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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[Exigence]

That's wierd, I stated several times I am not a fan.

Forgive me, but I haven't read all of your posts. I'm not a fan. LOL

As to the Constitution, or anything else, there are not "multiple meanings." Trust me, saying one text can be read many ways -- regardless of the text -- is as far left an intrepretation as you'll ever get. There aren't separate rules for Constitutions vs. those for thinly veiled leftwing code talk.

[wardaddy]

Yep...anyone following them could tell they were out of touch with their audience.

Truth is....a number of CMT videos and CMT's (Viacom) programming is way PC for their audience today. Some braniac from MTV or VH-1 is working overtime to ruin CMT as well.

This is not to say that most Music Row execs here who are predominately career women (except for the topseats) are not Dems as well...they are...I live here...I know a number of them.

[Zebra]

I didn't even know who the Dixie Chicks were before Natalie Maines' remarks in London. What struck me most about her remarks was not that the fact that they were anti-American and made on foreign soil during time of war, but they seemed so calculated and image-directed. As I have posted before, prior to 9-11, celebrities probably got a "boost" from this kind of bullsh*t; after 9-11 it is commercial suicide. The Chicks' manager didn't know this until it was too late.

Anyway, even though I wasn't a Chicks consumer prior to the offensive remarks, it turns out that my wife and daughter were. I have educated them as to the nature of their remarks. Now my 10 year old daughter has deleted her Chicks MP3s from her iPod (yes, she bought the CDs, not downloads)and has explained to her group of girlfriends all about the Chicks and why she is no longer a fan. This has been a wonderful opportunity for me to enlighten my daughter about what it means to be an American and consumer responsibility.

This is not just happening in my household. This is a very heartwarming phenomenon that is happening across flyover country. Just watch the week-over-week CD sales for the Chicks for the next 6-9 months. It is bad now and will only get worse.

[The_Media_never_lie]

Like other working Americans, the Dixie Chicks should learn to think before they speak.

[faithincowboys]

What the Dixie Tricks are trying to do now is frame themselves as victims. The left is buying their CD I believe. I bet Springsteen and Norman Lear spent 10 g's
a piece on their CD. It is like what happened to 2 live Crew (only Broward County Florida actually banned the group)
when their sales shot up after a scandal. The left bought it to send a message. I think their sales haven't plummeted as far because of this-- also, i wouldn't doubt, if Sony is on the line for so much money (for this and future albums) that it is buying their cd in bulk to diffuse the sandal.

But this album might sell reasonably well, but I think the left isn't likely to buy future albums, and the people they have offended who still like their music will just download it rather than support them.

I have three of their CD's and was a huge fan, but at times like these, priorities become clear. I love my country a hell of a lot more than I dig their music. I have listened to their songs post-scandal and it is not enjoyable anymore. Sometimes you want an escape from politics, and instead their BS politics smack you in the head while your trying to listen to "Godspeed," "Home," or "Top of the World."

I am profoundly disappointed in them. And hurt. The fans found out who they are, and they aren't people we want to know!

[always vigilant]

Ignoring all your other silly statements I’ll tell you what Mains should say to get out of this mess.

“I want to apologies for the statement I made about the president while on tour overseas. At that time our nation was on the brink of war and my comment was intended to be directed toward the prospect of going to war, not President Bush directly. I obviously did not choose my words wisely.

War is a very dangerous endeavor and I was just scared for my country and our fighting men and women.

In hindsight, our President made the correct and just decision to invade Iraq and free the Iraqi people from the murderous regime of Saddam Hussein. That is why he is the President of the United States and I am just a performer.

Again, I want to apologize to the American people but more importantly apologize to my President. President Bush.”

God Bless America.

Or something like that.

[Jotmo]

The statement she made shows that she is completely disconnected from her (former) fan base. Anyone who’s spent any time with the people who make up the base of country music listeners (not the record company executives and managers) would not dare to dream of uttering such nonsense for they would know that that kind of statement is career suicide.

Now they’re mad because all of those country music “dolts” wont just hand over the cash anymore. The arrogance of those commoners!!. Don’t they know that they have to love me (and buy my stuff) no mater what I do or say?

These girls need to learn that every person in the world could go on with there happy lives and never hear another “Dixie Chicks” song again, and wouldn’t feel there life is any worse off for it. It’s not a sacrifice for anyone NOT to listen to them.

Just another non-apology gripe session.

Keep up the pressure until they give up and we never have to hear from them again.

[Darksheare]

Well, you asked, and I answered as best as I could.

[longtermmemmory]

Please, you know nothing about what anyone knows here let alone me. I like all music, country AND western. Why have you been such a knee jerk appologist for the chix? She has yet to say this was her own honest opinion. I sure everyone here has a performer whose personal opintions life erases the ability to watch them perform. (I know of one older lady who worked for me who could never watch a Roc Hudson movie again after his revalation that he was a homosexual.)

[CyberCowboy777]

Oh yes.....now you have got me!

what a joke

You have been handed your intellect on piece of toilet paper and still you pontificate.

Baghdad Bob? Is that you.

[jeremiah]

Their concerts will continue to be sell-outs, just like the members of this "country" group. It is too bad really, but this year they will be hit monetarily, but most concerts are already sold out, and the kids that love their music will fill out the other venues.

[meadsjn]

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

Accept this Maines: Americans are fed up with anti-American leftist pukes, and the cultural and economic destruction you and your type have wrought upon this country. Some of us are more passionate than others, but more are catching on every day.

When you communist pissants are as flat broke as the lumberjacks, miners, farmers, manufacturers, and everyone else put out of business by socialist intervention, then you may get a break from the criticism. Otherwise, may you and your ilk rot in Hell.

[Humidston]

Note to Chicks - POUND SAND!!! GOT IT????

[Conan the Librarian]

Actually, Kosovo and Somalia were two areas that Clintoon actually did the right thing. Sorry to disappoint you in thinking that I thought any other way. They were good missions. Problem was execution. Somalia was poorly supported from Washington and as I remember, the NSAdvisor guy got canned for that. (Something about Armor being too expensive)

[annajones]

I think it's cute how Diane Sawyer points out 'how can you say you support the troops' when you say 'i'm against the war' (meaning you don't believe in what their putting their lives for). Never thought I'd hear a known journalist say that and even know to say it. I'm impressed.

[CyberCowboy777]

and posting ridiculous pictures of Saddam Hussein super-imposed on their pictures

?