Sorry, I'm not a fan of the Dixie Chicks

[Radio_Guy]

I like the way they speak out against Bush, but I think they are cowards in the way they are doing it.

Maines said "Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas" but she said it in London. I would have been more impressed if she said that in Austin. People boycotted their music and sales plummeted.

Then she released a statement saying "As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful." Oh come on. Stick to your guns. We all know she really doesn't like Bush. No DUer has ever apologized for our anti-Bush remarks. Cindy Sheehan would never do that. But she caved because it hurt their album sales. Boo-hoo.

Now that their album sales are on the rise, they are 'Not Ready To Make Nice.' Maines takes back her apology, but only because the money is rolling in again.

Sorry, Natalie. Either you are with us, or against us. Either you are anti-Bush, or you aren't. I have no respect for someone who sticks her finger in the air to see which way the wind blows. I'm anti-Bush no matter what. I stand by those who stand their ground.

[elehhhhna]

1. Oh just bag it. When you put your career on the line to protest the BA,

lemme know.

p.s. I do NOT like their music at all & think their cover of Landslide was ATROCIOUS.

[alarimer]

7. They received death threats over that comment

Not the apology but the original statemenet. Apparently the threat was real and extremely detailed.

[WestHoustonDem]

2. Did it occur to you that maybe the apology happened because

her life and her family were threatened with violence?

[Minnesota Libra]

3. If the Dixie Chicks are "cowards" then we need more "cowards" nt

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

42. Second that! n/t

[shadowknows69]

4. Considering the political climate at the time

London, Timbucktu wherever it was brave of Maines to say what she said and the band suffered greatly for it. Should she have retracted then? Clearly no because her apology did nothing to help their comeback at the time. Radio was still banning them en masse. We've all made compromises with our integrity through our lives anyone who says otherwise is lying or they are Jesus. If Maines has changed her tune against the cabal again I say we applaud her and help her sing.

[rfranklin]

5. It takes real cojones to...

speak out so boldly at Democratic Underground. You might have to suffer dire consequences--like nasty ripostes. Now, that's putting it on the line!

[stepnw1f]

8. lol

[shadowknows69]

33. Actually some of my views, personal and political

I used to post on a local forum got me into trouble. It was eventually exposed who I was by some of the moderators and some friends of my competition on there made a concerted and successful effort to smear my name and my business' name in my community.

[stepnw1f]

6. give me a break (nt)

[benburch]

9. I'd like to see what you do under similar circumstances.

I think you have NO idea of how difficult it was for them. It's really easy to talk when you are not getting death threats on a daily basis, are not having your albums burnt, and are not the subject of a vicious astroturf campaign to get radio stations not to play your music.

[Radio_Guy]

37. They should have thought about that, then

I am all in favor of people using their first amendment right to free speech. But they should have thought about the backlash. But once you give your views, and I have using my real name on a major market radio station, thank you very much, you have to stick with them. Saying you were wrong to give your opinion, then saying you were wrong to apologize, is extremely wishy-washy, don't you think?

Ben, you give your opinions using your real name, and I applaud you for that. If you were given death threats or if your livelihood was threatened because of it, would you back down and apologize for your beliefs? I highly doubt it.

[benburch]

48. I'm not everybody, though.

You set an impossibly high standard for a some young women who only set out to make music.

I think what they have done is admirable. If it took them a while to be stunned by the wholly out of proportion reaction to their original comments before finding their true voice, that is just because we cannot all be heroes each and every day.

[nashville_brook]

50. as a "radio_guy" i'm sure you've heard of "nashville"

you know -- the "music business."

i can gaurantee you maines didn't issue the "apology" -- it was a corporate decision between the publicist, the label, and evert mionied interest down the line. maines went with it only under threat of losing everything.

[LostinVA]

52. That's what someone I know in the movie biz said about it

It was a canned corporate statement, not an individual statement...

[Radio_Guy]

68. "maines went with it only under threat of losing everything."

Then you admit she is a sell-out.

