Bill Press Hates Our National Anthem, With Its 'Military Jargon'
If it wasn’t odd enough for MSNBC weekend talker Chris Hayes to feel great discomfort at the idea of calling our war veterans “heroes” because it was too warlike, on Tuesday’s Full Court Press on Current TV, lefty Bill Press said he finds “The Star-Spangled Banner” is just embarrassing because of the “military jargon” in it and the idea that somehow we live in the “land of the brave,” as if nobody else is brave.
Not only is it apparently “absolutely, monumentally unsingable,” Press proclaimed, “But it’s an abomination. First it ranges two octaves most people can only do kind of one octave. I mean when you think about it, it’s bombs bursting in air rockets red glare it’s all kinds of, you know, a lot of national anthems are that way all kinds of military jargon." (Video from Current TV below)
The rant continued: "And the land there’s only one phrase ‘the land of the free’ which is kind of nice and ‘the home of the brave?’ I don’t know...Are we (Americans) the only ones who are brave on the planet? I mean all the brave people live here. I mean it’s just stupid I think. I’m embarrassed every time, I’m embarrassed every time we hear it."
The musical complaint came first: "It is a major crusade of mine a major cause of mine and that is to get rid of the Star Spangled Banner. Now I know you’re going to say I am not a true American I’m not patriotic. I don’t think patriotism has anything to do with it. The National Anthem is just absolutely monumentally un-singable. I mean it’s – there’s so much wrong with it. I don’t know where to start."
Press brought up the subject because the CBS folks at 60 Minutes and Vanity Fair magazine decided to take a poll asking who should write a new national anthem -- as if there was a demand for such a thing. (It would be a better idea to ask if the CBS Evening News should get a new theme song to get them out of third place.)
It should be said that Press doesn't hate other patriotic songs. He said the "words are perfect” in My Country, Tis of Thee. And "I really love God Bless America, nobody belted it out better than Kate Smith." And Ray Charles singing America the Beautiful "still gives me goosebumps.”
But our Anthem? “It’s time to junk it,” he said.
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Comments
Bill Press
Submitted by Bladerunner on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 4:41pm.
No one is interested in Bill Press and his blabber. He has a small following of kooks that are so far left, it makes most people dizzy looking that far.
There's the door, Bill.
Submitted by Mike Bratton on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 7:17pm.
Use it any time you like. I know you'd like the dictator to keep his gig, but if he doesn't, perhaps that will be even more impetus for you to take a hike.
--Mike
Leftwing babbler Press rejects "military jargon" in the . . .
Submitted by Galvanic on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 8:56pm.
. . . Star-Spangled Banner, and prefers God Bless America with its appeal to divine guidance and salvation? I'm not sure this clown really knows what he wants.
Next he'll want to replace Hail to the Chief because native Americans are offended by use of the English word "chief."
The rant continued: "And the land there’s only one phrase ‘the land of the free’ which is kind of nice and ‘the home of the brave?’ I don’t know...Are we (Americans) the only ones who are brave on the planet? I mean all the brave people live here. I mean it’s just stupid I think. I’m embarrassed every time, I’m embarrassed every time we hear it."
Well, gee, is this country the only country with free people? I mean do all the free people live here? Press contradicts himself from one sentence to the next.
What can you say? This is
Submitted by ricklail on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 4:51pm.
What can you say? This is past Jimma Kotter stooopid.
I'm sure Bill Press would prefer......................
Submitted by BEGRUNT on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 5:01pm.
the "Communist Internationale" as a replacement for our National Anthem!
Edit: Here we go, just for Bill's listening pleasure (BARF!!!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suVB3YGIUk0
"A nation can suffer it's fool's, but cannot survive the traitor"
Cicero
The Internationale unites the human race!
Submitted by Unsane on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 9:57pm.
"THROW OFF YOUR SHACKLES OF OPPRESSION!!!"
There is some REAL bravery in those words.
(If you can't see the sarcasm, you don't know me.)
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
He
Submitted by grammajane on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 5:03pm.
is nothing but a pathetic washed up has been. His words are only heard by him and his mouth is a disgrace to America. Look in the mirror you fool and see an example of hate and complete disrespect of the country you live in. What a sad individual
How 'bout this one, Bill?
Submitted by mattm on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 5:05pm.
My country,' tis of thee,
sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing;
land where my fathers died,
land of the pilgrims' pride,
from every mountainside let freedom ring!
My native country, thee,
land of the noble free, thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
thy woods and templed hills;
my heart with rapture thrills, like that above.
