This is the annual reprint of a column originally written on The Huffington Post in 2009. And this year is the 14th anniversary of the actual event itself, Some stories simply demand repeating. Or better put, demand not being forgotten. This is one of them. And so, once again, here 'tis. One additional word. happily Maurice Cheeks is still in the NBA. He's currently the assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are in the playoffs... April 25, 2009 Oh, Say Can You Sing? A National Anthem to Remember As I prepared to write about an act of uncommon decency by a professional athlete, I realized that calling it that was unfair, that it diminishes what happened, because this was simply an act of uncommon decency, period. That it happened on such a high level and under such a bright microscope might likely stir the heart more, but it's the act itself that is ultimately what stirs us to begin with. Who it was and when it took place simply moves it up the pedestal. Today is the sixth anniversary of Maurice Cheek's moment on the pedestal. There is in the American consciousness for notable performances of the National Anthem at sporting events. Jose Feliciano's evocative singing at the 1968 World Series in Detroit was the first to interpret the "Star Spangled Banner" before a national audience. Because 1968 was one of the most tumultuous years in U.S. history, many at the time were so outraged that it took his career years to recover. Today, the rendition not only seems tame, but one of the most tender and beautiful. (And among the least known. If you've never heard it, do yourself a favor and click here to listen.) Whitney Houston gets mentioned often for her rousing rendition at the 1991 Super Bowl, during the Gulf War. For many, Marvin Gaye's deeply soulful performance at the 1983 NBA All Star is the most memorable. But for sheer emotional joy, it's hard to top what happened on April 27, 2003, before Game 4 of the NBA playoffs between the Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks. Context only adds to the story. So, once again: This was the playoffs. This is what all professional athletes live for, what their year is about. The regular season is a prelude, an effort to get into the post-season and be in place to win the league championship, to become a part of your sport's history. Everything centers on this. As the start of each playoff game nears, as the roaring crowd is at its highest pitch, as players put on their proverbial "game faces" and the battle is moments from beginning, all external thoughts get filtered out, and focus is completely, solely on their task ahead. The National Anthem, for most athletes, must be one of those external influences. More than most of us, who hear the "Star Spangled Banner" largely on special occasions, professional athletes have heard the National Anthem played before every single competitive game they've played. Game after game repeatedly each season, and season after season, for decades. Relentlessly. As meaningful as the song is, it is also just part of the ritual for a professional athlete, focused on the game, geared up for the game, anxious to start the game. Silent, not singing, maybe not even hearing the music. Waiting for the National Anthem to be played, and finished, so that they can finally start what they're there for. It's likely as much background noise as it is patriotic uplift. And so it must have been as the Trailblazers and Mavericks prepared for their playoff game to start. Stepping out onto the court was Natalie Gilbert, a 13-year-old girl. Just another National Anthem, just another youngster who won a contest, just another two minutes the crowd wanted to get past for the game they were there to see, to start. And she started fine. A little hesitant, since it's a frightening occasion for a child, with a national audience, flashing lights and a military guard. But in her wavering voice, she was prepared. Except that a few lines in, the high pageantry of the moment got her, and something went very wrong. She totally, thoroughly forgot the words. A young 13-year-old child, standing in front of over 10,000 people, lost. Alone. And that's when Maurice Cheeks showed the kind of person he was. Maurice Cheeks had had a very good NBA career as a player. He played for 15 years and was selected to four All Star games. When he retired, he was the all-time leader in steals and fifth in assists. He averaged over 11 points a game. And then he later became a coach, the position he was currently in for the Portland Trailblazers. It was Cheeks who was responsible for his team, responsible for keeping them focused on the game, responsible for guiding them. But he saw a 13-year-old girl in trouble. And that's when Maurice Cheeks showed the kind of person he was. Immediately. Cheeks always had a reputation in the NBA as a good guy. But he was about to prove it on a national stage. And what happened next - not just with Maurice Cheeks, but eventually with all the jaded players whose minds had been previously-focused on their game, an entire stadium of basketball fans there to see basketball, even the opposing white-haired coach Don Nelson - is just enthralling. The moment is wonderful, but how it builds and surprises is even better. And at the end, this tiny girl looking up at the giant of a man - who stayed around, refusing to leave her side and return to his team - with her face awash with relief, a huge hug, and the clear words mouthed, "Thank you," is all you need to see to why it's hard to top what happened on April 25, 2003, before Game 4 of the NBA playoffs for sheer emotional joy. Six years ago today.
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Just for fun, here's another of those off-beat "First Drafts of Rock" videos from The Tonight Show, where they present what supposedly were the first versions of famous rock songs. Here, we have the "first draft" of the Bob Seger song, "Old Time Rock and Roll." This morning, I was thinking about all those cool plans that Trump has just sitting in his desk about "extreme vetting" for refugees. It occurred to me that while waiting for court approval, he should use them oe.en his cabinet nominees! And staff appointments. It could avoid all these embarrassments. Even just plain old, standard vetting! "Extreme" wouldn't even be necessary, except in really special cases. Like for son-in-laws.
