I'd just like to say they deserve all the backlash they are getting. They went to London and bashed our president to suck up to the anti-American crowd.
I'm ashamed to be a fan of Fleetwood Mac after hearing them butcher that Landslide song.
You know, for all the times I had to hear that goddamned "Earl Had To Die" song, I was praying for some sort of vicious backlash against them. I was pulling for "eaten alive in a lake of rabid pirianha," but hell, this'll do.
The wheel of karma turns, however slowly.
I'm not against their right to protest but don't run out of the country to DO it. If you feel that strongly about it, do you protesting here and take your knocks like everyone else.
But wait, that might hurt record sales. Hmmm. Can't have that. Dan Teague was right--"It's all about the money boys--do, ray, mi."
I'm waiting for angry Southerners to start a letter-writing campaign demanding that the group change its name to the "French Chicks" or something similar, to reclaim the word "Dixie" from the Chicks' Treasonous Anti-American Liberal Pinko Communist Obstructionist Appease-nik behavior, and to return it to the God-Fearin' America-Lovin' Flag-Wavin' Right-Thinkin' Southern Folks of yore.
Seriously. Give it another week or two, and some wingnut will get the ball rolling.
Me? I may wander down to my local record store and buy a CD or two tonight. "Fly" is tempting. I'm not overwhelmed by the "Landslide" cover, but since I'm partial to bluegrass, there may be songs on "Home" that I'd enjoy.
"Let me put it another way. In support of our troops, I recently offered one of my angry correspondents on this issue a bet: I will try my damnedest to keep her son out of combat in the Gulf, and she will continue to support the president's war drive. Whoever keeps her son alive longest, wins." -- Ben Tripp, CounterPunch
So the Dixie Chicks go to Europe and bash President Bush and get bashed themselves for it. Every newspaper and news site I've seen has covered this story.
Saturday, there was a concert over in London featuring Paul Weller, Echo and the Bunnymen, Beth Orton, and Ronan Keating, with a strong anti-war message. Performers (err..) performed in front of a big television screen with the words 'ONE BIG NO' across the screen. Elton John, Yoko Ono, and Ken Loach among othere were also there giving anti-war and anti-bush speeches and reading poems between the musical acts.
Why have I only seen ONE FUCKING NEWS OUTLET report on this?
Cerebus: Barbarian, Prime Minister, Pope, Perfect House Guest.
"Graft is as necessary as throwing up when you drink too much."
This is a parody, not an actual statement by Natalie Maines, but DAMN, it made me laugh.
Excerpt: I hope everyone understands, I'm just a young girl who grew up in Texas. As far back as I can remember, I heard people say they were ashamed of President Clinton. I saw bumper stickers calling him everything from a pothead to a murderer. I heard people on the radio and tv like Rush Limbaugh, Pat Robertson, Newt Gingrich and Trent Lott bad mouthing the President and ridiculing his wife and daughter at every opportunity.
I heard LOTS of people disrespecting the President. So I guess I just assumed it was acceptable behavior.
"Let me put it another way. In support of our troops, I recently offered one of my angry correspondents on this issue a bet: I will try my damnedest to keep her son out of combat in the Gulf, and she will continue to support the president's war drive. Whoever keeps her son alive longest, wins." -- Ben Tripp, CounterPunch
I can't stand the Dixie Chicks, but not because of any anti-war statements they made... Cerebus, the reason why no one cared to write a story about the other concert is because Paul Weller, echo and the Bunnymen, Beth Orton, and Ronan Keating are not real big names in the grand scheme of American pop culture. I'm not saying that everyone knows who the Dixie Chicks are, but they are certainly more recognizable to Joey Flagwaver than any of the other artists you mentioned. Elton John didn't recieve any flak because he's viewed as a nutjob. He doesn't have one particular sexual affiliation and that alone makes him confusing to the powers that be in this country, so his opinion against the war doesn't really rile too many people up. And Yoko? She ruined the Beatles. That says pretty much everything there is to be said about her. The Dixie Chicks got heat because of something vsp alluded to; the fact that they have the word "Dixie" in their name. It's rare that you find commie-pinko-leftist advocates that are proud to be called a word that is associated with racism. But that's only my opinion...
Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery. -Malcom X
Originally posted by CerebusWhy have I only seen ONE FUCKING NEWS OUTLET report on this?
I think it has to do with the difference between having an anti-war protest/concert and actually insulting/disrespecting the president specifically while dragging your entire home state into it.
Speaking of which, I know Tony Blair is all for attacking Iraq, but are there any polls that show how the rest of the U.K./England feel about it? Just curious.
Originally posted by KidbrooklynCerebus, the reason why no one cared to write a story about the other concert is because Paul Weller, echo and the Bunnymen, Beth Orton, and Ronan Keating are not real big names in the grand scheme of American pop culture.
Or to put it another way, Echo and the Bunnymen aren't played on American country music stations -- the kind of stations that keep Lee Greenwood from pumping gas for a living.
"Let me put it another way. In support of our troops, I recently offered one of my angry correspondents on this issue a bet: I will try my damnedest to keep her son out of combat in the Gulf, and she will continue to support the president's war drive. Whoever keeps her son alive longest, wins." -- Ben Tripp, CounterPunch
Originally posted by DJ FrostyFreeze[quotemidSpeaking of which, I know Tony Blair is all for attacking Iraq, but are there any polls that show how the rest of the U.K./England feel about it? Just curious.
