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Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The Barracks => Topic started by: Frenchie on August 22, 2008, 02:04:21 AM

Title: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Frenchie on August 22, 2008, 02:04:21 AM
Sentry: "Halt! Who goes there?"
Voice : "American."
Sentry: "Advance and recite the second verse of the Star Spangled Banner."
Voice : "I don't know it."
Sentry: "Proceed, American."
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: US Scout on August 22, 2008, 05:32:42 AM
Many years ago (during the Vietnam War) on the original Candid Camera, Allen Funt was trying to get people to sign a typewritten version of the Declaration of Independence.  Most people refused - and rather angrily - such as calling Funt a "Commie" and a "subversive."  When told it was the Declaration, some refused to believe it.

It never ceases to amaze me what the "average" American citizen does not know about our nation's history and political system.

US Scout
Bvt Brig Gen, GAF


Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Major 2 on August 22, 2008, 08:27:28 AM
American History is only taught in the 4th 8th & 11th grades
and then only a few pages are devoted to major events in that grades History text books.
In one 8TH GRADE HISTORY BOOK ONLY TWO CHAPTERS about the American Civil War. :o

A person wanting to be naturalized , needs to know far more than our own kids do to gratuate High School.

Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Texas Lawdog on August 22, 2008, 08:47:01 AM
Ain't it the truth, Major.
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Trailrider on August 22, 2008, 01:56:49 PM
They used to teach "Civics" sometimes called "American Government".  Don't think it's done much anymore!  >:(

If the majority of American voters understood how the Gubmint is supposed to work...and actually does...they'd tell these candidates to sit down and shut up, unless they have a positive program proposal!  "I won't raise your taxes!" cries one.  "I'm gonna tax the rich!" says the other.  NO, YER NOT!  You can ASK Congress to raise or lower taxes, but unless they agree, the President don't have squat to do with taxes.  On the other hand, Congress can pass laws, and the President can veto.  If both houses of Congress can get enough votes, they can override the veto.  If there is a legal question, it can go to the SCOTUS! (They can "legislate from the bench" or impose "strict construction" on the Constitutional question.  Nowadays, usually 5-4.)

And there's another thing!  Congress can appropriate money the President doesn't want, but they can NOT force him to spend it!

Make no mistake!  We have the best politicians money can buy!   :P  I think the last President who left office about as poor as he came in was Harry Truman!
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Frenchie on August 22, 2008, 03:31:27 PM
This was actually supposed to be funny, I didn't intend to start rants about our government's shortcomings, well-deserved as they are.  ;) Most 'Mericans can't sing all of the first verse, after all.  ;D

I don't know all of the second verse of the National Anthem, but I do know it talks of trying to see if the flag is still waving over Ft. McHenry, and then the flag is seen as the sun rises:

As it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
(la da da, la da da, la da da) in the stream.
'Tis the Star Spangled Banner, o long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The third verse of the "Star Spangled Banner" is the one we ought to sing:

O thus be it ever, when free man shall stand,
Between their loved homes, and the war's desolation,
Blessed with victory and peace, may this ever-blessed land,
Praise the Power that hath made, and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto, In God Is Our Trust!
And the Star Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Btw, I know the first two verses of "La Marseillaise" en française. There may be as many as fifteen verses all told.

But our National Anthem really ought to be "America the Beautiful." Get a recording of Ray Charles singing it, totally awesome.
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Zouave Officer on August 22, 2008, 05:06:43 PM
Does knowing all the versus of the Song "Dixie" count for anything?  ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Frenchie on August 22, 2008, 05:36:10 PM
 :o Count for anything!? Mais oui, mon Colonel! Everyone who is at all interested in the War must know all the verses to Dixie's Land! It belongs to the entire nation, but it is the song of the South, as the Battle Hymn of the Republic is the song of the North (and we'd all better know all the verses to that as well). It's simply part of the basic knowledge one must have to begin the journey.  8)
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Delmonico on August 22, 2008, 05:48:05 PM
I'd laugh but they hire kids like that around here and lets just say, we sometimes have words about the value of that piece of paper they got after the 12th grade, they don't like it when I tell them they should give it back. >:(

On the other hand, how many verses do you know to Barnacle Bill the Sailor?   No don't post them, we don't want those here. ;D
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Texas Lawdog on August 22, 2008, 05:50:57 PM
Good Point, Del.
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Trailrider on August 22, 2008, 06:24:23 PM
I'd laugh but they hire kids like that around here and lets just say, we sometimes have words about the value of that piece of paper they got after the 12th grade, they don't like it when I tell them they should give it back. >:(

On the other hand, how many verses do you know to Barnacle Bill the Sailor?   No don't post them, we don't want those here. ;D

I know a few versus of "Barnacle Bill the Pilot", (Oscar Brand, 1960's)!  ;D  I've always thought the Third Verse to the Stars Bangled Banner was the one we should be singing!

God Bless America!
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Captain Lee Bishop on August 22, 2008, 10:05:33 PM
When my brother was in high school (Tallahassee, Florida in the very early 80s), he was once in a geography class where he was the ONLY student there who knew they all lived in North America. Being in the south, everyone else though that the US was part of SOUTH America and they argued with him for a while that he was wrong! ::) When the teacher finally corrected the rest of them, several of them said they still didn't believe it.
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: MUD MARINE on August 22, 2008, 10:22:08 PM
I know all three verses of the Marines Hymn. What else do I need to know!   :-)
Title: Re: Unfortunately, it's true... LOL
Post by: Delmonico on August 23, 2008, 04:07:22 PM
I know all three verses of the Marines Hymn. What else do I need to know!   :-)

Yer left foot from the right might make put the DI in a little better humor. :)