Speaking of political correctness…

Maybe take out ” our homeland strong and free” because it offends the strength-challenged and people in jail”. Will this ever stop? There is a million other more important things in this world to worry about.

Was already discussed last year or so ago.

It was decided to not change it and leave it alone.

While we are it it… Remove the word God from the anthem as well. Don’t want to offend any religious groups either.

This politically correct BS has got to end somewhere. For years these words have been used without any serious harm to any gender or nationality. If we want to get really politically correct a few words that should be changed are: woMAN, feMALE, MANhole cover,MANager,HERbicide,BIfold and all ships should not be refered to as HER but rather a thing which is gender neutral. This is all garbage as these terms have been in use for years and are generally accepted in the English language. The wording of the national anthem is just fine. They taught these words to me in school and to this day I don’t attach any gender meaning to them. Let’s just leave Canadian Traditions alone, and while we are at it, let people pray to whatever supreme being they desire, when they desire.

“Where does the stupidity stop?”

Apparently not with you and the other voice of intolerance. Although, on second thought, your suggestion to do away with the anthem altogether is worth looking at. As an atheist, this business of “God keep our land . . . ” is repugnant and representative of foolish, childish delusions that should not be fostered in a modern, mature nation like Canada.

I sincerely hope I’ve confirmed all your worst fears. ;)

If it isn’t broke, why fix it? Get a life.

Why is God keeping us glorious and free, if we’re already standing on guard for thee? Seems kind of redundant. ;-)

On the US vs SONS… who cares? It’s a simple change that that is inclusive of all Canadians. They’re not trying to change it to Daughters.

People get their undies in a bunch over the silliest things.

The anthem invokes an emotional response of pride. They could change the lyrics to a chocolate cake recipe and I will stand up and sing with pride because it’s my country’s national anthem.

I do not support changing our National Anthem. I am not going to criticize anyone for wanting to change something like this. They have their own agenda. But, I will not vote for changing it.

The National Anthem needs to be re-written.
It certainly doesn’t invoke pride in most Canadians. Certainly not those with duel citizenship and therefore duel anthems. Swearing allegiance to one Country while being a member of another leaves something to be desired.

A large number of Canadians do not know the words to the anthem, and in fact just stand and move their lips or mumble.

Maybe we should change the name to the **Mumble song**

Any suggestions for a new Anthem???

[url[http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/stompin_tom_connors/the_hockey_song.html[/url]

oops
http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/s/stompin_tom_connors/the_hockey_song.html

Palopu: “The National Anthem needs to be re-written.
It certainly doesn’t invoke pride in most Canadians. “

It doesn’t? Where did you get this information?

Palopu, you seem to assume to speak for a large part of our population. “It certainly doesn’t invoke pride in most Canadians”; “A large number of Canadians do not know the words to the anthem,”.
How do you arrive at these conclusions? I haven’t seen any nation wide polls sponsored by “Palopu of PG” on this subject. Are “most” of these Canadians in your household? Close circle of friends? Fellow workers?
As for “Swearing allegiance to one Country while being a member of another leaves something to be desired.” There is a very simple solution to that quandary…

Slow news day. Just ignore them, they will go way.

Do you think people were all up in arms when it was arbitrarily changed in 1913 as a way to show support for our soldiers who were heading to war? Did we care what those people thought? If it was okay to change it then, why is it not okay to change it now? Is the song really that sacred that it cannot be revisited ever? Obviously not since it was already changed before . . .

Actually when I have to stand up and sing the national anthem I do what almost every one else does. I mumble the words and look around to see who else is singing. Don’t take my hat off, don’t put my hand over my heart and sing the anthem with feeling like the fervently patriotic Yanks do. Seems to me Maggie A. needs a man. If you know what I mean. To take her mind off this crap hopefully.

I was brought up old school so if someone is nearby and doesnt remove their hat during the anthem I will politely remind them to. My dad would remove it for them, not-so-politely ;)

I voted yes to change it. No big deal… anyone remember when we use to call our firefighters – firemen? Anyone remember when we use to call our law enforcement officers – policemen?

The English language is constantly changing, and for the better I might add. Without saying the words, anyone here remember what they use to call brazil nuts? Or, similarly the eeny meeny miney moe catch a _____ by the toe rhyme?

I think if we afford everyone the same rights regardless of their gender, race, creed, colour, religion, sexual orientation, etc. then we are getting it right.

