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People at war will do crazy things. The sentiment is lovely, but presumptive. Our historical puritanism now does little to inspire us to combat our enemies, but it does stand in the way of our growth and security as a nation.

Well, look at the way our ancestors wanted to be free so bad that they came over here and enslaved black people and killed off Indians who wouldn't convert to the "true" religion. The human race has done a lot of good things, but I haven't decided if they make up for all the shit we've inflicted on each other or not.

The pilgrims were also fleeing religious "persecution" in England. For "persecution" read "revenge" for the outrages the Puritans committed whilst Cromwell was in.

Eugene, sorry if I'm ignorant, but what's that a verse of?
I live in Canada, eh, but I have my dual citizenship so that may make me sound even more ignorant But I am proud of the US of A

Sounds like the star spangled banner to me, and with patriotism in mind, it'll be the 4th of july for the next 49 minutes, so excuse me while I blow shit up.

It is the last verse to The Star Spangeled Banner. The first verse is the one you hear before baseball games.

I mentioned it earlier.

But don't feel bad Shadyman, nobody ever sings anything but the first verse -- I'd guess most people don't even know there are additional verses, and definitely very few people know what they are. I was going to say if the remaining verse is like the one Eugene quoted, I can see why it's dropped, but then was reminded that the whole thing is pretty awful from start to finish. The first verse is one hell of a sentence -- I wonder whether 1 in 10 Americans could translate it into plain English.

Yes I recognized the "land of the free and home of the brave" part but just not the rest of it Sorry for the long post prof

Translation (my attempt):
-------------------------

Oh thus be it ever
(Let it always be that)

When freemen shall stand
(when people stand)

Between their loved homes
(between their homes)

And the war's desolation
(and war's past destruction)

Blessed with victory and peace
(and people, who are (all) blessed with victory)

May this heaven-rescued land
(thanks to heaven's power, may everyone)

Praise the power that hath made
(Praise the power that made)

And preserved her a nation
(and preserved the nation)

And conquer we must
(so therefore we must defend our land)

When our cause it is just
(as long as it is for a just cause, )

And this be our motto
(and our motto is: )

In God is our trust
("In God is our trust",)

And the Star Spangled Banner
(And the flag,)

In triumph shall wave
(shall wave triumphantly)

O'er the land of the free
(over the Land of the Free)

And the home of the brave
(and the Home of the Brave)

plain english enough?
--Shadyman

P.S. I'm believe it *should* be
"One Nation Under God"

woohoo! I'm 1 in 10! (Although 1 in 5 bots agree I'm 1 in 1 million)

BTW did you know that 84% of statistics are false?

Also, did you know that all generalizations are false?
--Shadyman
(Mind bender for the day )

I thought it was 85.4% of all statistics are made up on the spot, including this one.

Come chat with me about my new job. I'm a statistician.