Merle Haggard's "brilliant" Editorial (my Title)

[faithincowboys]

Hag's Editorial

My closest buddy in 1951, had just got out of the Marine Corps, because they found out he was to young to be a Marine. Besides that, he received an undesirable discharge for whippin' his sergeant. He wanted to reenlist because he was now 18. He straightened up his past don't you see. I was 14 and we thought it might be better to change our names. We enlisted under the names of Bobby Eugene and Roy Leslie Davis. Point being we wanted more than anything to be Marines during the Korean conflict. My older brother James L and cousin Gerald harp were both decorated Marines and saw active battle in world war 2 in the battle of Okinawa, Iwo Jima, and Patalou, I went to both of their funerals with my family. I still get goose bumps when I think about the 21-gun salute and the Marine with a tear in his eye who handed the flag to my brother's wife, Fran. I doubt there are few who care more about the flag than I do. I went to volunteer for the Marines at the tender age of 14 and I'm convinced I would have given my life. I'm sure if necessary. I'd do the same today. But 14-year olds don't ask questions and they certainly don't begin to understand politics. This nation has a history of being a warrior. Young men always pay the dues. And it was America's way to always be behind what America was doing. And the issues and the reasons why were always argued after the fact. Speaking of after the fact it's a national shame the way we treat our vets. You see, to be an American you want to respect everything you know about this great country. Those who have the gumption to investigate, know that the reputation of honesty between the government and the people cannot reflect the reason for a single man to have confidence in what were doing in current day conditions. I'm suspicious, I'm paranoid, and I'm afraid. And the person who says he isn't has not looked up or around lately.

I don't even know the Dixie chicks, but I find it an insult for all the men and women who fought and died in past wars when almost the majority of America jumped down their throats for voicing an opinion. It was like a verbal witch-hunt and lynching. Whether I agree with their comments or not has no bearing. And in the same breath let me say that I have become a fan of this new little kid, Toby Keith. There is some humor in me calling Toby Keith little. God bless this great country and I pray he keeps a close eye on us in these last days. And God knows the headlines of today surely indicate that were living in that time now. Seems lately we're awfully quick to criticize and pleased with ourselves to be part of the majority. As a country we need to look inward for the answers to the energy of the future. We need to bring down our demands for oil, rebuild some bridges and highways and allow the farmers to grow something that replenishes the soil. Those who don't know what that is, should do some research. The problem is not in Iraq and the answers are not in Iran. I hope were not buried alive beneath this pending financial collapse if the pipeline doesn't get through. Surely everything doesn't depend on oil

[faithincowboys]

I really wonder how old Hag gets around in his tour bus. So funny that the people arguing for less use of oil never intend to curb their own usage. Also, he wrote this in June before we got the two sinister sons. If I were these folks, I would be quiet. At the end of the day they are going to look like serious fools, of course they look that way already.

[MJY1288]

Merle Haggard is an ignorant fool. I heard him say that Iraq and Afghanistan are about a oil pipeline. WHAT AN IDIOT

[lysie]

Seems as though I was jumping the gun about old Merle.

Some of his comments do not make me happy.

I think he's been hanging around Willie too much.

[faithincowboys]

Yeah, as he lectures us about oil consumption he is tooling around in his gas guzzling tour bus. He also doesn't seem to remember Sept 11. I tend to think that Hag just wants to be a malcontent, he senses that the theme in country (generally) is to be for the war in Iraq, so he decides he'll be aganist it under the guise of countrified common sense. He seems to be under the spell of a loopy conspiracy theory. Willie's dope must be laced with something that renders the intoxicated dumb. Hag is pushing stupid and I ain't buying. Also Willie is a partisan Dem, and he seems to lead Merle around by the beak. His concern for farms is undermined by the Dems push against GM crops, and their vegan stance don't help the cattle man none either.

I just don't get this foolishness!

[gcruse]

Merle has slipped over the side.
Buh-bye Hag.

[Libertina]

I find it an insult for all the men and women who fought and died in past wars when almost the majority of America jumped down their throats for voicing an opinion
Ill-reasoned, sophomoric remark, imho.

[eyespysomething]

He's said a lot of negative stuff about the Bush Administration, and our actions in the world. I will look for a source, but I believe he said he was a fool, or young, or mistaken about "the fightin' side of me" and "okie from muskogee"

Too much dope smoking.

[okimhere]

I just don't get this foolishness!

SPLAT!!!!

