Army Still Holds Grudge Against Folk Singer

Today we learn that the U.S. Army is capable of holding a grudge, and holding it for a very long time - over 30 years.

When singer John Mellencamp learned of the poor living conditions and bureaucratic delays being suffered by our soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Hospital, he volunteered to give a free concert for the soldiers there. Mellencamp asked folk singer Joan Baez to join him in performing for the soldiers, and she happily accepted.

But four days before the concert, the Army informed Baez that she was not welcome and would not be allowed to perform for the soldiers. She said they told her she was not "approved".

You might think that it was because she was opposed to Bush's war in Iraq. But if that's what it was, then Mellencamp would not have been allowed to perform either. He is every bit as opposed to Bush's invasion and occupation of Iraq as Baez is, and has put out several anti-war songs.

Evidently the Army is not upset with those opposing the Iraq war. In fact, I think some of the Army brass is opposed to that war themselves (they just can't say it out loud).

But Joan Baez was one of the leading voices in opposing the Vietnam war. That was a war the Army's leaders fought in themselves, and they still carry a grudge against her for that.

That's a shame, because Baez is one of the great talents of my generation. If you've ever seen her a capella rendition of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" in the movie Woodstock, then you know what I mean. Her voice is truly special.

The sad part is that the only people hurt by the Army's action are the soldiers at Walter Reed Hospital. I'm sure that many of them would have loved to hear Ms. Baez.

The Vietnam war is ancient history. It's time for the Army to drop this unseemly grudge.