Charlie Daniels can be a hard man to get hold of. He and his namesake band travel some 100,000 miles a year, touring around the world, including "Spirit of America" shows at military bases. Most famous musically for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," the master fiddler and songwriter is also known for his conservative take on politics and the world in general, and his ease with sharing his opinion. Which is why, of course, we wanted to get him on the phone.
But such was not to be. Lucky for us, Daniels keeps a twice-weekly column online (including archives!), where he spouts off on any number of topics. So, here through the power of the Internet, we present Charlie Daniels.
Did you catch the Super Bowl halftime show?
I'll have to admit that I missed the exact moment when Mr. Timberlake partially disrobed Ms. Jackson in front of the Planet Earth at large. That's how much interest I had in the halftime show. But I did see the digitally altered replays. In my opinion, this was a planned incident from the get-go, meant not to entertain the Super Bowl crowd but the MTV crowd. It was calculated to do just what it did, generate a lot of talk and even resentment on the part of the people who could care less about MTV.
Seen any good movies lately?
Look at the reaction to Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ. It has been called anti-Semitic and not historically accurate. I haven't seen the movie but I think that the accuracy is probably what bothers its detractors. No other religion is persecuted like Christians. Although it's a well-known fact that radical factions of Islam are sponsoring terrorism around the world, you seldom hear a disparaging word about their religion.
Well, brothers and sisters, we may as well get ready for it. It's coming. It's part of the last-days scenario and I truly believe that we are living in the last days.
Wow, saying things like that must get some people upset.
I don't mind criticism. And being called names really don't bother me that much. I don't mind dissenting opinions. In fact, I expect people to disagree with me, but I just hate to be misunderstood. I've been accused of hate mongering, anti-Semitism, lying, being a pawn of the Bush administration and all manner of things, which are completely untrue.
First of all, I don't hate anybody. Have you seen me in the streets with a sign comparing our president to Hitler? Of course you haven't, and you won't. Nor will I bomb an abortion clinic or try to do bodily harm to anybody who doesn't try to do bodily harm to me.
What's your take on this whole gay marriage thing?
I believe that true marriage is only between a man and a woman. One of each.
What do you think of Saddam Hussein?
I'll ask a favor of you. Let's put aside our political differences for just a minute.
OK.
Do you really believe that Saddam had no weapons of mass destruction? Do you believe that he would not have used them? Do you really believe that he was not trying to develop nuclear weapons? Do you really believe that the United Nations would have ever done anything about Saddam except have endless debates? You can't talk a problem like this to death. Saddam defied resolution after resolution from the United Nations and would still be in power if we had waited on the United Nations to act.
Very good points. Were you surprised when he was captured?
Now, isn't he a fine example to all the maniacs who strap explosives on their bodies and blow themselves up? It turns out that Saddam Hussein, iron man of Iraq, self-proclaimed Nebuchadnezzar invader of Kuwait, turns out to be nothing more than a craven coward. I wonder how the suicide bombers feel about him now?
I hope that it causes them to take a long look at all their leaders who promise paradise to all who would destroy themselves for their cause but never ever seek paradise themselves.
The Oscars were just held. Did you catch Sean Penn's remark about weapons of mass destruction?
I've seen a lot of stupid things done in the name of trying to make America look bad, but not since Jane Fonda's ill-fated trip to Hanoi have I seen anything as stupid and totally unpatriotic as Sean Penn's trip to Baghdad.
I would like to see Mr. Penn, hell I'm not going to call him mister, Baghdad Sean have to live under Saddam Hussein's rule for about six months and see what he thinks of America then.