Dixie Chicks: worth supporting?

[dorkulon]

From a hometown blog:


<b>Not ready to make nice</b>

Let me get this straight.

One of the Dixie Chicks said she was ashamed to be from the same state as Bush.

Rednecks got mad, and stopped buying their music or playing it on the radio.

Their bottom line affected, the Dixie Chicks apologized.

Now that over two thirds of the country hate Bush, and are against the war, the Dixie Chicks have un-apologized.

And liberals are encouraging everyone to "support" the Dixie Chicks.

What the fuck is that?

Do the Dixie Chicks really need your support? Wouldn't it be better to take your $20 and give it to, say, Public Citizen or the ACLU or something?

They spoke their mind, and then totally caved. They didn't stand up for shit until it became popular to do so. Fuck the Dixie Chicks. At the very least, spend your money on better music.

---snip---

and from the comments:

Let me enlighten you.

One, she has never apologized. Other people called it an apology. On the contrary, they showed on many occasions that they were not sorry and were dissapointed with the way some people reacted.

Two, as the highest selling female group in history, and the only country group to have sold 10 million albums back-to-back. If they were worried about their bottomline they would've apologized a million times in big capital letters and continued to churn out albums. Notice they didn't do this.

Three, their newest album has debuted at #1 and "Not Ready to Make Nice" is the most downloaded song on iTunes. The only reason they are not charted higher is because people call in to the stations asking for the song not to be played.
Derek, at 6/02/2006 12:05 AM
Never apologized, huh? Well, that would change things...

If it were true.

Friday, March 14, 2003 Posted: 10:21 PM EST (0321 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines was singing a new tune late Friday, this time in the form of an apology to President Bush for saying she was ashamed that he was from Texas.

"As a concerned American citizen, I apologize to President Bush because my remark was disrespectful. I feel that whoever holds that office should be treated with the utmost respect," Maines said in her latest statement.
Evil Ed, at 6/02/2006 1:37 AM

[johncoby2]

1. If you like the music....

Buy the album. It is only $9.99.

If not, buy an expense six pack.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

23. If you like the music, call your CW station & request/demand it be played

Make noise, tell them you'll patronize their sponsors more, and that you might even continue to listen to their station

and of course buy their CD

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DIXIE CHICKS

[Jeffersons Ghost]

62. Everyone is entitled to feel how they want but WHY DESTROY THE SYMBOL?

Beating the machine is a long arduous endeavor that will not succeed if we destroy the primary symbols!

[Cooley Hurd]

2. She didn't cave - she said that the OFFICE deserves respect

...not Bush personally.

[goddess40]

26. exactly!!!

She didn't apologize about what she said about bush - it's that damn 'liberal' media twisting the facts again

[derby378]

61. Sorry, but no...

It looks like she caved. Her respect was directed at whomever happened to be in the office at the time.

But at least Natalie seems to have come to her senses again...

[Jeffersons Ghost]

64. oops

I just saw the next link. damn pirate bitches. i wish Stevie Nicks would put a hex on her for singing one of Stevie's best songs.

[ShortnFiery]

3. They are a class act ...

I would like to think that I could show the resolve and courage that each of The Dixie Chicks showed after *the nasty* right wing mouthpieces spun their viewpoints into the bizarre.

God Bless their courage! They are very talented also and I'm proud to have not only bought their CD but also gave two others as a gift to friends.

Shame on you for "stirring things up" with them. :thumbsdown:

IMO, they are ALL thoughtful and brave AMERICAN Patriots as well as gifted musicians.

They have my family's support ---> 100%. :hi: :applause: :woohoo:

[dorkulon]

6. Shame on me?

I thought this was a discussion board. Pardon me for presenting an alternative viewpoint to your own.

[ShortnFiery]

7. Yes, I can say "shame" on a discussion board ... especially when an

criticism is seemingly *self-promoting* (see your blog reference) and disrespectful to people who have not only done you NO harm, but also young women who truly love their country. Yes, it's just my judgment but IMO = SHAME ON YOU! :-) :P

[greenbriar]

52. exactly

well said

[liberalnurse]

19. Stick around a little longer.....

You will gain insight into the mission at hand....which is ...Any and all publicity which serves to inform America that we are under seize by the *bush crime family IS to be embraced and encourage. I realize you just don't get it yet and that's okay......

[Skelington]

36. How's the fresh air, way up on that soap box "librealnurse"?

You won't listen to anybody that does not fit your view, or at least the view you have been told. I get that, and it's ok.

