O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave...

So we're back here again.  The NFL has voted to require its players to stand for the National Anthem if they are on the field before a game. 

I am as patriotic as the next person and love this country far more than the idiot living in the White House.  I believe in the Constitution.  Which is why it's OK to take a knee for the National Anthem.  I believe in the WHOLE Constitution; not just a couple of amendments that suit my purposes in life.  The Constitution is a living document and gets amended as needed; and should be amended regularly, in fact it could use some amending right now. 

The right to bear arms was written when it took over a minute to reload a rifle.  I am guessing the founding fathers had no clue what technological advances could be applied to rifles and ammunition.  That's why they created a document that could be adapted as this country grew.

I have sung the National Anthem.  It is a beautiful song.  It is a difficult song to sing.  I get goosebumps when I hear it sung/performed well.  It has special meaning to me.  I am sure it has special meaning to a lot of people.  For some it has no  meaning at all; and that's OK. 

Here are a couple of facts about the National Anthem that you might not know:

 "In 1931, Congress passed a bill to make "The Star-Spangled Banner" the official national anthem of the United States. ... The lyrics were written by American attorney Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812, but the music was borrowed from the 18th century British song "To Anacreon in Heaven."  --the music is NOT even orignal!

Trust me when I tell you, the person on Fox and Friends saying those who don't stand shouldn't be in the country doesn't hold the Anthem dear to his cold dead heart.  He is simply pissed off at the press that Colin Kapernick got for kneeling.  He doesn't have any deep feeling about anything other than himself.  He isn't the standard for any type of patriotism or respect for this country; quite the opposite actually.

If you're going to condemn Colin Kapernick for the way he acts during the Anthem, you need to also condemn Roseanne Barr and Steven Tyler for their horrible (by normal singing standards) renditions.  You will also need to condemn Chicago Blackhawks fans (of which I am one) for trying to raise the roof of the Madhouse on Madison before each game.  You don't get to pick and choose to suit your needs.

I think it's time that a lot of people in this country go back to their history books.  This country was founded by people wanting to escape oppression.  They were looking for freedom.  This country is a free country.  With that freedom comes responsibility.  It doesn't mean that we are free to do whatever we want whenever we want with no regard for those around us.  But it does mean that we can speak out against oppression.  It means that we can worship (or not) as we please.  It means that we can adjust the right to bear arms to align with current reality.  It means that you can love (and marry) who you want.

I have often wondered why the religious right thinks it is OK to push their beliefs onto others when they are too narrow minded to consider any other position but their own.  That's not how it works.  You cannot deny scientific FACTS because you don't think they align with YOUR religious beliefs.  Facts and beliefs are two different things.  You can believe in something that is factually false.  You can also choose to not believe a fact; it doesn't make it any less factual.

If we blur the lines between church and state, we are going back to what the founding fathers were trying to escape.

So stand for the Anthem...or kneel/sit.  Your choice; it's one of the many things that makes this country great.   Defend your position with pride.  Open your mind to beliefs other than your own.

Mayday, Mayday

Right before 45 was inaugurated, everyone was talking about how those of us that shuddered at the thought of him living in the white house shouldn't wish that he fail because that would be like wishing the pilot of a plane we are all on, crashes.

To those who support him, he's been dragging us all through horse shit for 16 months now.  This is somehow better?

Frankly, I'd rather have him fail than make us the tone deaf isolated laughingstock of the world.

I am reading James Comey's book.  These two men could not be more different if they were from two different species. I actually think they might be.

To those that support 45, without mentioning  his opponent in the 2016 election, the 44th president, or political parties, please tell me why.   I'd love to understand it but I simply cannot put my brain around it.