The statement of "Too dumb to realize that they continue to vote against their own best interest" is not paternalistic - it is exasperated. It is proven that those in the South and elsewhere voted for social conservatism and an unjust war rather than for their own economic interests. This is something that we have all paid for, and that some have made the ultimate sacrifice for. In a comment on a trite blog about country music, does one really need to get into the logic of a pretty self-explanatory (if you've been paying attention) statement?

Re: John Carter post of 11/12 @ 11:22 PM.

"Too dumb to realize that they continue to vote against their own best interest."

Well there you have it I guess.

Seriously, that is the best expression of a paternalistic, "I know what is good for you, better than you know what is good for you", bias as I have seen recently.

When a person doesn't agree with you they are "dumb".

Got it. So much for attempting to use any kind of logic to persuade or attempt to appeal to their intelligence. If you don't get it, you must be dumb.

JC

I'm actually a pretty nice person and your right, I'm generalizing with NASCAR and country radio to make a point.

I don't need to be preached at by a country artist about how to be a true American. I don't need a lesson in national pride when so much of what I was proud of has been squandered by this "God Fearing President." I hate being reminded of how he was twice elected with the help so many "good ole boys" from the South, who remain too dumb to realize that they continue to vote against their own best interest.

No, I'm not a proud American right now, just an angry one!

Yawn. OnFaith is the most tedious blog. Every post is the same: some liberals judging somebody else's beliefs. Why are liberals so convinced that we all are just sitting back waiting for their shallow and ignorant analysis?

Mr. Carter

I am not from the South, so that isn't really a good measurement for me anyway of how well someone knows about the country music crowd. In fact I don't even live in the United States.

All I was trying to say by "stupid liberal urbanites" was that narrow mindedness exists on both sides of any spectrum. I have met brilliant people who are "rednecks" and "urbanites" as well. As I implied earlier your comments smack of arrogance and superiority and I am not really a big fan of those two characteristic traits so forgive me if I just called like I saw it.

My question or challenge to you was that you spend some time with the people whose opinion you disregard so easily. Your friends may be from the south, but I truly doubt that they are the beer drinking Nascar crowd that you mentioned with disdain in your earlier post.

It is a great thing that the more liberal minded usually tend to show great respect and compassion to those who are different. Unfortunately as your and many other posts demonstrate, that respect and compassion frequently fails to reach rural Americans who continue to be proud of their country and the God they believe in. O well, I guess I'll never understand it since I am so limited in my understanding of the universe.
O that I would one day be as enlightened as those of you inhabiting that strange and surreal place within the Beltway.

Ciao

i suggest y'all watch the movie 'Team America'. it really exposes jingoistic, chest-thumping, i'm-more-patriotic-than-you country music for what it really is: a way to captilize on the deaths of americans in war and terrorist attacks like 9/11. oh well, it is America after all...where freedom costs a buck-0-five.

i suggest y'all watch the movie 'Team America'. it really exposes jingoistic, chest-thumping, i'm-more-patriotic-than-you country music for what it really is: a way to captilize on the deaths of americans in war and terrorist attacks like 9/11. oh well, it is America after all...where freedom costs a buck-0-five.

J.C.

Honey, I am from the South. Born, raised, and still live there as a matter of fact. I am well acquainted with the people I speak of as they are some of my closest relatives, friends, and co-workers. I've now witnessed a complete moron get elected twice to the presidency in large part because of the Southern, Blue Collar, church going, country music listener vote (or "stupid redneck" vote as you might say). And I guess when you use a term like "stupid liberal urbanite" that makes you not prejudiced?

If country radio would play a better variety I might be a little more forgiving of its format and listeners. Unfortunately, every time I try to listen, it seems like they are having a "Rural, American Appreciation Day" and everyone's trying to "out proud" each other.

No thanks, I've had a belly full!!!

"Of course, 'realistic' is a subjective word."

Depressing would be a more accurate description, which is why I stopped listening to Country music a long time ago.

