George Bush Told the Nation

I went to a Tom Paxton concert not too long ago. I was amazed that a 70 year old man could stand for almost 2 hours with nothing but his guitar (and a guy even older than he was playing rhythm guitar) and keep the audience spellbound. No fireworks, no lasers, no theatrics, just him and his music.

He didn't take requests, but he didn't need to for me. I was going to ask him to do an updated version of "Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation" but he did it without me even having to ask. For those who don't remember it I have posted the lyrics at the end, but the most significant part is

Lyndon Johnson told the nation,
"Have no fear of escalation.
I am trying everyone to please.
Though it isn't really war,
We're sending fifty thousand more,
To help save Viet nam from Viet Namese."

The updated version went something like this

George W. told the nation,
"This is not an escalation.
This is just a surge toward victory.
Though it isn't really war,
We're sending twnety thousand more,
To help save Iraq from Iraqese."

As someone else said (I would give them credit if I remembered who said it) "I thought a surge was something bad. Why else would we have surge protectors?"

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Lyndon Johnson Told the Nation
Words and Music by Tom Paxton
I got a letter from L. B. J.
It said this is your lucky day.
It's time to put your khaki trousers on.
Though it may seem very queer
We've got no jobs to give you here
So we are sending you to Viet Nam
[Cho:]
Lyndon Johnson told the nation,
"Have no fear of escalation.
I am trying everyone to please.
Though it isn't really war,
We're sending fifty thousand more,
To help save Viet nam from Viet Namese."

I jumped off the old troop ship,
And sank in mud up to my hips.
I cussed until the captain called me down.
Never mind how hard it's raining,
Think of all the ground we're gaining,
Just don't take one step outside of town.
[Cho:]

Every night the local gentry,
Sneak out past the sleeping sentry.
They go to join the old VC.
In their nightly little dramas,
They put on their black pajamas,
And come lobbing mortar shells at me.
[Cho:]

We go round in helicopters,
Like a bunch of big grasshoppers,
Searching for the Viet Cong in vain.
They left a note that they had gone.
They had to get down to Saigon,
Their government positions to maintain.
[Cho:]

Well here I sit in this rice paddy,
Wondering about Big Daddy,
And I know that Lyndon loves me so.
Yet how sadly I remember,Way back yonder in November,
When he said I'd never have to go.
[Cho:]