Dixie Chicks : How do ya like 'em now?

[Franklin Richards]

On March 10, 2003, during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq (which would take place on March 20), Natalie Maines (a native of Lubbock, Texas) said between songs during a concert at the Shepherd's Bush Empire theatre in London:

"Just so you know, we're ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas."

Following the uproar and the start of a boycott of their music, the singer, Natalie Maines, attempted to clarify matters on March 12 with, "I feel the President is ignoring the opinions of many in the U.S. and alienating the rest of the world."

This statement failed to quiet her critics, and on March 14 she issued an apology: "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. We are currently in Europe and witnessing a huge anti-American sentiment as a result of the perceived rush to war. While war may remain a viable option, as a mother, I just want to see every possible alternative exhausted before children and American soldiers' lives are lost. I love my country. I am a proud American."

On March 16, 2006, the Dixie Chicks released the single "Not Ready to Make Nice" in advance of their upcoming album. Written by all three Chicks alongside Dan Wilson, it directly addressed the political controversy that had surrounded the group for the past three years:

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

and, in criticism of the death threats the women (particularly Maines) received,

It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge that they’d write me a letter sayin’ that I better shut up and sing or my life will be over


Aug. 11 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush's job- approval rating declined to 33 percent, matching a record low, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll that signaled public discontent with the economy and the Iraq war.

The survey of 1,001 adults was taken Aug. 7-9, before yesterday's announcement by British authorities that they had foiled a suspected terrorist plot to blow up planes bound for the U.S. In the past, imminent threats of attacks on the U.S. have helped underpin Bush's public support.

Bush's job approval rating was 36 percent in July and 33 percent in May, according to the AP poll, which has an error margin of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Seventy-one percent of respondents in the current survey said Bush was leading the country in the wrong direction, up from 67 percent last month.

Public approval of Bush's leadership on the economy fell to 37 percent, a record, and 33 percent of Americans approved of his handling of the Iraq war, also a record low. On Bush's foreign policy in general, 40 percent said they approved of his administration's diplomacy overseas and in the war against terror, down from 44 percent a month earlier, the survey showed.

An increasing number of registered voters in the survey said their votes in the Nov. 7 midterm elections will be cast in part as a show of opposition to Bush. Twenty-nine percent of the registered voters said they'll punish Republicans in the election because Bush's policies, up from 20 percent in July.

A study of terror warnings and their impact on poll numbers during 2001-2004, conducted by sociologist Robb Willer of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, found that such warnings produced an average 2.75-point increase in Bush's approval rating.



So what I'm asking you is did the Dixie Chicks deserve to have their livelyhood and even their lives threatened for simply speaking their minds? And what do you think of them now in hindsight?

I happen to love their music and politics.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[SsM]

who cares.. its the dixie chicks :/ they made goodbye earl.. so they gotta be good :up:

[GoldenAgeHero]

i never even cared and i think itwas wrong for them to get crisized for speaking thier mind, the people in texas are ****in morons.

[JLBats]

I like them a lot more since they made that comment, got ostracised, and became interesting.

[Franklin Richards]

Careful. I'm from Texas and I love them. :D

Plus the boycott was pretty much all over the country.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Slipknot]

Yeah... I'm not a big fan of country music or of their music but they should not have been scolded by their own fans just because of their political views. Those fans suck.

[Edd Extraordinaire]

I hate them basically because they suck. I could care less about their political views.

[Franklin Richards]

Aw Edd. Their music is great. Heavily influenced by classic bluegrass and Texas Swing. Tons better than that "hot new country" crap. Heavily influenced by early rhythm and blues. Bill Munro, Johnny Cash. Hell even folk music like Bob Dylan.

Great stuff.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[SsM]

blue grass kicks grass!

[Speedball]

I f***in' love the Dixie Chicks.
Their new CD rocks. and yes I admit I own it, and it is a great record.

[Manic]

"For some reason, bad-mouthing the president in a foreign land during a time of war doesn't exactly sit well with the NASCAR crowd."

I wish I could remember who said that...

[Orko Is King]

I'm not a fan of their music, but I give them props for going against the grain in the country music biz.

[Superman]

I'm not a big fan of the new country music that's coming out now days, I'm more of a classic country type guy if I have to listen to country, but the Dixie Chicks are some of the few new country singers that I do like.:up:

[The Joker]

I hate them. Not cause there political views, but because they're s**ty, s**ty musicians.

[Franklin Richards]

Come on. That's just not true. Even if you don't like the style of music, you can't deny that they are great musicians. They play all their own stuff and multiple instruments. Do you know how to play a banjo or a mandolin?

