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The new American Flag

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Posts

  • CherrnCherrn Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Man, I never thought much of the Danish national anthem, but it sounds a lot more badass in English

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Der_er_et_yndigt_land
    There is a lovely land
    with spreading, shady beeches
    Near salty Baltic strand
    Its hills and valleys gently fall,
    its ancient name is Denmark,
    And it is Freya's hall

    There in the ancient days
    the armoured Vikings rested
    Between their bloody frays
    Then they went forth the foe to face,
    now found in stone-set barrows,
    Their final resting place

    This land is still as fair,
    the sea is blue around it,
    And peace is cherished there
    Strong men and noble women still
    uphold their country's honour
    With faithfulness and skill

    Dead vikings and norse mythology, fuck yeah!

    Cherrn on
    All creature will die and all the things will be broken. That's the law of samurai.
  • mxmarksmxmarks Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    In this thread someone talked about Maryland's GOD AWFUL flag.

    This weekend I watched the Baltimore Orioles game and noticed that they fucking checkerboard EVERYTHING because of it.

    Baltimore flag:
    Baltimore.jpg

    What the hell is wrong with you, Maryland!?

    My vote for favorite city flag is a tie between:

    Classy, awesome, iconic Richmond:
    Richmond.jpg

    and

    Will look good on a coffee mug I pick up at the airport after visiting my grandparents and I forgot to buy my girlfriend a gift St. Petersburg

    StPetersburg.jpg

    mxmarks on
    PSN: mxmarks - WiiU: mxmarks - twitter: @ MikesPS4 - twitch.tv/mxmarks - "Yes, mxmarks is the King of Queens" - Unbreakable Vow
  • L|amaL|ama Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    richmond's reminds me of a movie production company intro

    columbia?

    L|ama on
  • Inquisitor77Inquisitor77 2 x Penny Arcade Fight Club Champion A fixed point in space and timeRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    FREMONT REPRESENT! Flag Rank #20, bitches!

    I had no idea we even had a flag... Replace the stars in the U.S. flag with an eagle! It's genius!

    Inquisitor77 on
  • Regina FongRegina Fong Allons-y, Alonso Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    FREMONT REPRESENT! Flag Rank #20, bitches!

    I had no idea we even had a flag... Replace the stars in the U.S. flag with an eagle! It's genius!

    I like Denvers flag. That's attractive.

    Regina Fong on
  • PantsBPantsB Fake Thomas Jefferson Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Couscous wrote: »
    Compared to some other national anthems, America's national anthem is for pussies.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kassaman
    We swear by the lightning that destroys,
    By the streams of generous blood being shed,
    By the bright flags that wave,
    Flying proudly on the high mountains,
    That we have risen up, and whether we live or die,
    We are resolved that Algeria shall live -
    So be our witness -be our witness - be our witness!

    We are soldiers in revolt for truth
    And we have fought for our independence.
    When we spoke, none listened to us,
    So we have taken the noise of gunpowder as our rhythm
    And the sound of machine guns as our melody,
    We are resolved that Algeria shall live -
    So be our witness -be our witness -be our witness!

    O France, the time of reproof is over
    And we have ended it as a book is ended;
    O France, this is the day of reckoning
    So prepare to receive from us our answer!
    In our revolution is the end of empty talk;
    We are resolved that Algeria shall live -
    So be our witness -be our witness -be our witness!

    From our heroes we shall make an army come to being,
    From our dead we shall build up a glory,
    Our spirits shall ascend to immortality
    And on our shoulders we shall raise the standard.
    To the nation's Liberation Front we have sworn an oath,
    We are resolved that Algeria shall live -
    So be our witness -be our witness -be our witness!

    The cry of the Fatherland sounds from the battlefields.
    Listen to it and answer the call!
    Let it be written with the blood of martyrs
    And be read to future generations.
    Oh, Glory, we have held out our hand to you,
    We are resolved that Algeria shall live -
    So be our witness -be our witness -be our witness!
    So you think Algeria's national anthem that spends most of its verses talking about France, and how France isn't going to be kicking its ass around anymore and how its greatest ambition is survival is badass?
    Couscous wrote: »
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ti%E1%BA%BFn_Qu%C3%A2n_Ca
    Armies of Vietnam, forward!
    With one single determination to save our Fatherland,
    Our hurried steps resound on the long and arduous road.
    Our flag, red with the blood of victory, bears the spirit of the country.
    The distant rumbling of the guns mingles with our marching song.
    The path to glory is built by the bodies of our foes.
    Overcoming all hardships, together we build our resistance bases.
    Ceaselessly for the People's cause let us struggle,
    Let us hasten to the battlefield!
    Onward! All together advancing!
    For one eternal Vietnam.

