I think that the first real anthem was Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning?" While I love that song, it's not the sort of song some 20 y.o. corporal will have blaring from his loudspeakers of his Abrams while he's rollin' through the deserts of Iraq. It's more of a 9/11 song.

I like Worley's song, but the same comment applies.

I thought Toby's song was, as a song, mediocre.

Lemme know what you think after you've heard it. :-)

Well, from that standpoint, I can see what you mean. I might need to listen to it a few more times to be really enthusiastic. I like Jackson's song, but it's not the Unofficial Anthem for the soldiers type of song, I agree.

I love "The Angry American," and not just because its Toby's song. I thought--and still think--that it perfectly expressed the mood of most of the American people in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. "We are pissed, and we are going to kick your asses." Musically, well, obviously it's not Mozart. I didn't do very well in music theory so I don't feel qualified to comment on its musical value as such. But it captured the mood of the moment at a pivotal time in our history, and as such I think it is, if not a great song, certainly a significant one. I think Alan Jackson's song is similar--Toby nailed the heat-of-the-moment, and Alan Jackson captured the feelings of a later, more reflective, mood. And isn't that what music is really all about?

"The Angry American," by the way, is Alex's current favourite song. I think I told you he had been running around the house singing, "occasionally, talk about me!" The last few days, he's been running around singing, "put a boot up your ass, it's the 'Merican way!" It's hilarious. He knows that word is a "no say" and I think that is part of the delight he is taking in singing that particular line. He's a big Toby Keith fan. Wonder how that happened? :)

I was browsing Clint's site and I found this song -- I love it. I've been a country fan for awhile, but Clint Black is what brought to the genre ('Good Run of Bad Luck' can pull me out of any dark mood.)

In any case, it's a great song and the first of the Iraq war songs. I don't like "Have You Forgotten?" because the premise of the song is a little weak. I support the war. It's just that S11 is not the best justification, IMO.

You're right ceridwen, Jackson's song and Keith's song both capture a post-S11 mood. One last thing -- has anyone heard the 1st track off of 'Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors'? It's called "Comfort Me" and I think it's the best 'pro-America' song that's come out. It's not a war song, it's more in the vein of "American Child" or "Days of America." I really, really like it.

Cheers, Klug

...about "Have You Forgotten." Although I kinda like the song, it makes me wonder what Darrell's on and if he will share some of it. Or is he really that stupid? The premise of the song is weak, but it is the same premise George W. has been using for this damn war. 9/11 is not only not the best justification for this war, it is no justification at all. There is no connection between the two. Saddam didn't do it, Iraq didn't do it, Iraq is not hiding Osama bin Laden, and if we go and kick Saddam's butt, Osama will still be sitting over in Pakistan where he has been all this time, no doubt laughing his ass off and having his operatives planning more bombings.

I support the war--my main objection is that it is about 12 years too late--but tying it to 9/11 really pisses me off. That's what Shrub has done, though. It's not just Darrell Worley. I spend about two hours every day delivering newspapers, and when I'm out there walking I have my headphones on, listening to the radio. When I get tired of listening to music (like when the country station plays Martina McBride) I usually end up tuning in to a very right-wing nutcase's talk show. The people calling him very firmly support the war, and very obviously believe that it has something to do with the War on Terrorism and "getting" Osama bin Laden and preventing terrorism on U.S. soil. And I haven't seen or heard any evidence that it has anything to do with any of that.

The whole Iraq thing is a giant red herring. I haven't figured out what George's real objective is. I don't think it's about oil; I don't think George Bush really gives a damn about the poor oppressed Iraqi's, either. I don't know if he is just trying to draw attention away from the fact that we haven't found bin Laden yet, or trying to draw attention away from the bad economy, or if he just wants to "get Saddam" because his daddy didn't. Or if there is some other reason. Or all of the above. All I know is that he has done a damn good job blowing smoke about this 9/11--Iraq connection.

Getting off my soapbox, and taking this back to the music thang, Darrell Worley's song "Have You Forgotten" debuted on Billboard's country music chart at twenty-something. I bet it will be in the top ten by next week and I wouldn't be at all surprised if it hit number one by the week after that. Looks like George's brainwashing job on America is working pretty well.

Great song. I think people living on the east coast and having 9/ll happen are much more aware of current events than any other part of the country.

And bleeding hearts and draft dodgers who ask "What has Saddam done to us?" Should become aware of all the things Saddam, Bin Laden, and various terrorist groups have done to us and the people in the world.

Or join the antichrists and Babylonians (Iraq is Babylon, the Tower of Babel is 55 miles from Baghdad) by becoming a human shield for them. Perhaps you could guard the oilwells or chemical plants.

I support our troops efforts in bringing the dictorial tryants down.

http://artists.mp3s.com/artists/26embryo.html if you'd like to read my comments each day. Or type in embryo mp3 in Yahoo search go down to 10, you'll see the click on so you can go into artists websites for Embryo Songs...

katydidinnc@yahoo.com

I don't think people living on the East coast are necessarily better informed than people anywhere else in the country. I ain't anywhere near the East, and I consider myself pretty well informed. And 9/11 happened to all of us, no matter where. Sure, the people actually there got hit harder, but watching those towers burn and fall was a kick in the stomach for anybody who saw it--tv brings these things up close and personal and distance in miles suddenly doesn't mean a whole lot anymore.

