Bush appoints Lee Greenwood to National Arts Council

[proud2BlibKansan]

Lee Greenwood's main claim to fame is writing and singing the hit patriotic hymn "God Bless the U.S.A." Soon Greenwood's blessing will matter on the American arts scene -- at least the part interested in tapping into federal largess via grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. Appointed by President Bush and confirmed by the Senate, the Nashville-based country singer is scheduled to be sworn in Nov. 17 as one of the 14 regular members of the National Council on the Arts. Council members advise the NEA chairman, and their portfolio includes reviewing and making recommendations on applications for grants from the $145-million-a-year federal agency. Greenwood will serve a six-year term.

Falletta_2_2 Another new appointee, JoAnn Falletta, the music director of the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Virginia Symphony, will serve three years, filling a vacancy created last year by the resignation of octogenarian jazz drummer Chico Hamilton.

Greenwood, who grew up on a farm near Sacramento, is the lone council member appointed by Bush who will serve throughout the four years of an Obama or McCain term. The other 13 slots are occupied by Bush appointees but will come due during the next president's term.

More important, the next president will choose a new chairman of the NEA. Bush appointee Dana Gioia announced recently that he will leave in mid-January rather than serve the last two years of his term.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2008/11/lee-greenwoods.html

[WhiteTara]

1. Does Obama have to keep Bush appointees?

I thought these things were changed with the administrations.

[peacetalksforall]

2. Should I shy away from revealing that I don't know Greenwood or his song.

Is this a political reward or an act of bi-partisanship? Any info about the others.

Not funny that I assume because it was Bush, that it would be political and a reward for loyalty.

A quick sketch of Cheney - Bush is:

Loyalty = reward.

Betrayal = revenge.

Blatantly, in your face, even to the point of laughable or 'cryable'.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. Oh surely you have heard his song

"God Bless the USA"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RssIN3ustUw

[MindPilot]

3. What would a country singer know about art?

And isn't the NEA one of those big-gubment-socialistic-commanist agencies that any real conservative would avoid like the plague?

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. Hank Williams Sr fans might argue with you on that point

As would fans of Patsy Cline and Johny Cash.

I am not a country fan myself but there is indeed art in country music.

[NoQuarter]

10. Not any more. eom

[Dark]

4. Who wants to start a pool on how this * appointee will fuck up?

C'mon, sure he's only got two and a half months, but I believe in Bush ('s incompetence)

[Hokie]

5. I hope we never hear the Redneck National Anthem again

That is all.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. Politics Aside

I met Lee Greenwood New Years Even 1995. He's a great guy, full of energy, and takes people as they are. He was also up to some shenanigans that I found highly amusing.

Politics aside - just have to say - pretty nice guy. And didn't raise an eyebrow when my fiance at the time introduced me (mixed race couple). . . I didn't always encounter that when I was 'around' the country music scene.

Eh - genuinely good and kind person. Only people I could say that are as nice as him are Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Doug Stone. My two cents for whatever its worth.

[Orrex]

7. If that's not in the top five worst songs of all time, then we need to redo that list

:puke:

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Couldn't agree more

:toast:

[lib2DaBone]

12. Nothing against Lee Greenwood.... I met him one time....

I met him backstage at an Alabama Concert. From what I understand, Lee started as a sax player for the Del Reeves Band. He's a good entertainer and a nice guy, but I think there are many talented performers who should be elected to the Arts Council. "God Bless the USA" was adopted by the GOP as their National Anthem, by Sean Hannity, and it kind of turns my stomach.

[Orrex]

14. I don't doubt that he's a fine person, but that song is a sentimental stinker

And anything and everything about Hannity turns my stomach.

:hi:

[Bigmack]

13. Like so many symbols...

that have become more polarized in the last few years, country music has come to symbolize Redneck/bigot/pseudo-patriotic mindset.

Not entirely fair, but Greenwood's song is a perfect example of that polarization.

I hear that song and throw up a little in my mouth.

[Orrex]

15. It's hard to hear it and not think that it's a parody

Of a parody...

[lib2DaBone]

17. So true.... it's like mind control programming....

..you hear a song that has been programmed with so many negative conotations... like "God Bless the USA". Actually, Lee had that song out years ago, before the Repukes discovered it.

But then you consider songs from Charlie Daniels and Hank Jr., I think they have shot themselves in the foot. Along with assholes like Ted Nugent and Chuck "The Fuck" Norris.

My favorite is WILLIE NELSON! I saw that guy in concert, he played for 2 hours straight and never missed a note. He is the ultimate party music feel good guy. I think he is 72 years old (or something like that)... but he can play that guitar for sure.

Willie Nelson is the real thing.

[Orrex]

19. He also totally destroyed Jackie Martling in a joint-rolling contest

Willie had his rolled and smoked before Jackie even got the seeds out.



Willie rocks!

[JitterbugPerfume]

16. Good grief

There are worthy country singers, for instance Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash come to mind , but Greenwoods song SUCKS !

[Mari333]

18. funny story about that song....

a few years ago, i was sitting at a resturant/bar and it was karaoke night. I usually dont stay for such shenanigans, but I figured why not, and sat and watched as one after another inebriated person sloshed up to the microphone to sing.
Eventually, this guy in a red american flag hat got up and God Bless the USA was his choice of song.
He took his hat off, put his hand over his heart, and started wailing...
a number of people in the restaurant who were part of his crowd also stood up and put their hands over their hearts.
Thats all fine and good, and free speech and all, but then they started coming over to me and other people and demanded we remove our hats, demanded that we stand up, and put our hands over our hearts..
i told him 'dude! its not the national anthem!'
this, of course, was right at the beginning of the war. when everyone had a flag on their car and people were rabid.