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Dixie Chicks ad censored
NBC and CW networks have refused to run ads promoting the Dixie Chicks movie, Shut up &Sing.
The movie is about the Dixie Chicks' controversial statement against the U.S. president and the invasion of Iraq, according to the company that is distributing the film. You can view the ad here. Alan Wurtzel, head of standards and practices at NBC. "There are times when some advertisers get more publicity for getting their ad rejected," according to wire reports. Wurtzel said his company has a policy not to accept commercials on issues of public controversy, such as the Iraq war or abortion. The film takes a look at how they reacted to and stuck together in the immediate aftermath of the Bush controversy that threatened to break their careers. The Dixie Chicks' lead singer Natalie Maines, Emily Robison, and Martie Maguire performed at a concert in Shepherds Bush in London in 2003, which happened to be at the same time as the start of the Iraq war. Natalie told fans she was ashamed that the American president was from Texas. The comment, although well received in the UK, created a huge political storm on the other side of the Atlantic. Bush supporters denounced the band, country music fans boycotted their songs, with some going on the rampage and destroying their CDs. Radio stations also stopped playing their music and Natalie even received death threats. But she says she still wouldn't have done things differently. So, do you think there's some big government conspiracy against three women who call themselves chicks, or is this appropriate controls on controversial ads?Posted by Steve E. Swenson
57 comments from 13 users
posted by
robbwillis
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:13 PM
I saw a clip from the movie. It looks like it was made by the director of that Blair Witch movie with the same super 8 camera. If radio stations quit playing their music and their fans destroyed their CDs, couldn't it be arranged for Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, John Cougar Mellencamp and the Eagles to say they were ashamed the American president was from Texas?
posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:19 PM
Good one Robb. LOL. They public will speak with their wallets just as they always do. Courageous? HA..now THAT's a laugh. I couldn't view the ad because it told me I had to download something to view it and it ain't worth it to me. I did, however, read the article. I'm sure they knew the risks they took when they took their stance and if you look back historically you'll see lots of entertainers got "blacklisted" or boycotted over controversial issues. I never had any use for their music or style to begin with so they are no loss to me. I just can't say that around my granddaughter..she'd tar and feather me. It's a subject we don't discuss. posted by
TomW
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:31 PM
First, Robb, There is no John Cougar Mellencamp anymore. Just John Mellencamp. Kinda like Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship and Starship. :) This whole staying away from controversy thing is silly. They are playing a political game with the FCC, probably have a ruling coming up and don't want to bite the hand that feeds them.
posted by
tkozy
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:32 PM
Those Nashville artists. That spoke out the loudest against the Dixie Chicks.. NEVER SERVED… posted by
nooneisabovethelaw
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Hell, I'd be ashamed if I was from Texas, too. I'm ashamed he calls himself an American. Is it November 2008 yet? Please?
posted by
nooneisabovethelaw
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:45 PM
We've had two presidents (sort of) from Texas...LBJ and GWB. Not exactly a good track record from the Lone Star State when it comes to presidencies.But then, what do you expect from a state that has built an entire mythology around its history of making a brave stand against the Mexican Army...as the Texicans, squatting on property that wasn't theirs, valiantly fought for the freedom to own slaves? That's the part they seem to neglect to tell anybody. Land thieves...who cry out long and loud about property rights...when they stole Texas from Mexico...and did so because Mexico forbade slavery. Doubtless Mr. Bush isn't aware of that...since he seems unaware of just about everything. And a majority of Americans voted for him in one election? How stupid can we be as a people? Pretty stupid, I'd say. posted by
TomW
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:49 PM
Yeah, except that Bush isn't "from" Texas. He's an Ivy league Connecticut WASP. Even his White House bio says he was born in New Haven. I did notice from the White House site that they don't mention he lived in Bako for a year or two.
posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:58 PM
Lots of people live lots of places but it doesn't always need to be mentioned. He wasn't in Bakersfield long enough for it to matter. That blip was much ado about nothing...kinda like "Lincoln slept here." I was born in AZ but have lived in CA since I was a year old. Should I not call myself a Californian? How many years do you have to live in a place before you become "from" that state?As for Texans being land thieves. Isn't that what they say about CA? And isn' t that what they say about the pilgrims and the Indians? Or the midwesterners and the Indians? How many people do you know whose ancesters were not immigrants from another country? TK...do you have a link to the site that tells you that the folks who spoke out the loudest about the chicks "never served?" Are you saying that the vast number of country music fans who bowed up against the chicks never served? There's that broad brush again. Did I miss anyone who commented on this topic? posted by
dusty1215
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:58 PM
I think the networks will stay away from anything they want..as long as they can label it controversial.
