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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[Afronaut]

Lotta keystrokes for this dingbat here on the FR. She is not worth it.

[vollmond]

With the money they make for themselves and others, they should be getting better PR advice. There's really only two ways to address this kind of situation - defiance or sincere apology. They appear to be incapable of either approach. Instead, they are trying to catch a ride on the "Spin Wagon".

[Mo1]

Well, I will hold my final opinion until this is aired on Thursday .. but from what Drudge is reporting

They don't get it and don't realize what they have done ..

[NYC Republican]

The crocodile tears are solely to help create a backlash against the conservatives, who rightfully held her feet to the fire. I pray this ploy/scheme/propoganda tool won't go over too well, though my hunch says it will.

[Recovering_Democrat]

How appropriate ABC chose to give the Vichy Chicks a venue to backtrack and lie a little more. To wit:

ABC=
DISNEY=
FANTASYLAND=
B.S.

[Consort]

...it was in a foreign country...

That's what makes a crime. The Dixie Chicks should be banned from riding in pick-up trucks for the rest of their lives.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Country music, for the most part, is conservative and patriotic. So Maines pissed off a lot of people with her stupid comments on eve of war.

Comparing this to the Lott affair is like comparing fresh ground beef to fresh dog feces.

[JudgeAmint]

NOTE TO THE "Ditzie Chicks"

CROCODILE TEARS NOT ACCEPTED.

DON'T BUY ANYTHING BIG ON CREDIT GIRLS.....

[Timesink]

So, um, where's the apology and the admittance that what they said was beyond inappropriate given the timing?

[WillVoteForFood]

The stupid ass things these people would likely blow over pretty quickly if they simply said something like "We are expressing our opinion and feel that is protected speech. We understand there could be consequences to what we say and we are ready to accept those consequences to express our opinion." A statement like that would acknowledge their responsibility and would probably garner some grudging respect. What these celebrities do over and over again is talk about how they are being offended and never acknowledge that their opinions can have negative implications for their careers. Its always about what people are doing to them rather than what they have done.

[putupon]

I also believe that yes, some of our fans were upset by it, but

Correction: ex-fans

[spectre]

From a former fan to Dixie Chicks.

"We made you, and we can break you". So kiss my grits, girls.

sw

[JudgeAmint]

BUMP and Hello!!

[xkaydet65]

Nice touch, but do you really think they'd get it?

[george wythe]

I don't know why this is still news.

Know your customers.

Former Dixie Chicks' fans were not average movie goers. Instead, they were very patriotic Americans, usually to the right of many Freepers.

It really hurt to have my favorite country group spouting anti-American propaganda in foreign soil as a cheap schtick.

[spectre]

DAaaaaaaa!!!!! Back at cha, bump!

sw

[CyberCowboy777]

cry me a freaking river

Of course country music fans are just dumb, closed minded rednecks. We just do not apperciate the legitimacy the Dick Chicks give us.

[DeepInEnemyTerritory]

I had only heard Natalie Mains' anti Bush comments. I always wondered if the other two chicks felt the same as Natatie and thought a boycott of the Dixie Chicks may not be the right thing to do if the other two were supportive. This article answers all my questions, the other chicks are just as vile.

[EllaMinnow]

Sock puppets should be more discreet...

[mwl1]

I agree. Evidently what she said in the ABC interview is a whole lot of nothing, which will satisfy no one and make matters worse.