Ukraine’s War Is Our War

 

In case your blood pressure just took a leap, I’m not saying that we should be standing alongside Ukrainians fighting against the Russians. I don’t think anyone in their right mind thinks that’s a good idea. But as I watch their war unfold and analyze what is happening, more and more their war is beginning to sound more and more like the “war” we are experiencing in our own country. If you get past the cultural and structural differences comparing the relationship of Ukraine and Russia, and our own Communists who are finally admitting who they are, with patriots who love this country and its founders, the similarities are eerie.

The United States has been fighting a civil war, but we’ve only recognized that truth in recent years. The seeds for war were being planted by the political Left at all levels of our country right under our noses: government, education, and the corporate world. But we either ignored the signs or didn’t bother to notice them. Worse, we may have seen them, but in our own arrogance, we assumed those doing the work of the Left were nutcases and were no threat to the country.

We made the same assumption about Russia and Ukraine. We chose to ignore Putin’s actions and words, believing Putin was just reminiscing, and assumed that Ukraine’s difficulties were not our difficulties.

Over the years, a Ukrainian identity developed, but many citizens also identified with Russians. In the case of Ukraine, however, their allegiance to Ukraine and a Ukrainian identity coalesced when Russians attacked their borders.

Our identity in America, in spite of efforts to create a melting pot, has become degraded over recent years. Polarization has developed between Socialism/Communism and the American ethos. Although some people have begun to realize that the Left’s intention is to convert us to Communism, the impetus on our side hasn’t shown up for us to resist their efforts.

Ukrainians witnessed in the past, but especially witnessed in recent weeks, the tyranny of the Russians. They have lied about everything: their goals, their intentions, their plans; after offering to establish safe passage for Ukrainians out of the country, or at one point stating they would not bomb civilians, the Russians have repeatedly betrayed their promises.

In the US, we have watched the Left and their henchmen in the medical, government and corporate communities repeatedly lie to the people in this country, just like the Russians. They have ignored the promises they’ve made, moved the goalposts, and changed the “science” when it suits them. Unlike the Ukrainians who are learning the “lay of the land” at the hands of the Russians, Americans continue to hide from the truth.

Ironically, many Americans on the Left who are celebrating the courage and efforts of the Ukrainians haven’t acknowledged that the Ukrainians are battling the very ideas that the Left is promoting. While Ukraine fights tyranny, the Left in our country celebrates it. While Ukraine tries to protect the integrity of its borders, our Left continues to leave us vulnerable to invading aliens. And the rest of us feel helpless to stop the invasion.

In Ukraine, the people are very frightened, but they are using their fear to mobilize their country and inspire each other. Everyone is learning more every day about Russia’s intentions. Ukrainian mothers and children are either hunkering down or leaving the country, as the men in their lives insist on fighting back or are returning to join their fellow Ukrainians to fight to save the country. Many of them will die. Many Ukrainians are rejecting their Russian identity and embracing Ukraine. We may not see it yet, but Ukraine’s war is our war.

Ukraine is holding up the mirror for us. And whom do we see? Do we see patriotic Americans who would fight for their country to protect its freedom and borders? Do we see people who realize what is at stake and will transcend our fear in order to save one of the greatest countries in the free world? Are we starting to remove our blinders and discard reticence, because we see through the tragedy in Ukraine what it takes to survive as the last best bastion of freedom?

Or will we give up?

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  1. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    MiMac (View Comment):
    Name an agreement the Russians ever kept…[the USSR only kept 1-the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact-they both co-started WW2 with it]

    When I was a young Lt, I came across a quote from a general in the 1970’s. I have never been able to source it properly. It turned out to be prophetic.

    If  we have an Arms Control Agreement, the Soviets will cheat. If we have an Arms Race, we will win.

     

    • #31
  2. Unsk Member
    Unsk
    @Unsk

    I think a key factor in this war is how long can Ukraine hold out.  Military supplies are on their way. Will they  get there in time?

    Excerpted from Autumn Spredemann of Epoch Times via Zerohedge:

    • After Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video two days later saying he needs “ammunition, not a ride,” referring to the United States’ offer of asylum to the besieged head of state. Since then, 15 countries have sent military hardware to Ukraine amid Russia’s further invasion.