That was my opinion of him dropping into the subbasement. I wonder if the loud adulation of the mesmerized crowds make these entertainers feel like invincible gods, whose opinions they think we crave??

Surely drugs and alcohol alone wouldn't do it, would they??

[the infidel]

Also Willie is a partisan Dem...

Actually, Willie just leans way to the left. He's also supported Green Party candidates and an occasional Libertarian (for one obvious reason) here in Austin.

[BlackElk]

Ya' know, Merle Haggard is the guy who did Okie from Muskogie and Walkin on the Fightin Side of Me. Who is this imposter and what have they done with the real Merle Haggard? Either that or it has been many thousands of gallons from those hits to this flop and I don't mean oil or gasoline. Buy ol' Merle another gallon.

[eyespysomething]

Yeah, I've got no problem with Willie Nelson. He's not real negative, he supports our military. He's done duos with Toby Keith, one about stringing men up for the wicked things they've done. He's done a lot for American farmers, which does keep the feds from having to give more money.

IMO, not everyone is going to agree with me, but be civilized and semi-coherent about it, ok?

[Semper]

I really wonder how old Hag gets around in his tour bus

A tour bus uses less fuel than a jet. Also, you can't use something that has not been developed (a practical alternative to fossil fuel vehicles). Oil is a limited resource and at some point it will have to be used exclusively as a lubricant and not as a fuel.

After the Gulf of Tonkin resolution and LBJ's abuse of office, this government should be extremely careful about its justification for going to war. It appears as though the Bush administration MIGHT have made the mistake of ignoring that fact. Until more facts become available, it is reasonable that there will be a variety of opinions on this matter.

For me, it is too early to tell for sure whether or not this military action was a short term success but a long term mistake. I will wait to see what develops before getting too excited.

[cabbieguy]

Come on, lighten up, ole Merle is a legend in country music, was always a strong supporter of President Reagan, and will always be a true American in my eyes. I have caught myself at times saying things that after some reflection I realized were not my true beliefs. Lets cut Merle some slack, he's still the greatest entertainer in country music.

[LS]

In 1983 I was in Santa Barbara going to school. As part of the "Young Republicans," I volunteered to help with a special event at the "western white house," although this event was not held at Rancho Cielo, but at a friend's (larger) ranch.

My job was driving a secure van with audience members up a single lane road to the barn, where Merle Haggard was going to do an "in concert at the White House," hosted by Beverly Sills. I drove Sills and all of Haggard's band to the concert, although Merle himself took a different car. During the concert I sat right in front of Fred MacMurray, and saw Ron Ely (Tarzan on TV), Mike Connors (Mannix), and several other of the old Hollywood "right."

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I have to agree.

[faithincowboys]

So why should he tour? How does he justify that? Doesn't he have enough money? Of course, his drug use (which often subsidizes Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups) should probably be halted as well! If one preaches about the need to use oil sparingly, they should hang up their hat and live a life of minimal consumption.

By the way, Hag (after the Gulf of Tonkin) stayed on board the Vietnam War. Where was he in Kosovo? Can he honestly argue that that region doesn't pose serious problems to us?

I know he loves the farmers and thinks ethanol will run 280 suvs and pickup trucks, but right now that ain't terribly practical and he should start by example.

Also, why did Saddam defy the UN? Didn't Saddam already use WMD? Isn't it likely that he had them? By the way, accusations of Saddam's WMD pre-date the Bush presidency.

To suggest that Bush is the first and only one to say Saddam had WMD is dishonest and inaccurate!

[faithincowboys]

Presently he is supporting Kucinich who looks like the poster child for RDDBs. And Kuch is absolutely antiwar and anti-soldier.

[faithincowboys]

Presently he is supporting Kucinich who looks like the poster child for RDDBs. And Kuch is absolutely antiwar and anti-soldier.

[Semper]

To suggest that Bush is the first and only one to say Saddam had WMD is dishonest and inaccurate!

I do not suggest that. However, it is certainly possible that all Saddam's WMD have now been distributed to terrorists. When it became apparent that his regime was ending, his hatred of the U.S. would only have increased and it is reasonable he would have acted in desperation to hurt the U.S. in the future.

Trying to discredit an argument by attacking the person making the argument (Merle Haggard) is not an intellectually strong position.

[Ditter]

"You lay down with dogs, you get up with fleas". Its the company Merl keeps. All these entertainers, whether they be singer or actors hang out with each other & this is todays popular refrain. To bad the media gives them a platform as if their opinion is more valid than mine.