Recently, I turned on my television in anticipation of Game 4 of the World Series. Now, I have been offended by some off-key, excessive musical liberties taken in some versions of the national anthem sung at sporting events in the past, but the rendition offered by Philadelphia’s Patti Labelle before that game was the absolute worst that I have ever been subjected to.

It was an outright insult to America.

I’ll be the first to admit that the national anthem is not the prettiest in the world, but Labelle’s offering made it sound even worse. I am still cringing at the memory of her screaming, screeching and wailing her way through the song, the veins in her temples and neck looking as though they would burst through her skin at any moment.

That kind of stuff belongs on a horror channel, not at a sports event.

In my estimation, “America the Beautiful” would be a much prettier song to be used as the national anthem.

Donald Corriveau, Lewiston