You know what ya'll or yenz get when the wife leaves, the dog dies, and the pick-up truck breaks down, (pause) a good country and western song.

To me it's like Jesus take the wheel or Jesus I crashed call AAA. I am surprised there are not more really, really sad country and western songs out there like "Your Cheatin Heart" or even "Ode to Billy Joe". Bet those sad songs would "sell" today.

Yep, yous knows it's all about supply and demand, capitalism, like Capital Records for example. Point being is don't be a smuck, it's all about marketing.

I think alot of people are smucks to have bought current weather trends as another sign of "The end of the world". Historical capitalists have been known to capitalize on Sourh American civil wars, global warming and failing economies.

Now don't you all get me wrong, shucks, it's Merican to be a capitalist. It's just that in my world extremist capitalism is just as bad as extremist religious practice.

Although today, there are civilized methods to tar and feather politicians.

"Peace out"

Sorry, I had to make another post. How rude of you John Carter to assume that anyone who likes country music, or Nascar, or who supports the war is a stupid redneck. I have lived in big cities and towns as small as 200 people and I have to tell you that there are just many stupid liberal urbanites sipping there Starbucks as there are stupid rednecks sipping back a "cold one" as you say.

Just to get it straight, if I don't believe like you Mr. Carter then it is because I am a victim of too little information or a too little brain? Hmmm. Mind you I haven't even said what I think on the issue. I just know that living in downtown Denver for five years was wonderful in some ways but I also got tired of people devaluaing me because of where I come from and what I believe because it wasn't quite enlightened enough for them. That perhaps is one of the true beauties of country music. It lets people like me be proud of where they come from and how they were raised. If I am not mistaken I think that generalizing people considering where they are from and what they believe is prejudice.

My friendly suggestion for you Mr. Carter is to get a six pack of Dr. Pepper drive south for a while and sit down and really listen to the people you demonize as ignorant and beneath you. Isn't that what we ask our children to do in schools? Maybe we should have a rural American appreciation day.

Carrie Underwood's song, Jesus Take the Wheel, is not as you have understood it Elizabeth about God having some predetermined plan for us. His only predertimed plan for us is that we turn to Him, but only if we choose. Evidently you think non-Catholics do not believe in free will. On the contrary most protestant groups in fact stress the point of free-will as a difference between them and Catholics. The Catholic church among others has a practice of baptizing infants. Why do this other than to "predetermine" the childs faith. Where is the free will in that?

Carrie Underwoods song is one that describes that point in all of our lives when we wake up and truly realize that we have made a mess of things and we need help. Our N. American culture tells us to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and keep going. God asks us to surrender to His will for us. Pretty hard for the majority of us independent to a fault Americans. The song is about surrender and gasp! submission to God. Neither is a dirty word and when do surrender and submit to God we actually come to know a freedom that we have never known before. Praise God for His mercy, grace and love. And that is a powerful life transforming love. Seek and you shall find! Blessings to all.

"Courtesy of the red white and blue", "Bring 'Em On", "Wanted, Dead or Alive", etc,

Whether it's Toby Keith or George Bush, these kinds of attitudes are always popular with the blue collar, country crowd, but are generally embarrassing as hell for everyone else, not to mention they embolden our enemies. Too much country music like Republican politics is all about sound bites and pushing people's buttons. God forbid someone should actually have to think about something in this country. It's much easier to say, "You tell ‘em Keith!" pop another cold one, and watch the race for the 537th time....God Bless the USA!

I also enjoy country music, but can't stand the jingoistic stuff. I heard "Have You Forgotten" last night and was appalled. I think the thing that bothers me the most is the assumption that if you are against the war in Iraq, you must not have been as badly affected by 9/11. I wanted to scream at the radio that my Dad was in the Pentagon on 9/11, you moron! And guess what, he's against the war too!

Wow.

Look at Anonymous (11/11 at 6:47) and generalizations.

