Two Weeks Notice, part 3

MSNBC has an article on the old non-conundrum that "anti-Americanism" goes hand in hand with admiration for American pop culture. (For a nuanced take on this, see Eric Alterman's excellent Nation article.)

( I proceed to mistake a sweet romantic comedy for a political statement. )

dixie chicks

Via Atrios:

"Just so you know," says singer Natalie Maines, "we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." It gets the [London] audience cheering - at a time when country stars are rushing to release pro-war anthems, this is practically punk rock.

(From the Guardian article. They posted a clarificationon their web site.)

This got me thinking about the Dixie Chicks song "Traveling Soldier", which I'd heard a few times but not really listened to. It's a Vietnam song, about a girl who falls for a draftee, and then (SPOILER!) cries when he gets killed. It's mostly about love, not war, but, you know, he dies and it's sad.

The #2 Google hit for "traveling soldier" is this blog entry , or rather the responses to it. Lots of people relate to it in very personal ways--vets, active soldiers, loved ones--and also some people "[were] like OMG that has to be the most awesome song I have heard yet!!"

open mike report

So okay, while my mind was on anti-war songs, my iPod came up with Men at Work's "It's a Mistake". Which I like. So I adapted it for my funny-tuned guitar and learned it for tonight--figuring I'd better get on it before the line "Is it on then, are we on the brink?" becomes dated. ( Etc. )