Christmas in Fallujah
The doc and I had tickets to see Billy Joel tonight and the kiddo opted out. Since she was to fend for herself for dinner, Little Bit and I stopped in Kroger to pick up a couple of things. There was a display of chocolate bars with a sign encouraging us to buy and support the troops. Little Bit shocked me by saying that I don’t support the troops so she didn’t expect me to purchase a candy bar. I explained that I’ve always supported the troops but I don’t necessarily buy into yellow magnetic ribbons and other silly shit as meaningful displays. I support the troops by donating after I research an organization and have found it above board. I support the troops by supporting candidates and parties, with time and cash, who work to keep them out of unjust wars.
I ended up buying the candy bar anyway; she wanted a piece of chocolate and the price was fair. I don’t have a clue how that particular purchase might benefit any of our soldiers but the cynic in me says it won’t.
On the way to the show, I asked the doc if he’d heard Billy Joel’s “Christmas in Fallujah” because I’d missed it (purposefully) on Howard Stern. He’d heard it and thought it great but I remained a blank slate.
We got to the arena, took our seats (floor row k, thanks Honey for always memorable moments!), and watched Billy Joel play to a sold out crowd of people aged 9-70+. Mr. Joel marked the start of Chanukah and the Christian holiday season and, in between hits, he played snippets of holiday songs and Christmas carols. I’m no art director, but it set the stage perfectly for “Christmas in Fallujah.” I don’t know what I expected, but I was overwhelmed by emotions of love, concern, and gratitude for our Armed Forces. It wasn’t until I got home that I looked up the charity benefited by the song.
Homes for our Troops is a non-profit organization that provides specially adapted homes for our nation’s wounded soldiers. We live in a world where “stringent” standards dictate that 60% of donations should be spent on program activities. According to their FAQ, Homes for our Troops spends 84% of donation dollars directly on the program activity it sells.
I’m happy to say that this family has purchased the song via iTunes and has made an additional donation to the charity mentioned. Many thanks to Billy Joel (and Cass Dillon) for both outstanding concert and personal contributions; without this song, I wouldn’t have known about Homes for our Troops.
I’m not a Billy Joel fan and those lyrics are a bit questionable but Miche you are a doll for caring. And you’ve reminded me to donate again this year through my own favorite organization.
According to Joel, the lyrics were inspired by letters from the troops. I like the lyrics but I’ve never been a fan of the Iraq occupation.
I hope you are well SG. I need to get over to your site but I’m scared to go. You always have the hottest dresses on there and I have to time visits so that I’m not tipsy and my wallet is nowhere within reaching distance. ;o)
You’re too funny, Miche. I’m in the hole from splurging on dresses AND vacations. Hey, I don’t know what size you are but I’ll eventually be selling about fifty or so things on eBay – tons of fabulous designer dresses – for less than you’d pay at the store. I think I’m doing the eBay thing. I’m so lazy these days.
I’m a size 4 or 6 (in real dress sizes- we all know that the 0 that you can get in some shops is bullshit). Let me know when you are selling. Perhaps a presale email for your friends? I couldn’t sift through Ebay if I were paid to.
Miche! We’re practically the same size! The clothes I am selling are for size – 0-2. Sigh.
I’m not even going to tell you how long ago I saw Billy Joel. Great stuff, love his “whose life is it anyway?”
Although I never actually killed any babies (or anyone else for that matter–except that one lowlife…..just kidding), I’ve been called a baby killer and in that sense I think it is important to realize that our guys in Iraq have been sent to do a bullshit job that is micro-managed by people who, if they had been in charge during the big war, would have ensured we’d all be speaking German or Japanese today.
“We” (yes, I know, you and I didn’t ask them anything) ask these guys to do a job, they’re not permitted to do it, they are second guessed, kicked around, and they can’t even have a got dam beer, because it might offend some Iraqui. Like nobody in Iraq is offended already that the US is in town and having a beer or two will make it worse somehow. Jesus Chrysler.
And you know, they took down that website where you could buy a soldier a beer. Maybe not, maybe they just messed it up.
Can’t play the vid right now because I have the worst ISP on God’s Green Earth and I’m on slow dial up. I’ll come back tomorrow and see how it fares.
Bottle of Red Regards,
TWC
Check out http://www.americanfallout.com The real Chrismas in fallujah was done by jefferson Pepper and it simply better. If Billy can’t wright anymore, he should give credit where credit is do.
Just thought you should know
Regards