I just finished watching the America: Tribute to Heros special, or most of it anyway. Prior to that I was out with my wife trying to be patriotic by purchasing a rug for the family room. But anyway, I came in during U2, and watched the rest of the show with morbid fascination wondering how much worse it could get. There were two things that really, really bothered me. The first was that most of the actors that get paid, like, 100 trillion dollars flubbed their lines. Great intentions guys, but when you are trying to tell a heroic story, don't screw up the names! OK, the second thing that got me was the really, really laid back music. I found some of the songs touching, but by the end of it, I was pretty depressed. I think this event really could have used a kickin song by, like, Aerosmith, or the Red Hot Chili Peppers or someone like that.

By the way, did you know the other verses of America the Beautiful? I certainly don't. I was really impressed that all those actors did, although to be honest, I just kinda assume that Willie Nelson would know them. Then I thought, hey, how come they memorized all those extra verses, and they couldn't get their lines right. And then, towards the end, you could hear the voice prompt with the lines mixed in. How pathetic.

What I find even more interesting, though, is that Katharine Lee Bates, who wrote the poem, had a pretty unconventional relationship with another women for that time, and might have been gay. That will really ruin the day of any homophobic American who equates patriotism with heterosexuality. I think, however, that it's a brilliant example of the diversity of this country.

OK, but so I admire the effort of all the networks getting together and the cause was noble. I was just a bit surprised at how loosy goosy the show was, and I was depressed afterwards.