The War in Iraq, the War in Afghanistan, Al Qaeda’s dangerous network, the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Katrina, the war raging in the Middle East, American workers earning a measly $5.15/hr minimum wage, the prospect of no more Social Security, etc. etc.

These are just SOME of the problems facing America and the world at the moment. However, in the spirit of boozy Friday, President Bush today will receive a very special envoy at the White House today. An envoy that has given us so much joy, ample love and above all, that has given us the gift of song–mostly crappy crappy songs, but musical notes, nonetheless. Yes, DoubleSpeak readers, today the Prez welcomes this season’s American Idols. What war in the Middle East?

As a taxpayer, I say that when an envoy such as this comes to greet the President, the White House should shut off the A/C – it’s costing too much as it is to chill that place and well, frankly, all non-essential people to visit the White House don’t deserve to breathe the hard-earned fruits of taxpayer money.

But Bush could use a ratings boost — for months, polls have consistently shown fewer than four in 10 Americans approve of his job performance.

It’s the first time “American Idol” stars — or those from any reality TV show — have earned a White House meeting. Hicks, along with Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin and the show’s other finalists, will visit Bush in the Oval Office this afternoon, give him a gift and pose for pictures.

Although the president is following a time-honored tradition of hosting popular champions at the White House, the juxtaposition with world events could strike some as a bit jarring. Earlier in the day, Bush will meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the battle between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants, and the continuing sectarian violence in Baghdad.

“It can be tricky, when the Middle East is falling apart, to be spending time with the winner of ‘American Idol,’ ” said Darrell West, a political scientist at Brown University in Rhode Island. “There’s the risk that people will ask, ‘Doesn’t this guy have something better to do? Shouldn’t he be solving foreign crises?’ ”

UPDATE: Photos with the Prez

Secretary of State Condi Rice is over there in the Middle East trying to help curb fighting between Israel and Hezbollah terrorists. The jury is still out on her performance thus far, but nonetheless, she’s stressed. You would be too.

So, to reflect her somber mood and blow off some steam, she will play a piano recital in Malaysia this week.

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – In keeping with her mood and to reflect the world crises she tackles daily, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans to play a somber piece of music to her Asian colleagues in Malaysia this week.

The Association of South East Asian Nations has a tradition of ministers performing usually silly skits at a gala dinner, but Rice, an accomplished pianist, said she was more at ease playing a serious, reflective piece, possibly by the composer Brahms.

“It is not a time that is frivolous. It is a serious time. I will play something that is in accordance with my serious mood,” said Rice, who had just attended a conference in Rome aimed at helping resolve the Lebanon crisis.

SHOW OFF! At least she’s not shoe shopping.