Sinatra’s Choice for Liberty Song
What was especially ironic about the proceedings was Sinatra singing “The House I Live In.†This is a very moving ballad, detailing the joys of being an American--â€the right to speak your mind.â€
Why was it ironic? Because two of the people associated with that fine song, Earl Robinson and Albert Maltz (who wrote the screenplay for the short that won an Oscar) spoke their minds out and were harshly punished by being blacklisted.
In Maltz’s case he went to jail for refusing to keep his eloquent mouth shut or recant his beliefs or turn informer.
I wondered as I watched the President and Nancy’s beaming faces as they listened to their friend Frank sing if they had been informed about who wrote this very meaningful ballad?
Could it be that Frank is still a closet liberal?
BEN IRWIN
Studio City
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