    Soldiers of Vietnam, forward!
    The gold star afluttering
    Leading the people of our native land out of misery and suffering.
    Let us join our efforts in the fight to build a new life.
    Arise and break these chains.
    For too long have we swallowed our hatred.
    Be ready for all sacrifices and life will be radiant.
    Ceaselessly for the People's cause, let us struggle,
    Let us hasten to the battlefield!
    Onward! All together advancing!
    For one eternal Vietnam.
    "Listen I know everything about life in Vietnam sucks, but if you're willing to give up everything we can walk a long way and carry a flag so we can struggle for the glory of being soaked in blood."


    I prefer
    O! say can you see by the dawn's early light,
    What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
    Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
    O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.
    And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
    Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
    O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
    O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

    On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
    Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
    What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
    As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
    Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
    In full glory reflected now shines 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.

    And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
    That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
    A home and a country should leave us no more!
    Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
    No refuge could save the hireling and slave
    From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
    And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
    O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

    O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
    Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
    Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued 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
    Tough to sing, yes. But its a good mix of defiant, badass, idealistic and hopeful.

    PantsB on
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    QEDMF xbl: PantsB G+
  • MagicPrimeMagicPrime FiresideWizard Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    I like our flag, even if it closely resembles the flags of other nations. I do think the Soviet flag and Canadian flag are nicer though.

    Our anthem? Too hard to sing! Few people sound good singing it. I'd prefer America the Beautiful, it is just much easier to sing by comparison.

    Can we move on to national personifications?

    Uncle Sam (kinda big?)
    uncle-sam.jpg

    Best Uncle Sam poster:

    1_uncle_sam_and_military_troops.jpg

    MagicPrime on
    BNet • magicprime#1430 | PSN/Steam • MagicPrime | Origin • FireSideWizard
    Critical Failures - Havenhold CampaignAugust St. Cloud (Human Ranger)
  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    As far as national personifications go, I like Uncle Sam. I think he does a better job than, say, the American flag does as far as flags go.

    I mean, there's not a huge deal of competition, I suppose. The USSR's "Mother Motherland" (in the CIS, she's split into national entities--Mother Russia, Mother Ukraine, etc.) is okay too, but it's not anywhere near as marketable and reproducible as Uncle Sam. Maybe she's a classier in that regard, but she's not as universal.
    p7040056.jpg

    236457581_a62de60626.jpg

    John Bull of Great Britain (I imagine Scotland and Wales have their own, maybe not?) is pretty good too. It's nice in that he's kind of "imperfect"--as oppose to Uncle Sam, who is a old but still commanding-looking and lean white guy, and Mother Motherland, who's basically the most fit mother ever, he's a stout, heavyset fellow. He's easily the national personification most readily adaptable into an alcoholic beverage.
    John_Bull_-_World_War_I_recruiting_poster.jpeg

    And then there's Israel's Srulik. He's...probably the least commanding, imposing looking personification of anything ever. Not exactly what I think of when I see nuclear-armed, regional power, high-tech military Israel.
    Srulik0.jpg

    I think Uncle Sam is very good at meeting the needs of an American personification.

    Synthesis on
  • shrykeshryke Member of the Beast Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Synthesis wrote: »
    And then there's Israel's Srulik. He's...probably the least commanding, imposing looking personification of anything ever. Not exactly what I think of when I see nuclear-armed, regional power, high-tech military Israel.
    Srulik0.jpg

    Join the Israeli Military! We've got tons of young fresh-faced boy-flesh!

    shryke on
  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    shryke wrote: »
    Synthesis wrote: »
    And then there's Israel's Srulik. He's...probably the least commanding, imposing looking personification of anything ever. Not exactly what I think of when I see nuclear-armed, regional power, high-tech military Israel.
    Srulik0.jpg

    Join the Israeli Military! We've got tons of young fresh-faced boy-flesh!

    But I'm sure he naturally "mans up" when he spends his time in the IDF, like any good Israeli lad.
    Srulik2.png

    Er...maybe not. Now he looks like a character from Archie crossing over into MASH.

    Synthesis on
  • NODeNODe Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    It looks like he gets into wacky hijinks at the expense of his NCO.

    NODe on
  • Captain CarrotCaptain Carrot Alexandria, VARegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Lord Kitchener had a truly impressive mustache.

