The FREEPER strategy on responding to Dixie Chicks manager's comments

Cincinatti Enquirer ^ | 3/19/2003 | jagrmiester

[jagrmeister]

Yesterday, we conducted a strategy session (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/868480/posts) on Free Republic on how to respond to the latest remarks by Simon Renshaw, the Dixie Chicks manager. As the thread unfolded, the strategy has crystallized and I have compiled the suggestions into a document which articulates the goals, message, and action items. But first, a recap. We all know the Dixie Chicks went abroad and insulted the President. They then apologized. But now the Dixie Chicks manager has some harsh words for fans complaining to radio stations, describing them as "radical" "weasels" (his own words) engaged in "conspiracy". Now it's time for country music fans to counter-punch in the Dixie Chicks boycott- Round 2.

Observation: The strategy begins with the observation that Renshaw's comments categorize patriotic Dixie Chicks fans who had a legitimate grievance as "radical" "weasels" (his own words) with an agenda. Such disrespect for country music fans adds insult to injury, renders hollow the Dixie Chicks apology, and eviscerates any goodwill gained by Maines' apology. (if you disagree, please private message me; i'd like to keep the thread for those who support this observation and taking action)

Round 2 Strategy Basics: Renshaw said radio stations were being duped by Free Republic (which he then demonized in a dozen ways) and implied that the "public" did not object to the Dixie Chicks' remarks as much as Free Republic made it seem. We refuse to go for Renshaw's bait. The pressure felt by radio stations is indeed a genuine outpouring of indignation and not a cynical political ploy. Because we are independent people and we refuse to be boxed in and demonized, we intend to counter-punch as concerned country music fans, not conservatives or Freepers. Getting into a debate about the merits of Free Republic is a diversion.

Round 2 FREEPER Goal: As a result, we aim to...

1. Continue the boycott of the Dixie Chicks on radio stations and combat Renshaw's propaganda

2. Pressure Sony Music to rebuke Renshaw for his comments.

Round 2 Message: Here is the message that I spent a great deal of time (hours) honing for maximum efficicacy. Feel free to customize this message based on who you are using it with. Also feel free to change words, put it in your voice, etc. But I think the basic "message" is sound. Most of the time spent was choosing the angle at which to approach Renshaw's remarks and simplifying the argument- the emphasis was brevity.

"Simon Renshaw, manager for the Dixie Chicks, recently described country music fans who complained to their local radio station about the band's controversial remarks as "radical" "weasels" acting as part of a "conspiracy". By characterizing patriotic Dixie Chick fans in such a manner, he has rendered hollow the Dixie Chicks apology and eviscerated any goodwill gained by Maines' apology. Rather than acknowledging the genuine uproar that their comments fueled, the Dixie Chicks team is engaged in denial, conspiracy theory, and scapegoating. Rather than mend fences, the Dixie Chicks' representation has chosen to engage in name-calling against country music fans. I was willing to accept the Dixie Chicks apology but it appears that it was not made in good faith. These latest comments made by Dixie Chicks represenatation disrespect country music fans and add insult to injury. The boycot of the Dixie Chicks will continue until a genuine apology is made that respects sincerely the objections that countless patriotic fans have with the Dixie Chicks remarks."

*Let me know if you have any questions with the message. I'd be glad to clarify.

Round 2 Action Items:

1. Contact Radio Stations- Round 2. Emphasize "Message- Round 2" and stress loss of listeners. The Dixie Chicks are not out of the woods yet and this latest insult worsens matters. (In our communication, we may want to rebut the radio station's reply of "we can't practice censorship" ahead of time by justifying the request of their ban of the Dixie Chicks on "listener interest"). Once you do so, please post here. If by e-mail, no need to paste it here (maybe a synopsis) as no point in giving them the satisfaction of tracing the criticism back to Free Republic. *List of radio stations: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/863302/posts

2. Contact Sony Music a. We need to first begin with Sony Music's contact information (http://www.sonymusic.com/sony/corpcomm.html) and find out who was responsible for sending the memo to radio stations containing Renshaw's remarks. Post this information on this thread. b. Address Sony Music with why country music fans are indignant over Renshaw's remarks, how he have added fuel to fire of the boycott, nullified the apology. In other words, as a manager, he has done permanent damage to the reputation and sales of his band. Sony Music must disavow themselves of Renshaw's critical remarks of country music fans since the memo with Renshaw's remarks was distributed by Sony Music. Recommend his termination. ---

I heard that the Dixie Chicks radio airplay was down 15%. We will know that we are successful if we are able to keep their airplay down through constant pressure of radio stations.

[wizzler]

We'd need to bring in those oil well fire experts to put out the fat one.

Honestly, this is the sort of post that causes some people to discount Free Republic. It's not an argument; it offers nothing even resembling a substantive position. It's a gratuitous attack that's irrelevant to the issue at hand.