posted by
dusty1215
on Oct 30, 2006 at 12:59 PM
Nancy, many folks went out and bought their albums just as a show of support for the Dixie Chicks. Solidarity is big with the left :)
posted by
tkozy
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:04 PM
Give me a name.. Who do you want the link too. I will get it for you..
posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:05 PM
Dusty..I'm sure they did and that's a good thing...solidarity. Unfortunately the chicks record sales plunged and their concert ticket sales plunged so it seems the majority didn't appreciate their comments. I just read an article about that the other day..wonder if I can find it. I'm packing and dusting and sorting while I stick my nose in here so, right now, I can't find anything...except stuff I couldn't find the last time I looked for it. And things I forgot I had. And don't need. But can't get rid of.People should move more often than every 9 years. I need to write a book. "The Diary Of A Pack Rat." posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:07 PM
LOL TK..you said "the artists who spoke out the loudest against the Dixie Chicks never served" with such conviction I thought surely you had gotten that from a reliable source you could point us to.
posted by
tkozy
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:16 PM
Who is the nut that sings all the war songs.. He did not serve...... Pundits & Preachers * Sean Hannity: did not serve. * Rush Limbaugh: did not serve (4-F with a 'pilonidal cyst.') * Bill O'Reilly: did not serve. * Michael Savage: did not serve. * George Will: did not serve. * Chris Matthews: did not serve. * Paul Gigot: did not serve. * Bill Bennett: did not serve. * Pat Buchanan: did not serve. * John Wayne: did not serve. * Bill Kristol: did not serve. * Kenneth Starr: did not serve. * Antonin Scalia: did not serve. * Clarence Thomas: did not serve. * Ralph Reed: did not serve. * Michael Medved: did not serve. * Charlie Daniels: did not serve. * Ted Nugent : did not serve. http://seat.defcode.com/ind... posted by
steveeswenson
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:25 PM
Okay, you guys can rag about politics, music and anything else, but Texas is sacred. It has a right to be boastful about its countenance if for nothing else because the best cheerleaders in the world are in Big D.My other thought on all this is regular political ads are every bit as harsh as this movie ad and you don't see the networks turning those down. I'm ashamed of NBC for this. posted by
tkozy
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:35 PM
Toby Keith did not server.. In August 2003, Keith publicly declared he was done feuding with Maines 'because he's realized there are far more important things to concentrate on' Also: Keith considers himself "a conservative democrat" who is sometimes embarrassed for his party."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik... posted by
Hardliner4freedom
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:43 PM
It's evil and despicable for the Dixie Chicks to love freedom, but it's okay for Charlie Daniels to hate it.. I think I'm figuring this out. Pro-freedom = bad. Anti-freedom = good and wholesome. . It's bad for Dixie Chicks to criticize Bush, but it's okay for Merle Haggard to sing hateful songs about hippies. . Yeah, I think I got it. . (For the record, I think they should all be free to do all of the above. And I will continue to support Green Day. I think that makes us about even. :-) posted by
ProgressivePete2
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:52 PM
Just cuzJust cuz Just cuz we're outlaws, yeah! posted by
dusty1215
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:54 PM
Steve, that is an excellent point. The political ads are gross and in many cases outright lies or innuendos.
posted by
dusty1215
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:57 PM
Nancy, I am aware that their sales plummeted after they spoke out. But I did buy one of their cds in support even though I hate country music with every fiber of my being.
posted by
ProgressivePete2
on Oct 30, 2006 at 01:59 PM
dusty, I can't even walk into the Country section. ; )
posted by
tkozy
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:04 PM
Don't put Merle on the Pro war band wagon.. It just doesn't play in Bakersfield..Merle has got his head on straight.. Merle Haggard - America First posted by
TomW
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:09 PM
Nancy, when someone asks you where you're from, do you say California? My brother, who was born in Chicago and was raised in Bakersfield since he was nine months old always says he was born in Chicago, but raised in Bakersfield. Bush also spent most of his holidays and etc. in Kennebunkport. I think Texas is a great state. That's why it hurts me that Bush has tried to claim it.
posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:17 PM
I used to be a country fan..two steppin' and all but I got pretty tired of "Bubba Shot The Jukebox" and the fact that country went pop/rock. I don't listen to much music of any kind now though but I am partial to the bluesy types.I had to do a HUH? over the Charlie Daniels hating freedom thing. He has always been a patriot. Which song are you talking about? Refresh my memory. And what was unAmerican about Merle's song? I'm assuming you're talking about Okie From Muscogee. The line "If you don't like it leave it, let my song be a warning to you..If you're running down my country man, you're walking on the fighting side of me." That's unpatriotic? And hateful about hippies? WOW..have we listened to different songs? As for hating country music..that's ok. You're entitled. I HATE opera..all that screeching. And Jazz, progressive or otherwise, sounds like 3-5 intruments all playing a different song. (except for scat that is). Hard rock sounds like no one tuned their instruments so they play it as loud and hard as possible to cover up the lack of talent and discord. Hip Hop and rap, when it's over feels like somone finally got off my foot. Big Band makes me want to dance. Show tunes aren't much without the show. Soft rock and some classic rock is good. Soooo..what did I leave out? I think music is for the listener...and thank God we don't all have to listen to the same thing. It would be my luck that the only music available would be acid rock. posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:23 PM
Tom, When someone asks me where I'm from I always say Bakersfield. I was raised here and my roots are here...by my choice as well as by parental choice.It doesn't matter where you were born...it's where your heart is that counts. Vacations in another area don't count. Do you have any idea how many years of Bushes life were spent in TX. Not counting college..people do go away for that. He doesn't have a Yankee accent..it's definetly Southwest. And Laura is a TX gal through and through. My entire family is from TX..born and bred. I was the odd kid out due to my Dad working in AZ when the stork decided to deliver. It was back to TX when I was about 6 weeks old and on to CA when I was about a year. So, where would you say I was "from?" posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:29 PM
I read a while back that Merle had a change of heart with his views on the war so I wasn't surprised at the video. I've gotta say though..the folks on here who HATE country music might like to just read the lyrics because the music and singing are country to the core. :-) posted by
tkozy
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:34 PM
Not sure if he is still there. But Merle had grandson in Iraq.. posted by
TomW
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:36 PM
Bush's accent is largely dependant on where he is and who he's talking to. As for you, I'd say you're born in AZ, from TX and raised in CA. It just seems like it'd feel weird to me to omit something like that if asked where I was from. My girlfriend is from upstate NY, but was raised in Arkansas from when she was 3.
posted by
Hardliner4freedom
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:40 PM
Actually, Nancy, I say that about Charlie Daniels because I heard him on talk radio some time ago, where he basically announced jumping on the "culture war" bandwagon. . Haggard -- the song that you quote is "Fighting Side." Okie from Muskogee seems to have more unfriendliness toward hippies, but it's pretty obvious (to me) that he's singing about (against) hippies in the "Fighting Side" song. posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:42 PM
When I'm feeling contrary..which I do often because of the way the question is asked... I tell people I'm "FROM" AZ but "IN" Bakersfield.People generally ask that question wanting to know where you live..not where you were born and that's why I generally say Bakersfield. But like I said..when I'm feeling contrary.......... posted by
tkozy
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:47 PM
posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:48 PM
You're right about the titles...I'm losing my country grip...just not some of the lyrics. Too ingrained I guess.
As for being unfriendly towards hippies..you have to remember that was a different era when people weren't so tolerant of the anti war folks. The word "hippie" brought visions of flag burners, draft card burners, pot smoking, acid dropping opt out people.
What did "jumping on the cultural wagon" mean? Out of context it isn't really clear. posted by
Hardliner4freedom
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:52 PM
I understand about the different era. (Those Haggard songs still grate on me, because I'm in situations where I have to listen to it.)
posted by
TomW
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:57 PM
I guess I usually feel contrary then. I guess it's about context. If I'm in an airport, I say I'm from Oakland. I figure the folks at the airport bar in Vegas aren't looking for my life story. :) As for the Merle song:I hear people talkin' bad About the way we have to live here, in this country Harpin' on the wars we fight An' grippin' 'bout the way things oughta be An' I don't mind 'em switchin' sides an' Standin' up for things they believe in When they're runnin' down my country, man They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me Runnin' down the way of life Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep If you don't love it, leave it Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin' If you're runnin' down my country man You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me I read about some squirrely guy Who claims, he just don't believe in fightin' And I wonder just how long The rest of us can count on bein' free They love our milk an' honey But they preach about some other way, of livin' When they're runnin' down my country, hoss They're walkin' on the fightin' side of me Yeah, walkin' on the fightin' side of me Runnin' down our way of life Our fightin' men have fought and died to keep If you don't love it, leave it Let this song I'm singin' be a warnin' When you're runnin' down my country, man You're walkin' on the fightin' side of me posted by
