Toby Keith: Flag Waving, Guitar Warrior extrodinaire

[Old and In the Way]

Just watched the NFL produced halftime show. Is it necessary for the NFL to make RW political statements like this? Jeesus Christ, it's Thanksgiving....cheerleaders, flags, fireworks, and a papier mache war eagle; listening to Keith singing his "proud to be American, let's kick their ass" tripe to a bunch of dillusional football fans.

Hey Toby, if this is such a great thing, why not drop the guitar and pick up an M-16 and put your war profiteering ass in harm's way to liberate oil for the Republican Party?

God Bless America..........

[AntiCoup2K4]

1. Uh, because Toby serves the Confederacy, er Republic better through his...

...music of course...

Hitler never had so much propaganda at his disposal.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[RummyTheDummy]

35. Better yet, keep your Nazis away from my football league...

I hate to see the NFL, the greatest sports league in the world, whore itself to Bush Co. like this. Politics and sports -- an unpleasant mix to say the least.

[FredScuttle]

97. I guess you haven't heard Al Michaels on MNF and his Clinton obsession

anytime ol' Al is talking about a coach engaging in purposeful deception or something along those lines, he dregs up "Clinton-esque". Gee, thanks Al.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. Excuse me while I go down to Sam Goody to Puke on the KKountry Section!

:puke: Country Music

[ldoolin]

49. Toby Keith, not country music in my book

I kinda like some country music. Here are some good ones:

Johnny Cash (RIP)
Kris Kristofferson
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dixie Chicks
Faron Young (RIP)
Merle Haggard
Willie Nelson
Steve Earle
John Prine


On the other hand, Toby Keith is an a**hole. He ain't country in my book. Real country music is anti-establishment, working class, and liberal!

[camero]

3. Is it me?

Or did the halftime show look like a modern day Nazi military parade?

[Name removed]

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[oasis]

12. You uncle and father fought for "freedom of speech". Nazis like the Chimp

and his asskissers like Toby Kieth are attempting to resurrect Hitler's policies.

You might try doing a little research before you criticize other posters on the DU board.

[Name removed]

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[Media_Lies_Daily]

15. No, excuse me...

...my 82-year-old Dad fought in WWII, and he told me not too long ago that what he fought against in Europe has now become our form of government. He also told me that waving the American flag back then actually meant something because the nation was united in the idea of defeating Germany and Japan. And all of this is coming from a guy that voted GOP in every election until he voted for Gore in 2000. He could see what was coming and used to tell me to get ready for it. Now it's hear and he's gotten even more outspoken.

My wife lost an uncle in the Hurtgen Forest just before the Battle of the Bulge in November 1944, and her extended family of Alabamians feel the same way as my Dad.

One of my Dad's brothers was in the Navy and served in the Pacific aboard a destroyer during WWII. If he were here today, he would be agreeing with my Dad.

I have an uncle, brother to my late Mom, that was in the Army Engineers in Europe during WWII, and we've had several conversations about how national symbols are being misused these days. Another of her brothers was a radio operator abourd the supply planes the flew "The Hump" in IndoChina. He survived more than 80 missions, and he would give you an earful on where he thought the country was headed...I'm sorry to say that he was absolutely correct.

I've also served in the military so don't start your crap with me, either.

"Patriotic show of the flag"?? No, my friend, these are now the symbols of the Junta and their NeoCon wars. As soon as we restore our rightful form of goverment, then I'll get patriotic again. I just hope my Dad lives long enough to see it.

[buycitgo]

86. amen, bra

my would've-been 80 year old dad got his ass literally blown off just outside Bastogne, right before the Bulge.......spent ~ a year in military hospitals as a result, and was on 80% disability for the last forty six years of his life.


I'm wearing his dog tag....started wearing it in March of this year, when it became apparent that he fought the Hun and LOST, and the war against fascism was never won; still being fought

toby keith and George Bush should be put on a flat bed and sent through downtown Tikrit at 5mph, and see how happy the folks there are to see em.