That's just a crap statement Joker.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Edd Extraordinaire]

Aw Edd. Their music is great. Heavily influenced by classic bluegrass and Texas Swing. Tons better than that "hot new country" crap. Heavily influenced by early rhythm and blues. Bill Munro, Johnny Cash. Hell even folk music like Bob Dylan.

Great stuff.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

Yeah, but just because it's heavily influenced by something good doesn't mean that it itself is good. I don't like it.

[Franklin Richards]

Who do you like in the genre?


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[bulok]

Anyone that says "they shouldn't be criticized for their views" isn't looking at it from both ends. Traditionally most people who listen to country (and in essence traditional DC fans) are conservative. You don't see many liberal/dems listening to country. These fans go to concerts to listen to their music not their political views. If they wanted to they can always go to rallies. There's always "stars" in the Dems rallies (Lord knows people don't go there for their politics).

I also read from a news report that after they were booed on stage, they told the fans they don't care since they already had their $65. I don't know the voracity of this quote but if its' true that just shows alot of disrespect for your fans.

I still like their music and would listen to it, I do feel they have the right to their opinion, but this backlash they are experiencing is their own fault.

[Immortalfire]

Never liked them too much to begin with. They are fine musicians, though.

[Morg]

I don't have to listen to them...literally :)

[Palpadious]

I want to buy multiple copies of their albums just to piss some people off.

[Mentok]

They should be allowed to disagree with the governmennt without being shunned by the public.

Im glad I dont have to listen to their music though.

[vindrow]

Heh, never cared about them before all this, don't care about them now.

[Fred_Fury]

country music blows. period.

[kainedamo]

country music blows. period.


Your mum blows. Balloons.

[Kmack]

I usually don't listen to country music but I LOVE The Dixie Chicks:up:

[St. of Sinners]

I respect the Dixie Chicks for speaking their minds. It's a shame there was such a ridiculous uproar leading to another example of how collectively stupid Americans can be. Death threats? Seriously? ****ing pathetic.

[ShadowBoxing]

Death threats due to denouncing Bush? I thought rap fans were suppose to be the violent ones.

[Franklin Richards]

You know Rednecks. They'd rather fight then think.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Holly Goodhead]

I've never liked them.

[The Last Meatbag]

I hate their music......but she's fighting the power, so that's cool :up:

[Bat Attack]

Dixie Chicks are a bunch of stupid ho's. :down

[Franklin Richards]

At least they didn't shove a shotgun into their mouths.

Kurt Cobain : Boo hoo! I'm successful. Life sux. <BLAM>


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Speedball]

Kurt was a f-ing coward.

[Bat Attack]

At least they didn't shove a shotgun into their mouths.

Kurt Cobain : Boo hoo! I'm successful. Life sux. <BLAM>


:thing: :doom: :thing:
Read the sig.

Kurt was a f-ing coward.
Too bad you think that, but it's your opinion.

[Arkady Rossovich]

Just because someone says Bush is a fool,which is true.Does not mean that person should be critisied for that.

[St. of Sinners]

Just because someone says Bush is a fool,which is true.Does not mean that person should be critisied for that. It does if you're a stupid, sister-****ing, redneck *******.

[Mr. Walters]

I only wish more celebrities had the balls to voice their opinions the way the Dixie Chicks did. I applaud them for that but as a casual country fan I like both them and Toby Kieth. Music is music. I can't hate Toby's music because I disagree with him and I can't like the Dixe Chick's music more because I agree with them.

[Tobiaswins]

I don't really care for that style of music, but the dixie chicks should be able to voice their opinions without fear of death threats.

[C-$]

I don't really care for the Dixie Chicks. I don't mind them expressing their opinion but they shouldn't have any problem with other people expressing thier opinions if they dissagree with them.

[St. of Sinners]

I don't really care for the Dixie Chicks. I don't mind them expressing their opinion but they shouldn't have any problem with other people expressing thier opinions if they dissagree with them. Threatening them with death is a little extreme don't you think?

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Just because someone says Bush is a fool,which is true.Does not mean that person should be critisied for that.Are you inSANE?

The very reason she's free to CRITICIZE the President is the same reason everyone else is free to CRITICIZE her.

:rolleyes:

Thinking + Posting = cool

[KingOfDreams]

I've always loved the Chicks. They are excellent musicians and singers. And because I'm liberal I like the comment they made though whether the timing was right is dubious. But the country music fans went overboard. Way overboard in some cases. I'm glad they didn't break under the pressure though and released a best-selling album with a defiant song.

[C-$]

Threatening them with death is a little extreme don't you think?