Let music swell the breeze,
and ring from all the trees sweet freedom's song;
let mortal tongues awake;
let all that breathe partake;
let rocks their silence break, the sound prolong.
Our fathers' God, to thee,
author of liberty, to thee we sing;
long may our land be bright
with freedom's holy light;
protect us by thy might, great God, our King.
That is a great suggestion
Submitted by needle on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 9:45pm.
It is easier to sing and the words are arguably more suitable for a national anthem than the words for the Star Spangled Banner.
I bet if the GOP proposed your suggested change in the Senate, there would be a filibuster and perhaps a stroke or two.
- Looking forward to the self-annihilation of the Manipulated Stories Machine.
Point of order!
Submitted by Unsane on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 9:59pm.
The tune is "God Save the Queen". No go.
I like the National Anthem. Written in a rowboat during a bombardment, set to a drinking song.
Damn I love this country.
Mr. Press, go **** yourself.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
un,
Submitted by Hog_Flambe on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 12:15am.
Francis was not in a row boat when he scribbled down notes while watching the bombardment from afar.
As for Press, not sure if he even cares.
The following would probably be over his head regarding an alternate anthem...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVh0Iq_85aw
It'd be over his head. Maybe a Wendy, now Walter, Carlos's version of Rossini's Lagazza Ladra ( The Thieving Magpie ), would be more to his liking.
No lyrics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2084jXETMzk
There's always the Fugs' wide, wide, river...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wa13uxFeoE
Funny, but not appropriate.
Maybe a dose of Mojo would help...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVxSKV5mHzk
;>)
Hmmm...
Submitted by Unsane on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 7:27am.
Francis Scott Key was not in a rowboat?
Source?
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
This might help
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 11:31am.
http://www.revolutionary-war-and-beyond.com/star-spangled-banner-flag.html
This and other sources say that he was held prisoner aboard a British ship, and was detained during the bombardment of fort McHenry during the war of 1812.
-Jon
That's what I was always taught
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 11:37am.
He was prisoner on a Brit warship watching the bombardment, and he penned what he was seeing as it happened.
He wasn't a prisoner, he was a guest of the Admiral
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 11:48am.
He was aiding in negotiations for the release of several American prisoners. He was successful in securing their release, but before they could disembark, the bombardment began.
detained is not imprisoned?
Submitted by jon_torlin on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 12:09pm.
He was being detained, wasn't allowed to leave, that makes him a prisoner. I guess it depends on who does the writing, but that's how I see it. One account that I read was that he was detained in order to not give away some secret or something, probably knowledge of the bombardment, but I don't know how true that is. If that were true, being detained makes him a prisoner in that instance.
It wouldn't be the same as "being delayed."
-Jon
He wasn't imprisponed as in
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 1:10pm.
in the sense that he was sentenced or captured. That's what I meant.
You're right RESTLESS
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 1:25pm.
On the morning of September 3rd, he and Col. Skinner set sail from Baltimore aboard a sloop flying a flag of truce approved by President Madison. On the 7th they found and boarded the TONNANT to confer with Gen. Ross and Adm. Alexander Cochrane. At first they refused to release Dr. Beanes. But Key and Skinner produced a pouch of letters written by wounded British prisoners praising the care they were receiving from the Americans, among them Dr. Beanes. The British officers relented but would not release the three Americans immediately because they had seen and heard too much of the preparations for the attack on Baltimore. They were placed under guard, first aboard the H.M.S. Surprise, then onto the sloop and forced to wait out the battle behind the British fleet. http://www.usflag.org/francis.scott.key.html (backed up by Wiki).
My understanding
Submitted by misterbee241 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 1:08pm.
was Key was held against his will on board a British man of war during the bombardment. This is the first I've heard of a row boat.
Or maybe this one
Submitted by BuffNBone on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 10:05am.
Not sure Press has considered the depth of character embodied in the stanzas beyond the first.
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness
America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.
O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country lov'd,
And mercy more than life.
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
Guitar Solo
Submitted by CJohnson on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 5:33pm.
Our National Anthem is one of Jimmy Hendrix most popular songs. It sounds so good on electric guitar I made it my ringtone.
Appropriate song
Submitted by Unsane on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:00pm.
I play that version every Fourth of July. Minimum.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Press....I despise Bill
Submitted by Curly on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 5:41pm.
Press....I despise Bill Press....he is a fool's fool!
Let's all sing it together
Submitted by Rousse on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 5:44pm.
It is true that the Star-Spangled Banner is not an easy song to sing, but that is why it should never be sung as a solo. We should all sing it together, every time. Those who can hit the high notes will be held aloft by those who can reach down to those low notes, and together, we will make a joyful noise. I wish those in charge of the Super Bowl would feature someone who would invite the entire crowd to stand and sing together. Now that would be a National Anthem to remember.
We should all sing it together, every time
Submitted by laipappy on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 6:48pm.
I registered the first time just to comment on Rousse's comment. Thank you Rousse, that is the best thing anyone could say about our national anthem. It makes me choked up when I hear it, so you can see how much the song means to me.
Welcome to NB
Submitted by American.Patriot on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 9:29pm.
Sounds like you belong here.
welcome laipappy
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 11:40am.
And enjoy the stories and posts. From yours, you seem a true patriot, so you'll fit in nicely!
Rousse
Submitted by grammajane on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 6:53pm.
Excellent comment!!
Excellent
Submitted by misterbee241 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 1:10pm.
idea.
What a maroon!!
Submitted by ray johnson on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 5:47pm.
What a maroon!!
Why not God Bless America?
Submitted by Edhenry on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 5:54pm.
Tough song and GBA and ATB would be better
(but here is the dirty secret - it was the racist southern DEMOCRATS in congress that voted against GBA becasue Irving was a Jew and an immigrant - hence we have TSSB)
Just another example of how racist the democratic party has always been, as was its original intent.
citizens of the world
Submitted by MidAmerica on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 6:20pm.
People like Press won't like any national anthem because they believe nationalism is something we have to overcome. We need to evolve.
They'd prefer we sing something celebrating the U.N.
Well they wont like
Submitted by misterbee241 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 1:11pm.
My Country Tis of Thee either because it has God in it.
Maybe Bill should just stick
Submitted by the struggler on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 7:25pm.
Maybe Bill should just stick to singing "YMCA"
I've got one...
Submitted by MidAmerica on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 9:03pm.
Here's an easy song to sing. Very inspiring. Even children can sing it. I did.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9DHgnKeAxo
He probably hides under his bed for the third verse
Submitted by Michael Gilson on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 9:37pm.
Crying the whole time.
"And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
that the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
a home and a country would leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps pollution!
For no refuge could save
the hireling and slave
from the terrors of flight,
or the gloom of the grave.
And in triumph the Star Spangled Banner doth wave,
o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!"
I do see your point but...
Submitted by Unsane on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:02pm.
Please. All it takes is "Oh say can you see" to make Bill Press turn into an eggplant as the blood rushes to his face in extreme embarassment, and overwhelming shame. Just like any good Socialist who thinks patriotism is too bourgeois.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Perhaps he likes the Hair version better?
Submitted by CobraMan on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:17pm.
Oh say can you see, my eyes.
If you can, then my hair's too short.
Of course, we all know the truth here: Bill loves the publicity his "controversies" are generating. Everything else, including the lyrics to the National Anthem, are merely incidental.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Leave the country
Submitted by ohio granny on Wed, 06/06/2012 - 10:36pm.
Don't let the door hit you in the *ss on your way to Cuba. You will fit in perfectly there.
Verse 4, a la Penn and Teller...better than you might think
Submitted by NevadanConservative on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 4:36am.
http://youtu.be/jF2iX2VG6e4
Press needs to keep on blabbering, so that no worthwhile person's hand is soiled by shoving him into the obscurity he so richly deserves. He doesn't, IMO, rate the priveledge of kissing P&T's shoesoles.
NVCon
Press.. just leave since we OFFEND you so much.
Submitted by Mark81150 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 8:30am.
"Wiki.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry",[1] a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships in Chesapeake Bay during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812."
------------------------------
Francis Scott Key, a Washington lawyer who had come to Baltimore to negotiate the release of Dr. William Beanes, a civilian prisoner of war, witnessed the bombardment from a nearby truce ship. An oversized American flag had been sewn by Mary Pickersgill for exactly $405.90[6] in anticipation of the British attack on the fort. When Key saw the flag emerge intact in the dawn of September 14,[5] he was so moved that he began that morning to compose the poem "The Defence of Fort McHenry" which would later be renamed "The Star-Spangled Banner" and become the United States' national anthem."
It doesn't take much imagination to apreciate the emotions running through Key during that battle. The greatest Navy in the world was shelling a fort held by his countrymen.. The civilians were in terror that the fort would fall and our newly founded nation be brought back into the British Empire in chains.
"Oh, 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?"
It's a song of survival,.. our nation was born in fire, forged in war, and tempered by the blood of heroes.. this song more than any other remembers that...
