Yes, it's time for More Random Things You Probably Don't Care About!

[primroseburrows]

Yes, it's time for More Random Things You Probably Don't Care About!

• 
  I've been meaning to link this brilliant thing for days, but I keep forgetting to do it (moi? Forget something? How shocking!). See, this is why I could never live in Québec: I couldn't possibly live up to their motto. I'd be thrown out on my derriere.
  
  Anyway, here's the video. Hilarious and pathetically true:
  
  
  
  
  The guy who does the music is Eric Schwartz. I don't know anything about him, but the first thing read when I Googled him was "Eric Schwartz has morphed ADHD into Art", and that's all I really need to know. :D
  
  
• 
  
  This guy, I know. I grew up knowing him. Give up seven-ish minutes of your day to watch a real, old-school Democrat in action:
  
  
  
  
  Call it noblesse oblige if you must, but I don't see obligation, here, I see anger. Watching this makes my oft-flickering hope for America burn a bit brighter. Every time I turn around I'm more proud of my home state. Way to go, Senator.
  
  
• 
  [Poll #917984]
  
  
• and finally, a cool little meme:
  
  Reply to this and I will:
  1) Tell you why I friended you.
  2) Associate you with a song/movie.
  3) Tell a random fact about you.
  4) Tell my first memory of you.
  5) Associate you with an animal/fruit.
  6) Ask something I've always wanted to know about you.
  
  Reposting in your own LJ is encouraged, but not insisted upon. :)
  
  
• Okay, must go. Off to songdog's house!

Comments

[newleaf31.livejournal.com]

I think that almost all the factors you list have the potential to make a song patriotic (well, not so much "stirring music" or "religious references" -- the first can apply to almost any genre of music, and the second better applies to hymnody, though granted, there's some overlap). But I also think that almost all of them can be taken to extremes and/or misappropriated. For instance, "lyrics that inspire national pride" may be perfectly fine, because there's basically nothing wrong with being proud of your country. But the line between "national pride" and jingoism is very, VERY blurry.

As for my song choice, I picked "America the Beautiful." I like that song because I do like celebrations of the land itself and its beauty, and because I like imagery for the ideals on which the country was founded: "Oh beautiful for patriot dream / that sees beyond the years / thine alabaster cities gleam, / undimm'd by human tears." Other parts of it are unsettling, though: "Oh beautiful for pilgrim feet / whose stern, impassioned stress / a thoroughfare for freedom beat / across the wilderness" (and in the meantime displaced thousands of indigenous peoples and destroyed elements of the very natural beauty we just sang about in the last verse...). I can't think of a flawless patriotic song, truth be told -- American or otherwise. I think the very genre of "patriotic music" necessitates that a piece of music be comprised largely of propaganda.

I agree with you -- Ted was pissed, not just towing the party line. Also, I'm in love with you, because you said "noblesse oblige." ♥

[patchfire.livejournal.com]

Haha, I always wanted to know what fruit I reminded you of. <3

[malnpudl.livejournal.com]

I had trouble with the poll, because any number of things can "make" a song patriotic. It would have been easier to say what I like in a song, or what in a song can evoke patriotism for me.

But I'm feeling intellectually sluggish today, so I'm dodging the question.

I think my favorite US patriotic song would have to be "This Land Is Your Land", because of the lyrics, because of Woody Guthrie and all the things he stood for and fought for, because of my memories of singing it along with Pete Seeger and Peter, Paul, and Mary, and a lot more. It's not the prettiest, but it carries tremendous meaning for me on a lot of levels.

"Rant and Roar" might be my favorite patriotic song for another country, though it's entirely specific to Newfoundland rather than the entire nation of Canada. I love it because of what it means to the GBS boys, and what you can see on their faces and hear in their voices when they sing it.

Meme me?

Though I'll refrain from posting it in my own LJ, because the thought of potentially doing this for over 250 people freaks me right the hell out.

[topaz7.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen the first vid yet, but Ted's rant left me almost in tears. About. Fricken. Time. I was so proud to be an American! Oh, wait. Strike that part. Anyway, it was lovely.

Will watch other dude later, after I find out a random fact about myself. ;D

[dragonflymuse.livejournal.com]

YAY meme-age!

As for the patriotic song questions, I think I like our Canadian anthem because it's very simple in both lyric and music. Plus it is bilingual :)

And really, no one wants to live in Quebec :P

[maggiesox.livejournal.com]

Awww. I love Teddy. And you know how I feel about Bubba. Also, this is a fun little meme. GO.

[sam80853.livejournal.com]

C'mon, you friended me because I'm wicked smart and oh so cute, right? ::giggles:: I'm so silly this morning ... maybe I'm getting sick like stormymouse ::frowns::

[peacey.livejournal.com]

a) I am no fan of George W. I think he's arrogant, stubborn, and closed minded (in my book, the worst personality trait possible). I liked Clinton more than I do George W (this from a right-leaning centrist). But. Clinton's biggest crime (that we know of) was lying under oath, not adultery. I could give a s**t who blows him or what he does with his whoo-ha.

b) Mark this day on your calendars because you'll likely not see a day like it again: I agree with Ted Kennedy. But I still don't like the yelling, no matter if it's passion or not (though I think it's more theatrics for the camera).

c) Ever since I was a wee girl, no song has stirred my national pride more than "Battle Hymn of the Republic." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Hymn_of_the_Republic) None. It touches on everything I believe in and includes one the most most persoanlly profound and moving lines ever written: "As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free". I'd make it our national anthemn if I could. (I'll bet that ruffles a few feathers.) Glory, glory, Hallelujuh!

d) Now in turn for Kel answering the meme about me, I'll do the same for her:

1. Cuz I love you
2. Always "How Could Anyone"
3. No one I have ever met obssesses faster and so completely as you do.
4. A 3way conversation between you, me, and the gal that brought us together (I can't remember her name. Sara?)
5. A golden retriever. Beautiful, friendly, fun, loving, and loyal.
6. Taking a cue from James Lipton, what's your favorite curse word?

[aphephobia.livejournal.com]

I'm up for the meme ! :)