[Old and In the Way]

94. I'd pay good money to see that...........LOL

With all that democracy and liberation George brought to Iraq, why'd come in the middle of the night and skeedaddle without leaving the reservation?

[carrowsboy]

16. Check yourself before you wreck yourself

Isn't that from an early 90's rap tune?

[Old and In the Way]

19. Hey, boy......

or is it girl?

When the shoe fits, wear it. If you can't see the hijacking of the flag by a bunch of war-profiteering criminals, you are the one who ought to be ashamed.

Maybe you ought to join Toby and volunteer to liberate that oil for the Republican Corporate Party.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[oasis]

71. Bubble's no Freeper he's a patriotic, Bush Lovin' macho stud.

freepers don't have the wit of this asstute (sic) individual.

[Ksec]

77. LoL

Thanks for that Oasis. I needed a laugh. This dude has alot of gall coming here and throwin sht like he is.

[oasis]

78. See post #79 Bubble just got flushed."Bubble, bubble toilet trouble"

:-)

[Nailzberg]

27. If your father and two uncles fought the Nazis...

You must really hate the Bush family for profiting off the deaths of so many allied soldiers through their support of the German war effort.

Or did you not hear about that one?

[camero]

28. Is that a threat?

That was not patriotism. That was an "I'm #1 and if you don't like it I'll kick your ass" pep rally. This was not any support of the troops.

I could compare it to Bush's "Bring em on" comment.

I say it because Hitler also mixed his military expeditions with nationalism and glorified the military.

I appreciate thier sacrifice, but they should not be sent to die so Bush and his cronies can get richer.

Bring it, boy.

[Name removed]

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[BiggJawn]

75. Hey, bubble-thing, you of "undeclared" gender...

It's MY flag, too. you tell your little tin god to stop wiping his ass on it in the name of his election.

[lfairban]

36. Glad to hear about your father and two Uncles.

I take it they were in the anti-war movement in the late '60s and early '70s.

Uh, or do you mean that they helped the Russians defeat Germany in the '40s?

[lfairban]

79. Bye bye bubblemelon.

See ya, and I wouldn't want to be ya.



Here lies bubblemelon.

[camero]

85. HAHA, thanks

That whatever it was, was quite obvious.

[JVS]

83. Yeah

[pinkpops]

4. Why don't you quit watching football

It is just there to distract people, like the gladiators and reality TV.

[Old and In the Way]

20. Background noise, actually.

But I guess this display of psuedo-patriotism was too much. It's obvious that this show was presenting the message that Bush and Rove want America to see. This is what we are up against.

[rooboy]

5. We've got the NFL games on cable here in Oz right now...

and I had to turn down the sound and watch this Toby Keith thing in absolute awe. Must say it made Americans look like a bunch of warmongers. Goebbels would have been proud.

[Catch22Dem]

6. Whoa, wait a minute.

What's wrong with cheerleaders? ;)

[Name removed]

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[karlschneider]

17. You are off to a very interesting start.

[bubblemelon]

54. What's the matter?

The pretty, female cheerleaders make you "nervous"?

[Old and In the Way]

22. That part was OK, I guess.

:-)

[bubblemelon]

7. Right Wing??

All I saw was a display of patriotism and a showing and celebration of the flag and freedom. Looked like people having a great time in the good ol' U.S. of A.

Where do you get right wing out of anything that went on there?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

18. Who do you think is sponsoring that display?...

It's the same corporations that are backing the NeoCons.

Wake up.

[oasis]

24. He's living in his "bubble" so information seeps in as slow as molasses.

[bubblemelon]

58. Bubbleboy

Hey boy, mu eyes are wide open. It was a football halftime show. Keep your nazi comparisons off my flag, hear?

[Dr Fate]

67. Keep your OIL & blood off MY FLAG.

Go enlist if you think "kick their ass and take their gas" is such a great idea...

[oasis]

69. Your eyes are wide open but it's hard to see with your head in the sand.

Or somewhere else.

[Dr Fate]

70. Or HIGH HIGH HIGH on Narcotics, like their hero Rush

...

[oasis]

72. I don't Pill Popping Pigboy would be Bubbleman's favorite patriot. Rush

uses too many big words. Bubble boy's eighth grade education is more on the Chimperor's level.

That's why the Chimp talks so slowly. He's connecting with the Bubblemelons of this great land of ours.

[Dr Fate]

73. Like Bush & Cheney,Toby Keith REFUSED to serve in the military...

...just like almost all rabid Bush-lovers...They all support war so long as "those other people" will die so we can "take their gas"...

Repugs like Rush, TK, Bush & Cheney are all cowards and hypocrites...

[oasis]

74. "These colors don't run" only theToby Keith's of the world do.

It figures. You do the fighting and I'll sit at home warm and cozy to sign your praises.

In an immoral, bogus war for oil.

[Ksec]

37. Why not Dixie Chicks?

I mean if you want some good music thats sung by a political singer lets get the Chicks out there

[Dr Fate]

52. Yes- "Kick their ass and take their gas" is Right-wing

And having Toby Keith, an outspoken Bush defender and critic of war-protesters- THAT IS right wing to have him on, instead of someone neutral...

[bubblemelon]

55. He's pro-American

[Shakespeare]

56. No, he's jingoistic.

Learn the difference.

[Name removed]

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[Dr Fate]

63. Dead troops for gas is NOT "Pro-American"

And if you think it is, then why dont you enlist- BOY????

[Shakespeare]

65. One, I'm not a boy. Two, I didn't make nazi comparisons.

And he wasn't celebrating anything of the sort--he was engaged in redneck, flag fetish jingoism that appeals to the small-minded and willfully ignorant. He was exploiting--understand that word? exploiting--our good soldiers who are over there dying by the dozen. Do not condescend to discuss patriotism with me.

You need grammar and punctuation lessons, by the way. I know it must be difficult to type accurately with those callouses on your knuckles, so I'll try to be understanding about it.

[buycitgo]

90. I hate it when they delete stuff before I read it.

who was it, and what'd they say?

more ignorant sputa from bubblehead?

and what's the deal with Toby Keith and his refusing to serve?

got an argument going with a relative who thinks he's talented!!!

want to be able to cram that down her ear canal

think you

[lfairban]

96. See #2 in the short version of the rules.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/forums/rules.html#disruption

Yes, more sputa.

[oasis]

66. How big do men grow in your neck of the woods Mr. Bubble? Please

show respect to other posters on these boards.

[Dr Fate]

62. So we are in Iraq to "take gas?" Dead troops for oil is "pro American?"

I thought we were over there to "free" them, not to "kick their ass and take their gas"

Apparently Toby & the Media could care less about freeing Iraqis, and think it is "pro-American" to have troops die for oil.

Dying for oil is "pro-American?" Please explain...

[girl gone mad]

98. uh, yeah...

kinda like the KKK is pro-caucasian?

[BiggJawn]

76. Toby Keith is a chickenhawk pussy.

Did a show in my town and had 2 guys in full ballistic nylon with dogs in his train. Guess he was afraid of the Muslim students on campus.

[kodi]

11. that fella' been watchin' one too many "Rocky" movies.

.

[oasis]

14. Toby had sock in his crotch like the one in Chimpy's flightsuit.

:-)

[Imajika]

23. It is a sad statement..

..that patriotic halftime shows are viewed as bad by so many people on this forum.

It is really no wonder that the left gets tagged as the loony left amongst so many Americans.

The more average Americans associate the left with opposing flag waving halftime shows during a football game, the more likely it is they will vote Republican.

I watched the halftime show today at Texas stadium, and there was simply nothing offensive about it. No matter how people here feel about Iraq, the US has troops fighting in Afghanistan too which the overwhelming majority of Americans, to include Democrats, support after what happened on 9-11. The vast majority of Americans are very patriotic. Get used to it because it just ain't gonna change.

Personally, I am not a fan of Toby Keith or country music in general, but in my opinion, whining about a halftime show is just silly, infantile and counterproductive.

Imajika

[oasis]

25. The Dixie Chicks are true patriots. Screw Toby.

[Ksec]

39. dont ya just love beatin down RWers

[oasis]

42. Such people are like the owl, the more the light shines,the less they see"

Native American proverb.

[Ksec]

43. To me, Its what Keith stands for

Hes been very vocal about dissing the chicks . Its OK for him to be political, but noone else is or they get yanked.

[oasis]

44. According to Laura Ingram, lefties should "shut up and sing".

Political opinion is reserved for those who agree with the Chimperor.

[qanda]

26. For me, it was the words in the songs that got to me

I'm all for a good show of patriotism, but when you're glorifying dropping bombs on someone and putting the boot of America in the collective behinds of the rest of the world-- that's a bit disturbing. If they really wanted to honor America, perhaps that could have chosen someone who wasn't promoting the destruction of all that's good about America.

[rumguy]

31. exactly it's the words and tone

a display like that fits right into the RW faux patriotism schematic that you see on Faux News and hate radio...

anyone who thinks that it is just harmless patriotism is blind. Toby Keith knows what he's doing, just like Dennis Miller does - they're plugged into the war zeitgiest and they're milking it for all it's worth...and there's lots of people helping them do it.

this is NOT the patriotism of our grandparents...this is a NEW type of patriotism that is driven by money and corporations...

[Imajika]

34. pbl

"For me, it was the words in the songs that got to me"

You do have a point here. The song is very militaristic. It doesn't bother me, but I can understand why you and some other people might find it more than a little obnoxious.

I suppose I can see the point of objecting to one of the actual songs played during the halftime show.

Still, with the big picture in mind, I think it is very counterproductive for people on the left to be complaining about flag waving halftime shows. Americans eat that stuff up. They always have and always will. This dynamic is just not going to change and any political ideology that fights it is going to lose far more support than it would gain.

Why not run with it? Americans love their flag waving and pro-American music. The left doesn't have to oppose these sorts of displays of patriotism. Why do we need to be angry and percieved as complaining all the time. Why not embrace Americans love of patriotism. We could "out patriot" the GOP. We should be waving the flag and including pro-American music out our functions. The left needs to do something to get rid of the perception that so many Americans have that we are always bashing America and her history and whining about overt patriotism. Everytime I see a thread started like this that complains about patriotic displays, I immediately know that if 10 average Americans read it that 7+ would be more inclined to vote Republican. Everyday Americans hate a wet blanket.

So instead of swimming against the tide, why not recongize that Americans love this stuff and incorporate something similiar in our own campaigns. And while were at it, lets get more positive. Feel good positive messages resonate, dark gloomy platforms that do nothing but talk about how everything is going to sh*t don't.

Imajika

[lfairban]

45. Your arguments are not totally without merit, but . . .

. . . if you think the left should emulate the empty headed jingoism of the flag waving neo-cons, I for one will disagree.

If you are defending the revisionist drivel that was taught to us and is still being taught as "American History" I will not be on your side.

The left is far more patriotic in my opinion that the conservatives who are ready to throw our constitution in the trash just because our country is attacked, a few thousand of our citizens are killed, and a couple of our landmark buildings are reduced to rubble.

I want to say, loudly and forcefully, not if thousand of us die, not if millions of us die, not as long as there is one citizen left who can wave the flag with honor and call what is left of this land a free nation should we abandon the principles that made this nation great.

But with the colonial actions that the pResident has done in the name of our nation, the flag can no longer be flown with honor, and I want our honor back.

(Cue Hendrix playing the "Star Spangled Banner")

[Old and In the Way]

48. Yes, you are correct.

Because the vast majority forgot the lessons that were learned in VietNam....namely, you don't fight wars where there is no compeling national interest. Actually, Vietnam death tolltook 4 years to reach these numbers....will we be celebrating the 100,000 American casualty at the Super Bowl in 2008? So I guess we all get to learn those lessons all over again.

This "feel good" political entertainment (and that is what it really is) is like eating twinkies....it might feel good, but it essentially does nothing to resolve the issue. What pisses me off is that there are many Americans who have totally different feelings about what is happening in America...how come there wasn't equal time for the Dixie Chicks?

Because the NFL is big business. When the NFL puts games on national television in the heart of Bush Republic, home of Big Oil....this is what you get.

[BiggJawn]

80. Toby Keith could make a military funeral into a Jingoistic Orgasm...

Low-talent fucker is cashing in and cashing in HUGE on "Gulf War II: The Never-ending Story". Can't wait for him to start claiming "Ah fought th' war with muh GEE-tar!"

I think the imagery and symbolism on his latest album cover "Shock'n Y'all" is significant. Toby stands inside looking out a window at fireworks exploding. He's inside, where it's safe, but he has a window on the world, which is dangeous and exploding....

and there were probably lots of people in the 30's who didn't give the Nuremburg rally a second thought, either...

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

29. Sporting events in Brazil...

...don't have the anthem, or any other jingoistic display. It is only played when the national team plays another country, along with the other country's anthem. I believe our way is better.

[populistmom]

30. Does anyone remember when he was a regular on Politically Incorrect?

The man was a f*cking idiot. I'm not just saying it because his idealogy is different from mine. I vaguely remember things in which he said in which it seemed he didn't have a basic grasp on history, the Constitution, or how government is run. He's the prefect poster boy for the neocon agenda- clueless, flag-waving morAn.

[mlawson]

32. Hmm, you sure that wasn't Alan Jackson, instead??

They sorta loke alike. Maybe it was Toby, I am just not certain.

[populistmom]

33. Nope, it was Toby

He was on a number of times. Obviously 2+ years later, I can't give a direct quote, but he struck me enough by his stupidity, that I remembered it was him, especially after all of his publicity over the past year.

[Shakespeare]

38. Every time I see the picture in your sig line....

I think of the voice-over line of Forrest's: "I guess sometimes there just aren't enough rocks in the world."

A very moving scene, and that line applies in so many ways to what a lot of us here on DU feel.

[populistmom]

59. Actually...the sig line...

is for another DUer named ForrestGump who's been a very good friend to me the past couple of months and is on a bit of a hiatus right now (and he did this whole vigil thing for someone else last month)...although the movie is a good one, it's less about the movie and more of just a nice gesture type of thing to one of my favorite DU people.

[Shakespeare]

61. I miss him, too

Dunno where he went. I understood the reference for your sig line--I was just mentioning what it brought to mind for me.

Hope ForrestGump comes back soon.

[populistmom]

64. Oh, okay

Just some life stuff right now, he should be back soon.

[crimson333]

47. I remember Trace Adkins was on many times

don't remember toby

[elperromagico]

40. I don't like Toby Keith. Therefore, I don't listen to him.

It helps to stave off an aneurysm.

My view is this: Let him say whatever he wants. If we don't like it, we don't have to listen to him or buy his CDs, the same as conservatives don't have to listen to or buy Dixie Chicks CDs.

As for the song itself, it seems to me that it represents the feelings of anger a lot of us had in light of 9-11. A lot of us pulled out the American flags and screamed for revenge.

I'm still angry about 9-11, but I'm angrier now that the Bush Administration has, for all intents and purposes, given up on catching the bastards responsible for it.

[Old and In the Way]

51. I understand the immediate reaction after 9/11.......

I put my flag out too.

But at some point, the brain has to re-engage and understand what happened that day. It's those that don't question, probe, and learn from that event who will again be unprepared when the next "event" occurs.

The fact that people like Toby Keith make big bucks marketing his Republican brand of no question patriotism, I just find revolting.

[canuckagainstBush]

41. You can be sure...

... they wouldn't have let Pearl Jam play at half-time.

[Neecy]

46. I was appalled and disgusted

It was just so over the top, such a glorification of war and violence (cheerleaders! Jesus Christ!). That huge eagle looked just like the one in the Berlin Opera House that served as the temporary Reichstag.

I'm sorry, but to see this war-worship, whipping people into a 'patriotic' frenzy over our illegal invasion of a country that hadn't attacked us was sickening. There was nothing at all 'patriotic' about cheerleading for an immoral war that's alienated us from almost the entire world.

It's like we're being conditioned to fight the entire planet.

[solinvictus]

50. Alan Jackson

It's as bad as Alan Jackson's ghoulish profiteering from Sep. 11. There was a great parody of Jackson on South Park.

[BGrier]

81. The Patriot Act - A Protest CD!

A old bandmate and I have been so outraged lately we recorded a protest CD. We're calling ourselves "The Patriot Act".

Check it out: http://members.cox.net/patriotact/

There are a number of downloadable MP3s including "Put A Flag On It" (Toby Keith gets a mention although not exactly favorable). Other downloadable tunes include "The United States Of Texas", "Code Orange", and "Creepy Dick And George".

Later tonight I'm adding a bonus track called "Rush Limbaugh Superfly".

Sorry for the shameless plug - I think this is the kind of crowd that would appreciate it. A number of people have told us we're going to get on some list. The very fact they think that reveals something is terribly wrong.

[lfairban]

84. I read something in the DU rules.

"Do not use our message board for personal fundraising, for-profit advertising, or selling products or services. We will occasionally make an exception in cases where the product or service contributes to the Democratic or progressive cause."

If it were my call, I would say you are OK since there is no "buy this CD" link on the page, the mp3s are downloadable free, and it "contributes to the Democratic or progressive cause."

[BGrier]

93. Nothing Commercial Here

Um, we're not charging for anything - never have. It's done out of love (or disgust in this case).

Just thought there might be an interested audience here. Sorry.

[lfairban]

99. Don't apologize, I said you are OK.

If you are not charging, then I can see no problem.

[JVS]

82. NFL swine! They claim to be apolitical

http://archive.salon.com/business/feature/2000/10/24/cleaver3/print.html
See how trhey responded to a "Salute to Eugene Victor Debs" hlaftime show.

"Dear Mr. Cleaver:

We appreciate your interest in our plans for the Super Bowl and, most particularly, the halftime show.

We have designed the halftime show over the years to provide entertainment for the fans in the stands and at home. We have avoided adopting any causes or tributes because it tends to become relatively controversial as individuals judge the NFL for imposing beliefs on the public. In the history of the game, the only time we adopted a specific mention was in 1982 during the strife in Poland. Our themes have been centered on worldwide themes involving children when we have adopted one focus.

As a viewer of the Super Bowl, we trust you have viewed the halftime shows and have seen how we have attempted to avoid antagonizing or focusing on any element of the fans of the NFL.

If we change our focus, we most certainly will remember your suggestion.

Sincerely,
James H. Steeg
Vice President, Special Events
"

[Dr Fate]

88. That is the real issue- they should have picked a neutral musician...

"Kick their ass and take their gas" is not neutral- it is specifically Republican and pro-Bush...

I am not saying that folks should not have opinions-and I dont mind patriotic imagery at all- in fact I like it...

I just dont think "kick their ass and take their gas" is right for a football game- it's a GAME, not a political rally.

[JVS]

89. Amen

But what do you expect for a cowboy's halftime?

[JVS]

87. Fascism+jiggly titties= big fun!

[buycitgo]

91. if bubblehead had to choose one of the above.....

which one would it be?

[Old and In the Way]

95. He'd have been the muscle for the porta-potties, I think.

[Old and In the Way]

92. A belated thanks to the recently departed Mellonbubble

You got me my longest post thread by 2x! LOL

In your next reincarnation, bring an intelligent argument with you.