Haters: don't hate Tay cause you ain't Tay!

Taylor Hicks shares with us all of the "possibilities" available through Ford.

Sorry, I sort of stole my title line from Father Crunk. (See previous blog entry for more info on Father Ricardo Bailey.)

This is how it is. I spend a few hours every week volunteering at a Native American museum. This time usually consists of me sitting behind a very tall desk with NOTHING to do. Well, this week, I ended up reading the Sunday Atlanta Journal Constitution cover-to-cover. I found this little tidbit in the letters to the editor.

Hapless Ford shows why it's stuck in a rut

I see "Soul Patrol" leader and new American Idol (laugh) Taylor Hicks a-singin' and a-stompin' in a new Ford commercial. Hot dog! Goin' to go out an buy me a Ford for sure now! Get a grip. No wonder the Ford Motor Co. continues its slide into oblivion. Signing on a marginal nobody such as Hicks to represent its products only confirms that Ford is desperate for any hope of future significance in the world market. Ford's desperation mirrors that of the United States over its image, while the world and the U.S. media continue their barrage of criticism about what is wrong with America as a nation and a culture. Things have to change or I may follow Barbra Streisand and her liberal Hollywood ilk to another country (Iraq?), as they have so often threatened. Just kidding.

KEN, Alpharetta

Okay...

As I am sure you can guess, I have MANY problems with this "rant." Number one is this statement-

"Signing on a marginal nobody such as Hicks to represent its products only confirms that Ford is desperate for any hope of future significance in the world market."

I know I am biased, but…"a marginal nobody?!?" Like him or not, Taylor Hicks only just won the biggest singing competition in the world… with MILLIONS of votes. Taylor is the "American Dream" - he said it himself. He has worked for years to get where he is, he is not an overnight sucess. Mr. Hicks is changing our culture in so many positive ways. He is not your typical airbrushed, jaded celebrity. In my opinion, Ford couldn't have picked a better spokesperson. Ford attached itself to American Idol, not necessarily one person, so I guess if Katherine McPhee had been the winner she would have be the one "a-stopin'" in the commercial. (Or rolling around the floor, or whatever that is that she does - BTW, I hope Katherine is feeling better, and back with the tour very soon :>). That is okay, this cheesy show, American Idol, has become such a big part of the fabric of our culture. Plus, it has a GIGANTIC audience. Connecting itself with the program shows Ford's very earnest attempt to become an American, and world, staple once again. My second problem with this letter is Ken's final statement-

"Things have to change or I may follow Barbra Streisand and her liberal Hollywood ilk to another country (Iraq?), as they have so often threatened. Just kidding."

That is a statement you really shouldn't mess around with - even if you are "just kidding." I know A LOT of Soul Patrollers who would love to buy Ken his very own one-way ticket to Iraq.

*passing collection basket*

Just kidding.

Sorry, guys. I have just been witness to so much Taylor Hick's bashing lately - I had to vent.

BTW- I didn't include Ken's last name... because I am nice like that. :>