One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.

[Bill Thompson]

One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw)

It is supposed to be:

"Oh say does that star spangled banner"
not

"Oh say does our star spangled banner"

[BPSCG]

Heh. My problem with the video is the lady can't sing. You know those people who can't even carry the tune to "Happy Birthday"? She's obviously one of them.

And the next time you hear "recording star" sing it at a sporting event, throw rocks at him if he (or she) sings, "the per-OH-lous fight." The word is "perilous", goddammit. :mad:

[Crossbow]

One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw)

It is supposed to be:

"Oh say does that star spangled banner"
not

"Oh say does our star spangled banner"

What is the big deal about getting one word wrong?

[Ryokan]

One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.

Why? Isn't it policy that should matter?

[PrincessIneffabelle]

One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.



"Oh say does that star spangled banner"not

"Oh say does our star spangled banner"

Oh noes!! It's the dreaded Uber-Quibble!!

[TragicMonkey]

I just want a president who will put food on my family.

[Tsukasa Buddha]

I just want a president who will put food on my family.

But is our children learning?

[Steven Howard]

One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.

Pick a pronoun and stick with it for the whole sentence. Either:

One should know the National Anthem if one is running for President.

or:

You should know the National Anthem if you are running for President.

[The Central Scrutinizer]

She has a beautiful voice.

[webfusion]

How come nobody ever goes out of their way to sing the second, third and fourth stanzas?
(Most people don't even know they exist)

From wiki:
Although the song has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sung today.

[Lonewulf]

One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw)

It is supposed to be:

"Oh say does that star spangled banner"
not

"Oh say does our star spangled banner"

Wow. One word.

Obviously unfit to be a leader, given that she missed one word in a song.

[WildCat]

Francis Scott Key totally copied John Stafford Smith (http://www.potw.org/archive/potw234.html).

[Alt+F4]

One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.


Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Before reading your post I was 100% Hillary all-the-way. Now I'm voting for Steve Forbes, even if he isn't running.

[steverino]

She sings as poorly as Yoko Ono. I think there might be a parallel there.

[ConspiRaider]

What is the big deal about getting one word wrong?
The big deal, CB, is that the right wing is - finally - being hammered from all sides so completely that this is the best counterpunch they can muster. A woman singing a song.

You right wing guys have really got to get some new material, if you ever hope to be taken seriously again.

[steverino]

The big deal, CB, is that the right wing is - finally - being hammered from all sides so completely that this is the best counterpunch they can muster. A woman singing a song.

You right wing guys have really got to get some new material, if you ever hope to be taken seriously again.

Hey Conspi! Where you been hiding?:confused:

I think that "woman singing a song" needs some new material, like maybe a song she actually knows.:D

[ConspiRaider]

Hey Conspi! Where you been hiding?:confused:

Hey Big Steve -

Writing my screenplay. I'd run up against the most difficult scene to put together for this film and kept procrastinating. Finally fought my way through it. Now the story is moving again. Hollywood had damned well better pick this one up or I will stamp and hem and haw and be ever so cross with them. Or grovel. That could work too.

[DanishDynamite]

One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw)

It is supposed to be:

"Oh say does that star spangled banner"
not

"Oh say does our star spangled banner"Why do you feel this should be a requirement?

[TragicMonkey]

I've always disliked the national anthem. It's so difficult to sing. Most people can't handle the range, and most of the ones who can sound awful anyway. And who the heck knows more than the first two bits anyway? That song goes on forever, and it just gets weirder as it goes.

Can't we have one like Spain, just instrumental? Then no crappy D-list celebrities can be trotted out and propped up at the start of baseball games to horrify our ears.

[BPSCG]

I've always disliked the national anthem. It's so difficult to sing. Yeah. So is Wagner's Tristan und Isolde (the guy who sang Tristan at its 1865 premiere died six weeks later at the age of 29). So what?

Most people can't handle the range, and most of the ones who can sound awful anyway. Again, so what? Most people sound awful singing "Happy Birthday."

