Where were you when Alan Jackson made fools of us all?

Turning on the television can be scary these days; what with Terror threats, North Korea, Iran; you might think it's dangerous just to step outside of your own front door. Since September 11, 2001, we've seen N.Korea test a nuclear bomb, and it sounds like Iran might be close to getting one for themselves. But thank goodness for our president who's promised to be tough on terror! He defied UN advisement and marched a U.S. lead coalition into Iraq to dispose of a despot leader who we knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, had nuclear weapons. In fact, the entire world new that Iraq was hiding weapons of mass destruction; or according to Presedent Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Condiliza Rice. And we were days from them using those weapons here on U.S. soil. But wait a sec, where are the weapons of mass distruction? And didn't the UN advise us NOT to invade Iraq, stating that there just wasn't enough evidence to support their claim?

I think we all felt a little closer to our neighbors after 9/11. It showed us just how precious life is. so enter the hero of our story: Alan Jackson, with a little song titled: Where were you (when the world stopped turning). It was a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to those who died that day, and to those who continue to die daily for our protection, right? In the song, Jackson repeats the line:

"I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran"

Three times. Well, I think we can all tell you the difference between Iraq and Iran now.

Why pick on Alan Jackson? 9/11 wasn't his fault

Alan Jackson is a roll model for the southern American. As a public figure, people naturally look up to you. This song touched me the first time I heard it, but then the thought came to me that maybe, it was just trying to cash in on the sentiments of 9/11.

Our President lied to us about Iraqi involvement in 9/11. Not one of the hijackers were from Iraq; Saddam Husein saw the Taliban as a threat to his control over Iraq; and there were no weapons of mass distruction. Iraq was a mistake. It had nothing to do with 9/11. That's why it makes me so angry when I hear songs like this one that has a disregard, not only for true information, but perpetuates naive, and irrational fears. It was "the difference between Iraq and Iran" that got us into the mess we're currently in. Instead of using our military to combat the actual threat, we've wasted our troops, money, time and energy fighting a country that posed no threat to us; meanwhile two countries that did have the potential to develop weapons of mass destruction has gone unchecked. This song, weather it was intended to or not, has lent itself to be used as a powerful piece of propaganda by the presidents administration, who cant admit when they're wrong.

Mr. Jackson, next time you try cashing in on a national tragedy, make sure you get your facts strait next time.

Cody Hobbs