"People with weak minds get caught up in religious organizations."

Sad commentary on dialogue that the writer feels such a generalization has any place at all in discourse. This is particularly true when the overall structure of the post suggests that if anyone has a weak mind, or at least one not very rigorously trained, it is anonymous. I found the post challenging to read due to run on nature of sentences and poor editing.

But those who are "caught up in religious organizations" are the ones with "weak minds."

Spare me please. That isn't dialogue. That is venom disguised as discourse.

Maybe I live in a different world than anonymous. But I believe we live in a world where there are many ways to learn how to turn on our inner light.

Anonymous: what has worked for you may not work for others. Where is YOUR tolerance? Does your tolerance only extend to those who see the world as you see it? Tolerance is a cornerstone of most organized religon, today.

I know we wouldn't necessarily universally believe that tolerance observation given some of the rhetoric, but as a general operating principle, most religious bodies are remarkably tolerant towards those who do not share their views. Most, not all.

It is my faith that has motivated me to serve on two non-profit boards who help with homelessness and provide rent-assistance, emergency food, clothing and a whole raft of loving care and assistance. We impose no test on those who come for help, and people of faith who help inside the walls are not asked to be of any one denomination. It is truly faith in action ....

**

Returnning to the original theme: I have found the sacred in a great deal of country music and have used the "Redneck Liberation" ... it is excellent. I commend it to others ....

Like those who have posted, I find some of the country music theological viewpoint is to be lifted up, and other aspects to need a questioning eye or ear. It isn't all good. Much of it however is quite good.

Peace be with you ....

my comment: i cant find a box that says email and i want to send this to my son, who is the exec. director of americanmusic (jed@americanamusic.org). He has recently had a 'CONFERENCE" OF MUSICIANS THAT LASTED ABOUT ONE WEEK MUCH OF THE MUSIC DEALING WITH THE THEME OF THIS ARTICLE. MAYBE YO CAN SEND IT TO HIM; I WILL TRY TO DO IT ALSO.

GOOD ARTICLE. GERALD HILLY

I have a sense that if you gave Elizabeth a few more paragraphs, President Bush would have been her next target. Usually when Patriotism and religion are cast in the negative, Bush is the next in line.

Got my DD Form-214 on December 7, 1970. Listened to country music from the crib on a farm in Oklahoma. Keith's song is just awful. Keith, by the way, is a conservative Democrat from Oklahoma. I don't know if he served, but I know I did and really resent those who did not telling me, "thank you for your service." Rings hallow and almost always comes from those who never have.

Point of correction....Toby Kieth's "Courtesy of the red, white and blue"(The Angry American) was written in 2001. Its not some pro Iraq war song. It was about real anger and pain at those who attacked us and about justice under God for Al Qaida. Its time is past, but it was and is a great song.

Anyone who wasn't at least a bit angry (and hurt) by the destruction and murder on 9-11 either isn't being honest or should start up the volvo and take your hippie self to Canada.

This Georgetown babe was in 4th grade.

"You are clearly not thinking very straight."

Diana-

Its not President's Day or Vice President's Day. Its not even Toby Keith sings a patriotic song Day.

Its Veteran's Day. A day to honour the men and women (and their families) who serve in our military. They have my support and gratitude 100% on every day, but today is a day set aside to remember them. Its NOT a good day to "spit on freedom" and forget to say thank you.

If that offends you. Gee. I am sorry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_YEhaw8Op8&NR=1

Elizabeth...people with weak minds get caught up in religious organizations.They are evil people whom reel in the vunerable, slow but sure till you be under their control your...Elizabeth,you be one such victim,your willingness to support call yourself by an certain religion,that you having lacked in growing up the moral as loving support that allowing one to remain independent, without having to turn to religion as an crutch. Elizabeth,I am sorry you did not get such the support needed,preventing you from failing into the clutches of those whom use religion as bate. I can only advise get out of religions arena,you are but a child whom amongst wolves,whom dress in sheeps clothing.If staying you will become as one of them. Elizabeth,I suggest get involved in practical charity work, that involves an hands on working with others,that in need, such will develop your brain, as heart. Then the Almighty will impart knowledge to you, understanding as experience,which be true spiritual development..