I wasn't talking about death threats.

[C-$]

Are you inSANE?

The very reason she's free to CRITICIZE the President is the same reason everyone else is free to CRITICIZE her.

:rolleyes:

Thinking + Posting = cool

That's basically what I was trying to say a couple of minutes ago.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Heh, I couldn't believe my eyes when I read that. I pray he was joking.
And they're also free to refrain from seeing their concerts or buying their albums.

[Utter Carnage]

[quote=bulok]

I also read from a news report that after they were booed on stage, they told the fans they don't care since they already had their $65. quote]

Lol.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Ha, cool. Though it's better not to anger your fans and continue getting their $65 for years and years.

[Franklin Richards]

Makes good business sense, but you gotta admire someone who is not a slave to their pocketbook. Integrity is very admirable.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Kable24]

I never liked them, so I could give a ****.

[Franklin Richards]

And probably will.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Kable24]

All over the fat ones fat face.

[Franklin Richards]

She's not that fat anymore.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/AuntPetunia/Timedixie.jpg



:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Warhammer]

I could care less about anything about the Dixie Chicks. :o

[Franklin Richards]

And yet you responded to a thread that clearly stated it was about the Dixie Chicks. Weird.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Warhammer]

And yet you responded to a thread that clearly stated it was about the Dixie Chicks. Weird.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

I'm Sorry.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

He said he "could care less".
That means he cares a little bit 'cause it would be possible for him to care less than he does now.

[Warhammer]

He said he "could care less".
That means he cares a little bit 'cause it would be possible for him to care less than he does now.

Thanks, Wil.

[Franklin Richards]

Touche'


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Don't thank me. I was making fun of all of the people who say "I could care less." when what they really mean is "I couldn't care less.":o

[Franklin Richards]

Shhhhh. Don't tell him.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Pussy Galore]

Don't thank me. I was making fun of all of the people who say "I could care less." when what they really mean is "I couldn't care less.":o

I hate you so much it hurts.

[Warhammer]

Well, I cared a little bit.
When it happened, I was interested, but it wasn't amazed by it. Dixie Chicks should be allowed to voice their opinion, as everyone else, but I could care less.

[kevinpenni]

I'm a big country fan and the backlash they recieved was ridiculous. I like them and support their comments. It's freedom of speech for christ sake.

[X-Ray]

I don't care for their music. But I did like where they stood on the the whole Bush-Iraq issue. And I didn't like how they were treated by their peers in the country music business. F**kin' rednecks!

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I hate you so much it hurts.You should end your misery.

[Darth Elektra]

Im not much into country music, but I stand up and applaud their remarks agianst Bush.

[Mal'Akai]

I love thier stand for free speach. Just because you thik the President is a moron, doesn't mean you hate America. Hell, it means you love America and think it should be being run by some one better qualified.

[Man-Thing]

I'm a big country fan and the backlash they recieved was ridiculous. I like them and support their comments. It's freedom of speech for christ sake.

Oh boo hoo!!!

This is what really gets me ticked off. You see, I have free speech too, so I can say the dixie chicks are fat commie beyotches.<<<<--------------See!!!

FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

[Man-Thing]

I love thier stand for free speach. Just because you thik the President is a moron, doesn't mean you hate America. Hell, it means you love America and think it should be being run by some one better qualified.

Ummm Congress hasn't tried to limit their speech, so no this isn't a free speech issue.:up:

[KingOfDreams]

commie

This ain't the '50s anymore.

[Man-Thing]

This ain't the '50s anymore.
SO???

There's still the first ammendment.

[VenomXXXXL]

I don't really listen to music so I have no opinion on their craft. However, I didn't understand why there was such an uproar. TV/music/movies types make brash political statements all the time. Why do the DCs get flamed by their fanbase for doing so?:confused:

[Cyclops]

Because they're country musicians. Their audience is mainly redneck Republicans who love their redneck President. So anything said against him is blasphemy.

[KingOfDreams]

I don't really listen to music

Really? I don't intend to be mean but I find that kind of odd.

[Manic]

You know, after looking at King's signature, I suddenly regret being one of those people who only reads Runaways in digest form.

[VenomXXXXL]

Really? I don't intend to be mean but I find that kind of odd.

No offense taken. At some point in my mid to late 20s, I lost interest in it. I sold all my tapes and CDs years ago. I turned into a bibliophile so now I listen to audiobooks instead of music. Man, that makes me sound really old. LOL!
I still like Christmas music though.:)

[KingOfDreams]

That's cool. I love books almost as equally as I love music. I really have too many interests to keep up with.