    • The majority of arms and supplies from ally nations are being sent via Ukraine’s 310-mile border with Poland, which has become an important lifeline both for supplies and equipment, and refugees looking to flee the conflict.Some border nations have chosen not to allow military equipment bound for Ukraine to pass through their territory out of fear of Russian retaliation. 

    The  Major Response Country by Country

    America

    • On Feb. 26, U.S. President Joe Biden authorized the State Department to send $350 million in weapons to Ukraine. Among the list of hardware on the list are Javelin anti-tank weapons, anti-aircraft systems, ammunition, and body armor.

    Canada

    The Canadian government approved an additional $25 million in military aid to Ukraine on Feb. 27.

    Germany

    Chancellor Olaf Sholz announced on Feb. 26 that Germany would deliver 1,000 anti-tank weapons and 500 Stinger missiles to “our friends in Ukraine.”

    Sweden

    In a departure from its decades-long neutrality, the Swedish government approved the shipment of 5,000 anti-tank weapons, 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets, and 5,000 pieces of body armor.

    Britain

    • Back on Jan. 17, Secretary of Defense for the United Kingdom, Ben Wallace, said the UK would provide “self-defense” weapons and training to Ukraine amid the build-up of Russian troops near the border.

    Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Parliament on Feb. 23, “In light of the increasingly threatening behavior from Russia and in line with our previous support, the U.K. will shortly be providing a further package of military support to Ukraine.”

    He elaborated that the second military support package included both lethal and non-lethal aid.  ( Notice Boris was 3 days ahead of  really slow Joe Biden.)

    Belgium

    • Responding to a direct request from Kyiv, the nation opted to send 2,000 machine guns to the Ukrainian army and 3,800 tons of fuel on Feb. 26.

    Netherlands

    • As of Feb. 26, the Dutch government said it’s delivering 50 Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank weapons with 400 missiles to Ukraine to help with the resistance effort against Russia. Additionally, 200 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles

    Italy

    • Joining the growing list of countries providing military aid to Ukraine, on Feb. 28 the Italian cabinet pledged to dispatch Stinger missiles, mortars, and Milan or Panzerfaust anti-tank weapons. Among the items included in the defense package are Browning heavy machine guns, MG-type light machine guns, and counter-IED systems.

    • #32
  3. Unsk Member
    Unsk
    @Unsk

    One little side note.

    This war is eleven days old. Count ’em. Eleven.

    Our Supreme Leader authorized a meager $350 million in military material of various components on the third day, with nothing since.  Now they are saying Javelin missiles and anti-tank weapons of no given amount were involved where originally only small arms and body armor were listed. But still, the Ruskies have a convoy 40 frigging miles  long which  I would guess to be worth billions and billions and I am a guessing $350 million ain’t gonna go very far.

    Congress is putting together a package of allegedly $10 Billion, but when they will be finished is anybody’s guess but we have those ardent and reliable Patriots Nancy, Chuckie, Mitch and Kevin working on it so don’t worry it will get done this year. Maybe.  Of course Senile Joe has been hammering Congress Critters on the phone urging them to get it done- oh wait I was just joking.  No  such dice.  They all appear to be doing just enough to say they did something. A fig leaf of sorts for the MSM to cover them up in glory.

    To rework an old Roman adage, Joe eats ice cream while Ukraine burns.

    • #33
  4. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Unsk (View Comment):
    But still, the Ruskies have a convoy 40 frigging miles  long which  I would guess to be worth billions and billions and I am a guessing $350 million ain’t gonna go very far.

    The Ruskies had a convoy 40 miles long. It got bogged down in an area low enough to be inundated. The Ukrainians appear to have opened sluice gates to reservoirs around the convoy with the following result:

    I think those vehicles are combat ineffective for the rest of the war. Even after the war. Immersing vehicles in water requires a massive restoration effort.

    Most of them were supply vehicles.  I also understand the Ukrainian are sending company-sized units into the Russian rear where they are hunting tanker trucks – and hitting them successfully. If that is true it will soon not matter how many tanks Russia has. They become immobile pillboxes without fuel.  

    • #34
  5. RushBabe49 Thatcher
    RushBabe49
    @RushBabe49

    All you need to know, or say, is The Left Destroys Everything It Touches.  Always and Everywhere.  Putin never got over the disintegration of the Soviet Union, which made him rich and powerful.  That’s why he is trying to reconstitute it now.

