THE CULTURE WAR: OH BABY, ME GOTTA GO!

Lots of folks can't believe we're still fighting the Scopes Monkey Trial 80 years later. But I'm still amazed we're fighting the "Louie, Louie" war. (I still recommended Dave Marsh's wonderful and extremely funny book about this touchstone song -- though it looks like Dave might have to write at least one more chapter ...)

Meanwhile two Republican state senators from Texas have made sure that no decent, patriotic Lone Star motorist will have to suffer the indignity of traveling down a highway named after a dope-smoking liberal like Willie Nelson.

Finally, Starbucks is refusing to sell the new Springsteen CD. The funniest take on this is Wonkette's.

As a certain outlaw country icon sang on his Yesterday's Wine album, "These are difficult times."