[Jim Robinson]

This is all very strange, but I need to clear the air on a couple points.

Number one, I refuse to accept credit for something I had absolutely no hand in. I did not bring down the Dixie Chicks. I am aware that there was an ongoing controversy that arose after the Dixie Chicks dissed the president in a foreign country while we were at war, but I really didn't follow it. I was blissfully unaware of the existence of the Dixie Chicks before their ill-advised foray into politics, and I was just as blissfully unaware of their goings on since until their recent dissing of FR. I didn't follow the Dixie Chick controversy and to the best of my recollection have not commented on it. I may have mentioned it in passing on occasion, if someone pinged me to a post (though don't recall anything specific), but I certainly didn't write anything about it or lead some sort of crusade against them. I simply don't know anything about the Dixie Chicks, am not interested in the Dizzy Chicks, have nothing to say about them, and had no reason whatsoever to participate in a movie about them. Kristinn called me and said that they wanted me to appear. I declined the offer and told Kristinn that he could speak for FR regarding the Dixie Chicks if he wished. I'm sure he knows a million times more about the controversy than I do.

Second, they've claimed that I sent out a mass mailing to 30,000 of our members encouraging them to boycott the Dixie Chicks. Well, that is simply untrue. I sent no such mass mailing to our membership. In fact, I've never sent out any kind of mass mailing to our membership or to anyone else. I simply do not do mass mailing. Never have.

If people on FR have criticized the Dixie Chicks for their political statements, that is their right, but I've neither encouraged it nor discouraged it. I simply had nothing whatsoever to do with it. If the posters on FR brought down the Dixie Chicks for their dissing of the president, I say more power to them. Congratulations and great job! People in the entertainment business would do well to stay clear of politics. That is especially true if they take opposite positions to the majority of their would be fans. If they had praised the president and expressed allegiance to America and supported our men and women in uniform as they should have rather than dissing them, and possibly even performed at some patriotic events, I'm sure the Chicks would probably have been cheered on by the country and western fans and their careers would have flourished. As it is, they may be singing the blues (but no ones buying it), and I refuse to take credit for it. Give credit where credit is due. The Dixie Chicks committed political suicide.

And that's all I have to say on the matter.

[GOP Poet]

If people on FR have criticized the Dixie Chicks for their political statements, that is their right, but I've neither encouraged it nor discouraged it. I simply had nothing whatsoever to do with it.

Says it all right there. This is why it is especially insane and hurtful to read this bashing.

The Dixie Chicks[GOP Poet's bold emphasis] committed political suicide.

EXACTLY!!!

And that's all I have to say on the matter.

Thank you Jim.

[Drango]

The Vichy Chicks are trying to set up a false fight between themselves and FR.

[Doogle]

I expected no less, well said Jim Rob

Doogle

[Pharmboy]

Thanks, Jim. When the issue of "mass mailing to 30K Freepers" first appeared, many of us feigned anger over not getting our email! What a load of BS...

As many Freepers have said on this thread, there are likely two reasons for Sunshine to ramp this up now: 1) It wasn't the Chicks' fault, it was the mean ol' Right Wing Conspiracy headed up this time by one of their field generals, Jim Robinson at FR; and 2) a way to get their names in the paper again.

We on FR who have been following this story know the truth, which the MSM care not a wit about; if they are interested, they could search FR and see the whole thing unfold.

[LowOiL]

Second, they've claimed that I sent out a mass mailing to 30,000 of our members encouraging them to boycott the Dixie Chicks. Well, that is simply untrue. I sent no such mass mailing to our membership.

I will vouch for that, but if you do decide to use mass mailing in the future.. I surely want on it.

Lurker Dixie Donks... I had my family call local stations and tell them the truth... that we will not be supporting any station that continued to play your music... You (D.C.) were the reason, not JimRob...

I have to admit, I am proud of our local radio stations... I havn't heard a D.C. song in years. That reminds me, I need to recall those stations again and humbly thank them for their service to America, Americans, and our soldiers.

[Volunteer]

"Give credit where credit is due. The Dixie Chicks committed political suicide."

Sir, you are 100% correct. Thank you!

[L98Fiero]

"If the posters on FR brought down the Dixie Chicks for their dissing of the president, I say more power to them."

The Chicks did it to themselves. I don't think FReepers can take anymore credit than you. The biggest Country comedian (Larry the Cable Guy)and singer (Toby Keith, not to mention Reba) have contributed far more to "spreading the word" about those women (only one is actually from the South) and let people make up their own minds, which they did. That is a mortal sin to a liberal. Letting people decide for themselves.

