Comments on: Proud to Be an American While Hating the Song with that Lyric

By: Eneils Bailey

Eneils Bailey — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:11:31 +0000

Oh,

I almost always shed a tear or two when I hear that song.

Evokes memories of the past, that seem to be be far away, and a long time ago, and always on my mind.

Thanks for making the post. I consider the song to be a tribute to the current day American Soldier.

It's not, that in this age and time, that you find a lot of entertainers, that are willing to profess patriotism in the public arena for fear of losing favor in the public arena.

By: Eneils Bailey

Eneils Bailey — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:52:42 +0000

"Then again, I wasn’t a career soldier."

Me neither, I served my country during the Viet Nam era, I am an older fart. It did not change my mind on what this country stood for.

Did you ever think about becoming a career American?

Yeah, I know it's not fashionable, or enduring to you and your friends, but, maybe sometimes you should reflect on your blessings.

I wake up every morning, run to the bathroom, if I see myself looking back in the mirror, I thank God and for the start of another day of living in America.
I know that sounds a bit pukey to you and friends, but it serves me well.

By: Fence

Fence — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:42:30 +0000

Oh, and I could not help but note, in the crowds you are talking about, there is nothing traditional about irony, and nothing ironic about tradition. If you question this song in the wrong place, everyone there will know you are an "elitist" and that they are therefore better than you.

By: Fence

Fence — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:34:52 +0000

Oh, I thought you were going to tell me he was gay, anti-war commie or something. Now I don't really get this thread. Obviously his flag pin is just bigger than yours.

By: Bithead

Bithead — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:54:01 +0000

I await with interest, suggestions on how to address the subject matter in that song without sounding "hokey, corny, and pabulum-filled".

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:19:08 +0000

What about Lee Greenwood makes it ironic?

It's incredibly hokey, corny, and pabulum-filled. Probably not ironic, though, in any traditional sense.

By: Fence

Fence — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:07:51 +0000

James, spare me the Googling. What about Lee Greenwood makes it ironic? I couldn't even told you he was the one who sung it, I know nothing about him. But living next to a large military base in the Deep South at the time, I practically thought it WAS the national anthem.

By: Independent Liberal » Lee Greenwood is Awesome

Independent Liberal » Lee Greenwood is Awesome — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:34:58 +0000

[...] That is all. [...]

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:51:24 +0000

Pwnd

Alas, you had first mover advantage, getting your anti-Greenwood post in before OTB was even a glimmer in my eye. The earliest anti-Greenwood reference I could find here was July 30, 2003. That's not terrible, given that the since only launched that January. I attacked with somewhat more vigor last April.

By: Jim Henley

Jim Henley — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:35:41 +0000

Pwnd

By: Dantheman

Dantheman — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:35:01 +0000

I don't think it is a military thing. In the early 90's, I worked for a law firm in the Philly suburbs where the first named partner was also the head of the county Republicans. As a result, I was sometimes asked to fill up his table at the fundraising dinners. That song was generally sung in lieu of the national anthem, with the attendees standing for it.

By: Boyd

Boyd — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:35:00 +0000

Maybe it is a careerist thing. I was about 3/4 of the way through my Navy career when the song came out. Then and now, it always has a powerful impact on me whenever I hear it.

By: Bithead

Bithead — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:34:13 +0000

I actually thought "IOU" was his best. Played it at weddings, for years.

By: Triumph

Triumph — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:30:03 +0000

By the time I turned 20, it made me want to wretch.

You probably don't wear an American Flag lapel pin either! Commie!

By: Jo

Jo — Mon, 05 May 2008 13:51:25 +0000

My husband's head about explodes when he hears this song. He was stationed in Germany when it came out and he said it was playing everywhere. I too am sick of it - not the message because that is powerful - its like we're all hung over from a night out on the town and all that's available for breakfast is more of the same!