And so it just happens to happen that Trump's nominee for Veteran Affairs, Dr. Ronny Jackson, has been charged with "excessive drinking," among other problems, like improperly distributing meds. There's action some odd whimsy in all this, given that the the first part of "veteran" is...VET. Seriously, between this and Mike Flynn and staff member like wife-abuser Rob Porter and more, toss in Paul Manafort, one does actually wonder if there is the White House does even vet people. Or if the standard is just that Trump says, "I think I might like them, hire them" and they're in. Or -- "Find out who that is on 'Fox News' and hire them." Joseph DiGenova didn't work out well. Neither did Monica Crowley. So, who knows, maybe there's no excessive drinking on the job. But then, It would seem that ANY drinking on the job is Really Bad for a doctor. Or really bad for even any job, except maybe wine taster. Of course, "excessive drinking" is so high on the scale it doesn't even register. But that's just me... On the other hand, if the stories are true and there was excessive drinking on the job by Dr. Jackson, it could explain his report on Trump's physical. Honestly, I don't think it's absolutely, unequivocally known for 100% certain yet that the charges of excessive drinking on the job are true. But when your Senate confirmation is cancelled, and no new date is announced for rescheduling, it tends to send a huge implication that there's some very big problem. The thing is, even without this news story, it was bizarre that Trump would have picked Ronny Jackson to Veteran Affairs, which head the second-largest employer in the federal government, despite having no experience at all in heading a large organization. Let alone a massively-large one. Now toss in excessive drinking and improperly distributing meds. It's not a good look. Bizarre, yes, but sadly not unexpected. I was going to say it's "par for the course," but any phrasing that could get Trump thinking he should be back playing golf should be avoided. Focusing on his job less seems like a truly terrible idea. "I know all the best people." The problem is that they also know Trump, which is why they're running in the opposite direction as far as they can. And we're left with the remains lying at the bottom of the swamp after it's been drained. Okay, let's toss in some new Randy Rainbow. This is his parody version of "Stand by Your Man." The lyrics are good lyrics, though not his best. However, it is an absolutely wonderful performance and a terrific full-production. And be sure to stick around through the fade-out. I've liked David Cay Johnston when I only knew of him writing about taxes and winning a Pulitzer Prize. It was remarkable how he made such arcane minutiae and otherwise seemingly-boring material so fascinating and understandable. I had no idea at the time that he'd been covering Trump for over 30 years. In fact, he now has written two books on Trump. So, it was notable the in a long interview with him on Salon, conducted by Chauncey DeVega, he commented --
"Let me be very clear and quotable about this. At an absolute minimum, Donald Trump has divided loyalties, and the evidence we already have suggests that Donald Trump is a traitor. In fact, I would say that the evidence we already have, the public materials such as emails for example, strongly indicate that Donald Trump is a traitor. However, I don’t even think he understands what he’s done." I was out much of yesterday, so I don't know many details about the awful mass-killing in Tennessee at the Waffle House. But without drawing any conclusions until authorities know more, it was hard not to be shocked to learn that the killer had declared himself to be a far-right wing extremist "sovereign citizen" who used an assault rifle and that the three of the victims were black, and the fourth Hispanic. Maybe that's all coincidental, although such shootings don't tend to be coincidences, but planned. I'm sure more details will come to the surface. But that seems to be a far-too standard and disgusting starting point these days.
I do hope the mass killer is not one of the "very fine people" who Trump associates with such groups. But you never know... Though I do at least hope he'll praise James Shaw Jr, the man who tackled the gunman, despite Shaw being black. Mind you, I don't know if Trump would have run into the room and taken a bullet to save lives like James Shaw Jr. did? I don't suspect most would people, so if not that's okay. But given Trump's penchant to makes all stories about himself, I suspect it's possible he'd say so. I also don't know if the gun corporation-owned NRA has offered "Thoughts and prayers" yet, though, or explained how this is the fault of anything other an an AR-15? Nor if Ted Nugent, has he chimed in. (Still "surprised" he's on the NRA board...) Yes, I know the Waffle House mass murderer has previously been declared mentally ill. Funny though how such things work out that way. Funny too how the NRA pushed for the Senate and Trump to pass the bill that overturned the Obama law about not reporting the severely mentally ill for background checks. I wonder what the over/under will be for right-wing politicians and the NRA to start attacking the Parkland students when they speak out about this latest mass killing...? |
AuthorRobert J. Elisberg is a political commentator, screenwriter, novelist, tech writer and also some other things that I just tend to keep forgetting. Feedspot Badge of Honor
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