[altroots] Reality Check

Reality Check

By Rodger French
September 11, 2005

(Actually heard on the radio while driving from Atlanta, GA to Fairhope, AL
on September 9, 2005.)

Laura Bush: The images of Katrina's aftermath that we've seen over and over
again are "not representative of what happened."

Coast Guard rescue helicopter crewman (whose name I didn't get, I regret to
say): The situation in New Orleans was "worse than it looks."

Black radio station somewhere south of Montgomery: "If you don't want to
hear about it on the news, don't let it happen."

And now it's September 11, 2005. Four years after the towers fell, we've
come a long way: disaster in Iraq, a diaspora of Black Americans and a
worsening economy (unless you're rich, of course). Meanwhile, Osama is
somewhere laughing his butt off. One would think that this anniversary of
9/11 - which occurs on a Sunday, no less - would be a time for sober
assessments and serious reflection.

But this is the good old U.S.A., and there's nothing wrong with this country
that a shot of jingoistic flag-wavin', boot-scootin' and ass-kickin' won't
cure.

My favorite inspirational event today takes place today in Washington, DC; a
Pentagon-sponsored parade followed by a concert featuring country singer
Clint Black. Mr. Black, who looks very good in a cowboy hat, was born in
1962. Here is his military service record:

[                                                     ]

Since the maximum age for enlistment in the armed forces has been increased
to 45, Mr. Black would seem to be a prime candidate to pop right down to the
recruiter's office and put his money where his mouth is. That would be this:

"IRAQ AND ROLL," words and music by Clint Black and Hayden Nicholas.
(Excerpted without permission.)

I RAQ, I RACK'EM UP AND I ROLL
I'M BACK AND I'M A HIGH TECH GI JOE
I PRAY FOR PEACE, PREPARE FOR WAR
AND I NEVER WILL FORGET
THERE'S NO PRICE TOO HIGH FOR FREEDOM
SO BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD

I ROCK, I RACK'EM UP AND I ROLL
I'M BACK AND I'M A HIGH TECH GI JOE
I'VE GOT INFRARED, I'VE GOT GPS AND
I'VE GOT THAT GOOD OLD FASHIONED LEAD
THERE'S NO PRICE TOO HIGH FOR FREEDOM
SO BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD

NOW YOU CAN COME ALONG
OR YOU CAN STAY BEHIND
OR YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE WAY
BUT OUR TROOPS TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE
FOR THE GOOD OLD U.S.A.

"There's no price too high for freedom." Your patriotism is truly inspiring,
Clint. But as you help the Bush Junta round up 9/11, the Iraq War and
Hurricane Katrina with a red, white & blue lasso and tie them all together
into one big rodeo spectacle, remember: talk is cheap. And until I see your
ass in a uniform "taking out the garbage," I'll assume you're still taking
your cues from First Cowboy and Chickenhawk-in-Chief George W. Bush.

All hat and no cattle.

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