Megan,
You are clearly not thinking very straight. Mr. Keith's song is all about knee-jerk reactions to what happened. We should have gone to Afghanistan, but not Iraq, Iraq was not responsible for 9/11, and the evidence was stuff that both he and Cheyney knew were flimsy connections. The reason that those people I love are still being deployed to Iraq is because our equally ignorant president got us in there without a set of plans to get us OUT. He was probably too busy playing golf to figure it.

Bob from Fred-

Sorry. You misunderstood my post. I was NOT hoping to charm. I meant to be a sarcastic, cranky sorehead. Elizabeth's choice to share her disdain for "militaristic" songs on Veteran's Day while our country is at war has OFFENDED MY SENSIBILITIES.

Thanks for your service.

Geez, Megan, ditch the defensiveness. I grew up military, and served too. The sarcastic, sorehead crankiness your posting emits is not nearly as charming as you think. Happy Veteran's Day.

On this Veteran's Day, thought I would take a moment to offend Elizabeth and her reader's sensibilities and remember the men and women who serve our country and the sacrifice of their families.

Deployment-What It Means To Wait....Military Wives and Children:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZq4gvouRig

Country music is the most beautiful genre in America. But it can also be insufferably awful as exemplified by the jingoistic garbage from Worley and Keith (no, I was alive and proud after 9/11 and Keith's song was idiotic). But steer away from Nashville-produced stuff like Chesney and McGraw and explore the more roots-based country like Hank Williams III, Neko Case and Patty Loveless. Nothing beats Neko Case. Nothing.

Hey darlin'! Love the post, just found you, as as a Southern Catholic girl, I'll keep reading.

Just want to clear one thing up. It's "y'all," not "ya'll," since it's the contraction of you & all. As I point out to a lot of people, most languages have a second person plural. English needs one too. And anyway, if I walk into a room and say "Do you want to go to Waffle House?" perhaps someone won't understand the all-encompassing invitation - perhaps someone might think I was inviting only one person to the glorious WH. Y'all is much more polite when you get right down to it!

Thanks for the southern love.

Elizabeth, you said everything I think about country music also! That it's possible to love most of it and reject the stuff that just doesn't fit my mindset. I turn off the same songs! Altho in general I love songs from Toby Keith...it's just that one! Thanks for writing!

Elizabeth, you said everything I think about country music also! That it's possible to love most of it and reject the stuff that just doesn't fit my mindset. I turn off the same songs! Altho in general I love songs from Toby Keith...it's just that one! Thanks for writing!

"Yous Guys" is close enough Shug. philo

"Yous Guys" is close enough Shug. philo

Maybe Elizabeth needs a have a better understanding of this-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ODHE4hlaY

Then this-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSWuA-RttGU

Won't offend her "sensibilities as a human being anymore". Her intellect ought to tell her the ability to express her individuality and independence in a free society is a gift from men and women wiser, stronger, and braver.

The trouble with Elizabeth's misplaced sensibilities is that she is an unenlightened "free to spit" girl.

YOU GREW UP IN FREEDOM, AND YOU CAN SPIT ON FREEDOM, BECAUSE YOU DON"T KNOW WHAT IT IS NOT TO HAVE FREEDOM.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Anyone who doesn't appreciate "courtesy of the red white and blue" as a great rallying cry for a wounded country on 9-11 just didn't feel like we all did. (Oh that's right, elizabeth was in grade school...)

Definitely one of the most honest and proudest country songs ever, I respectfully think you are wrong.

What Wondrous Love Is This?

Great bluegrass harmonies-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKbH6Dga3zo

and beautiful Shape Notes-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZFA5ydC1Gk&watch_response