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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In your own mindless, thoughtless, empty-headed way.
WHAT A CROCK!!!
She's sorry that radio stations have stopped playing their songs. She's sorry that people have stopped buying their CD's. She's sorry that they've dipped way down in the charts. She's sorry that there are consequences for behavior. She's sorry that actions cause reactions.
Non-choice? What the heck does that mean? You always have a choice. You can choose to keep your mouth shut.
Am I sorry that I asked questions and that I don't just follow? No.
Follow what? Can anyone interpret this sentence?
We attend and organize rallies to support our Troops, we dig in our pockets for needed items not only for the Troops but for their families left behind.
The three Blixie Chickens are VERY wealthy feather brains. It wouldn't hurt them to cough up a couple of thousand for actual support of the Troops.
Many Ordinary people all over America are digging into pockets already OVER taxed and stretched thin to support the Troops.
The American Legion here in Millington, TN where 7,500 turned out for a Support Our Troops rally on March 22, filled 3 tractor trailers with donations from this community which is NOT a rich community. We are a typical small town burb. Mostly older homes, with some new under construction.
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