I'm not a big fan of the Dixie Chicks, and I think what Natalie Maines said was goofy. But what are you really so mad about, "Doctor Raoul"?

[billsux]

"The opinions on this forum are often racist, violent, and homophobic."

Sure thing. Racist and homophobic comments are deleted almost as soon as they're posted. A few stick around, but those posts (and the posters) are in the extreme minority. As opposed to an obvious majority of haters at sites like DU. "Violent" comments are generally in jest and only a humourless lefty wouldn't grasp that.

"Besides you, they are boycotting Canada, France, Germany, Russia, Mexico, Belgium, and 3/4 of hollywood."

We are? France, Germany and Hollywood sound right. Must've missed my VRWC Newsletter for this month on the others. I'll get right on that.

[Doctor Raoul]

FREEP THE DIXIE CHICKS IN PERSON!

5/1/2003 Greenville S.C Bi Lo Center

5/3/2003 Orlando Fla. TD Waterhouse Centre

5/4/2003 Fort Lauderdale Fla. Office Depot Center

5/5/2003 Tampa Fla. St. Pete Times Forum

5/7/2003 Knoxville Tenn. Thompson-Bowling Arena

5/9/2003 Indianapolis Ind. Conseco Fieldhouse

5/10/2003 Kansas City Mo. Kemper Arena

5/11/2003 St. Louis Mo. Savvis Center

5/13/2003 Ames Iowa Hilton Coliseum

5/14/2003 Moline Ill. Mark of the Quad Cities

5/16/2003 Birmingham Ala. BJCC Arena

5/17/2003 Greensboro N.C. Greensboro Coliseum

5/18/2003 Louisville Ky. Freedom Hall

5/20/2003 Oklahoma City Okla. Ford Center

5/21/2003 Austin Texas Frank Erwin Center

5/29/2003 Chicago Ill. United Center

5/30/2003 Chicago Ill. United Center

6/1/2003 Cleveland Ohio Gund Arena

6/2/2003 Detroit Mich. The Palace at Auburn Hills

6/5/2003 Milwaukee Wis. Bradley Center

6/6/2003 St. Paul Minn. Xcel Energy Center

6/7/2003 St. Paul Minn. Xcel Energy Center

6/9/2003 Cincinnati Ohio US Bank Arena

6/10/2003 Columbus Ohio Nationwide Arena

6/12/2003 Toronto Ontario Air Canada Centre

6/13/2003 Buffalo N.Y. HSBC Arena

6/14/2003 Pittsburgh Pa. Mellon Arena

6/17/2003 Philadelphia Pa. First Union Center

6/19/2003 Boston Mass. Fleet Center

6/20/2003 New York N.Y. Madison Square Garden

6/23/2003 Nassau N.Y. Nassau Veterans Center

6/25/2003 Washington D.C. MCI Center

6/27/2003 Atlantic City N.J. Boardwalk Arena

7/6/2003 Dallas Texas American Airlines Center

7/8/2003 Denver Colo. Pepsi Center

7/9/2003 Salt Lake City Utah Delta Arena

7/11/2003 Vancouver British Columbia GM Place

7/12/2003 Seattle Wash. Key Arena

7/13/2003 Portland Ore. Rose Garden Arena

7/15/2003 Oakland Calif. Oakland Arena

7/16/2003 San Jose Calif. HP Pavilion

7/17/2003 Sacramento Calif. Arco Arena

7/19/2003 Los Angeles Calif. Staples Center

7/20/2003 Anaheim Calif. Arrowhead Pond

7/23/2003 San Diego Calif. Cox Arena

7/25/2003 Phoenix Ariz. America West Arena

7/27/2003 Las Vegas Nev. MGM/Mandalay Bay

7/29/2003 San Antonio Texas SBC Center

7/30/2003 Houston Texas Compaq Center

8/1/2003 Little Rock Ark. Alltel Center

8/2/2003 Memphis Tenn. The Pyramid Arena

8/3/2003 Atlanta Ga. Phillips Arena

8/4/2003 Nashville Tenn. Gaylord Entertainment Center

[stands2reason]

We refuse to go for Renshaw's bait.

And then you go on to say we are individuals, yet you presume to speak for all Freepers. Get over yourself. We are not some lapdog liberals that need a "leader" to tell us what to do.

[strela]

Line 7, change "represenatation" to "representation."

[stands2reason]

Who elected you Freeper President anyway?

[wizzler]

Again, I don't disagree with the idea of boycotting the Dixie Chicks. In a free market -- which we ostensibly still have in America -- there are few better ways to make a point than to vote with one's feet.

I think the level of invective here is what caught my concern. At some point, it's possible to cross a threshold where a cause becomes bombastic or even counterproductive. In my judgment, that threshold has now been crossed. It's like... OK! Enough already!

Of course, by contributing these thoughts, I'm helping prolong the issue. So, yes, I realize the paradox presented by my posts.