dgrealish
on Oct 30, 2006 at 02:58 PM
Google won't put a link to it's web site on Bill O'Riley's web site. Apparently, Google doesn't agree with his politics. I doubt many on the left buy O'Riley's books. It's their prerogative. I haven't read any Al Franken books since Daily Affirmations by Stuart Smally. Merle Haggard's songs are generally about the working man, and follow a much more liberal than Conservative ideology. However he is an icon in this conservative household. The Dixie Chicks are within their rights to say anything they want, anywhere they want, and as consumers we can buy their merchandise and tickets or not. Last time I checked, the networks were within their rights to accept or reject advertising from whom ever they wish. It is after all, a free country. If liberals are so concerned with the Chicks, perhaps they should go watch their whiny movie. Better yet, buy out entire viewings. Invite your friends. Take the kiddos. Make a family night of it. But don't try to force them or their politics on the those of us who won't support them with our own hard earned money. They've made their point. They're not ready to make nice. Maybe they can turn their waning careers around without "making nice", but I rather doubt it. posted by
robbwillis
on Oct 30, 2006 at 03:01 PM
Tom, You can take the Cougar out of John Mellencamp, but not the crappy music. posted by
NancyII
on Oct 30, 2006 at 03:13 PM
Interesting to compare those words of Merle's then with the song in the link above. ------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------- -------------- Dixie Chick: adj: meaning a chick from dixie & nbsp; &n bsp; noun: Natalie (of a singing group with minimal talent) & nbsp; &n bsp; verb: to talk instead of sing, neither of which they are good at later meaning: controversial group of women with foot in mouth disease posted by
TomW
on Oct 30, 2006 at 03:15 PM
I feel bad for him. I saw him in an interview once where he said, "It's never been cool to like me." Ouch.edit: John Cougar, not Merle. posted by
tkozy
on Oct 30, 2006 at 03:19 PM
Title: America First lyricsArtist: Merle Haggard lyrics
Written by: Merle Haggard Why don't we liberate these United States Our highways and bridges are falling apart ---- Instrumental Interlude ---- Who's on the hill and who's watching the valley Yeah, men in position but backing away ---- Instrumental Interlude ---- Why don't we liberate these United States posted by
Hardliner4freedom
on Oct 30, 2006 at 03:25 PM
Looks like Tom is right. He'll continue to be disliked, based on lyrics like those... ;-). I don't even have a Dixie Chicks CD. But I find myself instinctively defending anyone who is attacked so viciously for criticizing Bush or the Iraq War. (Reminder: Iraq is way down my own list of priorities. The war has absolutely no bearing on my vote next week.) . Maybe I should buy one. I've purchased books because groups have tried to ban them -- and some of those books are tons more expensive than a CD. . But Dgrealish is right about one thing. We have the right to vote with our dollars, just as I exercise my right not to buy anything Charlie Daniels. May freedom ring. posted by
dgrealish
on Oct 30, 2006 at 03:26 PM
Yeah, it's a far cry from some of his old lyrics. But a poet is a poet, no matter what the message. That's whay he's still an icon in my house.& nbsp; & nbsp; Are the Good Times Really Over For Good I wish a buck was still silver and it was back when the country was strong. Are we rollin’ downhill like a snowball headed for hell? I wish Coke was still cola and a joint was a bad place to be. Are we rollin’ downhill like a snowball headed for hell? Stop rollin’ downhill like a snowball headed for hell. posted by
mattloch
on Oct 30, 2006 at 03:26 PM
I wouldn't sweat about Olbermann, Adam. His ratings are strong enough to keep him safe. If he ever slipped, even an inch, all bets are off. Interesting piece about his situation versus Donahue's, over here. Did anyone see his (Olbermann's) piece on the White House's stepping away from "stay the course"? The closest thing I've ever seen on a national news show to The Daily Show's treatment of bold-faced lying by the White House. Do they not know that we have access to video tape and "the Google"? posted by
TomW
on Oct 30, 2006 at 04:05 PM
Here's an ad that highlights the "stay the course" thing: http://www.youtube.com/watc...I like that Merle song, dg. Except for the "man in the field / woman in the kitchen" bit. I like cooking. :) I wish more people would stand up for the flag and ring the liberty bell. It's ok though, after we're through these elections and the next ones, I think we'll finally get some people in charge who will do both of those things. posted by
dusty1215
on Oct 30, 2006 at 04:55 PM
Speaking of KO..time for Countdown :)
posted by
anonymous
on Oct 30, 2006 at 10:47 PM
Are you gays counting your chickens just a little early on the election? posted by
anonymous
on Oct 30, 2006 at 10:48 PM
Sorry. Meant to say "you guys." But I guess either will work.
posted by
TomW
on Oct 30, 2006 at 11:24 PM
Nope, we're counting yours. :) posted by
randomfactor
on Oct 31, 2006 at 08:22 AM
The Dixie Chicks were right too soon.. I'm from Texas, I was embarrassed that he adopted my state too... posted by
NancyII
on Oct 31, 2006 at 08:30 AM
Oh for heavens sake..I can't believe anyone would be embarrassed for a state because of anothers actions. That's like apologizing for a family member whose actions you had nothing to do with.
posted by
randomfactor
on Oct 31, 2006 at 08:32 AM
Well, Nancy, Arizona and all...Now, if you wuz from Texas... BAKERSFIELD.COM HOT TOPICS: Loading Stories
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