[liberalnurse]

39. I'm just fine thank you...

You sound a bit winded....maybe you need some oxygen from re-breathing your own hot air? :rofl:

[Skelington]

42. Touche' ! :)

[Skelington]

35. Your opnion won't matter to some people,

untill you have 1000 posts and a gold star.

I'm personally sick of hearing about how noble and patriotic these entertainment puppets are. Hollywood attention junkies say, act, dress and live acording to thier handlers and representatives, if they wear the wrong thing or fart in public it hurts the bottom line. I think the Dixie Chicks would say whatever thier PR people TOLD them to say, where ever they were told to say it in order to sell cd's.

Patriotic my ass, just another set of gold digging windbags. Instead, lets all respect "Bradgelina" for the wonderfull work they have done commiting adultry, public lies, cheating, and adding to the belief that the "end-justifies the means", so long as you look good for the camera in a 3rd world country. Hollywood will give up on caring about corruption in the government, once they realize photo op's in Africa with starving people is "in" this year.

My opinion.

[liberalnurse]

40. You appear to be a little shy...........

Hiding your profile...Do you have anything else tucked away for safe keeping?

[Skelington]

41. No, I'm just lazy, I never put my profile together.

What would you like to know?

[Bridget Burke]

45. The Dixie Chicks live in Austin, not Hollywood.

The Gold Star means that you support DU. It also allows you to "search" for threads. Or for posts by other DU'ers. Which can be quite interesting.

[Skelington]

46. I know what the gold star means,

do you have the address I asked another person for earlier? Surley, there is SOMETHING more interesting than looking up my old posts? maybe not.

George Clooney has a house in Italy, what your point? I am using "Hollywood" in a descriptive way, not necessarily geographically, sorry to be misleading. Celebrity personal lives of all kind make me sick, There is very little to be honored in the commitments made by todays celebrity, sports models, political heros and such. Overpaid, over sensitive cry-babbies are the idols of today.

[LostinVA]

51. The Chicks do not and never have led "celebrity lives"

They are good old girls from Texas... who live in Texas. Calling them "overpaid and oversensitive" again shows your ignorance of the Chicks and this incident. Damn! Having your own facts is fun, huh?

[Skelington]

58. Where can I find your facts?

Celebrity magazines, or tabloids? They are spoiled, overpaid Rolling Stone covered fluff. Britney Spears is just just a small town good ole gal from LA. Blinders must be more fun than home grown facts.

[Ron Green]

68. Here's a fact: I knew them and played music with them when they were

little girls. Or at least with Martie and Emily Erwin, who used to sit in with my band in the early 80s. They were cute, and talented, and they worked hard on their music. After they became the Dixie Chicks (the other original members I also played with), they went through some personnel and musical changes, and eventually found a "pop" formula that worked for them. Throughout those years, though, they paid plenty of dues and were never given the automatic pop-star treatment ala Britney Spears. I like to think that some of the left-wing consciousness of my band and the other musicians with whom they learned their craft 25 years ago is now manifested in their notoriety.

[Skelington]

47. Sorry, I forgot to ask.

Do you disagree with my post? #35

[LostinVA]

49. This post shows you honestly know nothing about either

the Dixie Chicks and their history nor the incident in question and its history.

Knowledge is power. Intellectual masturbation is ignorance.

Everyone is definitely entitled to their own opinion. However, they aren't entitled to their own facts, which is something your post is chockfull of.

Feel good spitting in the face of a bona fide American hero? And a bona fide victim of the Bush blacklist?

[Skelington]

54. bona fide American hero ?

are you kidding me ? Go buy thier cd and do your part against the "bush black list", someday you might really understand what a hero is, and is not. To the Dixie Chicks, you are an american hero.....after you buy the cd.

"kwnowledge is power. Intellectual masterbation is ignorance"
you must read that and have been waiting to use it, and now you wasted it on me,....defending the Dixie Chicks. Bummer.

and I still don't care about them, and I'm sure sitting in the mutimillion dollar mansion they don't give a crap about me. But if I bought thier cd I could pretend to have a vested interest in them, or that I matter to them. American hero my ass.

[Bridget Burke]

55. Being poor & unknown is not a sign of virtue.

And envy is not pretty.

[Skelington]

59. Have you graduated yet? or are you just close?

[Quantess]

50. Hi there!

You and I have approximately the same amount of posts. I've been treated really nicely by the old-timers, so far. It seems to me that the content of the post ultimately counts more than your post count. Reasonable people on DU understand that. If you have something truly worth saying, then say it in an unambiguous way, make no mistake, so that nobody can misread you or misunderstand.