Then no crappy D-list celebrities can be trotted out and propped up at the start of baseball games to horrify our ears.What's the excuse for them now? You're right, the "talent" they trot out for it is abominable. The interpretations are uniformly awful; the thing isn't a funeral dirge, but people sing it that way (there was a Simpsons episode where it went on for a half hour). They try to show off and get the crowd to cheer by interpolating a major fourth on the word "free" ("o'er the la-a-a-nd of the freeee-EEE..."). They mispronounce "perilous" as "per-O-lous." And sometimes, they flat-out can't sing it at all; they have neither the high notes nor the low ones. Billy Joel, at the Super Bowl, proved that, if it needed to be proved again.

But when it's sung right, it's thrilling. For years, they used a recording of Robert Merrill (from New York's Metropolitan Opera) at New York Yankees games. Guaranteed goose bumps every time.

I get so sick of that, "It's too h-a-a-a-r-d..." whining. Fine, if you can't sing it, then STFU and don't try; just stand there respectfully when people who can, do.

And take your goddam baseball cap off, while you're at it.

[Elizabeth I]

I've always disliked the national anthem. It's so difficult to sing. Most people can't handle the range, and most of the ones who can sound awful anyway. And who the heck knows more than the first two bits anyway? That song goes on forever, and it just gets weirder as it goes.

I don't get that, "It's so hard to sing" bit. I have a normal voice range and a minimal (VERY minimal) bit of training and I don't have any trouble singing it. Neither does anyone I know.

But BPSCG is right - those people who sing "Land of the FreeEEEEEEE" should be shot, then hanged, then drowned. And after that something awful should happen to them.

[rtalman]

One should know the National Anthem if you are running for president.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfZ_gXCHaMw)

It is supposed to be:

"Oh say does that star spangled banner"not

"Oh say does our star spangled banner"
Dreadful, just dreadful. After all, this is a singing competition!
http://www.foxnews.com/images/225760/0_41_cowell_simon.jpg

Oh, wait. No it isn't.

[Lonewulf]

But BPSCG is right - those people who sing "Land of the FreeEEEEEEE" should be shot, then hanged, then drowned. And after that something awful should happen to them.

That's funny. That's exactly what I say about silly critics like you!

[Babbylonian]

The race is on to see how my trivialities will be used to smear presidential candidates (on both sides) between now and 11/4/2008. How about next we have somebody post some of those unflattering swimsuit photos from years back?

[rtalman]

The race is on to see how my trivialities will be used to smear presidential candidates (on both sides) between now and 11/4/2008. How about next we have somebody post some of those unflattering swimsuit photos from years back?
Done
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Crete/3450/billnhilldancing.jpg

[Darth Rotor]

Hey Big Steve -

Writing my screenplay. I'd run up against the most difficult scene to put together for this film and kept procrastinating. Finally fought my way through it. Now the story is moving again. Hollywood had damned well better pick this one up or I will stamp and hem and haw and be ever so cross with them. Or grovel. That could work too.
Pictures of the people who can approve your screenplay, in compromising positions with animals, might help as well.

DR

[Darth Rotor]

And take your goddam baseball cap off, while you're at it.
My daughter has sung at two professional baseball games, the opening Star Spangled Banner.

I wept both times.

I put my hat over my heart, as my dad taught me.

DR

[Darth Rotor]

Done
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Crete/3450/billnhilldancing.jpg

It looks like she is about to knee him in the jewels.

DR

[rtalman]

It looks like she is about to knee him in the jewels.

DR
I was going to mention the thunderthighs and the badonkadonk butt, but people in glass houses and all...

[Babbylonian]

Done
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Crete/3450/billnhilldancing.jpg
Wow, that was easy! Now, how about next we send Babbylonian $100 bills?

(I briefly considered putting up another picture but it could have sparked an ugly tangent or, at least, just felt "oogy" ;))

[rtalman]

Wow, that was easy! Now, how about next we send Babbylonian $100 bills?

Sorry, I am unfamiliar with that particular cultural reference.

ETA: OH, you mean send $100 bills to you, not some uber masonic secret Babbylonian currency!

[RandFan]

Oh dear lord, please, please, let it be ok to make fun of Democrats. Please.

6 Years of Bush the chimp and we can't rib Hillary for sounding like a drowning cat?

I'm sorry but damn that video is funny. Oh, and btw, I started threads making fun of Bush as soon as I joined the forum.

[TragicMonkey]

But when it's sung right, it's thrilling. For years, they used a recording of Robert Merrill (from New York's Metropolitan Opera) at New York Yankees games. Guaranteed goose bumps every time.

I get so sick of that, "It's too h-a-a-a-r-d..." whining. Fine, if you can't sing it, then STFU and don't try; just stand there respectfully when people who can, do.

And take your goddam baseball cap off, while you're at it.

Oh, I'm so sorry I don't share your obviously religious feelings about the song. It doesn't seem very American for you to be telling me how to feel and how to act during the singing of a song, which you seem prepared to turn into a rite of some kind. Although going through the motions of cultural practice associated with the Americana mythos is so much more patriotic than say, actually doing something constructive that benefits the country.

[BPSCG]

Oh, I'm so sorry I don't share your obviously religious feelings about the song. It doesn't seem very American for you to be telling me how to feel and how to act during the singing of a song, which you seem prepared to turn into a rite of some kind. Although going through the motions of cultural practice associated with the Americana mythos is so much more patriotic than say, actually doing something constructive that benefits the country.Yeah, okay, I got it. "You need to change it because I couldn't sing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" recognizably if I had the Mormon Tabernacle Choir backing me up."

As far as "doing something constructive that benefits the country" goes, does actively supporting a summer camp for mentally retarded kids (http://www.campvirginiajaycee.com/) meet with your approval (and I mean actually getting my hands dirty - not just writing a check)? If you'd like to know how you can help, too, you can PM me.

[Lurker]

I'm sorry but damn that video is funny. Oh, and btw, I started threads making fun of Bush as soon as I joined the forum.

All right, your credentials for membership to this forum appear to be in order. You may move along now.

Lurker

[BPSCG]

All right, your credentials for membership to this forum appear to be in order. You may move along now.Nononono... his credentials are completely out of order. Remember the motto of the PCE&SI Forum: Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated.

[alfaniner]

Twice in one weekend different singers kicked off a local sporting event by singing "by the dawn's early night". The second time, I shouted out in the crowd "light!" I wanted to shout "It's 'dawn's early light', you idiot! 'Dawn's early night' doesn't make any sense!!!"

[Crossbow]

Just in case anyone is curious as to the actual lyrics, here they are. Even professional signers have been know to flub them.

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0194015.html

The Star-Spangled Banner
—Francis Scott Key, 1814


O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?


On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

[The Central Scrutinizer]

O say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?


On the shore dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash'd out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.


O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


Why do I suddenly feel like drinking?

[Flo]

We Can Rule You Wholesale is the national anthem of Ankh-Morpork (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankh-Morpork#Anthem); […] The anthem is particularly noteworthy for being the only one that has a second verse officially consisting of incoherent muttering. [the composer] had observed that any group of people singing their country's national anthem never remembers how the second verse goes anyway, so he decided to make things easier for Ankh-Morpork.
"When dragons belch and hippos flee
My thoughts, Ankh-Morpork, are of thee
Let others boast of martial dash
For we have boldly fought with cash
We own all your helmets, we own all your shoes
We own all your generals - touch us and you'll lose.
Morporkia! Morporkia!
Morporkia owns the day!
We can rule you wholesale
Touch us and you'll pay.

We bankrupt all invaders, we sell them souvenirs
We ner ner ner ner ner, hner ner hner by the ears
Er hner we ner ner ner ner ner
Ner ner her ner ner ner hner the ner
Er ner ner hner ner, nher hner ner ner (etc.)
Ner hner ner, your gleaming swords
We mortgaged to the hilt
Morporkia! Morporkia!
Hner ner ner ner ner ner
We can rule you wholesale
Credit where it's due."

The final part of the anthem is usually sung much louder than the rest of the second verse, since the singers want to show they know the words . . .


...

[NoZed Avenger]

How come nobody ever goes out of their way to sing the second, third and fourth stanzas?
(Most people don't even know they exist)

From wiki:
Although the song has four stanzas, only the first is commonly sung today.

