When Leno Talks to God

On Monday's Tonight Show, Bright Eyes performed, "When the President Talks to God."

It was just Conor Oberst on stage, wearing a cowboy hat and a cheesy red rhinestone cowboy shirt. He sang with all the bleeding heart sincerity of a dyed-in-the-wool Bush hater.
When the president talks to God
Are the conversations brief or long?
Does he ask to rape our women’s' rights
And send poor farm kids off to die?
Does God suggest an oil hike
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
Are the consonants all hard or soft?
Is he resolute all down the line?
Is every issue black or white?
Does what God say ever change his mind
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
Does he fake that drawl or merely nod?
Agree which convicts should be killed?
Where prisons should be built and filled?
Which voter fraud must be concealed
When the president talks to God?

When the president talks to God
I wonder which one plays the better cop
We should find some jobs. the ghetto's broke
No, they're lazy, George, I say we don't
Just give 'em more liquor stores and dirty coke
That's what God recommends

When the president talks to God
Do they drink near beer and go play golf
While they pick which countries to invade
Which Muslim souls still can be saved?
I guess god just calls a spade a spade
When the president talks to God

When the president talks to God
Does he ever think that maybe he's not?
That that voice is just inside his head
When he kneels next to the presidential bed
Does he ever smell his own bullshit
When the president talks to God?

I doubt it

I doubt it

The expletive was bleeped out. I don't know why NBC bothered. There was no hiding what he said. Obviously, the song is merciless. It is a blatant and brutal attack on Bush.

Frankly, I was surprised that Leno signed off on the performance. Every night, he wears that American flag lapel pin. I assume that to be a sign of support for the troops. I wonder how the troops felt about Oberst's portrayal of their commander-in-chief. My guess is most weren't too thrilled.

When Laura Bush appeared with Leno last week, she was classy and funny. Appropriately, Leno was a gracious host, treating her with the respect she deserves.

Then, only days later, Leno is patting Oberst on the back for his terrific performance of a song that unforgivingly blasts the U.S. president by name.

Leno is quite a cameleon. I wonder if he talks to God.