Changing Our National Anthem
Rep. Andrew Jacobs gets my vote (he has proposed legislation to change the national anthem to “America the Beautiful”).
Observations of Guthrie’s roamer “walking that ribbon of highway” cannot possibly match mine. Many years ago, seated in the plastic nose of a B-24 bomber, I had the best seat in the house. Hours on end I flew over the deserts, rivers, mountains, plains and cities in training. Enthralled by diversity.
Bates was right. This is a beautiful land. McCarthy says she may have been giddy. In my opinion, Bates, who also taught school, seems almost divinely inspired. Her “America the Beautiful” is unmatched.
No, Mr. McCarthy, the populace doesn’t need a college pep song for a national anthem. The nation needs to sing, listen and live up to the words of “America the Beautiful.” With accent on “brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”
BEN FELDMAN
Venice
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