Veterans Day, 2016.

In light of recent events, this seems appropriate. In these times we must remember this, remember why it was sung and why that war *Really* was fought...and keep in mind that even today we are still dealing with the ramifications of it. Government exists to protect the powerless from the ruthless, what damned good is it otherwise? When the government abdicates this responsibility or cannot act in time, then it falls to us, the people, to do our duty because *We* are the United States of America.

This is as true today, if you see a person of color, or a gay person, or a Muslim or other non-Christian being abused or bullied...as it was for the passengers on Flight 93 on September 11th, 2001...or for the Minutemen at Lexington and Concord.

We don't have a common culture or ideal or religion that binds us together, we don't have a thousand years of history. All we have, is what we want to be. 

If you feel that you need the State, to hold up your power or your privilege or your religion...then you don't deserve to have it. 

...And don't you dare forget that. If we want a better nation, we have to be better citizens...all of us.

The Battle Hymn of the Republic

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He has loosed the fateful lightening of His terrible swift sword
His truth is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps
l can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps
His day is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ in burnish`d rows of steel,
"As ye deal with my contemners, So with you my grace shall deal;"
Let the Hero, born of woman, crush the serpent with his heel
Since God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

He has sounded form the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

He has sounded form the trumpet that shall never call retreat
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on.

Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me:
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.