Strategy: How to respond to Dixie Chick Manager's comments

Cincinatti Enquirer ^ | 3/18/2003 | jagrmiester

[jagrmeister]

This is a brainstorm post for FREEPER activists on how to best respond to the Dixie Chicks's manager's latest comments. For a quick review of the comments, try here (http://enquirer.com/editions/2003/03/18/tem_tvpix18.html). Here is the gist of it:

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In an e-mail to stations distributed by Sony Music, their label, Renshaw says the protest has been orchestrated by the Free Republic (www.freerepublic.com) , a Web site "for independent, grassroots conservative, " according to founder Jim Robinson of Fresno, Calif. The Web site also alleges that recent anti-war protests are "communist-organized demonstrations."

"Your company is being targeted by a radical right-wing online forum," Renshaw says in the e-mail. "You are being `Freeped,' which is the code word for an organized e-mail/telephone effort attempting to solicit a desired response."

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First, let me say my blood is boiling. I thought Maines' apology had put things to a rest. I was placated. But for the Dixie Chicks manager to create the impression that we conservatives are a "radical right-wing" mob; it didn't sit well with me.

However, it's important that we respond in a measured and effective way.

Renshaw is cleverly trying to shift the focus of the "Dixie Chicks Outrage" discussion towards this so-called "radical right-wing" conspiracy, taking attention away from the Dixie Chicks behavior - Shift the blame, scapegoat, and villify the opposition. And of course he must use the "C"-word; a conspiracy.

My sense is that we (we being Free Republic or conservatives) must not become the issue. The issue felt by middle America, whether or not Free Republic existed, is that they were being dishonored by the Dixie Chicks going to criticize the President on the eve of war. I'd like to propose a few things (as I usually do) and ask for any and all suggestions:

1. All patriotic Americans, members of Free Republic or not, should persist in boycotting the Dixie Chicks and radio stations that egregiously disrespect their listenership by playing the Dixie Chicks often. After Maines' apology, my outrage subsided; now however, I can go on for a while until we get an apology out of Renshaw.

2. When acting, we do not need to make readily obvious our politics or membership in Free Republic. Our outrage represents no specific location or ideology- it is simply as Concerned Americans.

3. We must focus some of our efforts at Renshaw himself because he appears to be a SIGNIFICANT part of the problem. He WON'T let the problem go away. He is an ideologue and that is obvious with his language and the way he characterized Free Republic. Sony Music must feel some of this wrath. The Dixie Chicks must be encouraged to drop Renshaw. His comments are unacceptable and make Maines' apology hollow. Last but not least, he knows how to play the communications game and is therefore a greater problem for us. Our outrage at Renshaw should not stem from the fact that as FREEPERS or conservatives, we were offended. This would simply play into his hands. I may be wrong here. But I think our point to Sony should be that you guys (Sony Music) just sent out an e-mail dismissing the genuine concern of patriotic Americans as nothing more than the product of partisan conspiracy! Have you no respect for your customer base that you have to defame those who had an honest disagreement with the Dixie Chicks' actions? This idea of scapegoating the nationwide reaction against the Dixie Chicks and villifying the scapegoat is unacceptable. It might even make sense to send two separate letters to Sony- one as a Concerned Customer, the other as a Concerned Conservative.

------- As far as stubborn radio stations, and I have encountered plenty, we cannot allow them to turn this into a "free speech issue". It is not one. It is a matter of listener interest; we are put off by the Dixie Chicks, we don't want to listen to them and if you keep playing them against the wishes of your listenership, I can only assume it's because you (the radio station) are doing so because you're putting your own personal politics over good programming decisions. And the second comeback "they've already apologized" has now been evicserated. Their apology is HOLLOW as demonstrated by the fact that their manager has antagonized all patriotic Americans as radical, conspiracists.

Any replies welcome.

Activist Steps we can take

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1. Relentless with Radio Stations: List of Radio Station contact information is here - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/863302/posts

2. Contact Sony Music: http://www.sonymusic.com/sony/corpcomm.html (perhaps ask for an explanation for Renshaw's comments or Renshaw's email contact information)

3. Influence Public Opinion: Internet message boards on Dixie Chicks, polls, etc.

[Tigercap]

I'm in.

[doug from upland]

I'll respond with a parody song. I've written one to BLAME IT ON THE BOSSA NOVA and will post it tomorrow morning.

[Mr_Magoo]

Well, My LTE is a place to start getting ideas.

[DiScOx]

count me in

[DiScOx]

btw......your nick is all too kewl.....LOL

[gortklattu]

I have registered my disgust with that group of unprincipled country sluts who traveled abroad and criticized a president who has the guts to take on a ruthless dictator.

