The stupid on Facebook. It BURNS! ("Born In The U.S.A. is anti-American!")

[bbernardini]

Long story short: somebody was looking for songs for their 4th of July playlist. I suggested a bunch. Her original list had "Born In The U.S.A." on it. Somebody responded thusly:

"Have you ever listened to the lyrics of Born in the USA? It's actually an anti-American song. (Just sayin')"

My response:

"Wow. Seriously? It's most definitely not anti-American. From Wikipedia:

"The song was in part a tribute to Springsteen's friends who had experienced the Vietnam War, some of whom did not come back; it also protests the hardships Vietnam veterans faced upon their return from the war.""

Her response, which was obviously well-thought-out and researched:

"Okay dude, if you say so."

[Debi]

1. Okay dude...pffft

:P

[suninvited]

2. from songfacts.com

This is one of the most misinterpreted songs ever. Most people thought it was a patriotic song about American pride, when it actually cast a shameful eye on how America treated its Vietnam veterans. Springsteen considers it one of his best songs, but it bothers him that it is so widely misinterpreted. With the rollicking rhythm, enthusiastic chorus, and patriotic album cover, it is easy to think this has more to do with American pride than Vietnam shame.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. If the person in question is too stupid to realize that true patriotism is...

....a civic duty of awareness and activism in the country's affairs for the betterment of the country, and not just mindless flag waving, then you can always tell them it was Ronald Reagan's campaign song. That should make their heads explode.

[latebloomer]

4. Oh, she finally realized it was not a right-wing flag-wavin song?

Only took 25 years. :eyes:

[Lex]

5. So it's anti-American to have compassion for our veterans?

I swear, I'll never be able to figure out freepers.

[jobycom]

6. Tell her "Yes, I and Wikipedia and Bruce Springsteen say so."

[enigmatic]

7. She's an idiot

Flat-out.

[tigereye]

8. funny how the other side of the argument is from people who have never

listened to the lyrics and take it as a jingoistic anthem...

It takes all kinds, doesn't it?

[Fire Walk With Me]

9. John Cougar's "Little Pink Houses/Ain't That America" definitely is.

Sarcastic, at least.

And people didn't get that "Valley Girl" was scathing, and "Every Breath You Take" intentionally creepy...

[Left Is Write]

11. Pink Houses is not anti-American. It is, however, critical of the so-called American dream...

and the idea that anyone can have anything.

[Orsino]

10. It's anti-American, in the sense...

...that it questions the cult of the military that too many of us mistake for the source of America's strength.