There are plenty of others I will look up to in our battle against conservatism. People like Cindy Sheehan, Harry Reid, Russ Feingold, Ben Burch, Al Gore, Ted Kennedy, and on and on. Even William Pitt. People who don't compromise their beliefs for one second, even "under threat of losing everything."

[LostinVA]

77. Cindy Sheehan had already lost everything

And the others are apples and oranges. Not a HUGE Country music band living right in the heart of where their death threats came from. Politicans and political writers, etc. -- all part of their bread and butter.

They never groveled, they never wavered. I'm proud I've always been a fan of them.

[democracyindanger]

10. ...says a guy using a pseudonym. nt

[benburch]

14. Exactly

I am here under my real name. I notice that very few are that brave.

[Fierce]

11. I'm not a fan either.

But it's because of their music. Bleh.

[Pacifist Patriot]

12. Okay, that's your perogative.

I love their music so I'll continue to be a fan. The song on "Medium" last night was just beautiful!

Cheers!

[Wickerman]

34. My wife loved that song

sounded like everything else to me, but when I reminded her who the Dixie Chicks were and what they went through in the last few years she ordered the CD.

[still_one]

13. bull, they could have remained silent, but didn't

they did NOT have to say anything. If you have ever read anything the freepers or certain other blogs had to say about them, or the trashing that they took, then you would know that those death threats against them were real

[fudge stripe cookays]

15. I think she apologized because she wasn't sure what was going to happen

at the time. They were some of the first people to speak out against this war, if you'll remember. I think she had a helluva lot of guts doing what she did before many other people...especially celebrities...before the war even started.

They were shocked by the reception her remarks received, and were trying to smooth the waters temporarily because they thought they were probably done for, career-wise. Have you tried to feed your family on nothing? Do you know how musicians make ends meet? How they get insurance? If the album sales plummet, they have nothing. If they alienate their core audience, they have zippo.

When they saw how the liberal rock community embraced them and supported them, they figured out what they needed to do, and turned their backs on Nashville. They have changed their sound to appeal to the audience that now supports them, and I applaud them. I've never been that big a fan either, but I know I'll pick up this album. These gutsy broads need all the support we can throw their way.

Have you paid attention to any of the rest of the lyrics on the new album? They bash everybody from Bush to the entire town of Lubbock (where their records are still not played).

They are with us alright. They have strong support, and now they know it. I think they'll be with us for a long time.

[babylonsister]

16. Initial remarks were made in London because people in London

were rabidly anti-war before it resonated here. The thing I like about the Chicks is that they ARE sticking to their guns. This album could have been a flop as easily as a success, but their message is what matters, and many of us are getting on board.

[tenshi816]

36. I first heard the Dixie Chicks in Canada

a full year before their album was released in the UK. I bought the CD, not knowing anything about them other than that I liked one of their songs ("There's Your Trouble"). I don't listen to them that much really, but I sure do like their message.

The new album doesn't come out in the UK until the 12th of June, but I've just ordered it. I don't know whether I'll like it or not, but I'd like to send a message of my own to the stations that refuse to play them.

[LostinVA]

79. It's a good album

[godai]

17. "Either you are with us, or against us"...Sounds like *

I believe that there are usually more than 2 black/white options. Sure they backed off, reconsidering what was said but...final answer...* deserves no respect. How can you disagree with that? Plus, their new CD is great and they are on the cover of Time. The whole country will be hearing, "I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever."

[rodeodance]

30. The mantra-either you are with us or you are not is BushCo talk. Seldom

is the world (or the dixie issue) as black and white as you make it out to be.

[NJ_Lib]

18. Don't forget, this was PRE war in Iraq, different climate...

... all together... And also remember what these girls risked for that comment... EVERYTHING...! They deserve our respect for that...

[robbedvoter]

19. You sound like McCain's flunkie accusing New School students of

lack of character. And how did you jeopardize your safety speaking your mind lately?