My father was a farm boy who served in the 4th Infantry "Iron Horse" Division... I much later as a boy from the burbs in central Ohio served in the 15th Air Force 4th Air Division.. Strategic Air Command.
My father was laid to rest in 89, under the colors he served as a young man, in turn, my children will someday also lay me to rest under that same flag...
and Press finds our anthem offensive...
I can't begin to express how much that galls me. American families have all been touched by the needs of the United States and her defense, and the defense of our allies. There are few families that haven't had men who served or men who were lost in that service. It goes to the core of what we are as a people, the pride, honor, devotion to God and country,.. even when parasites like Press b*tch about our warlike nature, he freely lives his life under the protection of the neanderthals he makes fun of.
We don't do it for him..
the kids serving now in that Hellhole Afghanistan don't do it for Press either.
we all did our service, are doing our service for the children we have, hope to have. in a nation free of the fear they will die just for being an American in a world hostile to freedom and the nations who serve that cause. The Taliban differ from the Nazi's only in culture, not intent. and Press finds.. "And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there." offensive...
right,.... we're mean or something... sometimes people who brag about their education show astounding ignorance of their own country, our culture, and our real history, some living still.. some still bearing scars from those years,.. such an astonishing level of hubris and arrogance about a nation he is just a vagrant in, not really one of us, not understanding us or even trying too..
but he can sure condescend to us and hold his nose high when wagging his finger at our love for who we are.
as if we need or care about him.... we don't.
well written-as i sit here with tears in my eyes-
Submitted by JIMMY1660 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 12:04pm.
shaking with anger over this-whatever-i thank you for your Dads service.
Since time began-we are proud of many things.
The American Flag-Our Star Spangled Banner-are right at the top of mine.
Each time i see the Flag or hear the Anthem-i can remember the horrors of war
and why at times we must defend America. Pround of the Founding Fathers, and the American way of life.
Mr Press is a very ignorant man.
as the anger of what mr Press has said-
Submitted by JIMMY1660 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 12:17pm.
overwhelms me-i sit and watch C-17s taking off into the Blue Skies from Pope/Ft Bragg, loaded with Brave men and women-doing what they do-to protect Mr Press and his ilk.
I am ashamed of him in the worst way.
To be warmed again from my anger-listen to the Star Spangled Banner and the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
Mr Press may you rot in Hell
Thank you, Mark!
Submitted by packman on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 12:56pm.
Thank you, Mark!
"...Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread..." ~Thomas Jefferson
I'll repeat part of my post in the tUnE-yArDs story:
Submitted by Cappmann1962 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 11:29am.
I can't say loudly enough, or clearly enough, or often enough - If this country sucks so bad, and you hate it so much, WHY the EFF are you still here? If America is sooooo terrible, then GTF OUT!!!
To take it a step further just for you Billy, If you're "embarrassed" by our national anthem and the pride it embodies, the fight for our freedom going on while it was written, and the fact that Americans, throughout our entire history, have indeed been "the brave", especially when it came to defending other's freedoms, then you can take your fat pansy a$$, along with whatever money you've glommed out of this country with your spew, and GTF out. Go to France. You'll never have to worry about THEM singing about THEIR bravery.
A$$HOLE!
Okay, here's the bottom line:
Submitted by packman on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 12:55pm.
We're not going to lower the standards for the National Anthem by substituting an "easier" one to sing. Either you measure up to its complex and difficult requirements or don't sing it, whistle it, or hum it, or play it, or even like it. We like it the way it is, and if it's too tough a sing-a-long for you libtards, we're all so very sorry, get over it. This is nothing more than another level of America-bashing by the liberal leftist kook-tards. Stop trying to tear down the founding principles of our great country - and yes, the National Anthem is part of that fabric. Oh, and one more thing Bill...we really don't give a flying rat's ass what you think of it.
"...Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread..." ~Thomas Jefferson
I cant sing at all
Submitted by misterbee241 on Thu, 06/07/2012 - 1:03pm.
I dont know an octave from a tuna. But I do sing the Anthem at outdoor events as loud as I can, because I'm a free born American and this flag represents a lot of blood shed by a lot of people before me so I could have a good life. The majesty of the tune and the truth of the words never fail to give me a chill, not the leg tingling kind Chrissy Matthews gets over the object of his obsession, but a real, I-Love_America kind of chill.
My fondest dream is to pack Bill Press and those like him who hate and denigrate America into a large cardboard box and ship their butts to outer Mongolia, or some place else to their liking.
Bill Press - putting the "jerk" in knee jerk liberal. Spit.