Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

On Nightline Tonight: Dixie Chicks vs. Free Republic 10/26/06 (Will Air Tomorrow Night)
Thursday, October 26, 2006 | Kristinn

Posted on 10/26/2006 7:18:40 PM PDT by kristinn

Nightline contacted me Tuesday looking to interview Jim about a story they were working on about the Dixie Chicks. Jim declined as is his wont and he said I could do it if I felt like it. I informed ABC of Jim's decision. They did a pre-interview with me by phone Tuesday afternoon. Yesterday they called back and scheduled the inteview for late this afternoon. They asked if I had an office they could film the interview at. I laughed and said, no, so we set it up for the ABC News D.C. bureau on DeSales St.

This morning, they asked if they could move the interview up to mid-day. I said sure and arrived at the bureau promptly at 2:30, accompanied by Nofel al Jazairi, an Iraqi friend who has spoken at many of the D.C. Chapter's support the troops and their mission rallies over the past four years. Nofel and I had a meeting on Capitol Hill planned for this afternoon.

We were met downstairs by a waiting Nightline producer who took us upstairs to the Nightline offices. She offered us coffee and tea, which we glady accepted. Another woman brought us to the studio where the interview would be conducted. However, it wasn't exactly a studio. It was the office of Nightline co-anchor Terry Moran. I guess they were intent on not using a sterile set for the interview.

They applied no make-up to me, but they did have me wipe my forehead to ease some of the shine reflecting off my ever receding hairline.

I introduced Nofel to the producer who would be doing the interview off-camera. She said she had been to Iraq at the beginning of the war. We spoke about Iraq for a few minutes before we got down to business. Nofel sat on a couch off-camera while I sat on a chair in front of Moran's desk.

The producer told me she didn't really know that much about the blogosphere and would be interested in meeting later to learn more about it ( When she said that, I thought back to Mary Mapes' crash course on the Internet the day after Rathergate broke.) I told her she should, because we were driving her profession out of business. I didn't mean that in a snarky way, but it's a fact that even ABC's political director Mark Halperin has been sounding the alarm about.

The interview went on for what seemed liked thirty miinutes, but it was probably shorter. It was a decent interview, question wise. One thing that threw me for a bit of a loop was when she read back a quote by one of the Dixie Chicks from the interview they did for the show this morning. The gist of it was they were blaming Free Republic for creating an atmosphere of hate that led to death threats. I answered by saying, "Don't lay that at our door" and spoke about the death threats that conservatives get on a regular basis and about the new Bush assassination film and the similarly themed books and plays, and Air America host who called for Bush's assassination. I asked where's the outrage for that.

I also said that if Natalie Maines had made her remark in Iraq about Saddam Hussein at that time, that she would have been kidnapped, raped, tortured, mutilated and her body dumped ina canal or buried in the desert and that her family would never hear about her again.

The producer began the interview by asking about Free Republic. I gave the usual answer, "It's a conservative news, analysis and activism forum..."

We got in to the London incident and what role Free Republic played in the downfall of the Dixie Chicks. We spoke about the film and certain scenes in it. She wanted to know how we felt about our 'victory' over the Dixie Chicks. I tried to put it in context with other efforts that received less acknowledgement, like Freepers helping to get President Clinton impeached and later instigating a boycott of Morgan Stanley for having Clinton speak at a meeting shortly after Clinton left the White House in disgrace. I was reluctant to claim complete responsibility for the 'victory' as it was more than the reaction of Freepers that laid the Dixie Chicks low. Freepers played a visible and effective role, but we weren't the only ones outraged by the Dixie Chicks back then.

There were more questions and discussions, but I don't have a detailed recollection because.....a few minutes after the interview ended the producer came over to me with some bad news. The audio recording was blemished by static. She asked if I could do the interview over. I said sure. Nofel, who has a background in broadcasting, told me he had a feeling there was a problem with the sound, but he didn't say anything as he assumed the professionals had it under control.

The sound engineer explained later that the piece of equipment he was using is twenty years old and is designed so you can only moniter the sound from the mic to the recorder and not the output.

We had planned to go outside and film a shot of me walking about a tiny park. It's a much used, but much denigrated in the business technique for B-Roll that can be used with a voiceover by the reporter. Thankfully, that went out the window with the botched first interview. Nofel went outside any way after having witnessed the magic of network television firsthand. Once was enough.

Terry Moran was not put out by his office being tied up for a while longer. We ended up speaking for about five minutes while they reset the camera and lights. Despite how surly he came off when he was dealing with Scott McClellan, we had a decent conversation about the the foundering mainstream news business. He was flabbergasted when I told him Katie Couric was down to a 1.1. in Los Angeles.

The second interview was shorter. I got the feeling, having been an interviewer myself, that the producer had a more precise idea of what would work for the segment after having gone through the first round.

Some of the questions were the same, like the Dixie Chicks accusing FR of inciting hatred, and some were different. I was a bit fatigued for the second try. The producer had to remind me a few times to look up when I was speaking because I was lowering my eyes while I was thinking back to how I responded the first time the question was asked.

After it was over, she said told me that she thought this round was better than the first. "The first one was good," she said, "but the second was great!"

I laughed and said, "You say that to all the interviewees."

She said she meant it but I had my doubts because I felt like I needed an espresso after the two go-rounds.

The sound engineer agreed with the producer, saying, "You had some great (sound) bites in this one."

All I can say is, we'll all be able to find out later tonight. 11:30 eastern, 10:30 Central and after your late local news in the Mountain and Western time zones.


