Kerry privately urges Poroshenko to provide evidence of Kremlin involvement with separatists in Ukra

[Tommy_Carcetti]

82. Over the Soviet/Russian anthem? Absolutely.

If one were to consider both anthems in respect to their original lyrics, the Star Spangled Banner would evoke images of people in a pub singing a silly drinking song. Whereas the Russian anthem would evoke images of, well, Stalin.

The Russian national anthem is essentially the Mississippi state flag of national anthems.

Now, do I prefer the original lyrics of the SSB over Francis Scott Key's? No, but I'll preface it with the fact that my affinity for the Star Spangled Banner is strictly based on local and not national pride. As a song itself, the lyrics are somewhat clunky and it's a bit symbol obsessed. But as a native Marylander, we do take pride that the lyrics were written in Maryland. And any good fan of the Baltimore Orioles revels in the chance to shout "O!" when it comes to the part, "O say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave....".