When we look at a woman, a man, a Aboriginal person, or LGBTQ person, or a person of faith we should first be seeing a human being. Regardless of what we are of any of the aforementioned we all have that one thing in common… we are all human beings. That is the true essence of “human” rights, it has nothing to do with politics, or an anthem or gay rights, or religious freedom, or being profoundly handicapped (physically or mentally challenged) it has to do with acknowledging we all have something in common, that undeniable fact that we are all “human” and as human beings we are afforded basic human rights.

Live and let live people… when we cut ourselves, we all bleed the same colour blood.

I forgot “marital status”… Christy Clark, you have my sincerest apology.

WE might as well throw in some chinnese and east indian verses into the anthem to save time 50 years from now.

Really, ask the average Canadian female, and ask them if they are offended by the verses. I think its a bunch of overthinking socialist that is trying to do good that is doing all this.

Call me what ever you want. But really why is it so important to be gender neutral. What is so wrong about a man being a man, and a woman feeling good to be a woman. Why is it that the general population has to cave into special interest groups all the time.

I don’t want to be gender neutral! We need to stand up and have the _al_s to say, leave good alone. It really causes no harm to leave it as is.

Does anyone know how much this change will cost the taxpayer. This is frivolous and vexatious and these people who wish to change it, if they don’t want to pay for the transition, can go away.
How much did it cost the taxpayer to put french on every stupid form the government has?
How much did it cost to change the name of PGRH?
Just because some bureaucrat or politician decides in a moment of fugue or fancy that this would sound better than that, please,
we are taxed enough!
Having said that, the comments above are absolutely hilarious, more common sense in these posts than I’ve seen in a long time.

I thought I would look into this anthem business a bit more before I would comment. Before I post this, I would just like to say I am not exactly an anthem type person. As a listener o some anthems, I would have to say that the Canadian one is not exactly all that inspiring and that we could do better.

So here it goes. From that sometimes terrible site, wickipedia, comes this backgrounder:

———————–
The song was originally commissioned by Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Théodore Robitaille for the 1880 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day ceremony;

Calixa Lavallée wrote the music as a setting of a French Canadian patriotic poem composed by poet and judge Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier.

The lyrics were originally in French and translated into English in 1906. Robert Stanley Weir wrote in 1908 another English version, which is the official and most popular version, one that is not a literal translation of the French.

Weir’s lyrics have been revised twice, taking their present form in 1980, but the French lyrics remain unaltered.

“O Canada” had served as a de facto national anthem since 1939, officially becoming Canada’s national anthem in 1980 when the Act of Parliament making it so received Royal Assent and became effective on July 1 as part of that year’s Dominion Day celebrations.”

So, typically Canadian, kind wishy washy …. ;-)

I suggest we change “In all thy sons command” to “In all thy kids command”

And if anyone sings or mouths the wrong words at a hockey game, they will get 10 lashes with a wet noodle.

I’M from India..I’ve lived in Canada for 3 years now..I hate the Canadain anthem. I think it should be banned , and replace by the Indian anthem. Sound good ..right??

“Why is it that the general population has to cave into special interest groups all the time.”

The general population has been a special interest group for far too long. We need to get rid of the supposed interests of the general population since they really have no interests.

Humm a few words from the Indian National Anthem.

When you say “we” I assume you mean men? After all, it would be rather difficult for someone with ovaries to do what you suggest, LOL ;)

That was for He spoke’s last comment.

gus: “The general population has been a special interest group for far too long. We need to get rid of the supposed interests of the general population since they really have no interests. “

Ever heard of ‘the silent majority’?

“In all thy son’ command”, to me it sounds like a reference to J C. Get rid of it. And while we are at it, change that first line of the anthem. Should be “our home on native’s land”.

I am a proud Canadian.
Leave it ALONE!
I think this says enough for most us us as real Canadians are turning into a minority.
What is this world coming to?

Can’t get that song “Androgynous” outta my head…hey, leave the damn anthem alone! Besides, few actually know the words anyways. No one is gonna beat ya over the head if YOU choose to substitute words to your liking. This ain’t America – yet.

Sell sponsorship to all the singing of the anthem too.

“Please rise, remove your hats and join us in singing O Canada brought to you today by Tim Hortons where, for a limited time, you can get a large coffee and donut for $1.99.”

How much do you wanna bet this is being pushed by a bunch of Women Rights D_kes!

Ridiculous. You can’t step back in time and make changes, (unless you’re Dr Who) and our national anthem is part of our national history. Change isn’t possible.

I sent them an email asking if they would post funds towards the cost of making the necessary changes in government publications, websites, etc. Noticed they have a gmail account. What are the odds they are going to pay? hahahaha

And here all along I thought that line was referring to “God’s Son” as thy Son. As in, follow the word of God, be good Christians, as commanded by God.

Anyone else??

