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Dr Ada M Fisher |
On September 13, 1914 from
his perch in Maryland, Francis Scott Key in observing the bombing of the British
upon Baltimore’s Ft. McHenry in the War of 1812, penned the words
"Defence of Fort
M'Henrys”. This popular patriotic lyric
paired with a English drinking song, "To Anacreon in Heaven" was a
rallying cry which would become our National Anthem
entitled, the Star Spangled
Banner. In 1889 the US Navy
recognized The Star Spangled Banner, which
was later adopted by a resolution of the US Congress on
March 3, 1931 as our National Anthem.
The dissension leading to the
war of 1812 ironically stemmed from the British Navy’s practice of impressment -
- the taking of people into their navy or service of the British government by
force or compulsion against their will. It had little to do with
conditions in this nation but the freedoms sought by the USA from those nations
imposing trade rules or practices which skimmed the best from this
country. My all black high school class of 1966 witnessed
approximately 10% of its young men drafted for the Vietnam War and most of them
served brilliantly in a cause unpopular with many at home. I stand and salute
these brave souls who served at their nation's beck and call.
It is
sheer folly that Colin Kaepernick in refusing to stand for the
National Anthem sites his displeasure with the treatment of people
of color resulting in persistent inequities. Yet,
his persistent unemployment in football speaks volumes to all those
posturing on the sidelines as they take their huge paychecks home and seemingly
do little to help the less fortunate while proclaiming their support.
Talk is cheap from the professional athletic leagues which kidnap
television and other media outlets for revenue, to
fill their viewing slots. Cities which fund stadiums do not have
adequate assurances of reimbursements which could have been used
to help the less fortunate while billionaire owners to a large
extent get off skimming citizen's revenue tax free. No player is worth $20
million plus per year playing a ball game with so few contributing
wealth to their communities with exceptions like a
Magic Johnson in his entrepreneurial Magic Theaters or LeBron
James’ 42 million dollars for scholarships to the youth of his hometown Akron,
Ohio. But what has professional athletics done to stem the tide of substance
abuse or violence against women by its member athletes who act as their slaves.
Usurping Sunday and replacing religious worship with the pleasures of sporting
events has become but a knife in the heart of our moral solidarity, motivating
some religiously inclined to act.
We should have these
conversations about societal disparities; however the government can not solve
the problems. Individuals, businesses and organizations must
step to the plate protecting constitutional mandates. Love
him or hate him, refusal of an opportunity to ask for a conversation with the
President of the United States, if his invitation to the White
House is genuine would be most appropriate. Demeaning
the current and other Presidents regardless of ones side of the aisle belittles
this nation’s government. The President in not
honoring traditions without interjecting caustic
poison pills does little to foster a united nation. The invective's
calling one out of ones name is never publicly appropriate when directed at
this nation's citizens -- this is behavior unbecoming of our
President.
Alejandro Villanuella, a
Pittsburgh Steeler who is a graduate of West Point and served as a
Ranger in Afghanistan, came out of the tunnel to be counted during
the National Anthem while others remained undercover thereby not
publically counted. He showed what it is to have “skin in the game” on and off
the field by taking a stand. The right to peacefully protest is a
given in this nation and should not be demeaned. Likewise employers have a
right to dictate conduct if you represent their organization.
The three criteria needed to
run for the presidency include being a natural born citizen, a resident of 14
years and at least 35 years old, all of which Donald J. Trump possesses. He is
the president so get over that. The Republican Party must be charged, as should
those who voted for Trump, to elevate his game in reflecting the American
Greatness he espouses.
The National Anthem’s
3rd and 4th verses say much:
A home and a country should leave us no more!, , ,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
A home and a country should leave us no more!, , ,
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Oh!
thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand . . .
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Ada M. Fisher, MD, MPH is a licensed teacher; former county school board member; gifted speaker; retired physician; former Medical Director in a Fortune 500 company; author of Common Sense Conservative Prescriptions Good for What Ails Us Book 1 (available through Amazon.com) and is the NC Republican National Committeewoman.