Indictment of a Nation

Annotation

Out of Houston, Texas, came the song "Indictment of the Nation" (Westpark Records # 6980), which protested against the conviction of Lt. William Calley. Bill Bailey, born Milton Odom Stanley, was a constable from Harris County, Texas, in the United States. He took up radio broadcasting soon after high school in 1957, and hosted programs on major Houston radio stations. The Texas Senate paid tribute to him in 2005. (1) The spoken-word track argued that Calley did his duty, even though "he didn't like the win-less war" - interesting that by 1971 the 'win-less war' view was becoming more widespread, even in the largely pro-government country music genre. The narrator argued that Calley should not shoulder the blame for the atrocities committed, strongly criticising the role of politicians who sent men to war: "while politicians laughed and talked the soldier took a stand". And therefore, he concluded: "indict the nation, we all must share the shame" - so the track did not dismiss the unlawful killings, but excused the role of the soldier. Also note the disapproval of the anti-war movement and draft dodgers: "Bill Calley didn't wait around, dodge, and protest". Once again, this song…

Annotation by Justin A. Brummer

About the artist

Unknown - credited with The Paul Butts Assembly on 'Indictment of a Nation' b/w 'My Friend - A Man' (Westpark 6980, produced by Eddie Kilroy for Jimmy Duncan Productions); no biography found. [Source: Discogs]

Themes

My Lai · Draft Dodger · Anti-Protest · Pro-Calley · Anti-Government · Calley-Order · Anti-War · Calley-Danger · Calley-Chaos · Calley-Justice · Draft

In collections

Draft Songs · My Lai & Lt. William Calley Songs · US 'Patriotic' / Pro-Government / Anti-Protest Songs