THE SECOND CHANCE SHEEPDOG: Inexcusable

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Inexcusable

I have a confession to make. I need to come clean. I'm sure no one will be surprised, but ... I did not watch Obama's "re-inauguration." I've heard plenty about the festivities, though, and I've seen some of the transcripts of his speech. As usual, it all sounded good, but we all know from the last four years that he's good at talking and telling Americans what many of them want to hear. His problem is that generally his follow through is either weak or turns out being something that most of us didn't want. I've also realized you really need to listen to what he's not saying when he's talking - kinda like reading between the lines. What he's not saying is what's really important.

Beyonce (Photo credit: Ana Kelston)

Therefore, nothing related to Obama surprised me in regards to his re-inauguration. My bone to pick is with something that doesn't even involve him. I know, and have heard, all about him that I need to. My problem is with something else this time. That something else's name is Beyonce. With her, The Sheepdog's a little perturbed.

When I first learned that she lip-synched the national anthem, my initial reaction was, "No way. Who would do that ?" It was hard to believe. Then, as usual, I checked into it to verify it for myself. The more I read, the more I learned that yep - she did it. I think it's appalling and un-American. She was given an opportunity that most singers, and many Americans for that matter, would love to have - singing at a presidential inauguration. So, what did she do ? She faked it. That's just sorry and unpatriotic.

I've also seen reports that Beyonce's reason for faking the national anthem was because it was too cold. Really ? Ya gotta be kidding me. Scores of singers have sang the national anthem outside in the cold at sporting events through the years. I've seen it many times during NFL games either during the playoffs or regular season, particularly in the colder northern states. In fact, Aerosmith's Steven Tyler sang the national anthem in Foxboro, MA last year before the AFC Championship. So, what's Beyonce's problem ?

Beyonce's lip syncing the national anthem got me to thinking about all the American men and women who have served our country in the military over the years in harsh climates. I've read the stories and watched the movies of the frigid winters in Europe during World War II. More recently, our servicemen and women have braved the 130 degree heat in the Iraqi desert during the summer months. What would have happened if they had quit because it was too hot or too cold ? Well, consider the following :

In the case of World War II, we'd all likely be speaking German right now, and the Jewish race would be no more, if our military had quit due to the severe cold and deep snow.
In the case of Iraq, we'd likely have been hit with another 9/11 type attack, if our military had quit due to the 130 degree heat in the Iraqi desert in the middle of the summer.

Our servicemen and women can brave those conditions and tough it out, but yet Beyonce can't spend four or five minutes in the Washington D.C. freezing winter weather singing the national anthem. She had that opportunity because those brave men and women from Europe in the '40s to Iraq now have fought to protect our freedoms and way of life. Her wimping out dishonored them. It's inexcusable. We're Americans. We don't quit because the climate's too harsh. We find a way to get it done - period.

John Mellencamp (singer, songwriter, and guitarist) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas on January 29, 2007 for the official ribbon cutting ceremony of The Center for the Intrepid, a $50 million state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation facility designed for servicemembers wounded in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Photo by Peter Rimar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I'm not a Beyonce fan. Heck, I'm not into any of the current secular singers or bands. I grew up in the '80s. In my opinion, secular music went to pot after about 1993 or '94. Due to that, and Beyonce's national anthem lip syncing debacle, I can't help but wonder - couldn't the NFL have gotten somebody else for the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show ? Surely KISS, .38 Special, Heart, John Mellencamp, or somebody with some real talent is available. I mean ... "C'mon man," as Chris Bermann and the guys on ESPN's NFL Countdown show would say, surely the NFL can do better than her.

I think I will boycott the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show and do something more constructive - like eating. I'll also be pulling for the Ravens to bring that Lombardi Trophy home to the AFC North and prevent the 49ers from tying my Steelers with six Super Bowl titles.