Now, I'm not going to buy the Dixie Chicks' CD, because it isn't my style. But I stand behind their public razzing of * and I hope they top the charts! But if you're suggesting that the Dixie Chicks go screw themselves, then, I think most here agree that's uncalled for.

[Bridget Burke]

56. Quality is better than quantity (in posts, at least)

Wish the Chicks well & listen to whichever style of music you prefer!

[LostinVA]

57. Well said, Quantessd!

It's like when you meet someone new.... if they just start saying "stuff," you're like... hmmmm.... however, you get to know them over time, and trust them, and know their views and where you both stand....

And, you're right: it's content, context, and attitude for both oldbies and newbies.... but especially newbies, for the reasons stated above. I had lurked for a long tome before I started posting, but when I finally started jumped into the DU waters, everyone treated me very, very well.

And, a belated welcome to DU!

[Quantess]

60. Newbies have an advantage:

their posts get read very thoroughly! ;-) Newbies should enjoy the attention while it lasts, LOL!

I've seen high-post-count-DUers get "raked over the coals" too.
Old-timers can sometimes afford to skip the "sarcasm" smilie, but newbies can't. That's just the way it is.

[Skelington]

63. Well said, ........but I'm not taking anything I've said back.

Just because somebody "razzes" bush, I'm not going to make them a hero. I'm not changing what I say or how I say it so that the "old timers" can pass thier judgement on me.

I'm plenty old enough to not care one crap about other peoples judgements. The people responding to my post are tying to "inform" me of my ignorance, or misunderstanding of the Dixie Chicks, my opnion is not fact, the only fact here is these type of people need somebody to teach a lesson to.

I yield to your honesty.

[alarimer]

65. they received death threats

I don't know if you saw 60 Minutes where they talked about it but apparently it was very serious and very detailed in terms of what the person was going to do. I don't know if they ever found the ones responsible for the threats or not. Speaking you mind in whatever form you choose to do so shouls not result in death threats; I don't care who you are. It is wrong. The fucking asswipes who made those threats are part and parcel of the whole right-wing mentality. They represent all that is wrong with the right-wing. As far as I am concerned the Dixie Chicks simply refused to cave. And that is why I admire them. They STILL speak their minds regardless of what anyone might think.

[WildClarySage]

4. First off...

everyone is worth supporting. That's why we're Democrats. If we were republicans, we'd be discussing corporate worthiness. We're all worthy of support. I assume you mean financial? Chicks gotta eat too.

Second, like the first poster said, you don' like 'em, don' buy 'em. That's called voting with your wallet.

Third, I like their music as much as their politics. I don't care if they are or aren't perfectly 100% consistent in speaking about what I want to hear.

Fourth, nobody should endure what those women endured for speaking their minds. That they did and continue to thumb their noses at those who have sent death threats, threatened to attack their families, characters and properties earns my respect and a big THANK YOU for their original comments.

[dorkulon]

5. But what are those comments worth if they took them back?

I don't hate them or anything. I just have seen them lionized here, and it seems we've all forgotten that they kind of wussed out when things got hairy. On the other hand, I'm just not a country fan.

[ShortnFiery]

8. After they initially received those death threats ...

I can't fault them for "toning down" the original ire of the rabid right wing. After all, it's not just for their OWN personal safety they were concerned ... they also were worried about the safety of other family members. Remember the almost animistic drumbeat to war that we were enduring thanks to the "bought and paid for" corporate media.

No, I will concur that no one should be lionized, but I also don't consider that they "wussed out" by their initial apology ... perhaps if they didn't tone down the nut cases in the right wing, somebody may have been harmed.

No, I understand the point about not being a country music fan also. I'm just impressed by their sense of personal integrity. In essence, NOT folding completely is a laudable feat. ;) :hi:

[LostinVA]

13. Natalie Maines never took the comments back

And, since that night in the UK, she and Marty and Emily have never backed done, and have continued to speak their minds. Even after very, very real death threats and an industry-wide blacklisting. They ROCK.

Natalie Maines is, literally, my hero.


(and, I bought their CDs way before they were THE Dixie Chicks!)

[Dogmudgeon]

9. "Evil Ed" is pretty free with The Big F

"They spoke their mind, and then totally caved. They didn't stand up for shit until it became popular to do so. Fuck the Dixie Chicks. At the very least, spend your money on better music."

"Evil Ed" (Allan Uthman?) from "The Beast", who likes to quote progressive-leftist wit Jay Leno, is pretty free-n-easy with the "fucks". What has he done lately to advance The Revolution? Spray-painting a red "A" with a circle around it on a trash dumpster doesn't count for much. Likewise for conspicuous smoking, though most 15- and 16-year-olds may not agree.