“I think this says enough for most us us as real Canadians are turning into a minority”

What is a real Canadian?

====================================

“Ridiculous. You can’t step back in time and make changes, (unless you’re Dr Who) and our national anthem is part of our national history. Change isn’t possible”

Yes you can and yes it is. Read gus’ post from 4:14 . . .

Harper won’t let this happen. For Justin, this initiative might fit his profile. As for Muclair, he fits in with People#1’s view of the world therefore making him largely irrelevant.

Good grief. Brought to you no doubt by the same crowd that think the homeless should be called urban campers. It’s the national anthem, not the personal song of the priggish and the prude. It’s not perfect, but it’s what we know, what we started with….and dammit *pounds table* WE LIKE IT!

At least Harbinger can tell it as it actually is.

I have been to many, many places and watched as Canadians stumbled through the National Anthem, mumbling, coughing, shifting, and pretending that they know the words to the song. What a site to behold. The part they like best, is the finish line.

Have a nice day.

“Ever heard of ‘the silent majority’?”

Yes, that is another special interest group.

As with monks who took a vow of silence, they have removed themselves from the world around them and are living within their own reality.

Many moons ago I visited St.Josephs Abbey in Massachusetts whose Cistercian monks take a vow of silence.

A very interesting experience. Remove yourself from the world around you, have a few who can interact with the locals in order to sell the products and services provided, and otherwise contemplate the meaning of life.

There is something to be said for that. There is also something to be said to be part of a silent majority, minority or however many of those there might be. In fact, if one is a part of that group, one really does not care how many there are.

http://www.spencerabbey.org

Life has different meanings to different people….. luckily!!!!!

A long time ago, myself and a friend were at Westminster Abbey, atop of Mission BC. We were having a puff on a beautiful day and enjoying the view of the Fraser Valley when out of nowhere, completely silent, appeared a monk. Scared the crap out of us. True story.

Anyway, sorry Gus, carry on.

Any negative results anticipated from this change? No? Carry on my wayward sons…and daughters!

Women account for 50.4% of the population in Canada. For those of you throwing the words ‘minority’ and ‘special interest’ around, you may want to pull out a dictionary before you start flapping your yap.

Harbinger tells what like it is? That he is disrespectful of what is usually taken as a given no matter what country you are in? Palopu you didn’t answer my question; How do you assume to speak for most Canadians, that they don’t feel pride in our National Anthem? I also have been to many places both Canadian & otherwise where MOST of the Canadians not only could sing our Anthem, while not as fervent as our American friends, did so with pride, dignity & yes did know the words.

If I was in Syria I sure wouldn’t show any disrespect for their national anthem. Would you? To quote someone else, “Take Maggie’s shoes off and chain her to a stove”.

In 1908 Canada’s military had no women, heck women were not even allowed to vote in Canada.

With our Canadian military women now laying down their lives for our country, maybe we should un-pucker a bit?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/canadian-woman-16th-soldier-killed-in-afghanistan-1.599465

I love our national anthem and sing it very proudly! Hat off hand over heart. Ive traveled the globe and am prouder everytime i return. So i get annoyed when someone can enjoy all the benefits of being canadian but dont bother to learn a few verses. As for changing it? i never knew that it was originally us instead of sons so with womans roles in todays army i would be just as proud to sing the original version. i just wish it wasnt such a media spectacle.

I would be offended if they changed this phrase of the national anthem. It was in honor of the many tens of thousands of men that were asked to make the ultimate sacrifice in WW1. How many women have put down their lives for this country, verse the vast majority of men. Not every line in the national anthem is for everyone. It shows a disrespect for our heritage trying to rewrite history for the sake of political correctness.

Eagleone… are you suggesting that history and our heritage ended at WW1? Nobody is arguing that men made the ultimate sacrifice, but times have changed… and yes even history has changed because there is more “history” since the anthem was written. Only men are allowed to be honoured?

And btw, I’m really getting sick and tired of comments that use the question “how many women put down their lives for this country?”.

Women may not have been in the military at the time but they kept this country running while our men were away fighting wars in other lands. You insult them by suggesting they should not be honoured as well. I should let my grandmother have a few words with you.

Also, they were not fighting for “our country”. They were fighting to save Britain and Europe…. twice. Honourable though it is.

JB, there is no “silent majority”; it is a myth that emerged from political spin-doctoring back in the late ’60’s during a Nixon speech. It was supposed to be emblematic of the notion that a majority of Americans agreed on something like common sense or the common good, also illusions and no more real than McCain’s “Joe the plumber”. In reality, everyone belongs to a “special interest group”, rich, poor, and middle-class alike.

