Kansas City Blog

David seems like a pretty socially aware person AND he said in a past interview that "Happy Christmas" was his favorite xmas song. I highly doubt that he just chucked the controversial "War is over if you want it" part on his own. There are the Powers that Be, after all.

I was glad that he was able to inject his own thoughts at the end, though with his words to the troops.

I don't think it's odd Cook said "Come Home Soon". The message in that sentence seems pretty clear to me - "Stop the war, bring back our soldiers." which is like saying "War Is Over, If You Want It"
Maybe someone with power didn't want him to sing that last part of the song, but Cook wanted to sing that song, because of its meaning, so he said that at the end to pass the song's message, even if he couldn't sing that last part.
He stick to it and found a way keep it meaningful.

That's my opinion.

One of David's former bandmates from his early band, Axium, died in the Iraq war, and David's favorite t-shirt is the one that reads "Geeks for Peace." Although he told People magazine it's his favorite because he's "a geek," it's pretty clear its message is very important to him. As an "American Idol," he has to walk a very fine line between speaking what's on his heart and mind and not burning the hand that's feeding him.

The Christmas ornament he signed for a charity auction on Ebay had a "hidden message" on its back: "John Lennon Said It Best: HAPPY XMAS (WAR IS OVER?)."

As to the silly comments on the YouTube video, most of those were, no doubt, from young kids who may not be familiar with the song. Anybody over 30 didn't need David to sing those words to hear them clearly.

I'd point out that we are in the last (thank you god) vestiges of a lame duck administration that promoted the politics of fear and questioned the patriotism of anyone who disagreed with any pablum they dispensed. The lyingest liars who ever lied.

I don't for a minute think that the impact of the last eight years isn't still reverberating through something as benign as the Christmas tree lighting.

I for one am just glad he chose that song. And sang it live. And when I read today that he had put those very sentiments "War is Over" on the back of a ornament sold for charity purposes, I thought "smart fellow."

Sometimes the message has to come in more subverted ways. Thankfully on 1-20-09 we will celebrate the end of an error.

Don't y'all know? David Cook just ain't the Neutering type! How could anyone have thunk such a thing? DC is not only an incredibly talented musician, singer and all-round entertainer...not only a hott hott blazin' sexy man, but also a real stand up guy who does care about real issues, like the war, like cancer, like family, etc. When you listen to David's music, you are entering the NEUTERING-FREE ZONE. Just so's y'all know!

Merry Xmas. War is over. If you want it!

Hey, everyone--

Thanks to reader Pat who let me know that Roger Catlin has updated his original post. Check it here:

http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catlin_tv_eye/2008/12/david-cooks-xmas-message-and-b.html