Jack’s Winning Words 12/7/21

“History in every century records an act that lives forevermore.”  (Don Reid and Sammy Kaye)  As I look back and remember the events of 12/7/1941, nothing has unified Americans more than the slogan: “Remember Pearl Harbor.”  Within ten days after the attack, Reid and Kaye had written a song with that name.  Currently, Americans seem to be living during a War of Words..  Is there some action, some song, that can/will bring us together?.  I’ve always thought that America, the Beautiful would make a good National Anthem. ;-)  Jack   

FROM HONEST JOHN:  America the Beautiful is a hymn…..”God mend thine every flaw”.     The Star Spangled Banner represents a hanging in there action during a British Invasion…===JACK:  Both are words put to music.  BTW, My wife, Joan, has an ancestor, Dr. Bean (e) who was with Francis Scott Key when he wrote "The star-spangled banner."  America the Beautiful is still my choice for the NEW Nation Anthem, especially the words: "God shed His grace on thee...And crown thy good with brotherhood..".

FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  I’ve just been googling America, the Beautiful, and agree it would make a good National Anthem.  Especially focusing on brotherhood and how we are all interconnected, with each other and with creation, responsible for wise stewardship of our God-given resources shared all over the world.  More humble, more in the spirit of cooperation, not as triumphalist and in the spirit of competition or I should type not being dominated  and so forth.  I wonder if it could ever happen?  People enjoy competition and being successful and having autonomy and winning out over others but sometimes that’s not leading to real freedom—thought-provoking thing to reflect upon—the tenor of our U.S.A. culture and how the people of our country like to think about ourselves and our national identity.  Probably we’re as likely to be as polarized on this as we are on so many other things right now.  Thanks for generating thought-provoking WW for readers to reflect upon.===JACK:  In today's American scene something has to change, and I think that a new anthem would be a start...or foment more strife.

FROM BLAZING OAKS:  This Is My Country" is another good one .===JACK: I always liked "My Country, 'tis Of Thee,"  but the tune is the same as the anthem for Great Britain, and had first dibs.  

FROM SR IN SJ:  My first reaction, Jack, is that America is but one nation on this beautiful planet called Mother Earth. . .===JACK:  Until we begin to take care of our own house, it will be a useless task to try and save the whole neighborhood.  That's looking at the broad landscape.  Realistically, we need to try to do what we are able to do...wherever we can.

FROM JU IN NC:  America the beautiful is a beautiful song. The national anthem is a patriotic song.  America the beautiful is a beautiful song.  The national anthem is a patriotic song.  I wonder if somehow both could be established within their own valuable purposes.  I wonder if somehow both could be established within their own valuable purposes.===JACK:  I'm looking for something that we bring a divided America together.  Do you have any ideas?

FROM JM IN FH:  Hello Mr Freed! I love your thought of America the Beautiful. Kindness in everyday life, in each person needs to return. Much kindness in many people still exists, however, the war of words, constant news coverage and individual's social media seems more important to some folks. I find it distressing at times.===JACK:  When life seems distressing, as it often does, "put on a happy face" and go out and do (or say) something nice for someone.  I've got to try and do that today.