front of the troops there might be a firestorm.
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