My dad unearthed this on YouTube this morning. It's a lovely birthday card to America from a bit Red Skelton performed on his show in 1969. There are several things in here that conjure very fond memories for me. First was the Red Skelton show. I always liked that clown. It was because of him and other great comedians that I came to believe that the "clown" was really the bravest and highest artist because he was always willing to expose his pain to make us laugh. I wish I had that talent.

While there is nothing inherently "painful" in this bit, in his inimitable style, Skelton transports us to those sweet moments of childhood when we too sat a little bleary-eyed at our school desks in the early morning, going thru the motions to get our day started. For many of us, the Pledge of Allegiance was a ritual. Like all rituals, they tend to become mindless and rote over time. It's a good and healthy thing for us to every once and a while think through each word.

http://bit.ly/12Otah 

The only thing I find truly disappointing about this particular clip comes in the 1-3 seconds before it is allowed to roll. There is a slide that says, "From ImgnNoLibs Politically Incorrect Freedom Loving Americans Everywhere." Leave it to some wing-nut to think he has a corner on Patriotism, reverence for America, Freedom and Liberty to ruin everything. He's just too stupid to realize that his brand of "freedom" isn't.

I encourage you to try to ignore that rot and to watch and listen and remember Red Skelton. A genius. A clown. A patriot in the best sense of the word.

Happy Independence Day!