[bulok]

Because they're country musicians. Their audience is mainly redneck Republicans who love their redneck President. So anything said against him is blasphemy.


the tolerant left speaks lol

I'm Asian, a conservative and yes i would criticize the president now and again, but its better than the alternative loony left. Who have you guys got going for you? A flip/flopping lying gajillionaire (Kerry) a drunken moron (Kennedy) and a frigid also lying ***** (Clinton).

Most these folks voted FOR The war. In case y'all didn't know. The president couldn't just say "I reckon i'mma declare war on Iyraq today" and just start deploying troops. It needs to pass congress approval. And it did.

The more you know....

[The Joker]

Come on. That's just not true. Even if you don't like the style of music, you can't deny that they are great musicians. They play all their own stuff and multiple instruments. Do you know how to play a banjo or a mandolin?

That's just a crap statement Joker.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

I cant play saxaphone either, but Kenny G is still an awful musician. I can't play piano, and I still think Ben Folds should be shot for the crap he makes. It's an opinion, if you don't like it, don't agree with it, but don't insult me.

[The Joker]

the tolerant left speaks lol

I'm Asian, a conservative and yes i would criticize the president now and again, but its better than the alternative loony left. Who have you guys got going for you? A flip/flopping lying gajillionaire (Kerry) a drunken moron (Kennedy) and a frigid also lying ***** (Clinton).

Most these folks voted FOR The war. In case y'all didn't know. The president couldn't just say "I reckon i'mma declare war on Iyraq today" and just start deploying troops. It needs to pass congress approval. And it did.

The more you know....

Actually, the patriot act gave him the right to declare war without congress approval.

The more you know...

[bulok]

Patriot act yes but who voted it in? That's right. Congress. Not just Republicans. It had a 98-1 vote in the Senate and 300 something to 60 something in the House.

also the Patriot Act doesn't allow for the US to start war with other nations. All it does is to give more power to the Feds in surveillance and information gathering.

[The Joker]

I remember hearing on the news that one of the many things the PATRIOT act did was give the president the right to declare war without it being voted on by the senate. Also, yes, it had a 98-1 vote in, what like, 2, 3 days after 9-11? It was a stupid, knee jerk reaction.

[The Joker]

Oh yes, and while many people did agree with the war under false pretenses when it first began, as you can tell my George W's steadily decreasing approval rating, not many people agree with it now.

[Milkman95]

Because they're country musicians. Their audience is mainly redneck Republicans who love their redneck President. So anything said against him is blasphemy.

What a clueless remark this is. Country music has come a long way since the 80's, and that stereotype you speak of doesn't exist at all anymore.

I like their music, but they should just shut their pie holes and play music. That's what they're there for, not to hear their political views. Toby should STFU as well along with every other celebrity or musician - shut up, I don't care what you think, entertain me.

[bulok]

LOL people need to stop concentrating on Bush's approval rating. The man's on his way out. This is why the Dems are losing elections, because they focus too much on President Bush. He doesn't have to worry about approval ratings anymore. He doesnt need anybody's vote. Why do you think he's doing all these anti-immigration laws? to get it out to the public, have the general American voters in an uproar and then the next Republican oppose Bush's immigration policy will be hailed as a conservative hero. Then we have another 4 more years of Republican government.

Liberals and Democrats hate Bush so much that they miss the bigger picture and just come out looking like loony toons like Cynthia Mckinney

http://www.laughtergenealogy.com/blog/pics-aa/race-card.gif

If the Dems provided alternative policies instead of rhetoric, then maybe they'd actually win votes outside of their already established constituency.


PS. you are very wrong about the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act only added a few provisions from previous US Anti-Terrorism Acts.


* The inclusion of the Financial Anti-Terrorism Act (H.R. 3004), which expands money laundering abatement to international terrorism. (which thanks to the NY Times is no longer viable since outing the process used :down )

* Immunity against prosecution for the providers of wiretaps in accordance with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.
* Request for a report on integrating automated fingerprint identification for ports of entry into the United States.
* Start of a foreign student monitoring program.
* Request for machine readable passports.
* Prevention of consulate shopping.
* Expansion of the Biological Weapons Statute.
* Clearer definition of "Electronic Surveillance"
* Miscellaneous benefits for victims of the September 11 attack and extra penalties for those who illegally file for such benefits.


Nothing at all about being able to start war without congress approval.

Oh yes, and while many people did agree with the war under false pretenses when it first began,


heh

[Dangerous]

I hate them.

[bulok]

What a clueless remark this is. Country music has come a long way since the 80's, and that stereotype you speak of doesn't exist at all anymore.

