Pretty much agree with this statement. I have for years felt that people are suffering from information overload. At some point, I just turn off. I can't deal with all the news.

National Antham
 

It was fashionable in those days to own slaves. Just like cigarettes was fashionable in the 1930's. Now you are looked down upon if you smoke. Cigarettes were in C rations during WWII. Every Hollywood Actor smoked including women. Times have changed. Grow up people! Everyone is looking under every rock and tree to find something they can say offends them. Well, the BLM offends me! They are anarchists' trying to rewrite history.

I agree with most of your post, but why the gross generalization about BLM? Do you know for a fact that every BLM member is an anarchist? That would be like me saying every White person is a racist.

Destroying ourselves
 

Slowly but truly we (United States of America) seem to be on a path to destroy our country from within. History tells us that it’s not the enemy from the outside but ourselves that allows a society to topple. We better get off this path soon.

I've paid attention to the issues since college (in the late 1970's/early 1980's). I wasn't involved in Civics, but I went to school for print journalism so civics was a very important and required aspect of my education. I sat in on court cases in the state house and wrote articles for class, had to do a huge 10-page report using all the rules of investigative journalism as a final exam, had to meet politicians and interview them, went to Washington DC as part of a class trip and met with my Senator and Congressman, had a personal guide from my Senator through the underground tunnels to the Department of Commerce, where my cousin was the assistant deputy press secretary for Ronald Reagan.

My school's population was comprised of a majority of LGBTQ+ people - including the staff. Minorities were the majority. I was the minority white straight girl. I was exposed to "different" and learned that we all breathe the same air, and we all want to be loved, and we all have love to give, no matter what physical attributes or preference in life-mates makes us look different from each other.

I was exposed to "different" for decades. So perhaps that is why I have the perception I have. People who spent their lives in somewhat isolated parts of rural or semi-rural America didn't have that exposure. So "other" might seem intimidating.

Our country isn't about a singular war with bombs bursting in air, or a piece of cloth hanging from a pole. That isn't what our country is about. It never was about that. Our country is about "other." We were founded by "other." People from England who protested their own mandates and regulations and official state religions - wanted out, because they knew their own country would not allow it to change. So they came here - because this was where they could BE "different" and have a chance for survival.

THAT is what our country was created for. THAT is the purpose of America.

Until this concept is embraced and accepted, our country will not succeed. We are still in the learning process. This, this "what song will represent us?" is one lesson that we are still learning. It's a bump in the road, a symbol of transition.

I suppose the very best and glaring example is nothing being done when we had a black president......AND control of the house and senate......... wonder why this current outcry went without incident then when the very same issues....every single one were present!

I think it's a beautiful song..

🤬🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺� ��🇺🇸

I think all this Change to America is B.S.. We have always been proud to be Americans . those statues they are tearing down are our History, like it or not it is what it is. History is just that History. The way things are going America won't be a place anyone will want to live in. Why can't they look at those statues and think, We've come a long way baby, but they are acting like wild animals with all the rioting and looting , they should be ashamed. if they don't like America as we have known it for the past 200 years they obviously don't belong here. I have never been predjudice but the way they are acting is something to be Proud Of??? I for one want the America we grew up with, everyone getting along, what is happening is a real Shame and I'm glad I'm Old and still remember when we were proud to be American. We saluted the flag in school every morning and would Never think of NOT stand for the National Anthym. GOD BLESS AMERICA

Anything having to do with black people should be removed or not allowed because they had slaves in Africa.

The times we live in are hopefully a more understanding, diverse and inclusive time. Perhaps it is time to update our National Anthem to be inclusive of all. Also note that the music is originally a British song. Perhaps we should also get an American composer.

How sad.
 

How sad that the attempt to justify The Star Spangled Banner as a racist song is based on one word (which ignores the accompanying word "hireling", which would include anyone who had to work for a living) one word in one sentence in the third verse of a song, taken out of context. How sad indeed.
The Star Spangled Banner is a difficult song to sing. The third verse is almost never sung , only the first verse. So, why not keep the song and, officially strike the questionable third verse? Since the rest of the world recognizes the melody as our anthem, it is easiest solution, imho.
Truth be known, I have always thought America The Beautiful was a better song. However, I never considered changing the national anthem just because I thought there might have been better choices.
I lived through the Watts riots, the era of Equal Opportunity that required quotas in school admissions and hiring regardless of qualification. I thought advancement in race relations was moving forward in the same way that immigrant language skills advance with greater exposure to others. Now, it seems I was wrong.
I am reminded of a movie from 1969, "Putney Swope", that reminds me a lot like what is going on now. For those unfamiliar with the movie, a brief description follows.
A major ad firm has one "token" black man on the board of directors. The chairman dies. The vote for the new chairman does not go as expected. Unable to vote for themselves, each member decides to secretly cast a token vote for Putney Swope. New chairman Putney addresses the board stating "I won't rock the boat, I intend to tip the boat over". All the whites are fired except one "token" white. Chaos ensues until the business goes up in flames at the hands of Putney's more radical followers.
Sounds kind of like what is going on now. An attempt to "turn the boat over".
I am 100% in favor of fair and equal and respectful treatment for all. But it must apply to everyone or it applies to no one. Change should be peaceful and lawful and with respect from all sides. Violence causes the divide to worsen.
Someone said "follow the money". Beyond me.. Who is funding the violence and the destruction of history? BLM, Russia, China, the Taliban, some other group? I don't know.