This includes the racist, sexist, invective-flinging right-wing morons whose comments mine now join in ignominy.

krsuty: “JB, there is no “silent majority”; it is a myth that emerged from political spin-doctoring back in the late ’60’s during a Nixon speech.”

If there is no silent majority, how do you explain the last Provincial election?

10 second Liberals in the ballot box. If there actually was a silent majority during the last election, it was the majority of eligible voters who didn’t bother to cast a ballot.

I AM a real Canadian, born in this country with part of my family going back to 1665 and I was married to a real Canadian, who proudly became one at 21. The joke was “you are a Canadian by accident of birth place while I chose to become a Canadian”.

The problem with our Canadian Anthem is that it is played as a durg not as a quick march. It was choosen for WWI as it was a quick march tune good for the troops to march too. I was also raised that man, men, sons, etc. are gender natural, maybe men should be offended.

haha, watch the old men get up in arms. the people who want it to stay the same are those that are included in the current version as a result of having a penis. christians also wouldn’t have a problem with it, but guess what? most canadians aren’t practicing christians and MOST canadians aren’t men!

not that i really care either way. anthems are nothing but nationalistic clap trap that are used to foster a sense of pride to make people in one area think they are better than those in another. nothing good comes of nationalism, not one bloody thing. canada is a great place to live, but i’m not about to start singing that a man in the sky is keeping it that way because we are in some way ‘the chosen ones’. ha.

krusty: “10 second Liberals in the ballot box.”

Everybody’s got a theory…

Go ahead, make my day and dost change it! It dost make sense and it dosn’t make sense to keep arguing about it!

“krusty: “10 second Liberals in the ballot box.”

Everybody’s got a theory…”

Maybe. What’s your? You asked me to try to explain the election outcome and I took a stab at it. Do you want an actual exchange of ideas or are you content to merely fling crap at everybody?

Krusty, are you feeling a little touchy today? Sorry about that.

As for the election, many of the (mostly) NDP supporters are quick to point out how many people couldn’t be bothered to vote and that’s a big reason for the election result. I say, who cares about them. They didn’t vote, so they have no voice.

The people that did bother to come out spoke loud and clear, despite all the polls saying otherwise. If that’s not a silent majority, I don’t know what is.

Hope that satifies you. If not, too bad, and I hope your day gets better.

Krusty: “Do you want an actual exchange of ideas…”

It sounds so nice when you put it that way. Of course, it’s not what typically happens in the comment section on this site and just about every news site, but that’s putting a positive spin on it at least.

I would suggest that if one wants to add to our history, then they should argue to add a line to the national anthem, and not take away a part of our history that recognizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could even have a history as the great country we became.

People need to respect history and not try to change it to suit their own selfish notion of exceptionalism.

Just consider the term men for what it is a generally excepted gender neutral term.

If this is about extreme feminism then maybe we could add a line about women that live alone in their old age abandoning the notion of family. Looking to the their future as it is….

“As for the election, many of the (mostly) NDP supporters are quick to point out how many people couldn’t be bothered to vote and that’s a big reason for the election result. I say, who cares about them. They didn’t vote, so they have no voice.

The people that did bother to come out spoke loud and clear, despite all the polls saying otherwise. If that’s not a silent majority, I don’t know what is.

Hope that satifies you. If not, too bad, and I hope your day gets better.”

Not to worry, JB, I’m doing just fine, but appreciate your concern.
Actually, that’s what I meant by a silent majority: those who didn’t see fit to express themselves one way or the other. We can dismiss them all we like, but the truth is, we don’t know their preference or even why they didn’t vote, but I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss their importance in the general scheme of things.

Alas, your “too bad” statement suggests you really don’t care and have shed crocodile tears for me. Come back for some real discourse when you can get it up for some genuineness.

“Actually, that’s what I meant by a silent majority: those who didn’t see fit to express themselves one way or the other. We can dismiss them all we like, but the truth is, we don’t know their preference or even why they didn’t vote, but I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss their importance in the general scheme of things.”

As for the people who didn’t vote and couldn’t be bothered, I would interpret that as they’re happy with things the way they are and the governing party doesn’t matter to them.

…And then there are the sore losers. You always hear from them.

Change is inevitable. Our anthem hasn’t been the way it currently is since the beginning of time, it has changed as the peoples needs and views change. It’s about time to change things up and ruffle a few dusty feathers. So. Embrace the change, for if you don’t, your just another brick in the wall.

Also. Obviously most of you didn’t take time out of your busy ‘copy and paste’ lives to watch the posted video. It’s not really changing it, but restoring it to how it was originally written.

What would Archie Bunker have to say about this… lol