    • #35
  6. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    Unsk (View Comment):
    But still, the Ruskies have a convoy 40 frigging miles long which I would guess to be worth billions and billions and I am a guessing $350 million ain’t gonna go very far.

    The Ruskies had a convoy 40 miles long. It got bogged down in an area low enough to be inundated. The Ukrainians appear to have opened sluice gates to reservoirs around the convoy with the following result:

    I think those vehicles are combat ineffective for the rest of the war. Even after the war. Immersing vehicles in water requires a massive restoration effort.

    Most of them were supply vehicles. I also understand the Ukrainian are sending company-sized units into the Russian rear where they are hunting tanker trucks – and hitting them successfully. If that is true it will soon not matter how many tanks Russia has. They become immobile pillboxes without fuel.

    Flood them out, that’s brilliant!

    • #36
  7. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    Jerry Giordano (Arizona Patrio… (View Comment):

    Susan, I’m not sure about this. Putin’s Russia seems to be at least as much on our side in the culture war as the Ukrainians, though I don’t get the impression that the Ukrainians are particularly gung-ho about the woke agenda.

    I’m also not sure why you have concluded that the long-standing cultural split in Ukraine, sort of pro-West vs. pro-Russian, has been resolved in the past 10 days. Most of the news coverage is saying this, but I don’t know why we should believe anything they say at this time. Most of the coverage, to me, seems to be propaganda designed to draw us into the war. I take a wait-and-see attitude about the long-term effects, if any.

    If Putin is smart, and I think that he is, he’ll try to avoid major damage in the traditionally pro-Russian parts of Ukraine. He seems to be doing this, for the most part, at least from what I can tell about the progress of the war.

    The main Russian effort seems to be toward Kiev, which is in the pro-Western region. There’s been a significant advance north from Crimea, heading east to link up with Donbas and heading northwest (in the direction of Kiev, so far, but this force might turn southwest and head toward Odessa).

    I’ve seen some reports from the city of Kherson, a bit northwest of Crimea at the mouth of the Dnieper, and it looks like the Ukrainians fought for the city a bit, but that civilian casualties were quite light (at least as reported so far). The mayor seems to remain in place, having made a ceasefire deal with the Russians.

    Jerry, I have never bought into your “skepticism” over all the pro-Ukrainian news, while at the same time you completely trust the pro-Russian news.  Notice that you give your standard disclaimer of news sources in the first two paragraphs of your  comment.  Then you immediately follow it up with detailed news accounts that you automatically presume are accurate because it fits the narrative that you are trying to promulgate.

    You have been slicing apart all of the nuances of the Geneva Convention and the rules of war in a lawyerly way in order to absolve Russia from the charge of “war crimes.”  To me, this is an utterly foolish enterprise without merit.  It is enough for me that Russia has violently invaded a peaceful country and is killing thousands of innocent people (depending on the number you will accept).  After that, everything Russia does becomes a war crime.  I also don’t begrudge innocent defenders to do everything in their power to save their own lives, including things that would normally be considered war crimes under other circumstances.

    Call me unlawful or unethical, but that is the way I see it.

    • #37
  8. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Steven Seward (View Comment):
    Jerry, I have never bought into your “skepticism” over all the pro-Ukrainian news, while at the same time you completely trust the pro-Russian news

    So flatly accusing Jerry of making bad faith arguments. 

    • #38
  9. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    RushBabe49 (View Comment):

    All you need to know, or say, is The Left Destroys Everything It Touches. Always and Everywhere. Putin never got over the disintegration of the Soviet Union, which made him rich and powerful. That’s why he is trying to reconstitute it now.

    This is why he started this war. It was never about security, it was about posterity. His posterity.

    • #39
  10. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Unsk (View Comment):
    Congress is putting together a package of allegedly $10 Billion, but when they will be finished is anybody’s guess but we have those ardent and reliable Patriots Nancy, Chuckie, Mitch and Kevin working on it so don’t worry it will get done this year

    And when they do 5 billion will be for Ukrainian Gender Studies and LGBTQ+XYZ counciling support and surgical services.

    • #40
  11. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Seawriter (View Comment):

    Unsk (View Comment):
    But still, the Ruskies have a convoy 40 frigging miles long which I would guess to be worth billions and billions and I am a guessing $350 million ain’t gonna go very far.

