In Defense of the Star Spangled Banner

Kinsley on a slow news day: "Let's trash our National Anthem". Great, right before Flag Day, he forgets the history of the Star Spangled Banner and wants to overturn a hymn to our national symbol and our Nation itself, for ... a Springsteen song?!? Yes, the tune is a bit difficult, but the rigor makes it a bit unique, and the words of Francis Scott Key are pure poetry. I agree with this comment:

I can't read all the comments that went before, but if someone hasn't made the point already: the anthem as sung is beautiful and captures the spirit of America perfectly. Virtually every other country in the world has an anthem that says that God loves them best, or begs God to protect them or more importantly that God protect the Dear Leaders. But not America. Our anthem simply asks a question. Can you see us, the American people, standing and bravely fighting for truths that are self-evident? Can you see that there is a better way, that freedom is possible, that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall exist as long as that flag flys? There is purpose, nobility and beauty in that message that no other song could hope to replace. No I can't hit the notes either, but we should always strive to do so.

Courtesy of the The Donovan, we also got this -