Yeah, Right, Whatever

... or his house, at least.

Amid the ceramic monkeys, floor-and-ceiling green shag carpet and animal-head armrests of Graceland's Jungle Room, the delighted prime minister just couldn't hold back the Elvis lines.

All it took was a simple invitation from Bush.

"You're a pretty good Elvis singer," the president said, in an obvious prompt to his guest. Bush knew what was coming, having previously experienced Koizumi's tendency to burst into song when it comes to the late rock 'n' roll legend who is the Japanese leader's undisputed musical hero.

Koizumi quickly complied. "Love me tender," he sang. "Wise men say, `Only fools rush in.' "

Enter the special tour guides for the two leaders' private tour of Graceland: Presley's only child and heir, Lisa Marie, and her mother, Priscilla. "I want you, I love you," remarked Koizumi, spouting more Elvis tunes. Draping his arm around Lisa Marie, he went on. "Hold me close, hold me tight," the prime minister crooned.

I've seen some of the photos and a little bit of the video. Priscilla looked like she wanted to hide under some of that shag carpet in embarassment.

Prime Minister Koizumi is a major Elvis fan... he'll sing an Elvis duet to anyone who will give him a chance (W... Tom Cruise... you name it). Soon after taking office, he even released a cd of his favorite Elvis songs (and you wonder why I hate karaoke???). So... I can understand him wanting to go to Graceland while he's in the US for his last trip as PM (he steps down in September).

But that doesn't really explain this:

You know, I don't think Scott McClennan would have done that... or Ari might have... but I'm not so sure...

Then... if that wasn't enough... "Elvis" made an appearance this morning on Fox & Friends:

Greg Kelly... Marine pilot, White House Journalist and... Elvis impersonator?

Yeah, this is all goofy, but... do you remember that in Karate Kid II they referenced Japan's facination with Elvis? (yeah... random, but that was the first I'd heard about it). Elvis is a really big deal in Japan. What's the big deal? I mean... it's one thing to be a fan... but they take it to a whole new level.