Christ and Culture

I am posting this in tribute of President Bush's visit to Graceland today with the Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, who is a huge fan of the King. He is the first sitting President to visit the home of the late Elvis Presley and will be greeted and led on a tour by Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal is reporting that "Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi received an invitation from the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau to tour Elvis' hometown after his June 30 trip to Memphis with President George Bush." The Bureau is still awaiting a response, though I wouldn't hold my breath. I doubt very seriously that Air Force One could land at the Tupelo Airport, and the three-hour drive might be a bit much.

Graceland is of course in my home town of Memphis, TN, where I will be this weekend for the Fourth of July holiday. The clip is a funny Audi commercial featuring an Elvis impersonator. Enjoy.



And in related news, President Bush's trip to Missouri on Wednesday included a visit with "Andrew Benecke, an 18-year-old whose academic achievements earned him the honor of being named a Presidential Scholar this year." Benecke was unable to attend the ceremony at the White House due to treatments he is receiving for bone cancer. As a token of thanks, the Benecke's gave President Bush a copy of John Piper's devotional book, Life As A Vapor. I hope that he will read it and possibly come to love my favorite author as much as I do (HT: Justin Taylor)