[Doctor Raoul]

Honestly, this is the sort of post that causes some people to discount Free Republic....

We'll have to thank her agent for letting every Country station know about FR and it's Rally For America effort.

Mad? Want to see mad? Go to any "Peace Rally" and the left wing nuts are just so full of hate. Hate for America.

20,000 anti-war protesters in DC last Saturday and I saw just one US flag flown properly and not defaced.

[wizzler]

That's a helpful explanation. Thank you.

I would still contend that continuing to berate a disposable pop group, a week after the fact, is kind of useless.

[Joy Angela]

Walter Cronkite admitted that the Media
has a liberal bias? WOW!

Here is something I didn't know...

Socialism is the name of the ideology
created by Karl Marx.

Communism is the form of Government
that develops from this ideology.

The PLAN

The workers' revolt in the name of
"socialism" to gain control
and destroy "capitalism" --
(the system of people owning capital and wealth)
to spread wealth throughout
*society*...hence SOCIALism.

The new communist governement, would then
wrestle control from the workers (because they
couldn't handle controling all the new
wealth and property they took from the
Capitalists) and instead put ALL property
in the hands of the government leaders,
who will dole out a pitance to those in
the new commune-style society!

From individuals with power
To a government with power.

Looks like the Workers get IT
coming and going!

[Tempest]

I agree with execising my free right to boycott any group which I find to be offensive or in bad taste. Such as gangster rap or the Dixie Chicks. Although I place the Dixie Chicks far lower than gangster rap :^D

After all. IT IS MY FREE RIGHT IN A FREE MARKET TO DO SO.

[wizzler]

Um, that's good. Why are you pointing it out?
Nobody's questioned your right to boycott.

[jagrmeister]

Re-read the initial post. This thread is to be used for collaborating as activists. There are countless other discussions on Free Republic where you can debate to your heart's content the usefulness of boycotts, the merits of holding public figures to their word, etc. This is not one of them. I respect your point of view and suggest to you that find another thread to express your utter disapproval of the Dixie Chicks boycott. Thanks.

[Joy Angela]

I guess I am a little off topic :)

hey, but after reading the letter posted
above about the Freeping Weasles...

I say that America is GREAT because individuals
can speak out and be effective in causing change!

We don't need Revolutionary Leaders - like
the wanna-be power mongers heading the Democrat
Leadership these days.

If more people FREEPED, Hillary Rodham Clinton
would be a thing of the past!!

God Bless America
And the RIGHT to FREEP!!!!

[Tempest]

Good grief in a free country you can have a peacful protest remember?!

[Tempest]

Your confused. Read your original statement. Then get back to me.

[an amused spectator]

GOOD GRIEF all of you...why don't you just burn them at the stake for God's sake?! This is a free country, remember?

Hey, why should I pay attention to what you post - according to Renshaw in post 35, you're just a racist, violent homophobic radical. :-)

[Robert A Cook PE]

I would still contend that continuing to berate a disposable pop group, a week after the fact, is kind of useless.


Disposable, right.... So let's dispose of them.

And yes, I do believe that the Dixie Chicks have the right to say whatever they want and support whatever they want. But when they do, when anybody does, they have to accept the consequences. When the Dixie Chicks said that, they meant to elicit more support for them from anti-war people. They got that... they also lost support from proBush community. Unfortunately (maybe), someone didn't do the logic and figure out that most of their fan base were a) conservative and/or b) patriotic. Now they have deal with the people they turned off. I have a right to free speech too. I choose to exercise it but NOT supporting them.

[Doctor Raoul]

And yes, I do believe that the Dixie Chicks have the right to say whatever they want and support whatever they want. But when they do, when anybody does, they have to accept the consequences.

Liberals say that there is no objective truth, there's no real right versus wrong and that all things/opinions/cultures are equally good.

But notice they haven't totally fooled themselves. When it comes to times they wish to note right versus wrong, they will invoke with emphasis the notion of "Karma". If that's not right versus wrong, good versus evil, an objective truth what is?

Sheryl Crow can bitch all she wants, but this country's Karma and George Bush's Karma will be just fine. Anywhere out there, wherever it's in danger, our military will be protecting it.

[an amused spectator]

Simon Renshaw, manager for the Dixie Chicks, recently described country music fans who complained to their local radio station about the band's controversial remarks as "radical" "weasels" acting as part of a "conspiracy".

You might want to include a reference to the article in The New York Times (February 18, 2003), where our good pal Simon Renshaw again foams about a "conspiracy":

"All of my clients had their attorneys advise the labels that if they did use my clients' music on Pressplay or MusicNet, they would be in breach of contract," said Simon Renshaw, who manages the Dixie Chicks, Mary J. Blige and others. "Some artists they took off, but some they didn't. It's becoming very obvious to me and my peers that we're becoming victims of what is a huge conspiracy."

Record Labels' Answer to Napster Still Has Artists Feeling Bypassed
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/18/technology/18SONG.html