[isthisnickcool]

Being successful in the entertainment business has everything to do with the law of large numbers. The Dixie Chicks had a big following and rightly so becuase they are talented. But as far as I can see they have never displayed any talent for political science nor have any government or military experience. Suffice to say that Natalie Maines is not going to get late night phone calls from Kissinger and Associates asking for her help.

Why did the Dixie Chicks disembowel themselves with their fan base? I don't know and don't much care but they did it and they have to live with that.

[EASYACES]

Jim,
You are much appreciated...couldn't be more grateful for what you do!

[DejaJude]

I declined the offer and told Kristinn that he could speak for FR regarding the Dixie Chicks if he wished. I'm sure he knows a million times more about the controversy than I do.

Thanks for clearing things up. Did Kristinn speak to them? Did he inform them that the mass mailing was not true? Will they do a retraction?

[txradioguy]

"Second, they've claimed that I sent out a mass mailing to 30,000 of our members encouraging them to boycott the Dixie Chicks. Well, that is simply untrue. I sent no such mass mailing to our membership. In fact, I've never sent out any kind of mass mailing to our membership or to anyone else. I simply do not do mass mailing. Never have."



You sent out a mass mailing? Why didn't I get mine???

I guess I gotta donate more to get on the list! LOL!

[prairiebreeze]

If they had praised the president and expressed allegiance to America and supported our men and women in uniform as they should have rather than dissing them, and possibly even performed at some patriotic events, I'm sure the Chicks would probably have been cheered on by the country and western fans and their careers would have flourished. As it is, they may be singing the blues (but no ones buying it), and I refuse to take credit for it. Give credit where credit is due. The Dixie Chicks committed political suicide.

B-I-N-G-O.

Even if they didn't praise the President, but showed support for America and the troops, you are correct in your assessment of their fans reaction and continuing career success.

Ping to Jim Robinson's post and thread.

CT, lots more Dixie Chix whining and moaning going on.

[Billthedrill]

Strange it certainly is. I wonder where the number 30,000 came from, anyway? A supposedly large number somebody plucked from their imagination? Do they realize how small a fraction of FR that would have been?

The "frightening" power she ascribes to an Internet forum populated by people who mostly don't know or care who she is strikes me as the invention of a woman needing a reason other than her own behavior for the band's slide in popularity. You'll do nicely, I suppose. But the truth is that no organized boycott would have had the result that simple disgust at her remarks shown by her former fans did, once they became aware of it. If FR had any hand in this it was to help make them aware. Such free publicity would be the best thing any entertainer could hope for were that entertainer not occupied in repeatedly making herself unpalatable to the people who pay her electricity bills.

As I understand it she started off with anti-Bush remarks in a foreign country, which is not particularly remarkable, compounded the problem by insulting first her fellow artists and then her audience. I think I see what the problem is here and it isn't FR.

[Ms. AntiFeminazi]

kristinn,

Did you participate in this movie? Did you speak to them on behalf of FR?

[JRios1968]

Jim,
All you did was provide the setting where like-minded folks (and the ocassional troll) gather to share and discuss topics of common (and not-so-common) interest. The immense success of FR riles the Libs because they can not control what goes on here, and because they can not censor it.

The fact that it was FReepers who started the effort to put the Ditzy Twits in their place riles them and the DriveBy Media, just like they're angry that it was the FReeper Pajamahadeen who uncovered the Cee-BS Memogate fraud.

All you have to do to inflame the Libs is to be around and provide the forum, and you do it very well. I am proud to be a FReeper, and I am proud to count you and every other FReeper as a FRiend and as a partner-in-Libstomping.

God Bless!

[Tijeras_Slim]

Let them whine... everytime some liberal complains about FR our membership soars.

[Earthdweller]

"As it is, they may be singing the blues (but no ones buying it), and I refuse to take credit for it."

Even so, now I wish I had gotten your autograph instead of just shaking your hand. LOL.

[Keith in Iowa]

This topic is now on Newsbusters: http://newsbusters.org/node/8197

[grellis]

So you're trying to tell me Kristinn is a guy?

Who knew!

[geezerwheezer]

It never ceases to amaze me how other folks just cannot accept the fact they have really screwed up, and blame others for their own stupidity. The Dixie Chicks are a perfect example of this, and are trying to deflect the blame for their loss of record sales and concerts on everyone but themselves. Were I you, I would tell them to "take this job and shove it",( to quote a famous C&W song), and just watch them self-destruct as time goes by. Seems to me the Dixie Chicks don't have the sense God gave a day-old chicken!