I like their music, but they should just shut their pie holes and play music. That's what they're there for, not to hear their political views. Toby should STFU as well along with every other celebrity or musician - shut up, I don't care what you think, entertain me.

QFT!!! LOL

go to some political rally or benefit or something. I pay 60 bucks to hear you sing. shut your pie holes is right lol

[Dangerous]

The dixie chicks still suck a fat one tho.

[jaguarr]

I cant play saxaphone either, but Kenny G is still an awful musician.

I can't believe I'm about to defend Kenny G...but...from a purely technical perspective, Kenny G is one of the more talented guys to pick up the saxaphone. His skills as a player are pretty damned amazing, actually, and he's one of the few wind players who's capable of doing circular breathing which basically enables him to keep playing non-stop without the need to sneak a breath in. His SONGWRITING is crap, though, and I really can't stand to listen to him because of that.

As far as the Dixie Chicks, my friends and I used to call girls that we weren't really interested in anything but a one night stand with "Dixie Chicks", indicating that we didn't really care for their music but we'd screw 'em. I'm not a country fan (excluding Johnny Cash), so their music has never appealed to me. I'm not their demographic. That said, I admire their courage to stand up for what they believe in and I find it pathetic that not only could three little girls from Texas could see what so much of the country could NOT see at the time, but they were villified for it by all these idiots who've let the neo-con's convince them that saying anything bad about the government means being "Un-American". Good for them for sticking to their guns and standing by their ideals. :up:

jag

[Franklin Richards]

I cant play saxaphone either, but Kenny G is still an awful musician. I can't play piano, and I still think Ben Folds should be shot for the crap he makes. It's an opinion, if you don't like it, don't agree with it, but don't insult me.

Where in my post did I insult you?


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I see that a lot here.
Some people don't understand the distinction between saying "You are crap." and "You just made a crap statement."

[kane9321]

they are awsome...they got more "balls" then some men do

[KingOfDreams]

A flip/flopping lying gajillionaire (Kerry)

The conservative spin machine conjured this up when kerry said he voted for the war before he voted against it. Many people in Congress did. In the beginning it looked like we had credible justification for war. And besides, every president, modern president at least, is a gajillionnaire, especially Bush. What people call flip-flopping is merely the altering of opinion based on facts, something the Bush administration has not really done. It's stubborn and irresponsible to ignore the facts if they don't suit your agenda. You want lies? Bush and his cronies are like neverending Pez dispensors full of lies.

[bulok]

I can't believe I'm about to defend Kenny G...but...from a purely technical perspective, Kenny G is one of the more talented guys to pick up the saxaphone. His skills as a player are pretty damned amazing, actually, and he's one of the few wind players who's capable of doing circular breathing which basically enables him to keep playing non-stop without the need to sneak a breath in. His SONGWRITING is crap, though, and I really can't stand to listen to him because of that.

As far as the Dixie Chicks, my friends and I used to call girls that we weren't really interested in anything but a one night stand with "Dixie Chicks", indicating that we didn't really care for their music but we'd screw 'em. I'm not a country fan (excluding Johnny Cash), so their music has never appealed to me. I'm not their demographic. That said, I admire their courage to stand up for what they believe in and I find it pathetic that not only could three little girls from Texas could see what so much of the country could NOT see at the time, but they were villified for it by all these idiots who've let the neo-con's convince them that saying anything bad about the government means being "Un-American". Good for them for sticking to their guns and standing by their ideals. :up:

jag


OMG you dickwads are totally missing the point. The problem isn't that Dixie Chicks expressed opinions (however given the fanbase are you surprised there is a backlash?), people are pissed because they did it during a concert. Ever hear of the saying about not discussing politics or religion at work? It's a volatile subject and there's a time place and platform for this kinds of talk.


Even the President says the Dixie Chicks are entitled to their opinions,


"[T]he Dixie Chicks are free to speak their mind. They can say what they want to say ... They shouldn't have their feelings hurt just because some people don't want to buy their records when they speak out ... Freedom is a two-way street ... I ... don't really care what the Dixie Chicks said. I want to do what I think is right for the American people, and if some singers or Hollywood stars feel like speaking out, that's fine. That's the great thing about America. It stands in stark contrast to Iraq ..." [3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dixie_Chicks#_note-TIME)

[chaseter]

I live in their hometown and everyone here still hates them:down

[bulok]

The conservative spin machine conjured this up when kerry said he voted for the war before he voted against it. Many people in Congress did. In the beginning it looked like we had credible justification for war. And besides, every president, modern president at least, is a gajillionnaire, especially Bush. What people call flip-flopping is merely the altering of opinion based on facts, something the Bush administration has not really done. It's stubborn and irresponsible to ignore the facts if they don't suit your agenda. You want lies? Bush and his cronies are like neverending Pez dispensors full of lies.