    Captain Carrot on
  • President RexPresident Rex Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Synthesis wrote: »
    shryke wrote: »
    Synthesis wrote: »
    And then there's Israel's Srulik. He's...probably the least commanding, imposing looking personification of anything ever. Not exactly what I think of when I see nuclear-armed, regional power, high-tech military Israel.
    Srulik0.jpg

    Join the Israeli Military! We've got tons of young fresh-faced boy-flesh!

    But I'm sure he naturally "mans up" when he spends his time in the IDF, like any good Israeli lad.
    Srulik2.png

    Er...maybe not. Now he looks like a character from Archie crossing over into MASH.

    It's Beetle Bailey.

    President Rex on
  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Though I gotta' say, Vietnam's national anthem seems oddly appropriate.

    "Hey, you see those huge countries? They fucking hate us. We know they hate us, because they regularly bombed the shit out of us. They like doing it so much, they went out of their way to do it when we couldn't possibly retaliate. They bombed us more than they bombed eachother back when they hated eachother. But fuck 'em, we're gonna' win, even if we have to claw our way out of the ashes!"

    Sounds pretty appropriate.

    Synthesis on
  • CouscousCouscous Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    So you think Algeria's national anthem that spends most of its verses talking about France, and how France isn't going to be kicking its ass around anymore and how its greatest ambition is survival is badass?
    Yes. France was a major power and had a strong military.

    The Star Spangled Banner is highly inappropriate for a war like the War of 1812. It is like talking about how awesome you are while you are taking a shit.

    Couscous on
  • ZzuluZzulu Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    of the ones I've heard, Russia is easily the best

    I've also never seen a national personifaction other than Americas uncle sam, and he looks super silly

    sorry america

    Zzulu on
    t5qfc9.jpg
  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Check out Mother Motherland and John Bull for comparisons. And Israel's Beetle Bailey.

    Synthesis on
  • TubularLuggageTubularLuggage Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Everyone knows that the best national personification character is Geddy Lee, seen here with Canada's official slogan.
    GeddyLeeWeekend.jpg&t=1

    TubularLuggage on
  • Peter EbelPeter Ebel CopenhagenRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Usually you'd slap Mother in front of the country's name and you'd have yourself a personification.

    Peter Ebel on
    Fuck off and die.
  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    That works at a lot of places, but not everywhere. East Asia for example. I could see a Mother Vietnam, maybe, just because of all the shit they've gone through quite recently, but no Mother China, Mother Taiwan, Mother Korea, etc.

    Plus, I think an actual decent personification has to have a semi-consistent personification. Uncle Sam: white guy. John Bull: stout guy. Mother Motherland: (Local Nationality) woman. It has to be more than just a name, I think.

    Synthesis on
  • YougottawannaYougottawanna Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Marvin Gaye's national anthem is the best national anthem:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A

    Yougottawanna on
  • FartacusFartacus __BANNED USERS regular
    edited September 2010
    Marvin Gaye's national anthem is the best national anthem:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A[URL][/url]

    yes

    Fartacus on
  • shrykeshryke Member of the Beast Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    See, this is the problem with the American National Anthem. When the song is written such that it can really easily be dragged out into an atrocious 5 minutes of torture when all you wanna do is sit the fuck back down, something is not right.

    shryke on
  • Premier kakosPremier kakos Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited September 2010
    Marvin Gaye's national anthem is the best national anthem:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A

    Incorrect. The Soviet National Anthem is the best national anthem.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91kdwxFsthI

    Premier kakos on
  • enlightenedbumenlightenedbum Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Dudes, O Canada is obviously the best national anthem.

    enlightenedbum on
    Self-righteousness is incompatible with coalition building.
  • CervetusCervetus Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Fartacus wrote: »
    Marvin Gaye's national anthem is the best national anthem:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A[URL][/url]

    yes

    Never in my life has a song about war so made me want to get my bone on.

    Cervetus on
  • President RexPresident Rex Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Couscous wrote: »
    So you think Algeria's national anthem that spends most of its verses talking about France, and how France isn't going to be kicking its ass around anymore and how its greatest ambition is survival is badass?
    Yes. France was a major power and had a strong military.

    The Star Spangled Banner is highly inappropriate for a war like the War of 1812. It is like talking about how awesome you are while you are taking a shit.

    The US had fairly valid grievances (although nowadays they likely would not lead to war). In a sense the British political sphere still saw the US as a colony: they forcibly conscripted merchant sailors, they prevented the US from trading with British enemies, and they were still the major American trading partner. Add to that British support of local natives to undermine American expansionism and you've got a fair overview of the causes for war.

