Johnny Cash, he of the homey gravelly voice, is perfect for patriotic recitation. Very moving. Others of the same vein come to mind, the sincere, avuncular actor/politician Ronal Reagan, the equally-sincere movie hero of “Saving Private Ryan,” Tom Hanks. Lee Greenwood might also fit the description, although he never served in the military, having received a draft deferment about 1960 because he became a father at age 17. I think also of proven heroes, like John McCain whose patriotism never waned through 6 years of torture and deprivation in the Hanoi Hilton. Let us never loose sight of the real meaning of America, its founders’ vision embodied in the Declaration and Constitution.
I don’t remember a time when there were so many false patriots in power. George Orwell famously said, “Nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism. Both words are used in so many different ways that they are no longer able to be controlled… Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally. Nationalism is inseparable from the desire for power.” Notable exemplars of this include our current president and his Secretary of War.
I was such a huge fan of Johnny Cash. I can’t imagine how I could have forgotten this recording, or how I could have not heard it back when he released it. Yes, the others you mention could recite it, but Cash composed it. It’s his original work, the title “song” from his album of the same name. He wrote it in the wake of the Watergate scandal, trying to rebuild faith in our country. Maybe that’s how I managed to miss it. It was lost in the Watergate chaos, which shook me to the core. It’s purpose is as relevant today as it was back then. Even moreso. Watergate pales compared to what’s happening in America today. You mention two of the principals. I would add Stephen Miller.
Meanwhile, I’m trying to immerse myself in the cheering World Cup crowds, the waving flags, the togetherness, the national pride (whether ours or others) to the exclusion of what might be happening in Washington. So many international visitors enjoying our country, and America enjoying them.
johnthecook…Do you recall the Robin Williams performance where He was dressed as the American flag and commenting on a brief history of where it has been in Americas history? Let’s not forget Red Skelton reciting the Pledge of Allegiance giving a definition of every word in the American Pledge of Allegiance. I still remember President John Kennedy’s famous words “Ask not what your country do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. That still rings true today. And remember, we have a Constitutional Republic if you can keep it. It is NOT a Democratic Republic!
Johnny Cash, he of the homey gravelly voice, is perfect for patriotic recitation. Very moving. Others of the same vein come to mind, the sincere, avuncular actor/politician Ronal Reagan, the equally-sincere movie hero of “Saving Private Ryan,” Tom Hanks. Lee Greenwood might also fit the description, although he never served in the military, having received a draft deferment about 1960 because he became a father at age 17. I think also of proven heroes, like John McCain whose patriotism never waned through 6 years of torture and deprivation in the Hanoi Hilton. Let us never loose sight of the real meaning of America, its founders’ vision embodied in the Declaration and Constitution.
I don’t remember a time when there were so many false patriots in power. George Orwell famously said, “Nationalism is not to be confused with patriotism. Both words are used in so many different ways that they are no longer able to be controlled… Patriotism is of its nature defensive, both militarily and culturally. Nationalism is inseparable from the desire for power.” Notable exemplars of this include our current president and his Secretary of War.
I was such a huge fan of Johnny Cash. I can’t imagine how I could have forgotten this recording, or how I could have not heard it back when he released it. Yes, the others you mention could recite it, but Cash composed it. It’s his original work, the title “song” from his album of the same name. He wrote it in the wake of the Watergate scandal, trying to rebuild faith in our country. Maybe that’s how I managed to miss it. It was lost in the Watergate chaos, which shook me to the core. It’s purpose is as relevant today as it was back then. Even moreso. Watergate pales compared to what’s happening in America today. You mention two of the principals. I would add Stephen Miller.
Meanwhile, I’m trying to immerse myself in the cheering World Cup crowds, the waving flags, the togetherness, the national pride (whether ours or others) to the exclusion of what might be happening in Washington. So many international visitors enjoying our country, and America enjoying them.
I didn’t know the backstory on Cash. Good for him! Agree about Stephen Miller, and agree that our country is wonderful. Happy Fourth!
Happy Fourth to you too, Jim. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday. 250 doesn’t come around very often! 🙂
thanks for sharing johnny
He did good with this one, didn’t he?
great
johnthecook…Do you recall the Robin Williams performance where He was dressed as the American flag and commenting on a brief history of where it has been in Americas history? Let’s not forget Red Skelton reciting the Pledge of Allegiance giving a definition of every word in the American Pledge of Allegiance. I still remember President John Kennedy’s famous words “Ask not what your country do for you, ask what you can do for your country”. That still rings true today. And remember, we have a Constitutional Republic if you can keep it. It is NOT a Democratic Republic!
I don’t recall the Williams and Skelton things, although I was a fan of both. But I certainly remember Kennedy’s words.
We have a republic that is described as both constitutional and democratic. The most important distinction is that it is, by design, not a monarchy.