And of course, there's got to be "better music" than those white-trash hillbillies make and listen to, right? Maybe something uplifting about busting a cap in yo ass or yo mama's ass; or dressing up in all black for the occasion of one's suicide after one's girlfriend has dumped one and made snarky comments on her LiveJournal blog ("GothChick666").

Natalie Maines "totally caved" one ONE occasion -- maybe. If that's all it takes to earn a fucking from the hipster Bard of Buffalo, get the lube ready -- Yet Another Radical Bad-Boy will be spreading the old Santorum tonight.

--p!

[LostinVA]

14. And, they "stuck up for shit"

When only people on DU agreed with them... this was before the invasion of Iraq, remember, when the bulk of the country agreed with Bush.

And, I don't think she "totally caved" -- she was literally running scared for her life. (I know we agree on this, btw!)

[dorkulon]

20. 'Likes to quote Leno?'

What are you talking about?
:shrug:

[Dogmudgeon]

25. "What the fuck is that?"

That's a Leno line -- though Leno usually doesn't use "the fuck" as part of the expression.

He uses it pretty often, too, both in his TV monologues and on stage. Even if you only catch a couple of the TV monologues, you'll hear it several times.

It's like "Get a life" being William Shatner's creation -- most of the people who use that phrase to excess would be horrified if they knew they were doing a Shatner schtick.

I'm not sure whether you're the writer, or know the writer, but the blog entry was an exceptionally poor piece of "hip, edgy, urban" writing. There's a lot of bloggage like that, and most of it is easy to let slide. But when it's used to blast someone like Natalie Maynes for stumbling during a media firestorm, the writer might as well hang an "I'm a Dickhead!" sign around his/her neck.

I'm not a fan of the Dixie Chicks, nor do I have some kind of secret crush on them. I'm just pissed off at the descent of the Hip world into the low-rent hell of glib insult. We're collectively hipping ourselves to death, as we do by trashing Al Gore, John Kerry, and political newbies like Natalie Maynes. Hip has come a long, long way -- in the wrong direction -- since the days of The Realist and City Lights Books.

--p!

[dorkulon]

67. I really don't think

you can credit Leno with inventing the phrase "what is that?" He may say it a lot, but I'm pretty sure a lot of people do, and have for some time now.

I'm not the writer, but if you're familiar with the Beast, you know that they pretty much exist to piss people off. I'm a big fan--I think they're funny and irreverent--but I can see how they're not for everyone.

[Libby2]

10. You are damned right I am encouraging support of them.

Why don't you support them?
Fuck that!!!!!!!

[alphafemale]

11. That "apology" was given under duress.

It was given shortly after the original statement when they were being slandered, bashed and threatened.

They are artists. They were being pulled from stations.
They are moms. They were getting death threats.

That off-hand apology was rejected anyway. And it has also been retracted.

They've been bolder since the initial off-hand comment, then the off-hand apology.

The degree of hate cast at them, the "Chick Hating" frenzy generated by an entire section of the media, seems to have caused an awakening for them.

Now that they have been through the fire, they are like tempered steel.

[FuzzyDicePHL]

12. "Their bottom line affected, the Dixie Chicks apologized."

This is a mischaracterization. Maines apologized almost immediately.

[goddess40]

28. not to bush - the apology was about the office of president

she never said she was sorry about what she said about bush

[FuzzyDicePHL]

34. That's correct

My point was that the apology didn't come as a result of the Chicks' bottom line being affected -- in fact, I've read interviews in which they said they didn't care about sales.

[greenbriar]

53. and their shows were all sold out AFTER her comment

and that is where their money is!

[JNelson6563]

15. I think it was the death threats

but being an armchair warrior might disqualify someone from having about this sort of thing happening in reality.

Julie

[SunDrop23]

16. "spend your money on better music" is a matter of opinion.

If we get down to it I'd could probably say some of the music you like sucks. I wouldn't, because not everyone likes the same genre(s) of music. That's a shallow statement by you.

[shaniqua6392]

17. Quote from Natalie Maines.....

"I apologized for disrespecting the office of the President," says Maines. "But I don't feel that way anymore. I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever." (Time Magazine)
Now why would you have a problem buying a CD from the Dixie Chicks? They did not cave in to Bush or anyone else. They are true patriots. The media is smearing them again. No matter what they said about Bush or anyone else, they should not have been penalized this way. It is their CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT to free speech which was violated by American citizens (predominately in the South) and country radio stations. I would buy their CD even if I did not like the music. We should support them.

[Ian David]

18. I'm buying multiple copies of the album to give as gifts

Along with Pink's "I'm Not Dead" and Neil Young's "Living with War."

