Posted on National Review Online-By Mark Krikorian-On July 6, 2011:
“I know this is a little late for the Fourth of July, but after the celebration and fireworks I think a little humility is in order. I generally agree with Walter Russell Mead’s weekend piece that we’re in good shape to face the future compared to the rest of the world, but that’s a pretty low bar, considering how screwed up much of the rest of the world is. But for all of our nation’s genuine exceptionalism, we’ve gotten ourselves into ourselves into some pretty unexceptional hot water: spending more than we take in, failing to provide for the future soundness of our public and private institutions, wallowing in a hedonistic and degenerate culture.
This is why I love “America the Beautiful” and agree with those campaigning to make it our national anthem, undoing the New Deal selection of “The Star Spangled Banner”. I have nothing against our current anthem, but the patriotism of “America the Beautiful” is more fitting for a republic in general, and our republic at this time in particular. I’m not talking about the war vs. nature themes of the two songs — like any conservative, I believe that war is the answer sometimes, depending on the question (though the War of 1812 we probably could have done without).
Rather, the song’s appeal is that it’s a prayer for God’s assistance, rather than simply a celebration of our wonderfulness. People often misinterpret the lyrics; when the first verse reads “God shed His grace on thee,” that’s not a statement of fact, as Ray Charles’s wonderful rendition implies (he improvises “God done shed His grace on thee, yes He did”), reflecting the understanding of most Americans. Rather, it’s a petition, an appeal, a hope: “May God shed His grace in thee.” It’s not “crowned thy good with brotherhood” but “may He crown thy good with brotherhood,” continuing the prayer for the solicitude of the Creator.
I think part of the reason we don’t get that, apart from the sin of pride, is that we don’t usually sing the other verses, which end in similar entreaties for the Almighty’s assistance: “God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!” and “May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine!” There’s no claim that the Lord has already mended our every flaw or refined our gold or shed His grace, but that we need His help in doing so.
It is especially important for the people of a republic, who have no king in this world, to acknowledge the Author of Liberty, as another fine song puts it. But at a time when we need all the mending and refining and grace we can get, an anthem that focuses our attention on that is all the more important.”
Source:
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/271156/god-shed-his-grace-thee-mark-krikorian
Note: The following articles and/or blog posts relate to this issue-You Decide:
I. Obama Wants to Cut God Out of Government!-Posted on Floyd Reports-By Guest Writer-On July 6, 2011:
http://floydreports.com/obama-wants-to-cut-god-out-of-government/
II. Religious Censorship at Public Cemetery?-Posted on The Patriot Update-On July 4, 2011:
http://patriotupdate.com/videos/religious-censorship-at-public-cemetery
III. Forgetting Founders’ tough love!-Posted on The New York Post-By Michael Goodwin-Updated on July 3, 2011:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/forgetting_founders_tough_love_wOLf1lt9EE7IV3WfYkqWIM
IV. MSNBC’s Religious Expert Excoriates ‘Radical,’ ‘Theocratic’ Christians Who ‘Hate’ America!-Posted on The Media Research Center-By Scott Whitlock-On July 6, 2011:
http://www.mrc.org/biasalert/2011/20110706051327.aspx
V. Citizens Against Religious Bigotry Stand up to NBC for Removing Under God from our Pledge of Allegiance!-Posted on Citizens Against Bigotry-On July 1, 2011:
http://www.citizensagainstreligiousbigotry.org/
VI. Gallup: Blacks Most Religious Group in U.S.!-Posted on CNSNews.com-By Pete Winn-On July 6, 2011:
http://cnsnews.com/news/article/gallup-polls-blacks-most-religious-group
VII. The Judas Media-Posted on Floyd Reports-Guest Writer-On April 27, 2011:
Note: The following articles and/or blog posts reveal that George Soros has a pastor close to President Obama on his payroll, along with exposing the President, Soros and the Religious Left-You Decide:
Soros Has a Pastor Close to Obama On His Payroll!-Posted on American Thinker-By Ed Lasky-On August 25, 2010:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/08/soros_has_a_pastor_close_to_ob.html
Barack Obama, George Soros and the Religious Left!-Posted on American Thinker-By Jason Lee-On June 12, 2011:
http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/06/barack_obama_george_soros_and_the_religious_left.html
Note: My following blog posts contain numerous articles and/or blog posts and videos that relate to this disturbing issue-You Decide:
Faith of Our Forefathers!
http://weroinnm.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/faith-of-our-forefathers/
American Flag Clothing Sparks New Protest!
http://weroinnm.wordpress.com/2010/05/10/american-flag-clothing-sparks-new-protest/
Have the “power elite” and pseudo-experts covertly sold us corruption disguised as freedom?
Is it important to understand the Marxist assault on the foundations of our system?
Note: If you have a problem viewing any of the listed blog posts please copy web site and paste it on your browser. Be aware that some of the articles and/or blog posts or videos listed within the contents of the above blog post(s) may have been removed by this administration because they may have considered them to be too controversial. Sure seems like any subject matter that may shed some negative light on this administration is being censored-What happened to free speech?-You Decide.
“Food For Thought”
God Bless the U.S.A.!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q65KZIqay4E&feature=related
Semper Fi!
Jake
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