Posted on 10/07/2006 1:04:19 PM PDT by kristinn
It's hard to believe this petite, well-mannered Texan - sitting opposite in a Sydney harbourside hotel - caused the kind of stir the music industry has not seen since John Lennon sang about being crucified in 1969.
It's the day before the band's first Australian concert on their Accidents and Accusations world tour.
Maines looks younger than her 31 years.
SNIP
Aware she may sound "bizarre", the 31-year-old believes the vitriol directed at The Dixie Chicks was part of a right-wing conspiracy.
An organised group known as the Free Republic set out to bring the band down.
The organisation's power, she says, comes through the internet. The site has thousands of subscribers, all of whom were encouraged to destroy the band's music and boycott the radio stations that played it.
"It's scary how much power they do have," she says. "They can take down someone singlehandedly and I don't think Americans are aware of that.
"It's the same group that went after (former US president) Bill Clinton and (gay actress) Ellen DeGeneres."
In the beginning, Maines says, they tried to fight their detractors. Their management tried to alert radio station programmers to what was happening.
"But they weren't open to it and just thought we were grasping at straws to try and salvage something," she says.
"It was just bigger than we could fight and we weren't willing to put ourselves out there to be made to look stupid if people weren't willing to investigate this thing and be open to it."
SNIP
"For the Free Republic we were a dream come true; they made it their mission to take us down. Apparently we were not supposed to think like this because we play country music."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Boy, freedom of speech sure can be a bitch, can't it? Better to only allow liberals to have it when they rant from the stage.
Let me be the first to welcome the new Aussie members who will visit FReeRepublic in response to the fat chick's ranting.
Hey Natalie, here is my Free Speech comment and I hope you read this thread on Free Republic. BITE ME!
She's Delusional. OSU vs BGSU is a much happier thought...for Buckeyes.
LOL!
Is this even true ? I know I don't give 2 spits, one way or the other for the Dixie Chicks
Natalie is too stupid to admit she was wrong when she opened that gaping hole in her face. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Whatever.
Bwahahahahahahahaha!
On another note a real country singer will be touring Australia soon. Folks could save their money and catch Dwight Yoakam.
petite?
We can!!! Okay then, guys, who is next? So many targets, so little time. LOL
On another note a real country singer will be touring Australia soon. Folks could save their money and catch Dwight Yoakam.
but a MUCH happier thought then your's - AWBURN GOT BEAT!!!! Roll Tide
The Ditzy Chicks are like most other modern liberals. They look to dark conservative conspiracies to explain why they keep getting hosed by public opinion. It beats examining the more obvious possibility that maybe, just maybe, their dumbass opinions are not as popular with the masses as they wish to believe.
Three years later and Maines is still as dumb as a bag of rocks.
It's not FR, Natalie, it's you. You dissed our president on the eve of war in a foreign country, and you didn't think your fans would rebel? Nobody twisted their arms. They became aware of what you said because of postings on forums like FR, and THEY decided not to buy your records.
I've had lots of people that tell me to boycott this and that, but I make the decision myself after getting informed. I don't buy products of people that disrespect our country or undermine it. Period.
Politics is always a pay-to-play venue.
"They can take down someone singlehandedly"
Gee, are we that powerful? Why should we worry about the election then?
-- Bugs Bunny
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