It's Your Fault America

The campaign of shock and awe was re-wakened last night. Thankfully it did not take place on a battlefield in the Mid East, and cost people their lives, but in the minds of many it was just as tragic. What event could send shock waves across the world and have them land with a thud smack dab in the middle of my family room? Bald, gravely voiced rocker Chris Daughtry was voted off "American Idol".

I know I haven't written about Idol since it first came on this season, but don't be fooled into thinking I haven't been following it religiously. I have! I've been on the edge of my seat from the auditions through the whittling down period all the way up to the final three. I plan on seeing this through to the end. I've cheered as the evil twins were sent packing and then arrested, I've loudly begged the public to, for the love of God, please vote off that pip squeak who looked like "Chicken Little" and actually believed he was a sex symbol. I marveled at the way Kelly Pickler's chest and butt defied gravity. Oh the memories. Their have been a number of surprises. Mandesa was sent home too soon. How the hell did Ace keep up that fake earnestness for so many weeks? Is my life really so empty that any of this matters? Perhaps.

I liked Chris from the beginning. He brought a little edge to an otherwise bubble gum affair. "Wife" loved him. We had dubbed Chris her "boy", and I swear she would blush a little and get quiet when he sang. He had the whole package. He had a good voice, a unique look and one hell of a back story. Who wouldn't root for a guy who married some hillbilly with two kids, worked in the stock room of Toys R Us and sang rock and roll at night? "I'm doing this to make a better life for my family." That's what he said. Cue the sappy music. It's almost as manipulative as an Olympic moment or a long distance commercial. Despite all of that, I still thought the guy could sing. So did most people. He was the favorite to win the whole thing. Everything was going great, and then the public went and screwed the pooch.

America was too lazy to pick up the phone and vote. I guess we all got too comfortable and figured that Chris didn't need our votes. He's doing great, why spend the 95 cents for a toll call to keep his dream alive? It's this kind of complacency that allows all types of atrocities to occur. Why do you think "Yes Dear" is still on the air and Ashlee Simpson can sell millions of CDs? We must stand up and stop the madness! I can't bear to watch tears form in "Wife's" eyes , or listen to her muffled cries throughout the night. I almost feel bad for not voting.

We will move on. Chris will be fine. But now it's time to rebuild and regroup. There are two episodes left. Three contestants out of thousands have made their way to the finals. Paula has gone completely insane and judging from this post, so have I. Against all odds, I'm throwing all of my support behind Elliott Yamin. He's got a good voice, but more importantly, I have him in the pool. It's always about me. Later...Brian