This machine kills...

This Land is Your Land is pure song genius. People can imprint anything from pre-WWII jingoism to a TV commercial and own it. But the song is never the whole show and the show must go on. The Golden Rule in America.

Woody Guthrie was Grandmaster of the catchy little tune and hip three minute ditty. He was the Charlie Sheen/Harper of his day; wrote all his own theme songs and commercial jingles and made good money doing it.

But what if, like Charlie, he was battling addictions and mental health issues on top of being a kind of clueless, insult spewing jerk... on a good day. He has no fucks to give about your Golden Rule and he hasn't taken a bath or brushed his teeth in two weeks.

So do you invite Guthrie and Leadbelly to An Evening of Songs for American Soldiers. at the Roosevelt White House or do you go with those nice young Burl Ives and Leon Bibb fellows?

This Land... eventually went out as a catchy little three verse tune; joined at the hip in the same FDR government issue catalog as God Bless America; Bible on the Table and the Flag upon the Wall and I Am an American, Shout!.

Like I said, pure genius. Onward Christian Soldiers!

pfr: Nevermind then.