Non USC - Oath of Allegiance...

[Nancy2015 2]

This is what it means and if it does not mean that to you then this is not the country for you and you are hear for less then genuine reasons.

Utter twaddle. Many people have reasons to be in the US but I don't think we all want to join their military and fight against our former homes and countries just so Don Luce can relax in the belief that we are no longer here for 'less than genuine' reasons!!

My loyalty is with Russia and always will be. I would die for my country if I had to. I can't imagine myself ever wanting to die for the U.S. No way.

I can't say my reasons for being in the U.S. are not genuine, but if someone thinks so, I really don't care.

[John and Luda 0]

Those of us from England would do well to remember dear old John Stafford Smith who unknowingly wrote the music to the Star Spangled Banner. Actually he was writing the words and melody to a drinking song for the Anacreontic Society in London. At this point he was barely out of his teens!! This very British song, as indigenous to the people of our country as cucumber sandwiches and games of cricket, was meerly adapted by the Yanks some 75 years later.

So when the Americans raise their flag and strike up their anthem it would be nice to recall 'To Anacreon in Heaven' and sing of wine and good company, spirit oneself away from the cheerleeders and glitz and harken back to the gout-ridden smokey environs of an 18th century British Gentlemen's Club.

I hope you don't mind me correcting you, but it was Francis Scott Key who wrote the Star Spangled Banner. He was an Amercian diplomat on board a British warship while Ft. McHenry near Baltimore was being bombarded during the War of 1812. He was inspired because our flag was still flying after 24 hours of bombardment and the British had to retreat. The British also burned Washington, including the White House during that battle.

[*JG* 2]

Andre stands with his hand over his heart, cap off. I usualy stand with my hands folded in front of me.

This comes into play for the US citizen as well. At sporting events with Canadian teams, we are also subjected to the anthem of that country. For those, I stand with my hands folded in front of me.

[pucklechurch 0]

Sorry John, next time you whistle the tune to the Star Spangled Banner you'll be whistling the work of a Gloucester-born Westminster Abbey church organist and composer John Stafford Smith and when I wrote that the Yanks adapted this some 75 years later, the adaptation was to changed the lyrics and add different words, namely Scott Key's poem.

[John and Luda 0]

Sorry John, next time you whistle the tune to the Star Spangled Banner you'll be whistling the work of a Gloucester-born Westminster Abbey church organist and composer John Stafford Smith and when I wrote that the Yanks adapted this some 75 years later, the adaptation was to changed the lyrics and add different words, namely Scott Key's poem.

You're correct. My mistake. I thought you were mistaken about Key. Regardless, it's an awesome anthem. It's another example how close the ties are between Brits and Americans. However, 200 years ago that was a different story. Question: Do the Brits take offense that the Star Spangled Banner was written because of their defeat in the War of 1812. Just curious.

[pucklechurch 0]

I'm not sure, probably all water under the bridge after all 1812 was a long time ago, a year of British defeat but on the other side of the world the tide was turning for Emperor Napoleon as well. I'd wager the French may feel a little unconfortable about Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture if it were ever played to them, after all some of them get upset about defeat, remember the anger about trains from Paris arriving at London "Waterloo". There is, of course, no truth in the rumour than Eurostar trains that now arrive at St Pancras, will be arriving at a station soon to be re-named Crecy or Agincourt!!

[John and Luda 0]

I'm not sure, probably all water under the bridge after all 1812 was a long time ago, a year of British defeat but on the other side of the world the tide was turning for Emperor Napoleon as well. I'd wager the French may feel a little unconfortable about Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture if it were ever played to them, after all some of them get upset about defeat, remember the anger about trains from Paris arriving at London "Waterloo". There is, of course, no truth in the rumour than Eurostar trains that now arrive at St Pancras, will be arriving at a station soon to be re-named Crecy or Agincourt!!

Ah yes, the infamous Napolean. Someone the French should be so proud of. On this side of the pond we also had someone who thought he was the Napolean of North America - Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana. After routing 200 men at the Alamo with a 6,000 man army, he ran into some pissed off squirrel shooters from Tennessee, etc. at the Battle of San Jacinto. Then he messed with us again during the Mexican-Amercian war. That's why Mexico no longer has Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, etc. Needless to say, it never pays to be an aggressive dictator. I'm sure Napolean, Hitler, Hussein, and others would agree (maybe).

[Sister Fracas 5]

Aidan, we don't all get so frenetic about the pledge to the flag and song. Yes, it's nice to show respect just by standing until it's over....just don't make the Father Jack face...LOL I would give the same respect in any country where an anthem was being played...just stand up and shush it till it's over...

You do what every president does when visiting other countries, you stand up politely and look straight ahead like a deer in headlights. Now if you want to do what President Bush does, just stand there with a blank look on your face. Oh wait, that's an everyday look for him.

Diana

this made my day!

Mine too! LOL

This is what it means and if it does not mean that to you then this is not the country for you and you are hear for less then genuine reasons.

Utter twaddle. Many people have reasons to be in the US but I don't think we all want to join their military and fight against our former homes and countries just so Don Luce can relax in the belief that we are no longer here for 'less than genuine' reasons!!

Again... LOL

Twaddle, one of my favourite words. Thanks for that