19 Comments

I hadn't heard Andress' singing of the anthem, but I remember clearly Hendrix' iconic deconstruction of it and how it expressed so clearly our anger and angst and love and sorrow for what our country was going through during that turbulent time. You express so brilliantly the connections between now and then. I wish Andress had sang that way on purpose. I wish Hendrix was still with us to do so.

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Just think—Hendrix would be 82 this year. A mere two years older than Mick Jagger. Thanks so much for reading and sharing your thoughts, Deborah. I wish Andress had sung the anthem that way on purpose too.

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Jul 21Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Andrew--the connections you make here are not only inspired, but absolutely brilliant. This TRULY is New York Times worthy--there's a professionalism--a kind of nod to old-style "real" journalism that makes it a delight to read--even though the subject matter has most of us a bit on edge. And I particularly appreciate your following the "rules of civility" in ALL your posts. Well done, sir. (Sidebar: Esperanza!)

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I second that!

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Thanks, Deborah! Very kind.

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Esperanza indeed. After today’s political shakeup, we’re all doing a bit of improvising now.

Thanks so much for your VERY KIND words. Maybe some of my early aspirations are beginning to shine through my stories. I once worked in the advertising department of the NYT and often found myself in what I used to call the paper’s Hall of Pulitzers. It hit me that even the best ad I could ever write would never equal anything in that hall. Guess I’ve been trying to meet that standard ever since. So it means a lot to me that you see some of that aspiration coming to fruition in this piece.

Can’t thank you enough.

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Jul 21Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

I think so. Dunning-Krueger is in full effect on both sides. And as we are entering dangerous times where it’s nearly impossible to tell the truth from deep fakes, a commitment to verification of veracity in ourselves is the only logical place to start. I’m glad I found your stack. I praise your dedication to dialogue.

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Thinking of Dunning-Krueger always makes me laugh. Thanks for mentioning that. It’s difficult to be honest with oneself. But it’s the only way. Good to be in dialogue with you too. I’m looking forward to reading your Archetype posts. Thanks again.

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Jul 20Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Wonderful observations, although I’d like to gently push back on the idea that half of the nation pursues truth via evidence based practice. If anything, the pursuit of truth requires, indeed demands consilience and the holding of our opinions and assertions lightly in the harsh light of the opinions of others. If I had to guess, I would put it more like 95-5, the minority being dedicated to the idea that truth is continually revealed and requires the type of honest humility that only comes from a profound commitment to love and service. That commitment seems harder and harder to find, though it shines through in your essay.

Andresses’ wonky rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner was an accidental rendering of the negative space around the truth. Hendrix’s, entirely intentional.

Thank you for your writing.

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Thanks for your thoughtful and engaging response. I think your 95-5 ratio is more accurate than my 50-50 generalization. The pursuit of truth takes energy, time, and commitment. Most probably lack the ability to do that. What I had in mind was a general failing on the part of Democrats to rely on policy when lots of folks want easy answers to today’s complex problems. The rise of populist leaders here and abroad seems to support this.

What Hendrix did at Woodstock was definitely intentional. Andress stumbled into that territory without meaning to or even understanding what she’d done.

Thanks for using the term “honest humility.” That’s what it takes, doesn’t it?

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Jul 20Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Thank you for your insights Andrew! Enjoyed it as always!

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Thanks to you, too, Keith. Glad you enjoyed it.

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Jul 20Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

As always, thoughtful and on point. A calming voice in these troubled times. Thank you.

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Thanks to you too. It took a bit of effort to find that calm after witnessing everything that happened this week. Glad it came across. And very grateful to you for taking the time to read and share your encouraging response.

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Jul 20Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

A call to arms -- embracing arms, not killing arms. And thanks for the Hendrix link. A lot to chew on.

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What I noticed this week was the intransigence each side feels these days. And how digging-in only makes the other side angry. So glad I came across that reminder from the historian about Dr. King. Hope I can make better progress practicing the love he called for. Thanks for reading and weighing in. Much appreciated.

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Jul 20Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Always enjoy your takes on things, Andrew - thoroughly unique and never following the herd.

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Glad you enjoyed it, Robert. You're one of the best music writers I've ever come across. So your response to this piece means a lot to me. Thanks as always for your encouragement and support.

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Jul 20Liked by Andrew Jazprose Hill

Anytime and thank you for the very kind words - deeply and warmly appreciated.

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