Dixie Chick Controversy Hits The South Carolina House

Yahoo Launch ^ | 3/20/03, 6 p.m. ET | Nancy Brooks

[Ed_NYC]

The Dixie Chicks controversy has made it all the way to the South Carolina House. Representative Catherine Ceips introduced a resolution Wednesday (March 19) calling for the country music group to perform for South Carolina troops and their families as a way of apologizing for criticizing President George W. Bush.

Ceips said she received many angry phone calls from people in her district, which includes the U.S. Naval Hospital, the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, and the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort.

Ceips told the house, "A free concert for troops would be a good way for Maines to show she's sorry and could address concerns of people who say they don't want the group to perform in South Carolina at all. I think it's an olive branch to the Dixie Chicks."

The measure passed the House on a 50-35 vote.

The controversy stems from negative remarks Maines made about the president during a concert performance in London on March 10. Even though Maines did apologize for the statement, radio stations across the country have been boycotting the Dixie Chicks' music, and fans have been publicly destroying the trio's CDs.

The Dixie Chicks' Nashville publicist said that the trio has no comment on Ceips's resolution or on performing any free concerts for U.S. troops.

-- Nancy Brooks, Nashville

[Ed_NYC]

I think a free concert for our Marines will be a good thing.

Semper Fi.

[caisson71]

What a copout from a politician. How about them doing a free concert in GERMANY? I wish nobody shows up to this FREE concert.

[Teetop]

I think a free concert IN Iraq for ALL troops would be better. LOL

[Keith in Iowa]

>I think a free concert for our Marines will be a good thing.

The only way it would be a good thing is if the DitzyChicks didn't have to be goaded into doing it. If they were really sorry, they'd be falling all over themselves to do it without any external encouragement.

[battlegearboat]

Maines and Marines...

Like oil and water!

[rs79bm]

If I were the troops I wouldn't show up.

[Stopislamnow]

I think they should refund every single ticket in the US. Then, perform free in pursuit of thier socialist utopian dream.

Barring that, a nice infestation of some sort of bodily vermin on them would be a nice start.

[Radix]

Maybe they should pay people to go to their concert.

They couldn't pay me enough.

[Kewlhand`tek]

this is bull$hit no patriotic military member would attend this bogus concert

[Windcatcher]

If they played for anyone other than Marines (cops, for example), I think the DC's would receive (and deserve) a booing of shocking proportions. Marines, however, would act politely and honorably even for swine.

[sonofatpatcher2]

If I were still in the Marines, I'd walk out on the bitches!

Let them go play in Baghdad tonight. I've got a friend waiting to take them over there:

Okay, boys, toggle them Dixie Gals loose!

[gunnedah]

Let them do a free concert in Baghdad. Just when Shock and Awe starts! Get them to invite all of the Hollywood crowd that is against this and the peace demonstrators to show they stand by their decisions.

[chuknospam]

Geesh, I bet they don't P O any Right-Wing Radicals (Freepers) again. Bwahahahah Let be lesson to ya and don't let door hit your big fat a-- on the way to the washed up artist hall of fame.

[caisson71]

I'd go for that too. Just get the "hens' out of the country they will not defend.

[Bob J]

They're not getting off that easy...

[cubreporter]

You're right. Besides...who wants them now? Their true colors came through.

[faithincowboys]

Better still, they should donate their take from a couple of concert dates to a charity that helps the families of wounded, dead, and impoverished soldiers. that would be a start!!

who wants to hear 2 hours that don't sound as good as the cds by a band headed by an anti-american airhead?

[JoJo Gunn]

You prefer to OFFEND the military members and their families with this insanely ridiculous suggestion? It makes as much sense as sending Garofalo or Sarandon or Hanoi Jane to "boost" their morale!

I say let the Ditzies twist in the wind.

[JavaJumpy]

They just played Germany....how much time/effort/expense does it take to set up a free afternoon show on a base at the spur of the moment?

[wayupthere]

BAD idea! She would most likely be greeted with boos, catcalls and insults. Even with an apology, or even a retraction, the words came out of her mouth and everyone knows how she really feels. It was a VERY stupid comment.