On this day in 1939, a wonderful and beautiful song entertained America, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” became an instant hit and remains an Iconic classic. America celebrated a New Musical in all its brilliant Technicolor, ‘The Wizard of Oz’… a tale of hope and a promise of renewal. This Iconic production came out the same year as “Gone With The Wind” another blockbuster of a film, and a testimony to Americana and its glorious spirit of innovation and renewal. Both were classical examples of our people’s masterful ability to captivate the world in full color and sound. Dorothy, Rhett, Scarlett, and a full cast of sterling Characters flashed across the large screens of the world, painting an almost believable vision of a nation able to overcome every evil in a world of despair… not so today.
Where has the America of Scarlett, Dorothy, Rhett, and Toto gone… the Yellow Brick Road and the wonders of the Emerald City, have been replaced by a Bridge to nowhere and the conflagration of Watt’s California. That adventurous spirit of a Nation once enamored with tales of glory and wonder, crafted by a Hollywood in tune with its audience, has been replaced by a narrative of an America in decline and Freddie Kruger running rampant in the Streets of America… No more Yellow Brick Road, no Toto, Rhett, Dorothy, or Scarlett on our wide screens today. The vision that was once America in its glory is now portrayed as the protagonist in a horror film.
Where have Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara gone, those two immortalized characters, who once spoke of the fighting spirit that was America and its enterprising people… a Nation that took on the wilderness and emerged a giant in a world of lesser grandeur? Hollywood and the American dream are Gone with the Wind and Toto has been abandoned in the once glorious vision of Oz. There he waits for Dorothy to return; If only there were a Yellow Brick Road?
No, America is not the same. it no longer embraces a culture that ‘can’ or a narrative of success through hard work. The wicked witch of the West has resurrected her sister of the East and both have laid siege to the Emerald City. Tara is abandoned and Rhett has gone to sea; while Scarlett ponders, with wonder, how the promise of her youth could yield such misery. America has been TRANSFORMED into something Scarlett and Dorothy would not recognize. We no longer tap dance down the Yellow Brick Road, to overcome the demons of our imagination… Tara and the glory that was Oz are gone… and the Demons have returned.
However, the story has not ended and Rhett has yet begun to fight… Dorothy still wears her Ruby Slippers and with two quick clicks, of her heels, home can be found again. Let us take hold of the Wind and Rhett’s hand… Let Scarlett build again a new Tara… A better home, where our sons and daughters may yet find the ‘yellow brick road’ and the path to the Emerald City of our imaginations, that America may once again sing… Somewhere over the rainbow… And with a little wizardry, what was a dream can become reality, in all the fullness and glory Technicolor alone could never produce.
The spirit of renewal yet rests in the bosom of Dorothy and the eyes of Scarlett yet glow with the promise of a better day. Rhett’s indomitable spirit will rise from the ashes and Tara will bloom once more in the heart of America.
Replies
Let the lovely and indomitable Spirit of America Rise once again. Let the Spirit of Fatherhood join with the Spirit of Motherhood and the Spirit of Family to all three, rise once again and take her place at the right hand of the One seated on the Throne, at the head of the table, as our Father, Son and Spirit—as They have said, "The Nations belong to us, specifically, to Him who died for us, Bled for us and Promised us, that the Nations belong to HIM and HIM ALONE. And He shall fulfill that promise to rule with a Rod of Iron. Amen to that. Take that, DS.
Amen...
My view is this short version: Back in the day, so to speak, this Nation had its criminals, low lifes, liars and corrupt people who held the law in contempt. There have always been such people as well as entire organizations who engaged in corruption and crime.They were prevalent in Colonial times and some were in high office in the early days of the government formed by the constitution. This is not new.
What is new is the fact that people have become so brainwashed in their convictions that bad is now really good, and that what is good is entirely an opinion rather than an absolute ordained by God. We have become 'enlightened' and 'educated' into acceptance and toleration of behavior once considered appalling and abnormal. Many now vote for known corrupt individuals only because they are members of the same party. We place people in government for that reason alone. We all must suffer the consequence when we do and the consequence can easily become fatal to the country.
It takes principles to distinguish between what really matters and those that do not.
One other thing. War is not a good thing. And the civil war is one that is indeed shameful. Both movies mentioned were very entertaining.
Well written post, Col, Nelson. Thank you.
May a better day rise with the coming dawn... Let, the Day Star of God point the way to revival and the eternal hope of the resurrection in Christ. For we are but mortal flesh and with time we decay leaving behind a trail of tears and remorse... Nevermore, to walk in yesterday's glory... man is trapped in the chains of yesterday,... in the corruption of his own making.
Let, today's sun rise upon a new hope and a better day... Pray to the Father in Heaven that America's leaders will awake to teh light of the rising Day Star and return to God's plan for mankind.
Amen...