[Warren Stupidity]

20. Nice - first we eat our own. nt.

[dogday]

21. She made that remark in 2003 and

now she said he does not deserve the respect of office, so I think she is sticking to her guns.. One thing about respecting the oath of office, it starts with The President himself respecting the office, which he is not doing, before any of us can respect the office...

[Fleshdancer]

22. I take my free speech with me when I travel

and as a mother, if I were receiving death threats too then I would tread lightly for a while. This wouldn't cancel my ANGER at my treatment from the music industry, Bush fetishists and the cowardly disk jockeys who ridiculed her. :shrug:

This song isn't about Bush.

[devilgrrl]

23. pfffffft!

Yeah whatever... :eyes:

[SheepyMcSheepster]

24. Good thing you are here to rail against them.

personaly I could careless about the Dixie Chicks, but I see no reason to criticize them simply because they aren't anti-bush enough. Some is better than none.

[mtnsnake]

25. Here we've all been wondering when recording artists will start speaking

up about what's been going on in this country, and we finally have some high profile brave ladies who are doing it, and you've gotta pick them apart for how they're going about it. Un fricken real.

I like the way they speak out against Bush, but I think they are cowards in the way they are doing it.

Put yourself in THEIR shoes. I'll bet you'd really be braver than they've been by voicing their opinions about Bush while putting their careers jeopardy. Yeah right!! Some people are just never happy.

[Cha]

53. Some people would

bitch if their ice cream was cold.

[benburch]

26. If you disagree with this OP, and have iTunes...

<--Click It!

[LostinVA]

54. I bought it 30 minutes ago...

on edit: plus one for my mom.

[Bridget Burke]

27. Your profile said you spent "years" behind the mic....

What did YOU say on the air?

[Jimdish25]

28. Dixie Chicks Are Cowards?

I guess they should have abandoned their tour so they could come back to the states on the eve of the war to make their statement.

It's true that the "apology" was a temporary sign of weakness, but can you blame them considering the heat they were taking? I haven't gotten any credible death threats to my family lately for my political views, have you? Blue stater's didn't care about them and the true believers (and the media) were ready to crucify them. They've been more consistent than most Democrats and I have to say more courageous than most of us will ever get the opportunity to be. Do you remember them campaigning for Kerry?

I was turned off to them from day one because of their silly name but they've grown up and so has their music. I'm buying the CD today and plan to see them this year. You can keep eating your own if you want to, but if perfection is your litmus test, you'll always be disappointed. I think they deserve our admiration.

[Bridget Burke]

32. The Dixie Chicks got their name from a song....

"Dixie Chicken" by the late Lowell George of Little Feat.

Not silly at all.

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SacredCow]

31. I agree...

I think most of the backlash that they got was because they immediately began grovelling when it became obvious that their fan base wasn't liking their comments (like THAT was a big shock).

Other artists (Sheryl Crow comes to mind) have been just as critical, and have taken the stance of "I said it- and I meant what I said whether you like it or not."

[Bridget Burke]

35. ONE statement of "apology" was made...

In which did not agree that War in Iraq was a good idea--they had received death threats. Then they went back to ragging on Bush.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_chicks

What did Sheryl Crow say? I seem to have missed it.

[LostinVA]

40. That's because pop/rock stars making political statements against

the status quo is rarely newsworthy... huge Country stars doing the same, is.

Just like, it's no big deal if pop/rock singers are gay... but Country singers have to stay in the closet. Or, if arrested for soliciting a cop, they have to apologize and start dating women to get air play...

I could go on...

[LostinVA]

38. They NEVER groveled -- ever

They were immediately threatened, blacklisted, not allowed to perform at awards shows, had that great patriot Toby Keith defame them at concerts, etc. They NEVER apologized for WHAT they said.

And, the pop/rock music is a helluva alot different than Nashville.... it didn't take much "guts" for Sheryl Crow or Green Day to speak out (although I am NOT cutting them down -- I love what they said -- and say). But it did for the Chicks, and for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill to defend them.

Unbelievable. They are heroes, and victims of a terrible blacklist that continues right now.

