What is America to me?

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Frank Sinatra - The House I Live In (That's America To Me).mp3

One of my first memories of going to the movies as a little boy was my sister taking me to the local theater at the end of World War II for Saturday afternoon cartoons and this short played of a bunch of kids of all different races fighting in an alley in New York City and Frank Sinatra came in, broke up the brawl and started singing this song.

It stuck with me in a way that still is at the heart of my political consciousness, proving how simple and unsophisticated I am.

I've put it up because I love it still (though the Paul Robeson version might be even better) and in hopes others will comment on what America means to them.

My belief is we can't get anywhere together unless we can talk about our basic principles and define what we mean by our words so we can begin to understand each other. Then, maybe just maybe, we'll we agree on more things than we disagree on.

So listen to Sinatra and speak your mind.

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3 Comments

I think the idea of democracy and america is an old fashioned one because I don't feel it has meaning anymore because politicians lie and hide facts and nobody votes or cares or even has any intelligence about the world. But no matter - if everybody else in the world hates us - I still have a sense of pride in our personal freedoms and I do love that song.

Thanks. Now I can't get the damn song out of my head!

What an excellent song. Thanks for that, Ron.

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Saving L.A. Project (S.L.A.P)



Thousands of people have responded positively to the movement to save L.A. and put the people in power in Los Angeles. Now, it's time for those who see the possibility of what a citizens coalition can achieve to go to work. Your mission is to go back to your organizations and get them to partner with the Saving L.A. Project, to tell your friends and associates what you really think about how the city's is being run. We've had public meetings, we've given speeches, we've blogged and emailed about SLAP and the failure of our city leaders to serve the people. It's not a mystery; most people get it right away because they know it's true but think they can't do anything about it. SLAP is doing something about. It has definied its mission: Ending corruption in city government, get city government to obey the law, demand honesty instead of lies from out city government. Good government in a great city -- that's our goal. To achieve that, communities have to be empowered. We're mobilizing community leaders in every part of L.A. and we're registering as a non-profit organization to raise money to shake the foundations of City Hall. SLAP belongs to everyone who wants to be involved in saving LA.

In September, SLAP plans to hold community meetings in various parts of the city. We will work with your local group or groups to arrange the meetings and provide people who can talk about what we're doing and listen to the issues that matter to you.


If you're fed up with the failure of the schools and city government to serve your needs, get involved. We're developing a website to bring our communities together. In the meantime, feel free to contact me ron@ronkayela.com or visit savingla.com

About Ron

Ron Kaye is the former editor of the Los Angeles Daily News where he spent 23 years helping to make the newspaper the voice of the San Fernando Valley and fighting for a city government that serves the people and not special interests. Twice in recent years, Los Angeles Magazine listed Kaye among the city’s most influential people, specifically in the area of politics. Kaye has been variously described in the media as the “accidental anarchist,” “the Patrick Henry of the San Fernando Valley” and a “passionate populist.” He is now committed to carrying on his crusade for a greater Los Angeles as an ordinary citizen. Previously, Ron worked at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner, Associated Press, Cleveland Plain Dealer and The Australian as well as papers in Fairbanks, Alaska and Yakima, Wash. He also wrote for Newsweek magazine, The Guardian in London and the Naitonal Enquirer.
You can email me at ron@ronkayela.com

About this Entry

This page contains a single entry by Ron Kaye published on April 18, 2008 9:18 AM.

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