[LostinVA]

21. The Pink CD rocks

And "Dear Mr. President"??? OMG... great song.

[goddess40]

27. I love it too, and my 12 year old nephew thinks it's cool ...

that his aunt and grandmother like Pink

[LostinVA]

29. My 14-year-old niece is the same way

[Bridget Burke]

22. I'm also a Texan & agree 100% with Natalie's comments in London.

But I can understand the need to throw a crumb to the masses who'd been sending death threats to the Chicks & their families.

The Nashville Establishment has no tolerance for controversy or originality. Somehow, good Country Music will survive. The Chicks have mixed pop & traditional music successfully & will continue to do so. I doubt they lost any true fans; and they probably have lots of new ones.

Country Music is ONE of the genres I like. And I'm a Liberal Texan. So I'll support the Chicks gladly.

I just sent the ACLU my dues for the year. Are you a member?

[StellaBlue]

24. Amen

I'm right there with you on all of that. In fact, I am looking at one of my 'Card Carrying Member of the ACLU' stickers over on my fridge right now!

:hi:

When I lived in the UK, I had two bumper stickers:

Don't Mess With Texas Women

&

Another Texas Against Bush

[goddess40]

31. not an ACLU member yet but I should be

especially since I protest this damn invasion every week and we just got a new right wing police chief.

I've liked the Dixie Chicks for years, so I ordered the CD before it was even released - and I'm not disappointed.

[oasis]

30. The Dixie Chicks rock. They made a considerable financial sacrifice

by speaking up when they did. They are valuable allies and I support them 100%.

At the very least, you should spend your energy attacking the enemies of our democracy.

[LostinVA]

37. I know, I never get the whole "edgy" thing

of ripping apart people who are deservedly praised. Intellectual masturbation? I don't know...

[jerry611]

32. They are just like any other celebrity

It has nothing to do with what they are saying. I just don't buy things based on someone's politics. Just because someone says something against Bush, doesn't mean I will go out and buy their product. Just because someone says something in favor of Bush, doesn't mean I won't buy their product. If I buy someone's music, it means I am buying it because I like that music, not because I agree or disagree of their politics.

If I was an celeb, I would say the same things. I would say whatever is controversal to say. I'd come out and trash Bush, and millions will go out and buy my product. If Bush becomes popular again, I will apologize to him. The people that bought my product will probably burn it, but then all the Bush supporters will start buying. So I would still have money coming in. The Dixie Chicks and their PR people know exactly how to play this game. There is no such thing as bad publicity. It's all about money.

[Armstead]

33. It's not all about money -- If it were they'd have kept their mouths shut

They were popular before they said anything. If it were "just about the money" they would not have said anything that might offend their country audience, and just kept churning out the hits.

[Beelzebud]

38. Great point. I'm not jumping on TDC bandwagon. I don't even like their

music..

I thought maybe I was alone in wondering why they apologized, and then took it back when it was more comfortable to do so.

I'll stick with A Perfect Circle and Tool.

[ComerPerro]

43. Haven't heard this album, but their last one was really good

[mmonk]

44. 100% behind the Chicks and Natalie

No real reason not to be unless you hate their music or something. As far as apologies goes, she's "not ready to make nice". Death threats, burning CD's, and being banned from many radio stations earns her right to be supported. Natalie hasn't caved. She's been through alot.

[ChiciB1]

48. I'm So Rock 'N Roll, But My Daughter Likes C&W....

She grew up around Dylan, Jackson Browne, Tom Petty, Joan Baez and all of the "greats" and LOVES them too, but she likes C&W. No, she's NOT Repuke, quite the contrary... more in your face than I am, but she LOVES The Dixie Chicks!

She called me at around 6:00 AM the morning the CD went on sale and told me I HAD to get out and buy it! She was at Target... so I told her "calm down, buy one FOR me!" She was so excited about all this and couldn't even think straight! Then She bought all kinds of bumper stickers.... Not Ready To Make Nice, and was thinking about having some made up with The Idiot's name on it!

Now she rides around in her car, speakers BLARING and when she stops, gets out with the song still BLARING. And she's not a youngster like 18 or so. She's married and has 3 children!

If this will generate more people into action... I say BUY The CD! Down here in this red county, in this red state... it sure can't hurt!!

I'll stick with Neil Young and hope that some of the "oldies" will get off their duffs and start recording AGAIN!! C'mon, Jackson you're my very very favorite!

[Jeffersons Ghost]

66. as many at DU know, I've pushed the Chicks BIG TIME and i feel sold out

Oh well, the real deal like Joan Baez is retired, right?