*Ahem* http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1119904/posts *cough*

Still at it...

[Addendum]

I never cared about the Dixie Chicks before their comments, nor do I care after they said it. Aside from Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, country music doesn't interest me

[KingOfDreams]

*Ahem* http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1119904/posts *cough*

Still at it...

The Free Republic is a conservative publication is it not? Give me something unbiased and I may consider it.

[KingOfDreams]

I live in their hometown and everyone here still hates them:down

I live in Austin, thier new hometown and everybody loves them as far as I can tell. But then again, Austin does not really fit the Texas stereotype.

[jaguarr]

OMG you dickwads are totally missing the point. The problem isn't that Dixie Chicks expressed opinions (however given the fanbase are you surprised there is a backlash?), people are pissed because they did it during a concert. Ever hear of the saying about not discussing politics or religion at work? It's a volatile subject and there's a time place and platform for this kinds of talk.


Even the President says the Dixie Chicks are entitled to their opinions,

Settle down, or you'll get a time out, mister! :cmad:

My post wasn't even directed at you, so chill the hell out. But, if you want to belabor the point, the Dixie Chicks are self employed for all intents and purposes. When you go to one of their shows, it's THEIR show. Their concert. Their forum. They can do whatever the hell they want with that forum. If you don't like it, simply don't go to their concerts or buy their albums. But don't paint them as the next coming of the very devil himself for it. Same goes for Toby Keith and U2 and Neil Young and ever other performer who uses their concerts and appearances as a platform for political activism. You'll also have to pretty much erase the 60's from the collective memories of the entire population, since so many of the performers from that timeframe were VERY much about expressing their political views in their music and in their shows. Their freedom of speech gives them the right to do that, just like it empowers you to decry it and just like it empowers the morons who wanted to burn the Dixie Chicks at the stake for their comments and said as much.

jag

[Addendum]

When the band is on stage, it's their show. Not yours. All you did was buy a damn ticket.

I agree with jag on this.

[JLBats]

OMG you dickwads are totally missing the point. The problem isn't that Dixie Chicks expressed opinions (however given the fanbase are you surprised there is a backlash?), people are pissed because they did it during a concert. Ever hear of the saying about not discussing politics or religion at work? It's a volatile subject and there's a time place and platform for this kinds of talk.

That's a huge load of ****. There is no way in hell that people were pissed off, making death threats and burning records just because the Dixie Chicks expressed an opinion at a concert. I don't see those same people bashing Britney Spears and threatening her life for saying something about the troops in concert.

[Wilhelm-Scream]

Did Kanye get death threats when he said George Bush doesn't care about Black people?
I didn't hear of any.

[Lackey]

Did Kanye get death threats when he said George Bush doesn't care about Black people?
I didn't hear of any.



demographic

[Cyclops]

What a clueless remark this is. Country music has come a long way since the 80's, and that stereotype you speak of doesn't exist at all anymore.



Riiiiighhhht, which is why their fans were so pissed when they said a bad thing about Dubya, organized wide-scale radio-station boycotts of their music, and stopped buying their albums.

It's because they're NOT southern conservatives, aka Republican rednecks.

[The Joker]

Did Kanye get death threats when he said George Bush doesn't care about Black people?
I didn't hear of any.

because everyone knows that's true, everyone else was just too scared to say it :o

[JLBats]

because everyone knows that's true, everyone else was just too scared to say it :o

Not really. He has the most diverse administration in history. The truth is, he doesn't care about anyone who doesn't go to country clubs.

[The Joker]

Not really. He has the most diverse administration in history. The truth is, he doesn't care about anyone who doesn't go to country clubs.

The people in his administration arent really black. That's like saying Eddie Murphey is still black :o

[Addendum]

Eddie Murphy is still black. He just now makes ****ty movies and turned his career into a joke

[The Joker]

Eddie Murphy is still black. He just now makes ****ty movies and turned his career into a joke

Look at his recent movies, he might still look black, but he's not. Charlie Murphy is the black Eddie Murphy :o

[Addendum]

**** that "he may look black, but he's not" bull****.

He was once one of the funniest black guys ever.

Now he has "The Adventures of Pluto Nash" on his resume. He turned himself into a joke. That's what matters.

[Milkman95]

Riiiiighhhht, which is why their fans were so pissed when they said a bad thing about Dubya, organized wide-scale radio-station boycotts of their music, and stopped buying their albums.

