Here’s a palette cleanser for today, from an artist who has provided plenty of them over the years. Singer Ray Stevens takes on the TSA in his new song and video, “The Skies Just Ain’t Friendly Anymore,” a satirical skewering of the pat-down policies at airports across the nation.  Stevens gives it the same down-home treatment as he did with previous comedy singles such as “Gitarzan,” “Ahab the Arab,” “The Streak,” and “Along Came Jones,” along with his more straightforward spiritual hit song, “Everything Is Beautiful,” a #1 hit which sometimes gets oddly overlooked in Stevens’ career.  Here’s the latest in a surprisingly long and topical line of video commentaries on issues:

I took off my shoes, my rings and watch/

Then a guy said I need to check your crotch

And I’ll need to see all your liquid toiletries

He gave me a grope, a squeeze and a pat/

And I’ll tell you friends when I go to the vet

They treat my old bird dog with more dignity …

I’ll interview Ray Stevens today on The Ed Morrissey Show, starting at 3 pm ET.  Don’t miss it!