celebrating a certain anniversary this year has been difficult for all kinds of reasons.

But I was reminded that things aren't all bad when I saw Brandi Carlisle and Sistastrings do an amazing version of "America The Beautiful" last night in NYC.

I always thought that song should've been the national anthem; something about recognizing wrongs and doing our best to right them just feels more patriotic to me.

Katherine Lee Bates did it better than the prose of Francis Scott Key and a tune from a bawdy gentleman's club can't stand up to Ward's simple melody

steadfast in the face of attack is fine but I'd rather aspire to be better I feel more moved by the aim to improve this unique and particular endeavor

that thought's been there since the beginning fix problems the founders never foresaw let's seek a more perfect union find equality, mend thine every flaw

Pride is a wonderful thing to have even if it's got different meanings Both kinds have their place, but I'd feel it more if some were much less selfish in leanings

This land is your land, just like it is mine it didn't start there, but the arc is trending toward justice if ever there was a time to fight, it's when they try to take those things from us

that thought's been there since the beginning fix problems the founders never foresaw let's seek a more perfect union find equality, mend thine every flaw

the flag might grand and high flying but let's never, ever stop trying

that thought's been there since the beginning fix problems the founders never foresaw let's seek a more perfect union find equality, mend thine every flaw