[mtnsnake]

41. Did Sheryl Crow have as much of a country music following as the Chicks?

I don't think so. She's more rock, maybe blending rock and country lately, but no way is Sheryl Crow taking the same career risks as the Dixie Chicks.

When someone else in the music industry brings more attention to what's going on in regards to Bush, let me know.

edited to add: I'm not trying to take anything away from Sheryl Crow. Kudos to her, too!

[SiouxJ]

81. It was hardly groveling

They held up damn well under all the death threats and CD burning. I'm sure at the time it seemed like the whole country hated them and yet they said something like, "well, ok, maybe I shouldn't have said that." That's hardly groveling and I can understand where they were coming from under the circumstances.

As for Sheryl, I'm a huge fan from way back, so it's hard for me to criticize her but I remember being totally disappointed when she went out the the "ranch" to meet the Idiot with Lance last year. I went from being proud of her for wearing her, "I Don't Support Your War Mr. Bush" T-shirt on GMA, shortly after it began, to being let down that she would meet him and then say he's hard not to like. Made me want to puke actually. Doesn't seem like she was taking much of a stand if she can then go do that. Certainly not as much of one as the DC's have. And she hasn't mentioned anything about the war or the Idiot since (that I know of), while the DC's continue to be public about their opinion.

It's true that it's much more difficult for a country artist to speak out against a repuke president than a "rock" artist to do so. You hardly heard a peep out of people after Sheryl wore that T-shirt. Imagine if Natalie had worn that. Under the circumstances, they were very courageous and they NEVER groveled.

[mmonk]

39. Lol

They've continued to speak out. They've also called out the narrow minded people in country music. Just because they initially said it while on tour in Britian doesn't mean they are cowards. What a joke.

[Warner2008]

43. Good points, Radio Guy...

I see you're getting flamed here. I've only been around this place for a while, but I've noticed dissent isn't as encouraged as folks here like to say it is. Either you toe the line, or you're worthless.

Personally, I don't like the Dixie Chicks because I don't like their music -- period. And I think it's silly that so many DUers are going to rush out to buy their CD just to make a political statement. Whatever. People love to b!tch about the price of gas, but they'll fork out twelve bucks for a CD that they'll listen to once or twice and then chuck onto the backseat of their cars.

[mmonk]

55. Better than burning the CD's

and sending death threats and calling them unAmerican and cowards. No, there are no "good" points in the post.

[LostinVA]

56. Yup, putting your money where your convictions are is stupid

Welcome to DU...

[Bridget Burke]

63. I like the Dixie Chicks because I like their music.

The political thing is just a bonus.

Gosh--you just got here & believe that dissent is not encouraged. Where have I heard that comment before?

[LostinVA]

80. Yup....

[Vinnie From Indy]

67. LOL!

"I've only been around this place for a while, but I've noticed dissent isn't as encouraged as folks here like to say it is. Either you toe the line, or you're worthless."

Welcome to DU! Your above statement is mildly amusing. You seem to think that dissent comes with blanket of immunity from disagreement. It doesn't. Speak your mind and others will do likewise.

[SacredCow]

82. It doesn't take long to figure that out, does it?

I do like this board a great deal, even though I don't really have the time to spend making lots of posts. The Dixie Chicks seem to have untouchable status around here- Anything that you say critical of them will almost certainly cause the claws to come out.

[Cha]

44. Give me a

fucking break nitpickin' guy.

[madmom]

45. they could've gone the toby keith route and become a war profiteer!

[tuvor]

46. You've walked a mile in their shoes? Death threats and all?

Spare me.

[shain from kane]

47. Would you be ashamed if Jeffrey Dahmer was from your hometown?

And somehow your school system had produced him?

Well, there is a serial killer and his gang occupying the White House, and what they have promoted was for the good of their cronies, not the American people.

I am ashamed that the American political system has produced such a leader(?).

[Hamlette]

49. wow, I hope someday to be perfect like you

kinda judgmental...aren't you?

[Malikshah]

51. Sorry, I'm not a fan of mental masturbation masquerading as

reasoned discourse.