TOPICS: Breaking News; Culture/Society; Free Republic; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: abc; dixiechicks; freerepublic; nightline
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 461-480481-500501-520521-526 next last
To: Repub4bush

Blaming us for the death threat. Pulezee.

The Sex Pistols used to write their own hate mail to newspapers, to keep their name in the press.


501 posted on 10/27/2006 8:45:07 PM PDT by Hillarys Gate Cult (The man who said "there's no such thing as a stupid question" has never talked to Helen Thomas.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 493 | View Replies]

To: Danae

They came across as arrogant and trashy.


502 posted on 10/27/2006 8:46:26 PM PDT by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghan Honor Roll students.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 500 | View Replies]

To: Repub4bush
Sick Bitches!!! and only one sound bite from Kristinn!!!

What a piece of dog manure (ABC)!!!

503 posted on 10/27/2006 8:46:29 PM PDT by Repub4bush (Tony is the Best Press Secretary Ever!!!!! (Sorry Ari, I liked you too, but you ain't Tony!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 498 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys Gate Cult

Oh man, give me a break. Death threats. Welcome to life as an AMERICAN you idiot Chicks. We ALL have death threats on us! Its called ISLAM...... DUH


504 posted on 10/27/2006 8:46:42 PM PDT by Danae (Anál nathrach, orth' bháis's bethad, do chél dénmha)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 501 | View Replies]

To: armymarinemom

My husband just called them arrogant, A$$es and said why would anyone listen to their music if they saw this!


505 posted on 10/27/2006 8:47:27 PM PDT by Repub4bush (Tony is the Best Press Secretary Ever!!!!! (Sorry Ari, I liked you too, but you ain't Tony!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 502 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

Talk about sound bites. It was almost as if we blinked at the wrong time, we would have missed you on the show.


506 posted on 10/27/2006 8:48:12 PM PDT by Hillarys Gate Cult (The man who said "there's no such thing as a stupid question" has never talked to Helen Thomas.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: armymarinemom

Aragant and trrashy indeed, not to metion they dissed the President again, and then again, then went back to the same place in England where they originally said their ditribe, and repeated it!!


507 posted on 10/27/2006 8:48:59 PM PDT by gidget7 (Political Correctness is Marxism with a nose job)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 502 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

If someone could youtube it it would be great.


508 posted on 10/27/2006 8:49:07 PM PDT by Echo Talon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hillarys Gate Cult
I agree, that was awful. I guess they didn't want to hear the truth? But that's nothing new!!!

Natalie is less than pond scum in my book!

509 posted on 10/27/2006 8:49:46 PM PDT by Repub4bush (Tony is the Best Press Secretary Ever!!!!! (Sorry Ari, I liked you too, but you ain't Tony!))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 506 | View Replies]

To: Repub4bush

Scum in the books of most people. And no mention of their trashing Toby Keith, who is a real patriot!


510 posted on 10/27/2006 8:51:32 PM PDT by gidget7 (Political Correctness is Marxism with a nose job)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 509 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

THANK YOU, Kristinn.

I'll be watching, for a change.


511 posted on 10/27/2006 8:52:56 PM PDT by IslandJeff (FR mail me to be added to the Type I Diabetes ping list)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

bookmark


512 posted on 10/27/2006 9:05:13 PM PDT by GOP Poet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

Didn't show much of you,,,That lady holding the baby with the flag was taken at the local John Deer Dealership
when they crushed all the tapes and CD's...
Bossier City La.


513 posted on 10/27/2006 9:08:47 PM PDT by 1COUNTER-MORTER-68 (THROWING ANOTHER BULLET-RIDDLED TV IN THE PILE OUT BACK~~~~~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 1COUNTER-MORTER-68

KRISTINN:

I AM SO ANGRY! WHAT TELEPHONE NUMBER AND/OR EMAIL ADDRESS CAN WE PROTEST TO!


514 posted on 10/27/2006 9:16:19 PM PDT by JubJub
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 513 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Eckleburg

Somebody (from Hollyweird) should have told them that they were supposed to wait until they were has-beens (instead of never were and never 'will be's' now) to come out publicly dissing Bush. Too bad they're too stuck on stupid and ditsy to follow the Hollyweirdo tradition.

___
The truth is these dopes lost half their bookings; their album broke big but sales tanked fast; and they still come off in film clips as smart-ass prima-donnas who mistake sarcasm for wit and spite for intelligence.

They're finished.


515 posted on 10/27/2006 9:21:13 PM PDT by XenaLee
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 461 | View Replies]

ping to wait for UTube


516 posted on 10/27/2006 9:35:50 PM PDT by Shion (Bring Back John Galt)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 512 | View Replies]

To: Repub4bush

This piece should be "How Natalie Maines lost the other girls millions with her big mouth"


517 posted on 10/27/2006 11:45:33 PM PDT by BurbankKarl
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 505 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

The Dixie Chicks will use this stuff to bolster their careers in Europe. They're never going to reach the high water mark again.


518 posted on 10/28/2006 5:23:50 AM PDT by GVnana (Former Alias: GVgirl)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kristinn
Hope I did okay by FR.

You always do.

5.56mm

519 posted on 10/28/2006 5:31:21 AM PDT by M Kehoe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: kristinn; nutmeg

Natalie Maines has a lot of class...all of it low.
Kristinn, I saw your spot and then promptly changed the channel before I put my foot through the screen. Great job!


520 posted on 10/28/2006 8:52:11 AM PDT by stanz (Those who don't believe in evolution should go jump off the flat edge of the Earth.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 502 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 461-480481-500501-520521-526 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson