Re-build America First

In 1969, the Vietnam War raged on, President Nixon instituted his own version of a "surge", and on my AM radio Merle Haggard was singing "Okie from Muskogee" and "Fightin' Side of Me". Do you remember what it was like? Cowboys and Hippies. If you were a good, God-fearin' American, you supported the war, no matter what. If you opposed the war, you were just like those dirty hippies who drove around in VW microbuses burning draft cards and smokin' dope. America, Love it or Leave it. There was no room for thoughtful, honest, intelligent discussion about a war that had a suspicious origin, a dubious rationale, and a lack of an exit strategy. Merle Haggard's "Fightin' Side of Me" was the anthem of the moment, exhorting us to be patriotic or get whupped. Today, Merle has changed his tune. He recognizes the Iraq War for what it is: a poor policy decision that is pulling America down and keeping us from fixing her up. The video embed above is Merle Haggard singing about his love for Texas, but click here for Merle Haggard telling his fans that it is time to get out of Iraq and put America back on track.