Cold Fish

This post has been inturrupted to bring you a special bullitin


While working today, I came accross the following MSN poll:

Many people feel that the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," is too difficult - complicated words and a hard-to-sing tune - as well as containing violent images. Which of these songs do you think makes the best national anthem?

This struck a nerve with me. There was a list of alternate songe to choose.

"America the Beautiful"
"God Bless America"
"My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
"This Land Is Your Land"

all of these songe are wonderful patriotic songs. But there is only one that is our national anthem. It's sad but true that many people do not know this song. I don't remember when I learned it, but I know it was in elementry school. I learned all of them in Elementry school, including God Bless America. While they all make my heart swell with pride over this wonderful country we live in, only one causes me to place my right hand over my heart, take off my hat and sing along.

It's not a difficult song if you don't think that you need to be a perfect singer. In fact, I think the slightly off key renditions are the best since they are sung with pride and love without fear of judgement. For love of the country we live in, not pride in the ability of the voice.

Only 51% of the voters said the Star Spangled Banner should be our anthem. The tune? can't be that difficult, it's an old tavern song. if a bar full of drunkin englishmen can sing it, so can you. Violent images? There were bombs bursting in air, it was written during a war!! it celebrates the fact that we won that war and are now the great country that we are. the French National Anthem talks about chopping people's heads off!

I am angry about this. Angry that MSN would suggest that we might want to change it because it's "too hard" or "too violent". angry that when I went to my cousin's graduation last week, I didn't see anyone tak off their hats. Anngry that we seem to have forrgotten the fight for freedom and justice that brought us to this land, this paradise. No, it's not perfect. There is no perfect. But there's no place I would rather be, and, at the risk of sounding conservative, if you don't like it, go away. there are some things in this country that need to be changed. In light of the comments made after the recent ruling by the supreme court against the president's wishes, getting a new administration is high on my list. However, Some things must remain eternal for the identity of this country to remain intact.

The American Flag (yeah, care for yours, I'm tired of seeing them tattered and torn. Fly it with pride. That's a rant for another day)

The Bald Eagle

and The Star Spangled Banner. it brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it.