Stay well. Stay safe. Peace!

This is what a National Anthem should sound like!

GOOSEBUMPS! Wales fans deliver incredible rendition of the national anthem - YouTube

That won't work, the atheists will object to God and scream about the separation of church and state.

For those who object to the SSB
 

Just a thought as I re-read the verse.
I came away with a different interpretation of the meaning.
"No refuge could save the hireling and slave" to me refers to the British, who used mercenaries (hirelings) and those pressed (forced against their will, ie: slaves) into service for the crown. I read it that way since the "hirelings and slaves" are running scared, and in the next few lines"and the Star Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave".
Accepted or not accepted is ,imho, is a result of being able or willing to understand the context/circumstances of the times in which those things happened.
You can't change history, you can only try to hide it by destroying the evidence. Kind of like what extremists and radicals in other parts of the world try to do by destroying ancient temples and educational materials that show us the truth of history.
Just another and more reasonable and likely interpretation, imho. Think about it and don't just dismiss it because it doesn't fit the narrative you want.

Stay well. Stay safe. Peace!

IMO National anthem and sporting event have nothing in common. IMO athletes are NOT hero’s who gave their life for country and freedom for others. They Just play game and wantabee’s fans praise them like there royalty.

I guess we won't be singing "White Christmas" anymore.

:ohdear:

Unbelievable! I'm not taking the bait! Leave it alone. Simple.

If things weren't so seriously askew; I would say, "Let's end this clownery." However it is not clownery, it is lunacy. When and where does it stop? For God's sake, removing the John Wayne exhibit at USC (my alma mater) and renaming the airport! Hmm, what about the Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, the White House, and the University of Virginia? Destroy them? What was said cannot be unsaid and what was done, was done. No matter is done, the past cannot be undone.

What is past is prologue", inscribed on Future (1935, Robert Aitken) located on the northeast corner of the National Archives Building in Washington, DC

Just goes to show you that there are those that are afraid of the truth and have to "disappear" it. Personally, I do not care if it bothers them. They weren't slaves and should be down on their knees every day, kissing the ground and thanking GOD for allowing them to live in such a great country. The BEST country in the world.

If being patriotic bothers some, I will play that proverbial tiny fiddle for them. If the truth and history bothers them, then instead of attempting to erase it, they should be using it as an example for change. Get rid of history and no one will have to feel guilty about anything that happened in the past. No proof of slavery, means no slavery. No racist leader statues, then no proof of racism. Get rid of the flag and no proof of what this country has gone through. Burn the history books, Hello USSA.

WHY?

Will you change your lifestyle and religious beliefs if a couple of people think you should? If the majority are fine with something, why should we change our beliefs and lifestyle to coddle a small group of disgruntled and ungrateful folks that have probably been spoiled all their lives? Sorry, but that song has not offended anyone for the last hundred years or whenever it became popular. I do not see why we must destroy street signs, songs, movies, monuments, currency, statues, flags, language, etc. just because it is in vogue today.
Since we are laying it all out this year, I am offended when I see folks displaying Mexican flags or those fake African flags in OUR country. I think displaying the Confederate Battle flag to be stupid, but that is just my opinion. I also believe that we live in a FREE country and if someone wishes to express themselves, we are supposed to treat everyone equally.
If living in "diverse times" means anarchy and allowing abhorrent behavior then this does not prove that we are a country of Freedom and equality. It means we are a country that allows a group of folks to run amok under the guise of civil discourse, when the fact is that some just wish to destroy what makes this country great, law abiding citizenry.
There is NO "systemic racism" in America. That is a LIE that is parroted continuously by the media in hopes to generate dissension and chaos in hopes of inventing news stories instead of just reporting real news.

And one of the FIRST slave owners in America was a BLACK man. :boom:

[QUOTE=Dr Winston O Boogie jr;1803865]What exactly about the Star Spangled Banner is not inclusive? Why would any citizen of this country not feel that it's their country as well. Read up on the story of the Star Spangled Banner.

