I awoke this morning and moved on with my Christmas routine. After showering and readying for work, I relaxed in our kitchen with a cup of coffee and listened to Dean Martin's 1959 version of “Baby It’s Cold Outside”. I listened because I was curious. Since I’m not a member of the Facebook Social Club, I’ve been hearing bits and pieces of conversations from friends about the controversy surrounding this particular song, not the performer Dean Martin but the song “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, curiosity got the better of me.
It’s a snappy tone, usually sang by a female and male in which they verbally debate the ending of their obvious date. The female argues that it’s time to call it a night and go home, while the male responds with reasons why she should stay.
My google search showed that this song has been recorded many time by many different people. To name a few:
Johnny Mercer and Margaret Whiting, 1949
Ray Charles and Betty Carter, 1957
Ray Charles and Betty Carter, 1957
Homer & Jethro with June, 1953
Rod Stewart and Dolly Parton, 2004
Lady Antebellum, 2008
Louis Jordan and Ella Fitzgerald, 1955
Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone, 2003
Kelly Clarkson and Ronnie Dunn, 2013
I could continue on, it’s an old song that has been around for going on 76 years. It continues to be popular even today or it would have been long gone after its first release back in 1942 as was Glenn Miller's performance of “Moonlight Cocktail” back in 1942. “Moonlight Cocktail was composed by Luckey Roberts with lyrics by Kim Gannon. It never resonated with the public and other than an occasional resurrection in the past 76 years, “Moonlight Cocktail” stays in the unvisited graveyard of historic music.
So what’s my point? How can a 76 year old song that has been extremely popular since it was released, recorded by dozens of artists over the years, be wrapped up in so much controversy today? My answer is social media.
I’ve long believed that the United States of American is strong because it’s a melting pot of cultures. People who came and continue to come to the United States are here in pursuit of liberty, justice, and freedom. After they arrived and assimilated, they remember their heritage but they became “Americans” first and foremost.
I also believe that the down fall of the United States will not come from invasion by a foreign government. It will not come from economic collapse. The United States will fall because of internal conflict and strife.
Years ago, I walked away from Facebook because, even then I saw the evil that social media of this type brings to the world. Granted, it has some good points, but I believe the Devil exists and his instrument of destruction is social media.
If you look up the meaning of “strife” you will find a definition similar to this: “angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues; conflict”.There is no negotiation or reasonable discussion in "strife". It tears at the fabric of society.
So now let’s close the circle. As I watch the “strife” developing over the song “Baby It’s Cold Outside”, I know the fuel to this strife is the news media which is profit driven and in social media which is also profit driven. What social media does is also provide a battleground for social strife fueled by anger, confusion, and sometimes hate.
So how does one cope in these turbulent times? I can only advise on what works for me.
First, cut yourself off from social media and if you can’t cut yourself off, at least limit it to people you closely know and/or family members. Focus on positives if you must participate. Do not be afraid to block people who are filled with hate and fuel social strife.
With regard to news, I limit myself to local news media only. I focus of current events and the good things going on in my community. All other sources tend to drive me towards worry.
“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Matthew 6:27 NIV. “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 NIV.
Lastly, I pray a lot; all the while, remembering the words of Psalm 46:10 NIV:
"He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”"
Thanks be to God.
