And yes, he does to people who disagree. The first verse is about him (or whoever you want to say its about) and the second is about Jesus, how is that not saying they’re equal?

What??? Where are you finding THAT comparison?

“And I believe that Jesus looks down here and sees us, and if you
ask him he would say…..”

This is a Craig Wiseman song, arguably the best songwriter in Nashville. Toby may be singing it and using it to front his image, but it’s a Craig Wiseman song. Neither Craig nor Toby is comparing themself to Christ in this song – good lord….

Toby is the one who’s suddenly anti-war now that the popularity of it has gone south. If he’s telling the truth when he says that he was against Iraq from the start, he’s a coward for not saying it back then, and a hypocrite for bashing Natalie for speaking out. While he was publicly showing photo-shopped pictures of Natalie and Saddam Hussein at his concerts, he was also against invading Iraq? Pretty disingenuous on his part.

I love his music, but I haven’t had much respect for him as a person for a long time. What pushed me over the edge wasn’t the Maines thing, but him saying that you couldn’t be a true patriot and not like his “Courtesy” song. In fact, not liking that song made you a “Commie heathen.” What a putz.

Second, Toby is a registered Democrat, but he has voted for Clinton twice and Bush twice; he’s always said that he votes for the guy who seems to be the most competent for the job.

Third, Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts mentioned that he thought Love Me If You Can was the best song out of everything being played right now because it depicted Toby as he is even though he didn’t write it. Toby did say SOMETIMES not ALWAYS about war.

Fourth, to their credit, Willie and Merle are expressing their views by their songwriting. I may not agree with what they say, but I can still respect their credibility.

Final point, I’m beginning to think Maines had no convictions the whole time; I seriously think she pulled that stunt in London to gain more fans. When she learned that her comments alienated the fans here, she made a desperate half-baked apology to try to maintain her fans. Then, when the insurgents began terrorizing Iraq, Maines started backpeddling on her “apology” and ultimately took it back in 2006. In a world where everything is now “left and right” instead of “right and wrong”, I’ll gladly take Toby anyday.

I think this song is from a panderer. One minute he’s putting a boot in someone’s ass and the next he’s praying for peace? I’m thinking that these songs directly corrolate with the times in which they were released. When he was all war crazy, the war was a popular idea nd a good way to cash in. Now that the war is no longer so popular, he’s praying for peace. Now, I know people will say that he also says that war is necessary, but I would argue that it’s only necessary when it is justified. Toby himself has said that the math doesn’t add up for the Iraq war. Yet, he has been a great supporter of Bush. He says, like many of us, that the Affgahnistan war is more justified, so why support a guy who has put so much focus on Iraq when the “bad guys” are really in Affghanistan? So, in summary, I think it’s about the money with him. Now, it would not be so popular of him to be so war crazy, so he’s “praying for peace.” My other issue with him is that he’s been so critical of the Dixie Chicks, but has toured with Willie Nelson, who has been very critical of Bush. In fact, Willie has sung an anti-war song at Toby’s own shows and there’s no problem. So, I can’t help but assume that gender has something to do with it. When a man speaks out, it’s alright, but a woman is simply a loud mouth who needs to be put in her place. Another example is Merle Haggard, who is also disgusted with Bush and the war, but Toby wouldn’t dream of saying bad about him. Strange. As you can tell, Toby gets me pretty passionate. And I even like quite a bit of his music, just not him, I think…and some of his swaggering tough guy songs.

And Kev, I know it’s been over five years since Martina’s last number 1, but she has made some thought-provoking songs (Anyway, God’s Will). I understand some people probably won’t care for her high-note theatrics but her fans will. But you did say that radio play shouldn’t matter for anyone to be great.

I do like Trisha’s music and some Pam Tillis too.

But hey, call me delusional, call me sane, I’m just stating my views.

Though given that you’re picking Martina as the gold standard in the first place is further evidence of your pedestrian understanding of country music. Got a reference point that hasn’t topped the chart in the last four years?