My boss is a country music fan. As my work often takes me near her desk, I get the pleasure of listening to some of the great country songs of the day. On song that I have heard repeatedly on her country music station (I forget the call numbers) is called Arlington, by Trace Adkins.
I just want to say that I am now more afraid of the conservative Christian movement in this country than I have ever been. Holy shit. This is basically a song about martyrdom.
"And I'm proud to be on this peaceful piece of property.
I'm on sacred ground and I'm in the best of company.
We're thankful for those thankful for the things we've done.
We can rest in peace;
'Cause we are the chosen ones:
We made it to Arlington."
- Trace Adkins, Arlington
Change "Arlington" to "in heaven with Allah" and this sounds pretty similar to Islamic fundamentalist suicide-bombing rhetoric.
“[Murad's older brother] wasn't trying to make me wear an explosive belt. He was giving me a ticket to heaven. Because he loves me, he wants me to become a martyr. Because martyrdom is the most exalted thing in our religion. Not just anyone gets the chance to become a martyr.”
-Murad Tawalbi quoted by CBS news May 25, 2003
Let me be clear. I am not talking about the American soldiers themselves. I'm talking about Adkins' perception of what it means to be a "good soldier" I'm trying to say that the motivations behind the song's lyrics and Tawalbi's comments are similar. What I'm saying is that they have the same mind set.
"Arlington" represents the mainstreaming of Christian radicalism.
It isn't the Christian radicalism that suprises me. I know about the KKK and the abortion clinic arsonists, etc. Basically the Christian equivalents of Islamic fundamentalists. What suprises me is that "Arlington" was constantly playing on a popular radio station.
The main (and only?) difference between Christian fundamentalists and Islamic fundamentalists is in the perceptions of the two groups by their respective religious clergy, fellow Christians/Muslims, and their fellow countrymen. Islamic fundamentalists are accepted by a majority of their peers, Christian fundamentalists are not.
Let's be sure to realize that it is radicalism, not Islam, that is the enemy. And anyone purporting that martyrdom is the goal of an American soldier is wrong and offensive.
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2 comments:
I definitely agree. To call them the "chosen ones" is no different than a radical Islamic terrorist that believes they were chosen to be a suicide bomber. It reminds me of the guy in "Head of State" that says "God Bless America, and no place else." This Bush quote from his 2000 Campaign is kinda scary too...
"I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it."
So God just doesn't like Al Gore?
Your points are well taken, but I stand by my comments. I did look at that first stanza, and it almost changed my mind, but what really pushed me over the edge was the last line of the chorus.
"We made it to Arlington."
I interpret that line to mean that the goal was to make it to Arlington.
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