This thread along with the sudden rise like bloated diseased mushrooms of DLC-subject threads....

Lord, folks.

We're being spied upon.

We're in an illegal war.

Tom Cruise has spawned!!!

There are other issues to get ourselves in a tizzy about.

[Blue_Roses]

57. thank--you

good grief:eyes:

[LostinVA]

58. This is something to legit to get into a tizzy about n/t

[Cha]

66. Yeah, there are but

if someone is gonna call out the Dixie Chicks on DU it's not gonna go unnoticed.

This is something one would expect on a country music board or a freep board.

[Malikshah]

71. True, but my post was directed mainly toward the OP

It appears that sometimes people feel they need just a tad more attention...thus swill like this.

Heck, I don't like Ethan Hawke. I think he's vile. I'm not about to start a thread on him.

More to the point, my partner and I have a pathological dislike for George Clooney--now he's Mr. Politician...I can deal with that, it's just the acting... again-- no thread.

Dixie Chicks, Clinton, DLC-- nothing like stirring up the pot in the a.m. for some folks (OP)

[sweetheart]

59. Awww, what're you really saying?

You've repeated the republican allegory of war, except between
late and early supporters of ditching bush, or between vascillating
supporters, in an attempt to drive in a wedge.

I support her in what she felt she had to do in her life. I hope
she would have the same respect for myself. Then i support her,
and i support you, so why can't we get progressive instead of making
a war... too much war.. war in the mind, war on the floor.

And rooted in the war state of mind is fear, fear of losing something,
losing, loss, privation, craving, like an undead ghost, craving for
more more of the oil, more of the land.

More subterfuge would be more becoming, for warmingering state of mind
cannot hide their brutal barbarity.

[Dora]

60. Austin? Whatever. That city is probably safer than London.

Your point would be better made if you had suggested that she speak her mind in Vidor, TX.

[StellaBlue]

64. Hear, hear

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS WOMEN

[LeftNYC]

61. At least they said something...nt

[underpants]

62. Sales didn't "plummet" in fact they quickly sold out all their shows.

You can look it up

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

73. Yes, they did and it was wonderful! eom

[Thtwudbeme]

65. Sales plummeted??? HA!

What universe were you in?

[LostinVA]

72. Exactly, Thtwudbeme

Sales went up, their tour sold out quicker than any ever had before, they got an EW cover, and gained ALOT of new fans.

Yup... sounds like a financial disaster to me... and that was just in the US. Their overseas' sales went up an even bigger percentage.

Go Chicks!

[NicoleM]

69. Sorry, I'm not a fan of people who have no idea what they're talking about

And clearly you don't.

1. They made the statement in London because that's where they were on the eve of the war. Maines has said she would have said the same thing no matter where she was that night.

2. They made the album knowing that country radio wouldn't play it and that it probably wouldn't sell as much as their first albums. Being in the music industry, you're probably aware that most artists write songs before they release them. Therefore "Now that their album sales are on the rise, they are 'Not Ready To Make Nice.'" makes absolutely no sense.

[LostinVA]

74. Yup -- Natalie has said it isn't a Country album and wasn't intended to be

I'm listening to it right now -- it's a Dixie Chicks CD, with just a little bit less steel guitar.... and a bit more "Fuck You" attitude!

[norml]

70. It would make no sense to say you were ashamed of Bush, inside the USA

unless you voted for him.

Only when talking with someone outside of your country, would there be reason to say you "were ashamed" of something inside of your country, that you oppose.

Only when talking with people from other countries, do I ever apologize for Bush.

Why would I apologize to anyone here?

I didn't vote for him.

[LostinVA]

75. Good point n/t

[rman]

76. Right. So,

who cares?

[Tarheel_Dem]

78. although i'm not a fan of country music....

thanks to your little diatribe, i'll be ordering a couple of albums. How dare you: "Either you are anti-Bush, or you aren't"? That sounds eerily familiar.

[Skinner]

83. Locking.

This is dumb.