genji@ucbopal.CC.Berkeley.ARPA (12/08/83)
Here, for reference, is a portion of the letter which some folks
found objectionable; first is part of the quote from the original
letter about the Star Spangled Banner, then my comments:
<< ... United States' National Anthem. ... I automatically rose
<< to my feet upon hearing ... A warm feeling rushed through my
<< body ... intensely invigorating ... Patriotism, pride, and
<< fellowship were definately components of what I was feeling. I
<< was proud of my country and of the audience. I do not know
<< why.
Spoken like a true patriot! Maybe you'll go off to war on the same
unknowing emotional high. --Genji
Now answers to critics:
"If I am not for myself, who can be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?" --Hillel
The problem with patriotism is not the love of one's own country, but
the exclusion of others. The dictionary definition may say nothing
about exclusion but patriotism in practice does just that. And usually
patriotism in practice also excludes significant portions of one's own
country people from love. It's negative aspect is most visible, an
ideological force against internal and external enemies.
Patriotism could be considered virtue in the era of Thomas Paine and
Benjamin Franklin, but today it's an anachronism, as is its social
base, the nation-state. Of course, we should love our own country, the
only home most of us have; but let's break out of nationalism and care
for the whole world.
Automatic patriotic emotional responses do make me think of people
going blindly off to war. Instead of resonating with patriotic appeals
during this period when the government desires support for military
action, let's think before acting. R. Reagan seems bent on showing
that it isn't only Democrat Presidents who can lead the USA into a
major modern war. --Genjizrm@mit-eddie.UUCP (Zigurd R. Mednieks) (12/14/83)
Nationalism obsolete? Look at the record of individual nations in creating good environments for their citizens, and then compare this to the major internationalist movements that exist today: It would be ridiculous to suggest that anyone not in the lunatic fringe would prefer the government of the Soviet Union to our own. The U.N. is only slightly less wretched. The E.C., with an elected parliament might be just barely acceptable but it is a worse traveling circus of overpaid paper-pushers than any parliament of its member states. On the other hand, the average Pole would probably find an invasion of the agressive anti-socialist elements of the imperialist West much to his liking. So when we speak of a responsibility to the rest of the people in the world, we might begin by setting right the situation we helped create at Yalta. Cheers, Zig
mmt@dciem.UUCP (Martin Taylor) (12/15/83)
==============
Nationalism obsolete? Look at the record of individual nations in
creating good environments for their citizens, and then compare this
to the major internationalist movements that exist today: It would be
ridiculous to suggest that anyone not in the lunatic fringe would
prefer the government of the Soviet Union to our own. The U.N. is
only slightly less wretched. The E.C., with an elected parliament
might be just barely acceptable but it is a worse traveling circus
of overpaid paper-pushers than any parliament of its member states.
Zig
==============
I must be missing something. Neither the UN nor the European Parliament
have any authority over their members, and I don't understand how
the Soviet Union is an internationalist organization (unless you count
the "sovereign" republics of which it is composed). (But if you do that,
then the USA is an international organization of 50 sovereign republics --
both arguments were made during the birth pangs of the UN).
I hope nationalism isn't obsolete: I hope exclusive nationalism is.
Why should one love one's family less for loving one's country more,
or one's country less for loving one's world more?
--
Martin Taylor
{allegra,linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd,ubc-vision}!utzoo!dciem!mmtken@ihuxq.UUCP (ken perlow) (01/04/84)
The music to which the Star Spangled Banner was set is
"Ode to Anachreon", an English drinking song. The original
is a bit easier to sing, as it avoids that horrible step-and-a-half
(the interval that occurs at the word "early" in SSB), preferring
the natural fourth tone. It is also a lot less lumpy--none of that
dotted eighth & 16th rhythm (the meter of "by the dawn's").
Of course, the tune is a lot easier to sing when you're drunk.
The US had no national anthem until the 1930's, when an entire
8th grade class (nation-wide!) was called on, as "the future of
the country", to select one. I don't know how many choices they
had, but "America" was one that lost. I have an aunt who participated
in that selection. She herself picked SSB, and has regretted doing
so as long as I can remember. Rightly.
Before SSB became the national anthem, the tune was matched to
all sorts of lyrics. It was especially popular with the Temperance
movement (or whatever those Carrie Nation folks called themselves),
perhaps because it had been a paean to alcohol.
Anyone really interested in the proto-SSB should be able to find
words and music at most any college or even public library. I have
had sheet music to "Ode to Anachreon" and played it, but it has
long since disappeared. (It's like they say, "three moves is as good
as a fire.") So good luck & good hunting.
--
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