It's because they're NOT southern conservatives, aka Republican rednecks.

Well, when they said that, Dubya's approval rating was higher and it was a different time when most people didn't like celebrities spouting off about the state of the country when they're out making millions of dollars.......

Also, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, etc, etc, were not the only states that stopped buying their albums - unless you think cities like Chicago and New York are full of you're so-called stereotypical "rednecks".........

[Manic]

**** that "he may look black, but he's not" bull****.

He was once one of the funniest black guys ever.

Now he has "The Adventures of Pluto Nash" on his resume. He turned himself into a joke. That's what matters.
Thank you. Eddie went from one of the funniest black men alive to a black man who makes crappy movies. Making Haunted Mansion and Pluto Nash doesn't make him less black. It makes his career less alive.

It's not like we're talking about Wayne Brady, here. ;)

[jaguarr]

Thank you. Eddie went from one of the funniest black men alive to a black man who makes crappy movies. Making Haunted Mansion and Pluto Nash doesn't make him less black. It makes his career less alive.

It's not like we're talking about Wayne Brady, here. ;)

Does Wayne Brady have to choke a *****!? :cmad:

:D

jag

[bulok]

When the band is on stage, it's their show. Not yours. All you did was buy a damn ticket.

I agree with jag on this.


lol well i guess they're enjoying the fruits of their labor with several cancelled concerts. still bad business disrespecting your fanbase like that.

and whoever said about Britney Spears, well can you imagine Republicans going to her crappy ass concerts?

I would concede the death threats are excessive and those I would gather are a very few minority. When I talk of fans, I mean regular fans like me who have bought their albums listen to their music to enjoy it etc.

Hell I still listen to Springstein and he's as flaming liberal as any but you know what? I would bet most of his fans are too. He knows his audience.

What pees me off is people applaud the DC like they've done something so remarkably heroic, when the majority of celebrities out there are liberals. I would applaud an outspoken conservative but they'd probably be shunned by the media.

[Man-Thing]

The only thing that ticks me off is that when the dixie chicks say something about the President they get applauded by liberals for saying what they want thus evoking the first ammendment.

But when former fans speak out against them by not buying their records and/or destroying their records they get labeled as "neo-con rednecks", when infact they are doing the same thing the dixie chicks done, and that is to speak out.

Next thing you see, is how the poor dixie chicks are being unfairly treated by the former "redneck" fans and radio stations. I remember seeing a few posts of people complaining when this first happend of dare I even say it- THE DIXIE CHICKS AREN'T BEING TREATED FAIRLY BY RADIO!!!

That outraged me. Here's a news flash to liberals who only think the bill of rights includes parts of the first ammendment.
Radio stations can play what they want, when they want (as long as it meets up to the standards of the FCC), when you cry over the dixie chicks not being played on the air, you become the world's biggest hippocrit! Freedom of speech goes both ways, so suck it up.

After thinking further on the issue, I take back what I said about Liberals only agreeing with the first ammendment. They don't even agree with that because of the "hate speech" legislation they have introduced and passed, so I think it's safe to say that most liberals, hate the bill of rights.:up:

[jaguarr]

The only thing that ticks me off is that when the dixie chicks say something about the President they get applauded by liberals for saying what they want thus evoking the first ammendment.

But when former fans speak out against them by not buying their records and/or destroying their records they get labeled as "neo-con rednecks", when infact they are doing the same thing the dixie chicks done, and that is to speak out.

Next thing you see, is how the poor dixie chicks are being unfairly treated by the former "redneck" fans and radio stations. I remember seeing a few posts of people complaining when this first happend of dare I even say it- THE DIXIE CHICKS AREN'T BEING TREATED FAIRLY BY RADIO!!!

That outraged me. Here's a news flash to liberals who only think the bill of rights includes parts of the first ammendment.
Radio stations can play what they want, when they want (as long as it meets up to the standards of the FCC), when you cry over the dixie chicks not being played on the air, you become the world's biggest hippocrit! Freedom of speech goes both ways, so suck it up.

After thinking further on the issue, I take back what I said about Liberals only agreeing with the first ammendment. They don't even agree with that because of the "hate speech" legislation they have introduced and passed, so I think it's safe to say that most liberals, hate the bill of rights.:up:

I'll just play devil's advocate a little bit, here. Is it REALLY free speech for radio stations to take the Dixie Chicks off their playlists because of their political views, or is it really just another instance of censorship? Discuss.

jag

[Sensi]

I think they are fine musicians and i suppose it is up to them what the choose to say.

