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've listened to some of their music and liked it, but have never bought any of their CDs, so my not buying any now isn't really a boycott. However I DO buy about $100 worth of tea each year. From now on, none of it will be Lipton tea.
Another good reminder. They've been walking closer to the line for some time now.
In response to "Little Miss Softball's" question, "Why did you say it? Maines responded, "At that moment, on the eve of war, I had a lot of questions that I felt were unanswered."
Top two FREEPER responses:
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. {from NYCVirago...post #124}
Yes, Natalie, President Bush will CERTAINLY check to see that ALL of your questions are answered before he makes any more foreign or domestic decisions. {submitted by Pharmboy in post #25}
Ditsie Chix: ...you know we're very patriotic
Top FREEPER commentary? In your own mindless, thoughtless, empty-headed way {submitted by Redbob}
D.C.: I think it's rational & totally acceptable for people to write a letter...& say, 'You know, I was really offended by what you said about the President.
Top FREEPER translation: You stupid fans should write me a letter that I'll never read instead of boycotting me. {NYCVirago again on post #145}
D.C.: ...as passionate as they are about their cause, I love that about them {our fans}, but accept that I am passionate about mine as well.
Top FREEPER translation: So she is passionate about trashing our President on foreign soil on the eve of war {submitted by Samwise on post #168}
Best overall summation of ceb libs? Jim Scott:
A Natalie Maines gets to trumpet her political views to the world with a fame megaphone while the rest of us, the non-famous folks that support these actors & singers, cannot have the same opportunity & then, when we are angered by a Dixie Chicks remark, we are said to be 'mean' & other self-serving nonsense by the same pampered people who seem to believe they have some special right to pontificate that no one can disagree with. Sorry, not in the real world, Natalie.
Best review of Ditsie Chix wardrobe?
Good grief! Do these girls ever look in a full-length mirror? What is that called, Goodwill Chic? {submitted by LisaAnne in post #16}
BUMP
Isn't it terrific that we get freedom of speech, too? I don't think the DC counted on that.
As to your idea, I can do without Lipton tea, et al. Let me know where the nearest U-Haul will be.
They are all upset that they are getting threats....do they ever think about the threats Bush and his family get every single day?! Don't they realise that their words would give some sick people the excuse they need to follow through with the threats? Please. Speech may be free. But it is not without consequences! They are getting just what they gave.
When Diane Sawyer calls you out for not sounding sincere in apologizing for traitorous remarks about a Republican president you know you're in trouble.
In addition, by the time the tour is over, it may be a money loser. Touring is a monster expense, and is designed to push CD and merchandise sales. My guess is that even for those "fans" who show (no refund), merchandise sales will be in the toilet. The group will have to foot the bill for increased security, as well.
This has to be one of the most bungled episodes in entertainment history, starting with the remarks in London and continuing through the spin cycle and damage control. This group--their act--and their brand--is toast.
Here's the thing. If you'd been an entertainer and said that about the Sinkmaster, consumers would haved rushed to buy your tickets, CDs, movies--whatever. The only problem is that Lipton would drop you as a sponsor, Sony would never produce your work, Hollywood would send you no scripts and Diane Sawyer would never think to call.
http://www.pathfinder.com/pathfinder/index.html
Look see how they propogate their media slock and they many vehicles they use:
TIME | PEOPLE | FORTUNE | IN STYLE | ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY | MONEY | PARENTING | REAL SIMPLE | TEEN PEOPLE | TIME FOR KIDS | BUSINESS 2.0 | COOKING LIGHT | HEALTH | SOUTHERN ACCENTS | COASTAL LIVING | PROGRESSIVE FARMER | SUNSET
Hey, workerbee...perhaps that explains why you're just a workerbee.
Dixie Pig Natalie Mange (aka "Fatty Natty") has once again exercised her much-cherished first amendment right to alienate her fans by flapping her stupid ugly piehole.
Don't play a bait and switch... The song involved far more than a man who was "mean or cheating". The key passage is:
The points are a) he wouldn't/couldn't be stopped by the legal system, and b) he just about killed her, and that likely wasn't going to be the last time.Well it wasn't two weeks After she got married that Wanda started gettin' abused She put on dark glasses and long sleeved blouses And make up to cover a bruise Well she finally got the nerve to file for divorce She let the law take it from there But Earl walked right through that restraining order And put her in intensive care
Perhaps you see it as just a "lib thing" that the women in the story took things into their own hands, but I can assure you that there are many cases where similar circumstances led some man (brother, father, friend, etc.) close to the abused party to do likewise, either outright "disappearing" the guy, or at least visiting him with a carload of burly friends carrying baseball bats to "convince" the animal to leave town, and fast.
And the times that they've been caught doing so, the "he needed killin'" defense has rung a strong chord with many juries.
If you don't think that's classic Texan (or "country" in general), you haven't been around here much. And while I don't listen to a great deal of C&W, I've heard enough to know that such a tale would fight right in to the oeuvre, and I'd be amazed if there weren't already several songs out along that theme. So for the aggrieved women to do the honors instead of the "menfolk" isn't really much of a stretch.
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