There is nothing remotely racist, sexist or exclusionary about it. It is about fortitude and strength. It is about how a group of people defending our country refused to give up. It is about the strength of the United States of America. All Americans should feel proud of this great country. We're not perfect and there have been some mistakes, but the good overwhelms the bad by a huge margin.


You are absolutely right. There is nothing racist about the National Anthem. Leave it alone. Stop trying to pander to the mobs.

Wasn't it BLM that marched and chanted "pigs in a blanket. fry'em like bacon?" I find it acceptable to disapprove of one bad COP, but the other million law enforcement officers do not deserve the bad rap. In my opinion, BLM would have much more credibility if they turned against the infiltrators that are rioting and destroying property, .....not just saying they are against them. Besides, BLM should not be doing all this during the pandemic. All they are doing is making folks that might have been sympathetic to their cause, turn against them. If this would have been Occupy Wall Street doing the protesting, it would have been squashed by now and everyone knows it. Lets face it, this is an election year and this is a minority group so no one is going to put a stop to it.

Always thought that America or God Bless America should have been our anthems.

That WAS funny!

I vote for, "This land etc".

If, not when is more accurate with respect to a vaccine.

Very impressive.

I vote----Russia.

The US does overdo hero worship. Wonder if that is tribal as well as worldwide?

If the US IS the best county in the world, why are we around 20th or 30th in world lists of things like "quality of life" and "upward mobility"? We are behind the UK. We were # 1 around 1950 after WW2, not today!

It all has to do with opinion. I've been to a lot of countries to live and there is not one that I would rather live in, and none of them have anything that I would use to change this country. I find it amusing if not a bit sad to see spoiled Americans always looking over the fence into that other field for better grass. Sorry, but that field that everyone else wants is OURS. Still the BEST country in the World. I can always tell when someone is ignorant of what is really going on in other countries when it comes to the common man. Most countries have a middle class that is equivalent to our lower class lifestyle. Our welfare recipients live as well as the middle class in many countries, and that is easily proven. There are even studies done that provide insight to that statement. But, all these so called social justice folks think that those that do not produce deserve to have the same lifestyle as those of us that worked for what we have. Why is that?

Nope, in America we have the BEST chance of success, no matter who you are.

It’s just a discussion
 

There’s nothing wrong with having a debate. It’s not being unpatriotic to bring up the bad deeds that are part our history. I, personally, think it’s wrong to condemn someone for being a slave owner when it was a legal and accepted practice, especially since many of our founding fathers were engaged in that peculiar institution. But someone that thinks differently doesn’t threaten me or attack our “freedom.” That’s why America is great, precisely because you can object to past traditions that may be popular. If it was up to the majority, then there wouldn’t be gay marriage, for instance. Despite the wailing and gnashing of the people who claimed that gay marriage was going to “destroy” America, that has proved to be nonsense.
As for there not being systemic racism, that’s just nonsense. This community is full of it, and the proof is seen in the posts that dominate on this site with unending talk about how the “blacks” are going too far, go back to where they came from, etc.
Here’s a clear example from Mississippi. An election supervisor was alarmed that “a lot of Blacks were registering to vote and “people” need to stand up and do something. It’s clear that she doesn’t think “Blacks” qualify to even be considered people. Or Tucker Carlson, surprising no one being on Fox News, is suddenly on vacation after his head writer was discovered to be a racist and misogynistic. You know he’s the guy who said that the Black Lives Matter protesters were going to “be coming for you...”
There’s no reason to be scared of change, like having the disappearance of the Confederate battle flag is probably a good thing. Especially since it only flew for four years, over 150 years ago, and was flown by traitors. The genius of Lincoln was to not punish them, but I doubt he’d approve people celebrating their treason 150 years later. If you don’t think many people fly it because they want everyone to know they don’t like Black people, then I wonder if you’re paying attention. Do you ever wonder why everyone you see with a Confederate battle flag is White?

I totally agree, as should all the “tools” that think it should go away.

Agree
 

I agree

Maybe it’s actually true.
It’s on the internet must be true.
Bonjour

If not us, then who?

It is NOT the statues, the songs, or anything else that has to be erased from our history, it is the America hateing rabble rousers who have to go.

1. The statues are not part of our history. They are symbolic representations of history that happened long before the statue was ever built.

2. Most people don't know more than the first stanza of the Star Spangled Banner. If it was such a big deal, we ALL would have memorized the entire thing when we were kids. The entire thing wasn't even taught. That is how UNimportant it was, and has always been.

3. The documentation of our history still exists, and is still kept safe in museums and national archives. When was the last time you went to see one? Or have you never bothered?