When a Beatle Should Keep his Mouth Shut

Even today, the Crown expects certain standards of behavior and conduct from those who have been Knighted.

(ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.) - Recently Sir Paul McCartney, you accepted the Library of Congress Gershwin Award for Popular Song at the White House. As you accepted the honor you mumbled:

"It's a fantastic honor (for) the Gershwin family to give me this incredible award and for me to be awarded it by the Library of Congress. And in fact, after the last eight years, it's great to have a president who knows what a library is,"

While we will forgive the Yoda-like ending of the sentence with a verb, the context must be addressed. Sir Paul, you must try not to sing out of tune or you will need a little help from your friends. You see, Sir Paul, the President to whom you are referring in your pithy jibe possesses a Master Degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He was also the President of the United States. In comparison, Sir Paul, you are a Knight Bachelor with an education that would not qualify you in the USA to enter into the Harvard Business School. In fact, Five General Certificate of Secondary Education Ordinary Level subjects and an Advanced level subject are about the equivalent of a US High School Diploma and six semester hours of College work for a Baccalaureate Degree.

Now, Sir Paul, during your most creative years with the Beatles your contribution to modern culture is without parallel. No one can argue the fantastic string of musical hits that caught America’s imagination. It was during this time that the man you made fun of recently was serving on duty in the Texas National Guard. He stood ready, when called, to defend his country in time of war. In this country we call that honor and dedication. They are traits we admire and hold in high regard, kinda how England used to be back in World War II.

Sir Paul, I understand that you are enthralled with the new American administration. So enthralled, in fact, that you sung one of your famous songs “Michelle” to the First Lady with much passion and poetry. This was admirable of you considering the venue. But what song would you sing to President Bush if you wished to apologize for your statement quoted above? I have a few suggestions:

“Nowhere Man” – to indicate your lack of knowledge regarding President Bush’s educational achievements?

“Day Tripper” – because it might give you a reason to take the easy way out?

“Getting Better” – so that you won’t continue to hide your head in the sand?

I suppose the list could go on and on but I think Sir Paul gets the idea. So at this point I would like to remind Sir Paul of what it means to hold the title of Knight. Perhaps this is best explained through the words of Chaucer in his Prologue to his Knight’s Tale.

"And ever more he had a sovereign price, And though that he was worthy, he was wise And of his port as meek as was a maid. He never yet no villainy he said In all his life unto no manner wight He was a very perfect, gentle knight."

Clearly in Chaucer’s day a Knight was not expected to make snide, unfounded comments at Heads of State. Even today, the Crown expects certain standards of behavior and conduct from those who have been Knighted. For Her Majesty has been known, when circumstances warrant, to annul honors. An example of this was Lester Piggott, who had his Order of the British Empire (OBE) removed after being convicted for tax evasion. Of course, Sir Paul, you were aware of this royal tendency in a song you wrote many years ago:

“Her Majesty’s a pretty nice girl but she doesn’t have a lot to say, Her Majesty’s a pretty nice girl but she changes from day to day.”

Dave is monitoring a number of ill veterans and family members who were exposed to contaminants at the Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. This is a subject that Salem-News.com has paid serious attention to for years, that we are increasing our coverage of at this point. Dave's joining our team will amplify our ability to pay more attention to Camp Lejeune, since our writers have concentrated primarily on exposing the contamination at MCAS El Toro, and we could not be more happy about it. You can write to Dave Bedworth at: bedworth53@gmail.com

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Yvonne July 30, 2010 11:40 am (Pacific time)

Clearly what was said about Sir Paul McCartney was disrespectful. Then one must think that the writer subscribes to the the notion: "an eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth". One comment made in humour turns into blatant disrespect of the other and leaves one to think that the writer also believes 2 wrongs make a right???

G 2/3; July 30, 2010 11:29 am (Pacific time)

take it easy Vic. It seems to me to be more against sir Pauls being somewhat opportunistic.,as obama maybe exposed to French authors but expanded everything g.w. "mandated".Sir Paul didn't mention that at all far as I can tell.,and he didn't say anything about that bastard blair either.,the fucking snake! A true labratory specimen squirming in the political Petri dish. Diplomacy Vic. Twist one up. Lt. Col. Bedworth; welcome to S-N comments section. The Lt. Col. will find a diverse range of responses. I know the Lt. Col.'s skin got to be tough so diversity shouldn't bother the retired Marine. I for one.,speaking for myself only of course, hate g.w. with a passion.., and don't trust officers either. Vic is outspoken and ..,he grows on ya.,but he's never thrown a grenade if the Col. catches my drift. Oh yes.,a lot of the readership.,during a recentlly conducted poll.,indicated they liberally use marijuana. May I suggest you consider it in the treatment regimen now prescribed? Semper Fi sir.

