Wednesday, September 12, 2012

I am an American.


Today I attended a political debate hosted by my university. Each side was represented by two members of their club; democrat and republican. I myself have not committed myself to either party; however, the democrats were more successful at pleading their case.
When it came down to vote it was quite obvious the democrats would win. As we waited for the ballots to be counted one of the representatives volunteered to sing the national anthem to entertain us. I have never been so embarrassed or uncomfortable in my life. This student purposefully sang the national anthem as silly as he could and made a compete mockery of it. Not only were all the students sitting and laughing at every note, no flag was raised, no hand place on any heart, no respect given,  but I was sitting next to my good friend who is in the United States Air Force. I cringed in disappointment as he stood to honor this song. He stood amongst the student body, disappointed himself, at the lack of respect given to him, what he represents, and the words in the song.
When the student finished the song the other students cheered and laughed while his pleased grin demonstrated how funny he though he was. I'm sure he truly meant no respect by mocking the national anthem, but it just really shocked me. For someone who is well versed on American politics and history, he should have known better. 
My friend immediately left; not saying a word. I sat there for a few minutes and tried to collect my thoughts. As admirers congratulated the student, I decided to wait in line to let him know just how I felt. When it was my turn, I tried to be as polite as I could and said, 'hey congratulations on your win, but next time you sing that song can you take it seriously? There were people in the military in the room and it was really disrespectful.' His grin immediately vanished as his apologized and hopefully realized what a fool he made out of himself. I couldn't help but fight back tears as I walked away. I'm not sure why I was so emotional, but I have thought quite a bit about it.
Initially, I think I was sorry that my friend had to stand in the middle of that scene. I'm probably being too dramatic and blowing this out of proportion, but I was appalled by the actions taken by the students and the reps of the political clubs. Whether they were democratic or republican, we are all Americans and is it too much to ask for them to be respectful?
Even in light of the fact that yesterday was 9/11, (and what happened in Egypt and Libya) that kid did not think that that would be inappropriate or disrespectful. Having lived in a foreign country, which I know many BYU students have, we have so much to be grateful for as Americans that we take for granted everyday. We have things that people in other countries don't even dream about. As a woman, I have more rights and opportunities that women in other countries can't even fathom. I have those because my friend, and others like him, and fought and died for them. Regardless of who wins this upcoming election, American's will be 100% better off than almost 70% of those living on this planet. I am not a democrat or a republican. I am an American. 

Please consider the lyrics to our national anthem- The Star Spangled Banner

Oh, 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 thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, 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! Oh 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!

Oh! 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!

Here is a link to learn more about the significance of the song. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Star-Spangled_Banner

And here is how it's supposed to sound.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupsPg5H6aE&feature=related

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

i gotta find peace of mind



I gotta find peace of mind
I know another cord...
I gotta find peace of mind
See, this what that voice in your head says
When you try to get peace of mind...
I gotta find peace of mind, I gotta find peace of mind
He says it's impossible, but I know it's possible
He says it's impossible, but I know it's possible
He says there's no me without him, please help me forget about him
He takes all my energy, trapped in my memory
Constantly holding me, constantly holding me
I need to tell you all, all the pain he's caused, mmmm
I need to tell I'm, I'm undone because, mmmm
He says it's impossible, but I know it's possible
He says it's impossible without him, but I know it's possible
To finally be in love, and know the real meaning of
A lasting relationship, not based on ownership
I trust every part of you, cuz all that I... All that you say you do
You love me despite myself, sometimes I fight myself
I just can't believe that you, would have anything to do
With someone so insecure, someone so immature
Oh you inspire me, to be the higher me
You made my desire pure, you made my desire pure
Just tell me what to say, I can't find the words to say
Please don't be mad with me, I have no identity
All that I've known is gone, all I was building on
I don't wanna walk with you, how do I talk to you
Touch my mouth with your hands, touch my mouth with your hands
Oh I wanna understand, the meaning of your embrace
I know now I have to face, the temptations of my past
Please don't let me disgrace, where my devotion lays
Now that I know the truth, now that it's no excuse
Keeping me from your love, what was I thinking of?
Holding me from your love, what was I thinking of?{"
You are my peace of mind, that old me is left behind
You are my peace of mind, that old me is left behind
He says it's impossible, but I know it's possible
He says it's improbable, but I know it's tangeable
He says it's not grabbable, but I know it's haveable
Cuz anything's possible, oh anything is possible
Please come free my mind, please come meet my mind
Can you see my mind, oh
Won't you come free my mind?
Oh I know it's possible
Anything, anything, anything, anything, anything, yeeey
Anything, anything, anything, anything, yeeey
Anything, anything, anything, anything, anything, yeeey
Oh free! Free, free, free your mind
Free, free your mind... free, free your mind
Free, free, free, free your mind
Oh, it's so possible, oh it's so possible
I'm telling you it's possible, I'm telling you it's possible
Free, free... free, free... free, free... get free now
Free, free... free, free, free, free... free, free
You're my peace of mind, that old me is left behind
You're my peace of mind, you're my peace of mind
He's my peace of mind, he's my peace of mind
He's my peace of mind, he's my peace of mind
What a joy it is to be alive
To get another chance, yeah
Everyday's another chance
To get it right this time
Everyday's another chance
Oh what a merciful, merciful, merciful God
Oh what a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful God