THE NATIONAL ANTHEM...IN SPANISH?

From NPR:

A Spanish-language version of the U.S. National Anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," is getting huge airplay on Spanish-language radio stations across the nation ahead of pro-immigration rallies slated for Monday, May 1.

But the great-great grandson of the original songwriter, Francis Scott Key, is not pleased with the interpretation of the song, which features artists such as Wyclef Jean, hip-hop star Pitbull and Carlos Ponce and Olga Tanon from Puerto Rico.

Click here to listen to the rest of the story, as well as this new version of "The Star Spangled Banner."

And President Dumbshit isn't pleased, either. On Friday he made about as clear of a rejection as can be made: "the National Anthem should be sung in English." I wonder what his Hispanic sister-in-law thinks about that? Well, fuck him. There is no reasonable argument that can be made justifying such a stance. Spanish was spoken in North America long before English was--the language is a part of our national culture and heritage. Period. To be honest, I don't understand why so many people feel so threatened by Spanish. Down in Texas, it's part of the ambient, no big deal. Frankly, I kind of miss it since I've moved to Louisiana, and I'm not just talking about not being able to find good Tex-Mex food here. Spanish has a beautiful sound, and many, many Americans speak it as their first language; it's very pleasant to hear. Furthermore, how on earth could the fucking national anthem be a threat? It strikes me as obvious that this Spanish version makes a very pro-American statement. It's downright patriotic. There's just no pleasing the xenophobes, I guess.

Instead, I'll try to piss them off. Here are the lyrics to "The Star Spangled Banner"...in Spanish!

Nuestro Himno

Amanece, lo veis?, a la luz de la aurora?

lo que tanto aclamamos la noche caer?

sus estrellas sus franjas

flotaban ayer

en el fiero combate

en señal de victoria,

fulgor de lucha, al paso de la libertada.

Por la noche decían:

"Se va defendiendo!"

Oh decid! Despliega aún

Voz a su hermosura estrellada,

sobre tierra de libres,

la bandera sagrada?

Sus estrellas, sus franjas,

la libertad, somos iguales.

Somos hermanos, en nuestro himno.

En el fiero combate en señal de victoria,

Fulgor de lucha, al paso de la libertada.

Mi gente sigue luchando.

Ya es tiempo de romper las cadenas.

Por la noche decían: "!Se va defendiendo!"

Oh decid! Despliega aún su hermosura estrellada

sobre tierra de libres,

la bandera sagrada?

Ha! Muy bueno!

Just for good measure, I fully support this Monday's general strike. Go get 'em guys.

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$