    The US of 1812 was not nearly as mighty and impressive as it is today. Until 1814 the British were doing quite well and their main force was still dealing with Napoleon in France. It was an small, under-supported force and the Americans were still only able to occupy portions of Canada the British had withdrawn from. Plus there's the oft-mentioned "the biggest American victory came after the truce was declared"-part.


    Regardless, the war isn't the important aspect of the Star Spangled Banner's history. It was written for a battle and not the war. Fort McHenry was bombarded by an unassailable force for over a day. It's basically a fancy version of "We Shall Overcome" (even if that was written later).

    It's a terrible anthem because it focuses on the indomitable spirit of the people, but nothing about national beauty or solidarity or anything else. Not because of when or where or why it was written.


    In that sense the Deutschlandlied was great (if a bit too jingoistic) until it was ruined by the Nazis.


    (Also: Alergia gained its independence after WW2...meaning they were contending with that monstrous French military...that had got its teeth kicked in in a matter of weeks a decade earlier)

    President Rex on
  • Inquisitor77Inquisitor77 2 x Penny Arcade Fight Club Champion A fixed point in space and timeRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Some would argue that a national anthem which focuses on the quality of its people and their ability to overcome difficulties makes for a better representation of what a nation ostensibly is (a collection of individual citizens) and should be, rather than a national anthem which focuses on nationality and shouts about how awesome Country X is and how Country X is better than Countries A, B, and C.

    But what the hell do I know. I'm just an American who likes the Star-Spangled Banner because it's the national anthem. I'd like it if it had vuzuvelas in it. OK, I take that back. No one would like it if it had vuzuvelas in it.

    Inquisitor77 on
  • RUNN1NGMANRUNN1NGMAN Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Dudes, O Canada is obviously the best national anthem.

    I remember watching a really funny clip, can't remember if it was The Daily Show or what, where they asked a bunch of Canadians on the street to sing the Star Spangled Banner, and they all could. Then they asked a bunch of Americans on the street and they were all like, "Oh, Canada! ... hmm hmm hmm HMM hmm hockey and maple leaves!"

    RUNN1NGMAN on
  • JoolanderJoolander Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    RUNN1NGMAN wrote: »
    Dudes, O Canada is obviously the best national anthem.

    I remember watching a really funny clip, can't remember if it was The Daily Show or what, where they asked a bunch of Canadians on the street to sing the Star Spangled Banner, and they all could. Then they asked a bunch of Americans on the street and they were all like, "Oh, Canada! ... hmm hmm hmm HMM hmm hockey and maple leaves!"

    didnt colbert also sing the Star Spangled Banner to the tune of O Canada (or vice versa) during the winter olympics?

    Joolander on
  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Dudes, O Canada is obviously the best national anthem.

    It is when sung by the Red Army Choir.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW8omJe-l0I

    To be fair, the Red Army Choir version of many, many things is the greatest they can be.

    Synthesis on
  • valhalla130valhalla130 13 Dark Shield Perceives the GodsRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    You know the main reason I support statehood for PR today?

    It would mean Michelle Bachmann would no longer be a Congresswoman.

    It's still aversion of a Confederate flag, the Stars and Bars. It's just not as well known as the Confederate Battle flag was, so every one opposed to a Confederate flag shut up. Those sneaky racist politicians.

    Edit Correction: This is also the a version of the flag Georgia used prior to the Civil War for some time, so maybe it influenced the Confederate flag instead of the other way around.

    valhalla130 on
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  • HavelockHavelock Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Kipling wrote: »
    I don't think there is a yes/no answer to winning the War of 1812.

    Also, Ankh-Morpork anthem:

    When dragons belch and hippos flee
    My thoughts, Ankh-Morpork, are of thee
    Let others boast of martial dash
    For we have boldly fought with cash
    We own all your helmets, we own all your shoes.
    We own all your generals - touch us and you'll lose.
    Morporkia! Morporkia!
    Morporkia owns the day!
    We can rule you wholesale
    Touch us and you'll pay.

    We bankrupt all invaders,
    We sell them souvenirs,
    We ner ner ner ner ner ner by the ears,
    Er ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner,
    Ner ner ner ner ner ner, ner ner ner ner ner,
    Ner your gleaming swords, we mortgaged to the hilt.
    Morporkia! Morporkia!
    Ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner ner
    We can rule you wholesale
    Credit where it's due.

    <3

    Havelock on
  • Captain CarrotCaptain Carrot Alexandria, VARegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Trivia: "ner ner ner" are the actual words. Everybody knows that nobody would remember those parts anyway, so they wrote them as mumbling originally.

    Captain Carrot on
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