Apocryphal story from WW2: when German troops who were dressed as Americans began trying to infiltrate, many informal passwords were developed (i.e., world series winners, etc.).

One version:

American Guard: "Halt. What's the second verse of the National Anthem?"

Unknown Person: "Second verse???"

American Guard: "Pass, American."

[rtalman]

This thread and the Hillary/Dukakis Photo thread illustrate something about our current political process: The primary season is too damn long.

Every position where the candidates are going to state clear positions have been stated. Most of the party loyal have chosen their favorite nominees on both sides of the contest. What is to be gained by 9 months of baby-kissing and rehashed news? With little new to report, each pimple, stubbed toe, and occasion of hot sauce spilled on the front of the candidate's shirt will be BREAKING NEWS!


It's as if Peter Jackson made each LOTR movie an extra 12 hours long. Yes, Peter, the Hobbits are peaceful. Yes Peter, Sauron is evil. We get it. Now move along and throw the http://www.thesmilies.com/smilies/mad0245.gif ring in the volcano already!

[Steven Howard]

This is how it's really supposed to go:

To Anacreon in Heav'n, where he sat in full glee,
A few Sons of Harmony sent a petition;
That he their Inspirer and Patron wou'd be;
When this answer arrived from the Jolly Old Grecian;
"Voice, Fiddle, and Flute,
No longer be mute,
I'll lend you my name and inspire you to boot,
And besides I'll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

The news through Olympus immediately flew;
When Old Thunder pretended to give himself airs.
If these Mortals are suffered their scheme to pursue,
The Devil, a Goddess, will stay above stairs.
"Hark," already they cry,
"In transports of joy,
Away to the Sons of Anacreon we'll fly.
And besides I'll instruct you like me, to intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.

The Yellow-Haired God and his nine lusty Maids,
From Helion's banks will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast but of tenantless Shades,
And the bi-forked hill a mere desert will be.
My Thunder no fear on't,
Shall soon do it's errand,
And damme I'll swing the Ringleaders I warrant,
I'll trim the young dogs, for thus daring to twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Apollo rose up and said, "Pry'thee ne'er quarrel,
Good sing of the Gods with my Vot'ries below:
Your Thunder is useless"--then showing his laurel,
Cry'd "Sic evitable fulmen" you know!
"Then over each head
My laurels I'll spread
So my sons from your Crackers no mischief shall dread,
While snug in their clubroom, they jovially twine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.'

Next Momus got up with his risible Phiz
And swore with Apollo he'd cheerfully join--
'The full tide of Harmony still shall be his,
But the Song, and the Catch, and the Laugh,
shall be mine.
Then Jove be not jealous
Of these honest fellows,"
Cry'd Jove, "We relent since the truth you now tell us;
And swear by Old Styx, that they long shall intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Ye Sons of Anacreon then join hand in hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship, and Love!
'Tis yours to support what's so happily plann'd;
You've the sanction of Gods, and the Fiat of Jove.
While thus we agree,
Our toast let it be:
"May our Club flourish Happy, United, and Free!
And long may the Sons of Anacreon intwine,
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

[steverino]

I saw a TV news clip last night of Hillary. She was asked about the 1984 video, and she said it was a lot more flattering toward her than the YouTube of her singing the national anthem. I am not a Hillary fan, but she seemed able to laugh at herself over all this and also seemed up on what is going on.

[fishbob]

Why do I suddenly feel like drinking?

Because, somewhere in the world, it is almost 5 o'clock?

[Darth Rotor]

Oh dear lord, please, please, let it be ok to make fun of Democrats. Please.


Thweeeeeep!

Foul, two minute minor!

Real Atheists(TM) are not allowed to ask the lord for help! :D

Gotcha, wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Uh, Rand, put down the hockey stick, OK? Rand?

*plies swift knees*

DR

[Darth Rotor]

Nononono... his credentials are completely out of order. Remember the motto of the PCE&SI Forum: Unfair. Unbalanced. Unmedicated.
I am so scarooooooooooed. :(

DR

[RandFan]

Thweeeeeep!

Foul, two minute minor!

