Merle Haggard: "Let's Get Out of Iraq"

I've been a country music fan for almost fifty years. In my musical taste, it's about as close to Rock as I can stand, Classic Rock and Old-Time Rock 'n Roll excepted. Having said that, I'm sick and tired of some of the artists who are exploiting fake patriotism to make a buck. They ain't makin' any off of me, and that's all I can do about it. I do have all the Dixie Chicks' albums. Anyway, it was heartening to see this piece at Counterpunch. It looks like (Don't Fix That Flat Tire) Merle's finally makin' up for his anti-protest songs from the '60s when he was tryin' to make a buck.

That said, there is little doubt that Haggard's achievements will stand as being among the highest in all of popular music history, not just in country music. His new album, Chicago Wind, is a fresh reminder of just why he is so important. And it speaks volumes about him that he was asked this year to open shows for both Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones.

At age 68, he's just about seen it all and done it all and heard it all, but he still has many things on his mind. Over the years, he's commented on the state of affairs in this country, but he's never been politically predictable. Haggard has always been deeply patriotic, but obviously that does not always mean hewing to a particular political stance or political party. He speaks his mind.

"That's the News," his 2003 song commenting on Iraq, pretty much chastised the government and the media for swallowing the administration's spin that the war was over and won. Now he moves on to the matter of the U.S. being in Iraq, period. "Rebuild America First" is pretty honest and blunt. In part, he sings:

"Yea, men in position but backing away
Freedom is stuck in reverse
Let's get out of Iraq and get back on the track
And let's rebuild America first."

Haggard also comments on the current political and social scene in the song, "Where's All the Freedom?" He describes a country almost paralyzed by uncertainty, a nation where the Ten Commandments can't be displayed, where the grandparent of a soldier in Iraq can't afford to buy gasoline to drive to the grocery store, where individual rights are uncertain anymore.

He concludes: "Are we a nation under God anymore/How long do we cower down/Is this really still our ground/Our country is like a prisoner of war/Where's all the freedom that we're fightin' for."

As a revered country music pioneer -- and as an American citizen -- Haggard has earned the right to speak out. I think it's laudable that he does so when many other country artists feel -- rightly so, unfortunately, in many cases -- that to do so would jeopardize their careers with retail and radio. They're probably right. It would risk harm to their careers. Haggard isn't worried about that anymore. Good for him, agree with him or not. Country music was built on frankness and honesty. It still needs frankness and honesty.

Country music ain't the only thing in this country that needs frankness and honesty. The government, the media, and a large percentage of the ignoramuses who think they're good citizens for buying the administration's christo-fascist bullshit citizenry should be made to swallow huge doses of it until they come to realize our country is goin' to croak without it and start likin' it.

Thank you, Merle.