[terry78]

They're allowed to speak their opinion on the matter of this administration. Though when people say we shouldn't speak out against our goverment it's basically akin to us becoming a police state, no matter how you want to spin it. I should be able to say my president is a moron in public without fear of being dragged off to a gulag.

[Franklin Richards]

Radio station can't just play what they want, Man-Thing. This situation reeks of political payola.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Addendum]

Actually radio stations can. They have something called a format and a playlist. They pick and choose what bands to play

[Franklin Richards]

Well I've worked at a radio station for over 8 years and you just can't play whatever you want.

Do you know what the term "payola" means?


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Addendum]

The DJ's can't, but management can change format, change the playlist and what is in rotation without the approval of the bands.

[Franklin Richards]

Management has alot of restrictions as well. If a station were investigated by the FCC for refusing to play a band that they had previously played, they might get their license revoked for accepting "political payola".

And think before you talk down to someone. They might actually know more than you.

Oh and at stores they have these things called toothbrushes and toothpaste. They keep you mouth nice and clean and stop the onset of gingivitus.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Addendum]

Payola applies when a record company pays a station to play their band.

Why would a record company pay a station to not play one of their bands?

[sinewave]

they're ruining america.


kidding. i like that they speak their minds, in spite of the outlash and all that. i hate contry music and i really don't care to listen to their music, but good for them. the people sent them death threats are morons. toby keith is a talentless douche.

[Franklin Richards]

Record companies wouldn't. But lobbyists and political groups pay to get certain ads and messages out. Or pay to cut certain ads. Like the competition. It's against FCC regulations concerning equal time. It's a fine line as to where it falls in the area of music, but it still applies. Radio stations get away with it alot, but sometimes on widescale events, the FCC does look into it.

Now I didn't say it applied here, I just said it sounds sketchy and I wouldn't have been suprised.

It's called propaganda.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[twylight]

"For some reason, bad-mouthing the president in a foreign land during a time of war doesn't exactly sit well with the NASCAR crowd."

I wish I could remember who said that...


That however is my sentiment on the matter.

No, I don't boycott them because they spoke their political views.

My issue is that they vented their political views on foreign soil, during a concert. I think that's tacky. They aren't in politics, they are in entertainment. I don't care what kind of activists thay are, but they used their status as entertainers and spoke out on their political views.

If you could call it that. It wasn't even a political view, it was a direct slur at The President.

I have offense to them because they didn't even speak politically, they slurred someone of international status in world politics on foreign soil, while theyw ere doing their job, entertaining.

It's unprofessional on their part and trashy if you ask me.

I do enjoy their music, but my view of them as induviduals is totally shot.

[THWIP*]

I hate them. Not cause there political views, but because they're s**ty, s**ty musicians.


I USED TO CALL THEM "CHICKS WITH D**KS". :D :o

[Franklin Richards]

So here we are again? This thread is a bring back and should be moved to the Politics board. I just thought I'd bump her back.


Would the nation have been so up at arms about what they said today?


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[Yerzrinot]

Country music sucks period. But I do respect them for standing up for their ideals no matter how unpopular they are with their fanbase.

[Trainwreck2100]

They didn't deserve the grammys they won.

[Drizzle]

Would the nation have been so up at arms about what they said today?

Not at all. As I recall, the nation as a whole didn't really care about it when they first said it. Texas was pissed and that's about it.

[Warhammer]

Never cared for the Dixie Chicks. Never liked the Dixie Chicks. Never will.

[The Chairman]

They didn't deserve the grammys they won.

Agreed. They only won because of their political views.

They suck musically, but I agree with a lot of their political views. And Natalie Maines is married to Adrian Pasdar, so her Heroes connection makes her somewhat cool.

[Rando]

interesting.

[Franklin Richards]

You guys criticizing their music are either not Bluegrass / Country fans or just crazy. Of course they deserved their Grammy's. Their album, Home, was a love letter to Bluegrass. It was exemplary. They play their own instruments and write most of their songs. Their live shows are real events not just some lip synching event. They sure as hell are alot better than alot of this Hot New Country trash. Pandering garbage that tries to be Southern Rock.

Damn straight they deserved their Grammys.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[michephantom]

I liked the Dixie Chicks before and after they complained about the president. I don't care that they're "entertainers" and they criticized the president on foreign soil. It was in the heat of the moment, and anyways, the US is supposed to support free speech, right? Now everyone is on the Bush hating bandwagon, but I STILL don't hear the Dixie Chicks on the radio. But that may be because the stations are playing the same ol crap all the time (Taylor Swift)

Coincidentally, "I'm Not Ready to make Nice" is my favorite song of the moment.