As for the song, I like it. I kinda liked it the first time I heard it; I have been hearing it a lot lately, and I like it more. I sing along. But it's still bullshit. Saddam and Iraq were not responsible for 9/11. Osama bin Laden is not hiding out in Iraq. Saddam and Osama don't even like each other that much. The only connections are government have managed to make between Saddam and Al-Quaeda are tenuous at best. And to roll it up in a big neat ball and proclaim that the war in Iraq has anything much to do with 9/11 sticks in my craw. If we wanted to find Osama bin Laden, we'd be going door-to-door in Baluchistan, rather than rolling towards Baghdad. I am glad we are over there; I agree that Saddam deserves to be taken out and should have been a dozen years ago. I support our troops; I hope for a quick and successful end to this war and that peace and prosperity shine on the US and Iraq forever and ever, etc. Just don't try to tell me that the war in Iraq has any-fucking-thing to do with 9/11 because I'm not buying it.

My daughter just played for me "Have you forgotten" as I had CNN news on. It brought tears to eyes and a pounding to my heart. Thank you for the song. I think that we all tend to take so very much for granted and some times it takes a song to remind us of all that we have. Thank you for the song!! I only wish that I had had the power to write it. God Bless the USA.

No, I haven't; not for a single day. The events of IX-XI hit some of us harder than others, understandably so. It is a very moving song, but...
For sheer kickass, blastitfromyourAbram's, "Iraq and I Roll" takes it.
I seriously question why we're not hearing more about the atrocities of Saddam & Sons. We know they are a terrorist regime and as such should be considered as part and parcel of the War on Terrorism. This should include kicking the ass of any country that had/has anything to do with terrorism in all its forms. Like it or not, the WTC attacks are part of it. Period.

I heard Darrell's pro war song on the Howard Stern radio show. I must say it is a poke at Americans with the balls to protest their government. Not only is the song insulting to my intelligence but it also suggests that we do not remember 9-11? Remenber this Darrell, we were shocked beyond all belief on that day and now half the country is shocked by the actions of our president. This war will ensure that more attacks and reprisals are committed upon our kids and future generations of Americans. I do not think that Americans are so stupid to believe the ever changing purposes to atack Iraq. First we go in as defenders of America and now we are liberating Iraqi's? We attacked and invaded Iraq, and now we are getting ready to hand these Iraqi's forced fed democracy? And in these "pro active" anthems Darrell Worley encourages Americans to cheer on aggression and a war that will make us the most hated country in the world?

the most American thing you can do in this great country is protest, when you call an opposing idea un American you are also spitting upon the constitution and all the soldiers who died making sure that the enemies of freedom never touched an American shore. We have the right to oppose our govt dont any of you ever forget that. Because bottled water, MRE's, MOAB's and Rumsfeld will never, EVER make a free and grateful nation out of Iraq. We made a monster called Saddam Hussien.

First Im gonna have to say fuck you man, I think this is a great song, and I feel that what we are doing In Iraq is nessasry. We HAVE seen Many ties between sadam and bin laden. Also, have you been watching tv, the people in Iraq seem to be DAMN happy that we are there doing what we are doing, how can you say that they dont like us sticking our noses in and helping them. And if we need to go over there now I can deffinatly tell you that sadam was not pacified in 1991. I Want to say that your just a jackass, you think it sucks that Clint is going to make money off our good men and women's backs, I'll tell you right now my brother is over there and many of my other friends and they would rather see people over here suporting them. It is people like you that make them feel bad, and lower their moral more than anything. I can garentee that my brother and pretty much all of the other soilders over there would love this song and will be blasting it throughtout the country. And as I said before I really like this song, I dont think your son, or even you could write anything better. So again, Shut the fuck up, you dont like what America is doing then leave. The least you can do is suppor our troops, But NO you have to go and bad mouth one of the things that make them happy. All they have is music... no Tv no news papers, cuz of assholes like you protesting this war, they cant see this like that becuase they wouldnt think that We are all behind them, Music is somthing that they love, and this song will deffiantly be at the top of their lists.

While we're on the subject of the War in Iraq, let me add this:
Celebrities of every ilk are decrying their constitutional right to disagree with the war in Iraq and how dare anyone disagree with their opinions.
No one disputes his or her right to speak and dissent. However, we are also free to express our opinions about their behavior. One of the most powerful ways we have of doing that is by not enriching them monetarily in any way. Not paying one thin dime to see their movies, buy their music, etc. And further, it is also our right to dump any of the products of their celebrity that we’ve previously purchased as a form of protest. And remember, too, your TV has a channel selector; feel free to use it.

I have to guess that when you typed your words, bo, that you hoped at least one person would read them.

And then you wrote:

> First Im gonna have to say fuck you man

Geez - what ever happened to saying - "I disagree" - ?

And what is up with the personal attack? Really!?

This is quite a literate and considerate blog - mld puts a great deal of time and effort in researching and expressing the views published here. The least we could do is grant some small measure of this consideration in return.

I do not see anything in sombuddy's post that suggests:

> people like you that make them feel bad

(how do they know s/he does not like one song?)

- or -
> pretty much all of the other soilders over there would love this song

and I am curious what you mean by:

> We HAVE seen Many ties between sadam and bin laden.

But - I expect to be flamed instead of getting good answers. And I have no truck with:

> your just a jackass

> Shut the fuck up

> you dont like what America is doing then leave

I consider those remarks rather unAmerican, by my definition, but permissible - also by my definition of American.

Jane, I've only deleted two comments, ever, to this blog, and both were so ridiculously profane and ignorant as to make Bocephus69's comment look like something out of Vanity Fair. Just thought I'd let you know why those comments are still here.