    The Ruskies had a convoy 40 miles long. It got bogged down in an area low enough to be inundated. The Ukrainians appear to have opened sluice gates to reservoirs around the convoy with the following result:

    I think those vehicles are combat ineffective for the rest of the war. Even after the war. Immersing vehicles in water requires a massive restoration effort.

    Most of them were supply vehicles. I also understand the Ukrainian are sending company-sized units into the Russian rear where they are hunting tanker trucks – and hitting them successfully. If that is true it will soon not matter how many tanks Russia has. They become immobile pillboxes without fuel.

     

    https://www.tiktok.com/@ukraine20222402/video/7072310330101075243?_d=secCgYIASAHKAESPgo8b2JrunzV%2FHxNg0NehWJ%2BSm0hbSgmgi3ZHbVGWWGCMuSkXLoQQR1Liz09VvudcgCMFokEY5yfqMNeMs%2F5GgA%3D&_r=1&checksum=658f481a121f5b590190672d751a1e86d79340bb2b9d85ec136dccf07f829ef0&clips_cover_ab=v4&enable_clips=1&language=en&preview_pb=0&sec_user_id=MS4wLjABAAAAHpTOCgDvlAc36u5iCbHdb40wP2YJsVevPsB4cY181qpCQmTQvfGjtPVei-7Tiwmk&share_app_id=1233&share_item_id=7072310330101075243&share_link_id=64F5C0BF-E1FA-409C-9A80-1E88517358DC&social_sharing=v1&source=h5_m&timestamp=1646652896&tt_from=sms&u_code=dl0ab87chcfa7j&user_id=7013114548248970246&utm_campaign=client_share&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=sms

     

    “How are you enjoying your visit to Ukraine?”

    “Welcome to Ukraine you bitches”

    • #41
  12. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    Steven Seward (View Comment):
    Jerry, I have never bought into your “skepticism” over all the pro-Ukrainian news, while at the same time you completely trust the pro-Russian news

    So flatly accusing Jerry of making bad faith arguments.

    That’s one way of putting it, though that assumes that he is aware of his selective skepticism of news sources.

    • #42
  13. Seawriter Contributor
    Seawriter
    @Seawriter

    Steven Seward (View Comment):

    Bryan G. Stephens (View Comment):

    Steven Seward (View Comment):
    Jerry, I have never bought into your “skepticism” over all the pro-Ukrainian news, while at the same time you completely trust the pro-Russian news

    So flatly accusing Jerry of making bad faith arguments.

    That’s one way of putting it, though that assumes that he is aware of his selective skepticism of news sources.

    That assumes self-awareness.

    • #43
  14. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Susan Quinn:

    In case your blood pressure just took a leap, I’m not saying that we should be standing alongside Ukrainians fighting against the Russians. I don’t think anyone in their right mind thinks that’s a good idea. But as I watch their war unfold and analyze what is happening, more and more their war is beginning to sound more and more like the “war” we are experiencing in our own country. If you get past the cultural and structural differences comparing the relationship of Ukraine and Russia, and our own Communists who are finally admitting who they are, with patriots who love this country and its founders, the similarities are eerie.

    I would like to refocus on @susanquinn ‘s original point, not on the particular “causus belli” in Ukraine. Are we two different peoples occupying the same land? How do we define “difference” in a way that coalesces around two different poles? Or are we, like in at least parts of Ukraine, fighting without having clear internal foes — only external foes; fighting against people with “sympathies” of which we do not approve, without loyalties to an external foe?

    • #44
  15. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Rodin (View Comment):
    I would like to refocus on @susanquinn ‘s original point, not on the particular “causus belli” in Ukraine. Are we two different peoples occupying the same land? How do we define “difference” in a way that coalesces around two different poles? Or are we, like in at least parts of Ukraine, fighting without having clear internal foes — only external foes; fighting against people with “sympathies” of which we do not approve, without loyalties to an external foe?

    Thank you, Rodin. I appreciate your effort to encourage self-reflection? Do we know who we are anymore? Are we one? Are we many? Even more, who will win this war?

    • #45
  16. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    It does feel like the forces of “wokeness” — in the media, big corporations, big tech, big finance, academia, Hollywood, weak churches, and government — are a “shock and awe” campaign depriving us of air cover and effective command and control. We are left to insurgency and small arms. But our ammunition — truth and reason — are unlimited. 

