Republican-Russian Collusion Proven!
A Republican lunch has a Russian song!
If you have recently attended the Greater Omaha Pachyderm Luncheon, you know the organization makes a point of being patriotic and faithful to a fault. A prayer and Pledge of Allegiance is done but so is a song, God Bless America! Oh, my God! How dare they!
One of my dear friends whose ancestry has Confederate ancestors (many people do) is all too well aware of divisions and factionalism in society and has a quest for fairness and equality, particularly in regard to taxation. Yet, he has brought voice to this song.
However, this song is from a Russian! The composer is Irving Berlin and he came from Imperial Russia. And to make matters worse, he is Jewish! Conspiracy theories abound! I guess those progressive Democrats were right about Trump after all! What will we do now?!?
All right, so much for me poking fun at the topic, but I want to highlight what Berlin did. He must have been aware of the history of the United States and the impact of Quakers in advocating for religious freedom. In 1701, Pennsylvania passed the Charter of Privileges granting religious freedom (https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1224/william-penn). Fifty years later, the Liberty Bell would be created to celebrate the event (https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/stories-libertybell.htm).
In spite of all divisions and factionalisms, the United States stands strong, even when under hostility. The Quakers understand this and persist in peace. I suspect Irving Berlin knew this in reformatting this song. Many will probably dispute this, but the song states: “Through the night with the light from above.” This is what Quakerism was all about. Seeking the light within you and above to improve you and the world. Christian or Jew, does not matter when you seek the “light” from above. Many people have become self-absorbed by ideology and passions instead of contemplation. Hopefully, Mr. Berlin and those who promoted his song provide an opportunity for both joy and reflection.
Berlin performed on the Ed Sullivan show over 50 years ago. He was very old (80 years old) by that time. So here he is.
Nice Andrew. There's nothing in this world like a perfectly timed curve ball. Thanks.
What a beautiful thing. It brings tears to my eyes. Irving Berlin knew exactly what he was singing about--and why--having left Russia. In 1968, we were well into the Cold War with the USSR.