Yip Yap Yaphank
(July 8, 2010) Editor:
Both from a musical standpoint and from the standpoint of the lyrics, I like “The Star-Spangled Banner” much better than Joseph Byrd does (“National Anathema,” July 1). “O say” is a marvelous conversational beginning, and there is an electrifying tension in the vision of prisoner Key straining his eyes from the foredeck of a British ship through the dawn.
Joseph is right, it is a war song. But at least the War of 1812 was a war of defense, unlike almost all our other wars (many). The song is about defending our homeland against the invader. Currently such a song would be more appropriately used by the Iraqi or Afghan resistance to U.S. occupation.
Two Fourth of Julys ago my 9-year-old grandson Nathan and I fixed that at a celebration by playing Bob Dylan’s “Masters of War” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” simultaneously on two trumpets. The result is sinister, like the Guernica.
But I agree with Joseph. Though it has an imperialist image in it (which the SSB doesn’t), “America the Beautiful” would make a less awkward national anthem. And it would sound much better at ballgames — not egotistical, more like a grace before a meal.
Ellen Taylor, Petrolia
Editor:
The author of your July 1 cover story omitted what I consider to be the most patriotic of all tunes — “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” by John Philip Sousa in 1896.
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on the cover
Railroad!
Proposed lines ‘set rich blood a-tingling’ in early 1900s
Some Other Proposed North Coast Railroads
Choo-choo Fantasies
Exposing this east-west rail nonsense
seven-o-heaven
Undeterred Will
Will chides Andrew for lack of attention to detail and makes plans for his inevitable victory.
Today
44th Annual Kinetic Grand Championship Race
STAFF PICK / events, art, outdoors, sports, for kids, free / 9 a.m.-6 p.m. A 3-day, 42-mile kinetic sculpture race over land, sand, mud and water! LeMans start at the Noon Whistle on the Arcata Plaza. Follow the race through Manila, Eureka and into Ferndale on Memorial Day for the Glorious Finish. kineticgrandchampionship.com. 889-3024.
Flow 2012 Fashion Show
STAFF PICK / events / 8 p.m. Arcata Theatre Lounge, 1036 G St. Student designed and produced clothing. Fundraiser for Arcata Arts Institute. $35/$25 students. artsinstitute.net. 822-1220.
Woodside Preschool's Rummage/Bake Sale
events / 8 a.m.-noon. Woodside Preschool, 900 Hodgson St, Eureka. www.woodsidepreschool.com. 445-9132.
Lanphere Dunes Restoration
STAFF PICK / outdoors / 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meet at Pacific Union School. Help remove non-native invasives at the Lanphere Dunes Unit of the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Tools and gloves provided, wear work clothes and bring water. Carpool to the protected site. 444-1397.
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