    • #46
  17. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Rodin (View Comment):

    It does feel like the forces of “wokeness” — in the media, big corporations, big tech, big finance, academia, Hollywood, weak churches, and government — are a “shock and awe” campaign depriving us of air cover and effective command and control. We are left to insurgency and small arms. But our ammunition — truth and reason — are unlimited.

    Plus we have the Gods of the Copybook Headings on our side.

    the forces of “wokeness” and their sycophants in the “media, big corporations, big tech, big finance, academia, Hollywood, weak churches, and government” are merely the Gods of the Marketplace.

    Enjoy the poem if you have never read it (at the link above).

     

    • #47
  18. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    Instugator (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):

    It does feel like the forces of “wokeness” — in the media, big corporations, big tech, big finance, academia, Hollywood, weak churches, and government — are a “shock and awe” campaign depriving us of air cover and effective command and control. We are left to insurgency and small arms. But our ammunition — truth and reason — are unlimited.

    Plus we have the Gods of the Copybook Headings on our side.

    the forces of “wokeness” and their sycophants in the “media, big corporations, big tech, big finance, academia, Hollywood, weak churches, and government” are merely the Gods of the Marketplace.

    Enjoy the poem if you have never read it (at the link above).

     

    Thank you. I have seen the reference but do not recall reading it before. It seems so fresh and current. It’s hard to imagine it was penned in 1919! But that is the nature of everlasting truth.

    • #48
  19. Instugator Thatcher
    Instugator
    @Instugator

    Rodin (View Comment):
    Thank you. I have seen the reference but do not recall reading it before. It seems so fresh and current.

    I felt the same way when I first read it, in the 80’s.

    He does say,

    “As I pass through my incarnations in every age and race,”

    • #49
  20. WiesbadenJake Coolidge
    WiesbadenJake
    @WiesbadenJake

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):
    I would like to refocus on @ susanquinn ‘s original point, not on the particular “causus belli” in Ukraine. Are we two different peoples occupying the same land? How do we define “difference” in a way that coalesces around two different poles? Or are we, like in at least parts of Ukraine, fighting without having clear internal foes — only external foes; fighting against people with “sympathies” of which we do not approve, without loyalties to an external foe?

    Thank you, Rodin. I appreciate your effort to encourage self-reflection? Do we know who we are anymore? Are we one? Are we many? Even more, who will win this war?

    This is, perhaps, the question that defines us. I do not think we know who we are anymore and those that would proffer a view of traditional American patriotic values would be doing so at their own risk. There is a video from concert in Australia with the crowd joining in to sing Waltzing Matilda. The ‘togetherness’ amongst a wide variety of ages fervently and joyfully singing makes me jealous (brings tears to my eyes). I do not know if even songs like America the Beautiful or My Country Tis of Thee would bring a similar response among a cross-section of Americans. The left has been incredibly successful at deconstruction. What rises up from the rubble is of great concern. The link to the concert follows:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UFmwArST-I

     

    • #50
  21. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    WiesbadenJake (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):
    I would like to refocus on @ susanquinn ‘s original point, not on the particular “causus belli” in Ukraine. Are we two different peoples occupying the same land? How do we define “difference” in a way that coalesces around two different poles? Or are we, like in at least parts of Ukraine, fighting without having clear internal foes — only external foes; fighting against people with “sympathies” of which we do not approve, without loyalties to an external foe?

    Thank you, Rodin. I appreciate your effort to encourage self-reflection? Do we know who we are anymore? Are we one? Are we many? Even more, who will win this war?

    This is, perhaps, the question that defines us. I do not think we know who we are anymore and those that would proffer a view of traditional American patriotic values would be doing so at their own risk. There is a video from concert in Australia with the crowd joining in to sing Waltzing Matilda. The ‘togetherness’ amongst a wide variety of ages fervently and joyfully singing makes me jealous (brings tears to my eyes). I do not know if even songs like America the Beautiful or My Country Tis of Thee would bring a similar response among a cross-section of Americans. The left has been incredibly successful at deconstruction. What rises up from the rubble is of great concern. The link to the concert follows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UFmwArST-I

    I think there have been several notable instances of crowds breaking into America the Beautiful at U.S. football games and NASCAR events.  Too busy to find the links for them right now.