All accounts say that the majority of the UK is overwhelmingly opposed to the war, and that Blair is exceedingly close to losing his job because of it.
And I'm pissed off at the Dixie Chicks, not because one of them *GASP* doesn't support the "President", but because she completely pussied out of her comments when that backwoods country music industry got pissed off about it. Fuck Nashville. They've been the kiss of death in the genre anyway.
EDIT: Oh, and Elton John's a homosexual. What's unclear about that?
I probably should have added this to my first post, but ah well, what can you do, right...
The thing I'm really digging about the whole Dixie Chicks thing is that they are a country group. The majority of thier fanbase are hick, country bumpkin, right-wing, shoot everything rednecks types, right? Well, these are EXACTLY the same people who are full on behind war, I would suppose. Hardcore flag wavers and country folk.
Anyways, the Dixie Chicks are supposed to be getting set for a major US Tour here in a few weeks/months. I see ticket sales being horrible, record sales plummeting, and the Dixie Chicks dissapearing into obscurity, which will make ME very happy.
EDIT: Nice sig OlFuzzyBastard, I need to print that out for work now...
(edited by Cerebus on 17.3.03 1106) Cerebus: Barbarian, Prime Minister, Pope, Perfect House Guest.
"Graft is as necessary as throwing up when you drink too much."
Originally posted by CerebusAnyways, the Dixie Chicks are supposed to be getting set for a major US Tour here in a few weeks/months. I see ticket sales being horrible, record sales plummeting, and the Dixie Chicks dissapearing into obscurity, which will make ME very happy.
Don't be too sure about that. They're not exactly churning out Merle Haggard/Hank Williams Jr. honky-tonk barroom-brawl anthems, after all; by blending pop, country and other influences, they've achieved mainstream success beyond the traditional country channels, much as Shania Twain did. When their latest album is quintuple-platinum, their video is all over VH1 and they're preparing to play at MSG, they can probably afford to write off a gig at Bob's Country Bunker.
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." -- Theodore Roosevelt
The thing I'm really digging about the whole Dixie Chicks thing is that they are a country group. The majority of thier fanbase are hick, country bumpkin, right-wing, shoot everything rednecks types, right? Well, these are EXACTLY the same people who are full on behind war, I would suppose. Hardcore flag wavers and country folk.
First off, I hate the Dixie Chicks. But, nothing pisses me off more than stereotyping, especially stereotyping the fans of a group that has sold over 25 million albums (with only 3 releases) and sells out football stadiums. They attract the same audience as Garth Brooks, Faith Hill and Shania Twain. Believe me, fans of these groups are NOT 'hick, country bumpkin, right-wing, shoot everything redneck types' who keep Lee Greenwood from pumping gas (although that is a good line and an even better sentiment). And, the LAST band these 'redneck types' would support is the Dixie Chicks, regardless of their comments about the Bush.
As hard as it is to believe, there are a couple of college educated people in the South and Texas doesn't have the market cornered on idiots. You can find them in any city or town, in any ethnic persuasion, any religion and any political ideology.
Originally posted by CerebusThe thing I'm really digging about the whole Dixie Chicks thing is that they are a country group. The majority of thier fanbase are hick, country bumpkin, right-wing, shoot everything rednecks types, right? Well, these are EXACTLY the same people who are full on behind war, I would suppose. Hardcore flag wavers and country folk.
Boy, for a minute there I was worried you were going to rely on STEREOTYPING to support your argument!
Originally posted by asteroidboyMy only problem is the speed at which she backed off her statement. Stick by it, even if the heat gets a little hot.
I think that's a problem with a lot of the folks in the public eye who make bombastic statements. Once they realized the cash flow could stop, they backtrack like there's no tomorrow...
There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. - Theodore Roosevelt, Ocotber 12, 1915
I just read that their song(s) is sliding right off the charts as radio stations all over the country, many in military base towns, have dropped them from their playlists. I also have to assume that their sales are slipping too.
So here's my question: Is there anything the Dixie Chicks can do in the relatively short-term to stop all of the backlash?
Speaking of which, I know Tony Blair is all for attacking Iraq, but are there any polls that show how the rest of the U.K./England feel about it? Just curious.
Support is up to about 38%. At the turn of the year about 81% said they wouldn't back warr without a 2nd resolution so I suppose while the majority dont support it, support is increasing.
As far as the Dixie Chicks are concerned, there are 101 reasons to hate these girls already. Its not like we really needed ammunition.
I don't hate what they said, I hate that they didn't have the balls to stand by it. Believe what you want, but don't pussy out the second people start disagreeing with you.
"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Soren Aabye Kierkegaard
That guy running over their CDs with a tractor is a little much. I like the idea of playing the originals in place of all their covers. Play Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide," Bruce Robinson's "Traveling Soldier," and that other guys "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia." That is backlash enough.
Such prison conditions as that you described would be just begging for legal action (under the cruel and unusual clause of the Constitution) that I'm willing to bet most governments are not willing to deal with.