The following appeared on the Homepage of my Netscape browser:

"O say, can you see..." and what comes next? It turns out that many Americans would just say "la la la" instead of "by the dawn's early light." The sad truth is that many of us don't know the words to our national anthem, The Associated Press reports. That has sparked the National Anthem Project, a push to teach the song to kids and adults through workshops, in-school programs, and public service announcements. The project's goal is to instill in Americans the significance of the song and its role in U.S. history. Laura Bush has signed on as honorary chairperson.

"How did you learn the national anthem? Do you think it's important most Americans know the words to 'The Star Spangled Banner?' Sound off in the NewsForum."

I answered as follows:

"Sure, I learned the anthem and the pledge in early elementary school, but that was before I understood what they meant. For example, I was in the fifth grade before I even realized that the pledge was all one long sentence! I have always thought it was too bad that America the Beautiful was not chosen as the anthem instead. I'd rather sing about love for my country and the brotherhood of its people than about a flag and a battle. But by the time kids are old enough to form opinions on such issues, it is too late - they are already brainwashed. Perhaps that is why this country finds it necessary to use military solutions instead of inspiration, example, and diplomacy.

"Wasn't it Robert Goulet who forgot the words on national TV a few years back? Does that make him any less a patriot?

"And I'm really tired of the jingoistic couch potatoes who call themselves patriotic parents blaming the schools for every lack in their child's background. Come on, folks! It's a song! Don't families sing together any more? Perhaps that is why the nuclear family is becoming just as much a part of history as the battle commemorated in that song."

Does anyone at ProPeace know how to get involved in this National Anthem Project? I am a person who is well aware of the power of words, and we have a real issue here. I know it's been tried before (in my lifetime!), and "America the Beautiful" ran a close second.