     

    • #51
  22. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Steven Seward (View Comment):

    WiesbadenJake (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):
    I would like to refocus on @ susanquinn ‘s original point, not on the particular “causus belli” in Ukraine. Are we two different peoples occupying the same land? How do we define “difference” in a way that coalesces around two different poles? Or are we, like in at least parts of Ukraine, fighting without having clear internal foes — only external foes; fighting against people with “sympathies” of which we do not approve, without loyalties to an external foe?

    Thank you, Rodin. I appreciate your effort to encourage self-reflection? Do we know who we are anymore? Are we one? Are we many? Even more, who will win this war?

    This is, perhaps, the question that defines us. I do not think we know who we are anymore and those that would proffer a view of traditional American patriotic values would be doing so at their own risk. There is a video from concert in Australia with the crowd joining in to sing Waltzing Matilda. The ‘togetherness’ amongst a wide variety of ages fervently and joyfully singing makes me jealous (brings tears to my eyes). I do not know if even songs like America the Beautiful or My Country Tis of Thee would bring a similar response among a cross-section of Americans. The left has been incredibly successful at deconstruction. What rises up from the rubble is of great concern. The link to the concert follows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UFmwArST-I

    I think there have been several notable instances of crowds breaking into America the Beautiful at U.S. football games and NASCAR events. Too busy to find the links for them right now.

    All those people, looking up the lyrics on their phones at the same time…  it brings a tear to my eye.

     

    • #52
  23. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Steven Seward (View Comment):

    WiesbadenJake (View Comment):

    Susan Quinn (View Comment):

    Rodin (View Comment):
    I would like to refocus on @ susanquinn ‘s original point, not on the particular “causus belli” in Ukraine. Are we two different peoples occupying the same land? How do we define “difference” in a way that coalesces around two different poles? Or are we, like in at least parts of Ukraine, fighting without having clear internal foes — only external foes; fighting against people with “sympathies” of which we do not approve, without loyalties to an external foe?

    Thank you, Rodin. I appreciate your effort to encourage self-reflection? Do we know who we are anymore? Are we one? Are we many? Even more, who will win this war?

    This is, perhaps, the question that defines us. I do not think we know who we are anymore and those that would proffer a view of traditional American patriotic values would be doing so at their own risk. There is a video from concert in Australia with the crowd joining in to sing Waltzing Matilda. The ‘togetherness’ amongst a wide variety of ages fervently and joyfully singing makes me jealous (brings tears to my eyes). I do not know if even songs like America the Beautiful or My Country Tis of Thee would bring a similar response among a cross-section of Americans. The left has been incredibly successful at deconstruction. What rises up from the rubble is of great concern. The link to the concert follows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UFmwArST-I

    I think there have been several notable instances of crowds breaking into America the Beautiful at U.S. football games and NASCAR events. Too busy to find the links for them right now.

    Saturday. Charlotte FC’s first game in their new stadium. There was a technical glitch with the PA system.

    And then …

    Michelle Brooks-Thompson has performed the national anthem hundreds of times at various sporting events, from the NBA to Major League Baseball to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl game in December 2021 in Charlotte.

    But she has never had her microphone cut out for the majority of the song, as it did due to technical difficulties Saturday night for Charlotte FC’s inaugural home match in Bank of America Stadium. And she has never had to have her performance saved by 74,479 fans — the largest crowd she had ever sung in front of — singing the national anthem together.

    • #53
  24. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    Percival (View Comment):

    Michelle Brooks-Thompson has performed the national anthem hundreds of times at various sporting events, from the NBA to Major League Baseball to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl game in December 2021 in Charlotte.

    But she has never had her microphone cut out for the majority of the song, as it did due to technical difficulties Saturday night for Charlotte FC’s inaugural home match in Bank of America Stadium. And she has never had to have her performance saved by 74,479 fans — the largest crowd she had ever sung in front of — singing the national anthem together.

    Thanks for  pulling that up!  Actually, that sort of thing is more likely to happen in America than in Australia, as in WiesbadenJake’s example.  Even in these days of “course political disagreement.”  America has been criticized around the world for being “too patriotic” and “too proud of our own country.” I once heard an Englishman complaining about all the American flags he saw in front of homes.  He said that in England people don’t do that sort of thing.  It is very crass.

