Post Lightens Up on Toby Keith

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Back when he was all "we'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way," the Post accused him of "bellicose tribalism" akin to al Qaeda's.

Now, he's "the finest voice among his country music contemporaries" who "knows a good hook when he hears one."

Wonder why...

He even calls out actor Sean Penn for suggesting that Keith bearssome responsibility (along with Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly) for thewar in Iraq.

"Now the difference between me and Sean Penn is that I've talked to50 generals," Keith writes. "I doubt he's even talked to one. I didn'tsupport the war in Iraq and still don't, but I'm sure I know more aboutit than he does."

Of course, regardless of his personal views on the war, Keith has indeed supported the troops with an enthusiasm few others have, by setting aside 17 days for each of the last five years to tour the Middle East. Many anti-war celebs could learn from him.

Maybe they'll start paying attention now that the Post finally acknowledges the bearded, "misogynist," "knee-jerk nativist" they've known for so many years is a good ol' boy who's actually a good man. Not because of the plenty of good things he's done, mind you, but because he happens to be in agreement with the reviewer on a foreign policy issue. Before that, he was a just another redneck lug.