Marianne Meyers July 29, 2010 9:49 pm (Pacific time)

Actually President Bush was very aware of what a library is as his wife was one of the greatest supporters of raising funds for school libraries.

Christin July 29, 2010 11:21 pm (Pacific time)

Over the years, the Beatles made tongue-in-cheek comments which stirred up problems. Clearly the British sense of humour is misunderstood in America whatever element of truth there may be, it was not meant to be disrespectful. Growing up with British heritage and sense of humour, if I reacted to all the barbs sent my way, I would have never survived!

Natalie July 29, 2010 8:13 pm (Pacific time)

One of the famous stories (anecdotes, if you will) reports that Lady Astor said to Churchill, "If you were my husband, I'd poison your tea," to which he responded, "Madam, if you were my wife, I'd drink it!" What I'm trying to say is even "I hate you" phrase can be said in a classy way and show intelligence. I guess, many prefer "your mama" type of verbal exchanges nowadays.

Eazy Money July 29, 2010 4:39 pm (Pacific time)

I only have one thing to say about this... "Strategery!"

Vic July 29, 2010 3:36 pm (Pacific time)

Bill.."Bush-loving warmonger" had nothing to do with the "posts above"..If you notice, mine was the first comment....there were no "posts above". I am not psychic..I did not know what the next posts would be, but they pretty much go along with what I said, dont they? ..Did you read the article? It doesnt sound like it..."Typical right wing ignorant fool. See what isn't there and not be able to identify what is there." (your comment to me paraphrased)

Mike July 29, 2010 2:32 pm (Pacific time)

So If I lied and cheated my way to become president then went about more lying, ruining lives, murder and destruction, would you guys still honor and respect my just because I was a "president?" I didn't think so.

Grandmother July 29, 2010 2:04 pm (Pacific time)

This is a tempest in a teapot. I feel the same way as Paul and millions of other people on the planet.

Duncan July 29, 2010 12:16 pm (Pacific time)

All the chatter on his candidacy for international war-criminal, prime destroyer of civil rights and the US economy, and the burning issue that moved you to write your first piece was someone implying Bush wasn't an intellectual personality? Talk about praising with faint damnation...

Bill July 29, 2010 7:56 am (Pacific time)

As a long time Beatle fan, what Sir Paul did was disappointing. Bush, Clinton, Lincoln or Obama, they are all presidents and deserve more honor. Sir Paul, as has been pointed out in this article, is not the most well educated, well read man in the world, having come through the horrific British education system and failing that as well. Love the music, stay out of politics. PS: Vic, where do you get "bush loving warmonger" out of any of the posts above? Typical liberal ignorant fool. See what isn't there and not be able to identify what is there.

Luke Easter July 29, 2010 7:39 am (Pacific time)

Finally! A musical artist with something intelligent to say. Not drug induced or from an alcoholic binge. Intelligence! No Snoop Dogg, Courtney Love, Boy George or P. Diddy. A real musical genius / icon of the industry. Take notes guys!

Marie July 29, 2010 6:05 am (Pacific time)

Bush got all his degrees because his family was rich and could afford to keep in in college to avoid Viet Nam. If anyone thinks a man who can't complete a sentence while speaking without tripping over his words is well read then they are a fool. Bush was and is a buffoon who is responsible for getting us into a war with no ending. He did not even go after the right country - because his oil business family is in bed with the Saudi family. He could not even think far enough ahead to consider how the US would ever exit this stupid war. The man is a moron. He never did anything that did not involve his father's connections.

gp July 29, 2010 5:30 am (Pacific time)

In Sir Paul's defense, GW Bush was never the duly elected President of the USA which means that Sir Paul owed him no respect just because he was able to sit in the office and pretend to be the President while he committed crimes against humanity with the help of the VP Dick who I am thrilled to know is dying a slow painful death of heart failure. But we knew both of their hearts had failed before they stole the first election. NO, Sir Paul can't be lynched for anything other than making a weak remark when he had the power to make a grand one. What a missed op Sir P.

Jim Noonan July 29, 2010 4:01 am (Pacific time)

Ok so lets get to the point of this story. Mccartney should have not said what he said. It was disrespectful of a US President. Instead if he wanted to comment he should have simply noted what a frick** liar Bush was and have been done with it. You want to write about people who disrespect presidents. Write about Fox News. They slam the livin hell out of Obama 8 hours a day. So what did you think about this near 70 year olds performance???

Vic July 29, 2010 3:14 am (Pacific time)

WTF ???? A Bush-loving warmonger writing in SN ? At least it shows that you respect all viewpoints,no matter how twisted or perverse, and that is commendable. And we all know about the "standards" of the "crown", as do the millions who have suffered under the murderous Brits throughout history. "Standards" my ass....

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