They aren’t singing “God Bless America” at this game.
A few thoughts struck me like a wild pitch last evening as I watched the World Series. And no, I am not going to talk about the game itself. The White Sox leading the series 2-0. Sigh!
Lou Rawls did what I feel was an admirable job singing the “Star Spangled Banner” before the game. I always cringe when I hear someone sing our anthem a cappella. It’s such a difficult song for even the best of singers to sing. So why in the name of Thomas and George Jefferson haven’t we changed our National Anthem to something more pleasant and easier to sing? I mean, it probably sounded good as a drinking song if you were totally crocked on some grog. But when you’re sober prior to the beginning of a game you hear a song that is a disaster awaiting FEMA.
I have said many times that we should change our National Anthem to “America the Beautiful,” the Ray Charles version. It’s got a lot of imagery in there. It has God in there so it ought to please the Christian right. I guess it leaves out the rocket’s red glare but I suppose we could add a verse about blowing up an enemy tank with a shoulder-fired missile if you just gotta have your battle images included.
Also, I think the time has come to cease singing “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch. I suppose it was poignant enough in the wake of 9-11, if you must make some sort of affirmation of your patriotism. But a lot has happened since 9-11. And we’re still here.
I think a bigger statement about our nation’s strength and resilience could be made by just giving up “God Bless America” during the game without fanfare and begin singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” once again. That would show the terrorist bastards that we are right back doing the same kind of things we always do. I believe in this instance that actions would speak louder than words. It would mean the terrorists didn’t win. Like we didn’t know that already.