Toby Sticks Up for Sarah Palin

Hat Tip to Beville @ The Boot

Happy to see that my old
High School Classmate is seeing the light !

Toby Keith Sticks Up for Sarah Palin
by Beville Darden

Toby Keith is fed up with the Democrats' treatment of Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin.

"The kooks in the Democratic party -- this extreme left -- are hammering Palin so bad, that they're gonna cause John McCain to win this thing," the country superstar tells CMT. "I've never been a huge John McCain fan ... I appreciate everything he did for this country. But at the same time, the wackos are hammering her so hard, that they're gonna make that ticket win. They can't get out of their own way. They've got a chance to win it, and they're gonna blow it by hammering her."

Keith, a longtime Democrat, says he is now re-registering as an independent.

"My party that I've been affiliated with all these years doesn't stand for anything that I stand for anymore," he reports. "They've lost any sensibility that they had, and they've allowed all the kooks in. So I'm going independent."

While Keith has gone on the record praising Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, he has never publicly endorsed either candidate. But he tells CMT that he'll likely go with the Republican ticket this year, partially because of his admiration for Palin.

"Palin's about the least political-looking, acting, resembling person that's ever run for office," Keith says of the Alaska governor. "All the women in America can relate to everything she's done. She's real normal. Her kid is pregnant, she hunts, she snowmobiles, she's backwoods. I just think a lot of women are going to appreciate her and feel that they have to vote for her."

HOO-AH: U.S. Marine "answers" Dixie Chicks song!

Hat Tip to my buddy Jenn @ Green Country Values
Cpl. David Thibodeaux (USMC) -
Not Ready to End the Fight
Cpl. David Thibodeaux (active duty U.S. Marine, musician, father, husband, and combat veteran of both Afghanistan and Iraq) along with Toby Keith’s Easy Money Band eloquently and cleverly “answer” Dixie Chicks’ hit Not Ready To Make Nice.

Remember the Chicks? They’re the has-beens who finished off their careers in country music when they entertained a crowd of anti-American Europeans by saying that they were ashamed that our President is from their home state of Texas.

Well, we’re proud that Cpl. Thibodeaux is an American from Louisiana, and we very proud that Toby is from Moore, Oklahoma and we are so very, very proud of all of our men and women in uniform who are bravely fighting this war on terror.

See Beth’s write-up on Blue Starch Chronicles, where she gives some background to the album.

HOO-AH: Toby at LSA Anaconda, Iraq with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

Instead of touring the world or recording his next blockbuster album, country singer Toby Keith decided to take a detour from music making and visit with Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) April 28.

During his trip to Logistical Support Area Anaconda, the award-winning music star spent a few hours with Soldiers, and took part in a re-enlistment ceremony that saw five "Redlegs" re-up with the battalion.

"It's an honor to be here with these fine Americans today; I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," said Keith after the ceremony.

For the Soldiers of the 2-320th FAR, it was an honor to have to get the opportunity to meet the country music singer and for him to participate in the re-enlistment ceremony.

"It was pretty awesome to meet Toby Keith; it made my re-enlistment that more special," said Spc. Justin Troutman, a 22-year old communications specialist with the battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Battery.

I re-enlisted, because of the Army I have a future, and I'm able to do a lot of things in the military that I wouldn't be able to do in the civilian sector," said Troutman.

According to Keith, getting to meet people like Troutman is why he frequently visits Soldiers in Iraq.

"I'm proud that I took part in this ceremony today, these Soldiers are great Americans," said Keith.

Key leaders within the battalion also felt that Keith's appearance during the ceremony made it much more special for the re-enlisting Soldiers.

"The fact of the matter is, it's special for someone like him come over here and meet with these Soldiers. It's also special to see these 'Balls of the Eagle' Soldiers re-enlist, too," said Maj. Elton Crawford, 2-320th FAR's executive officer.

Crawford went on to add that what every Soldier does on a daily basis is extraordinary, and that it takes a unique and exceptional individual to reaffirm their commitment to this fight.

Troutman added, "This battalion is making a difference here everyday and I believe in our mission. That's the main reason why I enlisted."

HOO-AH: Toby perform at Camp Liberty/Victory Base, Iraq

It look like my High School Buddy Toby is in Iraq, From a email a Army Buddy sent me - Country music star Toby Keith visited and performed for troops on Victory Base Complex April 25 and 26 as part of his sixth United Service Organizations tour. Keith is spending his time meeting with and playing for Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen across Iraq and Afghanistan.


"It's just pretty much get up early, pack a light bag, grab a couple of guitars and hit a couple of forward operating bases," Keith said. "It's always play for a bit and then shake as many hands and take as many pictures as I can before the birds hit."

One thing brought the famous musician here, and that was his vast patriotism, and sincere support for servicemembers and the difficult job they do while deployed, which is evident in his music and performances for military members.

"I just want [the troops] to have a good time, and I want to know when we leave that we brought some sense of home to them, and for a little while maybe it'll lighten their world up and they'll remember what they're fighting for," Keith said. "My father was a Soldier and he set an example, so this is more of a tribute to him than it is to me that I came over here. He taught us when we were kids to respect veterans and the people who serve our country."

Overall, Keith was impressed with how well U.S. forces have adapted over the years since Operation Iraqi Freedom began, and highly confident in their abilities.











"It's a tough war to fight," Keith said. "It's not very conventional, and it's hard to figure out who the enemy is, and these guys get out on the streets and do a hell of job. I'm amazed."

Just as Keith looks up to the troops on the ground, they too look up to him for the inspirational music he writes.

"His songs are an inspiration to all the troops over here," said Capt. Nicole Van Benken, 62nd Medical Brigade. "It makes you motivated to do your job because you feel like you're over here for a purpose. It's great to know that people support you."

While wars may change and the U.S. military may have to readapt numerous times, one thing will always remain, and that's Keith's strong support for all the guys and girls deployed to war zones.

"[Servicemembers] are the never-ending battle for freedom," Keith said.