Real Atheists(TM) are not allowed to ask the lord for help! :D

Gotcha, wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Uh, Rand, put down the hockey stick, OK? Rand?

*plies swift knees*

DRGoddamn it. Fair cop.

[TragicMonkey]

Yeah, okay, I got it. "You need to change it because I couldn't sing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" recognizably if I had the Mormon Tabernacle Choir backing me up."

No, you obviously don't get it. You wish your feelings to be respected by other people to the point where you get to dictate their behavior. That doesn't seem to mesh with the political leanings suggested in your previous posting history. You like the anthem? Fine. You get all wobbly about the flag? Lovely for you. But when you start chest-thumping and tell other people what to do with their damn hats, you've crossed the line and are going against what that particular flag is supposed to be about.

As far as "doing something constructive that benefits the country" goes, does actively supporting a summer camp for mentally retarded kids (http://www.campvirginiajaycee.com/) meet with your approval (and I mean actually getting my hands dirty - not just writing a check)? If you'd like to know how you can help, too, you can PM me.

I really don't feel like matching a list of charitable work online, firstly because it proves nothing (particularly about patriotism, which was the point), secondly because most of the people posting to this board probably do charity stuff so it's not particularly spectacular, and thirdly because it seems rather tacky to brag about it.

And for the record, not only do I participate in a worthy charitable cause, I also happen to be fairly patriotic. I do not, however, demand other people feel the same or act as if they do out of respect for my tender feelings.

eta: If I were tempted to dictate other people's behavior, I wouldn't insist they remove baseball caps just during the anthem. I'd have baseball caps banned forever in all venues. I think they're stupid-looking, especially on adults.

[BPSCG]

But when you start chest-thumping and tell other people what to do with their damn hats, you've crossed the line and are going against what that particular flag is supposed to be about.Sorry, I have this thing for certain traditional displays of respect, and get annoyed when I see people ignoring them. Just another token of the continuing coarsening of our society.

And no, I don't demand people take their caps off (and you probably knew that already). But I can growl it to myself under my breath. Or is that forbidden now, too?

I really don't feel like matching a list of charitable work online, firstly because it proves nothing (particularly about patriotism, which was the point), secondly because most of the people posting to this board probably do charity stuff so it's not particularly spectacular, and thirdly because it seems rather tacky to brag about it.Agreed, but you were sarcastically suggesting I was just a lot of talk: "Although going through the motions of cultural practice associated with the Americana mythos is so much more patriotic than say, actually doing something constructive that benefits the country."

If I were tempted to dictate other people's behavior, I wouldn't insist they remove baseball caps just during the anthem. I'd have baseball caps banned forever in all venues. I think they're stupid-looking, especially on adults.They keep the sun out of your eyes. Why people appear to think that's important when they're indoors is beyond me.

I seem to be annoying a lot of people a lot more than usual here the last 24 hours, so I'll see y'all in about a week when I get back from vacation. :boggled:

[TragicMonkey]

Sorry, I have this thing for certain traditional displays of respect, and get annoyed when I see people ignoring them. Just another token of the continuing coarsening of our society.

Coarsening is a matter of perspective. At one point in history it was considered acceptable manners to toss bones from your meal onto the floor for the dogs. This was known as the Age of Courtly Manners, for some reason.

And no, I don't demand people take their caps off (and you probably knew that already). But I can growl it to myself under my breath. Or is that forbidden now, too?

No, but when you type it into a post you should enclose it in [Grampa's Cantankerous Muttering] brackets.


They keep the sun out of your eyes. Why people appear to think that's important when they're indoors is beyond me.

They're hiding the fact that they're either bald (in which case they should either shave their heads or accept the fact gracefully) or that they didn't bother to wash or comb their hair that day (in which case they should be ashamed of themselves).

I seem to be annoying a lot of people a lot more than usual here the last 24 hours, so I'll see y'all in about a week when I get back from vacation. :boggled:

Have fun, and remember "Turistas Go Home" and "Hostel" are not accurate representations of Brazil and Slovakia. They are accurate representations of Mexico and Romania, though. Just kidding. Mexico's kidnappings are all about controlling the drug trade, not organ harvesting. And Romania doesn't have tourists. Why would it?