Those chicks are too stupid to understand WHY they were wrong. It is not a matter of politics, it's a matter of principles. Bar sluts don't have principles, they just have an insatiable need for attention and money.

I will no longer give them any business.

[Celtjew Libertarian]

It's simple. We were upset by Maines's comments. We organized, using the Internet to coordinate ourselves in expressing our displeasure, just like any other group of people, left-wing, right-wing, or center-wing are free to do.

[swheats]

Does FR really have that much political power to sway the world into a particular way of thinking? If that be true 2004 elecions will be a cakewalk in getting rid of dim liberals.

Mr. Renshaw once again has belittled his base, in making statements that Chick fans are not able to make up their own minds of what's offensive and out of line. He must be a liberal.

[LiteKeeper]

bump

[Huck]

Other than the "weasel" comment, I thought he described us pretty well. Organized? active? Right Wing? Radical? Someone let me know when he says something insulting.

[Porterville]

What can our Cabal do to conquer these brainless twits? She we bring in the Rothchilds and Bildebergers or just the folks in the Skull and Bones??

[Porterville]

What can our Cabal do to conquer these brainless twits? Shall we bring in the Rothchilds and Bildebergers or just the folks in the Skull and Bones??(excuse me)

[usastandsunited]

"Your company is being targeted by a radical right-wing online forum," Renshaw says in the e-mail. "You are being `Freeped,' which is the code word for an organized e-mail/telephone effort attempting to solicit a desired response."

Uh. ok. I've been living under a rock the last week and wasn't aware all of this has been going on. As the husband of huge fan of the Dixie Chicks, I will pass this little "cute" comment over to my wife, along with the original comments made be one of the Dixe Chicks.

[jagrmeister]

I'm glad to see the interest. If any of us gets Renshaw's email address or the appropriate contact information for the person to reach at Sony Music, let's post it here so that we can communicate with them en masse. It's important to put the heat on Sony Music- after all they sent out that memo to the radio stations on their letterhead. They should feel the criticism in two ways:

1. Concerned Customers: Who are angry that Sony Music has dismissed them as "radical" malcontents operating as part of some "conspiracy". The request should be for Sony to renounce its characterization of the millions of patriotic Americans who have expressed their point of view about the Dixie Chicks to radio stations nationwide. I am not going to mention I am conservative, Republican, or a member of Free Republic as that would only undermine the message.

or

2. Concerned Conservative: Objecting to the way Free Republic was described and how conservatives were depicted by their memo. Challenge them to renounce their criticism of the largest mainstream conservative community online.
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I think we'll be more effective if we communicate respectfully and make a clear request. Let's avoid digressions about other perceived unfairness and name-calling.

As a separate matter, would it be useful for Free Republic to issue a memo to radio stations countering the propaganda by Sony Music and clarifying what the organization is about. Something along the lines of: "We are simply being scapegoating for the outpouring of criticism that Natalie Maines' comments have created. Furthermore, the organization is a mainstream community for patriotic Americans and we object to being labeled [fill-in-blank]. It is important that radio stations do not accept Sony's defamation of conservatives as a justification for their band's own behavior."

[jagrmeister]

Celtjew- you raise a very good point. There is no reason to be ashamed that we are organized. Any citizen group is organized. But I do think it's important for the radio stations to know that the outpouring of criticism they've been getting from the Dixie Chicks isn't from what Renshaw the termed the "radical right" and it's some sort of conspiracy that, due to our organization, are giving a inflated sense of outrage at the Dixie Chicks. How would you deal with that?

[HAL9000]

If you absolutely have to have a Dixie Chicks album - don't buy one.

Instead, borrow a CD, put it in your computer and burn your own bootleg copy.

And burn free copies for your liberal family members and friends so they won't need to buy it either.

Renshaw would have a stroke if this tactic caught on.

[jagrmeister]

Sorry, really bad grammar on my part. Let me try again.

Celtjew- you raise a very good point. There is no reason for us to be ashamed that we are organized. Any citizen group is organized. But I do think it's important for the radio stations to know that the outpouring of criticism they've been getting against the Dixie Chicks isn't strictly from what Renshaw termed the "radical right" and that it's some sort of conspiracy which, due to Free Republic's organization, is giving them an inflated perception of outrage at the Dixie Chicks. How would you deal with that?

[JoJo Gunn]

Their "manager" is an incredible idiot, and has done more damage now. I've heard about this all across the spectrum. It's mind boggling to lay the blame on this site. What of Limbaugh, Hannity, the Black Avenger, Liddy, Laura Ingraham, Larry Elder, (all I've personally heard make comments), comments from radio personalities on a local level, the countless media articles relayed here, etc?

Am I to assume this memo retracts Maines' "apology"?

[ppaul]

The Dixie Ditsy Chicks