    • #54
  25. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    Steven Seward (View Comment):

    Percival (View Comment):

    Michelle Brooks-Thompson has performed the national anthem hundreds of times at various sporting events, from the NBA to Major League Baseball to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl game in December 2021 in Charlotte.

    But she has never had her microphone cut out for the majority of the song, as it did due to technical difficulties Saturday night for Charlotte FC’s inaugural home match in Bank of America Stadium. And she has never had to have her performance saved by 74,479 fans — the largest crowd she had ever sung in front of — singing the national anthem together.

    Thanks for pulling that up! Actually, that sort of thing is more likely to happen in America than in Australia, as in WiesbadenJake’s example. Even in these days of “course political disagreement.” America has been criticized around the world for being “too patriotic” and “too proud of our own country.” I once heard an Englishman complaining about all the American flags he saw in front of homes. He said that in England people don’t do that sort of thing. It is very crass.

    They would rather run around despising themselves. That is silly: they have a lot to be proud of. If they really need to despise someone, try despising the ones that vandalized the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square.

    • #55
  26. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    Steven Seward (View Comment):
    He said that in England people don’t do that sort of thing.  It is very crass.

    That’s funny to read that about the Brits. I’m not sure it’s true. They probably don’t have flags in their front yards, but there is no shortage of spirit.

    I came across this video a few months ago, and I’ve watched it many times since then. I’m very inspired by it.

     

    This clip is inspiring. It’s from the RAF centenary service in 2018:

     

    • #56
  27. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    MarciN (View Comment):

    Steven Seward (View Comment):
    He said that in England people don’t do that sort of thing. It is very crass.

    That’s funny to read that about the Brits. I’m not sure it’s true. They probably don’t have flags in their front yards, but there is no shortage of spirit.

    I came across this video a few months ago, and I’ve watched it many times since then. I’m very inspired by it.

     

    This clip is inspiring. It’s from the RAF centenary service in 2018:

     

    Those were fantastic clips!  Especially the first one.  I saw plenty of British flags in the audience.   Edward Elgar is one of the most underrated composers (in my opinion).  Some of his music is among my favorites of all time.  The Brits are always touting the praises of their composer Benjamin Britten, whom I don’t understand or like at all.  Maybe the allure of his last name is just too strong?!

    • #57
  28. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    MarciN (View Comment):

    Steven Seward (View Comment):
    He said that in England people don’t do that sort of thing. It is very crass.

    That’s funny to read that about the Brits. I’m not sure it’s true. They probably don’t have flags in their front yards, but there is no shortage of spirit.

    I came across this video a few months ago, and I’ve watched it many times since then. I’m very inspired by it.

    This clip is inspiring. It’s from the RAF centenary service in 2018:

    Plenty of patriotic  Brits left.   The Night of the Proms is full of patriotic flags and songs, absolutely abhorred by the “proper folk”.  Always wanted to go there for one of these…. (FYI his shirt has the “Cross of St George, the symbol of England. Fly those flags and you will be labeled a racist.)

    • #58
  29. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    Kozak (View Comment):

    MarciN (View Comment):

    Steven Seward (View Comment):
    He said that in England people don’t do that sort of thing. It is very crass.

    That’s funny to read that about the Brits. I’m not sure it’s true. They probably don’t have flags in their front yards, but there is no shortage of spirit.

    I came across this video a few months ago, and I’ve watched it many times since then. I’m very inspired by it.

    This clip is inspiring. It’s from the RAF centenary service in 2018:

    Plenty of patriotic Brits left. The Night of the Proms is full of patriotic flags and songs, absolutely abhorred by the “proper folk”. Always wanted to go there for one of these…. (FYI his shirt has the “Cross of St George, the symbol of England. Fly those flags and you will be labeled a racist.)

    Here Here!  Another rousing performance!

    • #59
  30. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Kozak (View Comment):
    Plenty of patriotic  Brits left.   The Night of the Proms is full of patriotic flags and songs, absolutely abhorred by the “proper folk”.  Always wanted to go there for one of these…. (FYI his shirt has the “Cross of St George, the symbol of England. Fly those flags and you will be labeled a racist.)

    Kozak, thank you!!! You lifted my spirits this morning and gave me chills! It was so moving.

    • #60
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