I agree. The backlash had a lot to do with the fact that they were mainstream country artists. As I recall, other artists like Pearl Jam and John Mellancamp were much more vocal in their opposition to the war. But no one was burning them in effigy, demanding that their music not be played on the radio or trash their CDs. I’m sure those artists have fans who also happen to be conservative, but they’re not part of a genre that openly panders to conservative “values” like Nashville country.
Of course, time being a precious commodity, you would spent no more time online talking about it than you would reading it, right?
I hope you mean JUST during their performances, right? Because I thought Maines said it in an interview. Or was I wrong?
(As far as buying CDs and burning them in effigy, I hope they realize the irony in that)
Yes.
It was during the concert.
For the sake of reference, might as well listen to them sing about war. I think it makes their position pretty clear. It’s right up there with Seven Spanish Angels as one of the most heartbreaking songs I know.
I agree with you completely.
I used to be a big fan of the Dixie Chicks, I did not like bush, I did not like the war, and I am as country as they come, but they picked the wrong time and place.
First, I dont consider bush a conservative. I never considered bush a conservative. Lots of “real” conservatives like me did not like bush, and did not like his war.
Secondly, “mainstream country” has nothing to do with it, even if Alan Jackson himself was against the war, and even if Alan went on record being vocal against the war and being against invading Iraq - it wouldnt cause a fuss…because…
Third, Alan Jackson has enough class, and enough country politeness, that even “if” he was agaisnt the war, he would know not to do it where, when, and how the Dixie Chicks did it. The Dixie Chicks just did it the wrong way. It wasnt about if they were for war or against war, it was how they acted.
(…the only reason I am picking Alan Jackson’s name is just for an example, and because he is known as mainstream country as they get today, and has nothing to do with how he feels one way or another about the war)
Women often marry beneath themselves. Mostly, I’m given to understand.
As true as this is, politics has nothing to do with it.
No, you misunderstand what Natalie was saying.
I always took it as this: A band from Texas were embarrassed that a nitwit like George W Bush was from their state. They were ashamed of him, because he was one of their own & was acting foolishly.
As far as saying it to outsiders goes:
It was in Britain. Our ally in the coalition going into Iraq. They weren’t outside the question. Our governments were entangled.
And the Commonwealth are family, just a little more distant. That’s just the way it is.
Don’t worry. We’ll still be turning out COMMIE-PINKO-GAY (you forgot that one) students even when Obama the AntiChrist isn’t speaking. It’s in the curriculum.
Ah…nevermind then. :o Yeah, in that case – shut the fuck up and play, dammmit!
Or next time, organize a protest concert. Because, like someone said, it’s not like a band like Pearl Jam, or say, Neil Young – you’d EXPECT protesting there.
“Lesses”?
According to Teeming Millionth Avise N., writing to Cecil in 1982, “lesses” is a specialist’s term for boar dung.
A typo, but one that works.
I forgive you for not knowing much about the situation, but that’s no excuse for lecturing about it.
Your right to free speech ends at making specific and immediate threats on my life.
And CD burning parties, boycotts, picket lines outside of shows, bullying of fans-- collectively derailing the careers of one of the biggest bands in the world at the time-- while obviously not against the law, is astronomically more dickish than “we’re embarrassed that [this complete moron who everyone should be embarrassed of] is from Texas,” no matter whose “soil” the words were spoken on.
Still “puzzled”?
There is nothing “threatening” about “CD burning parties, boycotts, or picket lines.” I’ts not being “astronomically dickish.”
You’re right. I was referring to the death threats.
Yes it is.
He is not going to like it. He has plans.
Really, y’all should see the movie about it. Some of the people around the chicks (& Natalie of course) come off as wanting some controversy & publicity. But the reactions of the anti-Dixie Chicks crowd (which was literally stirred up by talk radio; how do you expect so many in the USA even heard about something she said in Britain?) got ridiculous.
It was a precursor to the stuff they’re doing to the Democrats with talk radio now. Same kind of tactics, with the possible exception that talk radio guys might shy away from calling for the assassination of sitting Congressmen with the power to shut them down.
Only after the situation blew up, and only really because Natalie did not want to back down from her words. It was not initially meant as a rabble-rousing comment. They were surprised to find out that news of it got back to the US and people made a fuss over it.
The Dixie Chicks flicked a paper football and fire was returned with an A-10 Warthog.
