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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[Revolting cat!]

You have got to be kidding! Did Entertainment Weekly hire Registered to do a parody?

[chainsaw]

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.

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

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.

Maines never got her questions answered so I guess she is still ashamed of our president. I don't feel sorry for either of those brainless twits. They stand by each other and they can go down together. I wonder what they think of our president now. Did they ever say?

When I was a little boy my mother told me that if I couldn't say something nice about someone, not to say anything at all. This should have been something that Maines mother taught her.

[fideist]

my mother told me that if I couldn't say something nice about someone, not to say anything at all. This should have been something that Maines mother taught her.

How do you know it wasn't taught to her?

You forget, liberals do not consider conservatives to be deserving of the same tolerance they demand from us for themselves.

[tuna_battle_slight_return]

I think the real cover will just have them nude, with no words on the skin.

[MaggieMay]

You notice how they are trying to spin this into a, "we are so afraid of rabid conservative's, they are out to KILL us. I think they are much more smitten with their own importance than anyone one else is. Big bad body guards are hired to protect these snotty diva's,and from what I am seeing and hearing I don't think a "Dixie Chick" could evoke interest, much less violence from any conservatives I know.

[lilmsdangrus]

I feel the same way. My husband and I were just about to buy tickets to one of their concerts. Thank the Lord we didn't! I can't even listen to them anymore, I just get disgusted and turn it off. If I feel that way now, there is a reason for it, and it will not "wear off" now that the war is for the most part over. I don't forget things like this. Darryl Worley and Toby Keith get my money and ears.

[lilmsdangrus]

we are waiting patiently for their tour to start, to see how many people let them know in person, (or not, if they leave their seats go empty) just how adamant a pissed-off true America lover can be.

[rwfromkansas]

Sick.

This is still not an apology, just saying "sorry I chose wording that made fun of Dubya."

[rwfromkansas]

You should have swiped them when the clerk wasn't looking and hit them somewhere in the store.

I do that to books in Barnes and Noble sometimes. Even with security cameras, it seems that nobody bothers to get them once you do that.

[ladyinred]

I understand they are objecting to the fans taking their (the Chicks) money away from them as a punishment. The arrogance of that is amazing. It is not "their money", it is the fan's money they choose not to spend on them.
I hope the Chicks never recover the fame they once had.

[rwfromkansas]

I actually used to like some DC songs, which was a source of embarrassment for me since I did not like country and tried to distinguish myself as a Kansan that did not listen to country.

But, this type of crap will not get me to listen to them anymore, I will tel you that.

The only thing they could do would be to give an apology of substance, where they apologized for attacking the war.

[since1868]

I agree I thought I was going to have a hard time not listining to them. Now if I hear them on the radio it sounds like muzak

[since1868]

She says she supports the troops opposes the war.
Sorry dude you can't do both (a is a)

[miele man]

You said, "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 nolonger 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."

Do you really mean to say that a "true fan" must blindly accept the vapid, immature and stupid remarks of Ms. Maines in order to remain a "true fan"? I pass, thank you.

[longtermmemmory]

they forgot Blixie Chix and Vishey Chix. Instead they intersperse the "vulgar" names with patriotic descriptives like hero and patriot. This is not contrite or any indication of appology. This is defiance. This is a declaration of war. This reminds me of the picture with clinton sitting on a stoop with his legs apart. (ie you can s*ck my

---

) Notice "the other two" acting as shields to manes. They are not controversial. There is no controversy. Manes can say whatever she wants PLEASE keep talking. We are just equally free to say what we want and vote with our wallets. You hear that lipton? http://www.lipton.com (i wonder if lipton knows about these nude cover pictures? are these part of the wholesome image they want to portray?) They might as well be flipping the finger to the fans.

I say the alternative concerts let those with dixie chix tickets in for free. Give you tickets to the salvation army (its a christian organization which hollywood hates) and write the tickets price off on your taxes.

[longtermmemmory]

Remind people to dump lipton too.

[AmericanVictory]

One of her problems seems to be that she is neither well-informed nor very intelligent.

[harpo11]

Yeah, right, she is sorrier for the loss of revenue than she is for what she said. EX-#42 sure has taught people well how to half-way, somewhat, so-so, apologize.

[TejasRose]

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.

I don't know about that...they were invited to the inaugural ball in 2100 and refused because they were *huge* Gore supporters.

[chainsaw]

The best suggestion I have seen yet for the Dixie Chicks to get back with the masses, would be for them to donate all their revenue from their tour to the families of the service men/women that gave their life for their country.

I think I might be able to listen to them then. But I'm not going to hold my breath. Those twits just don't have what it takes to be patriotic americans. They are too money hungry.