Matthew Good – Lights Of Endangered Species

Ideals? Her torch was symbolic of lighting the way for immigrants who wanted a free and better life in the U.S. There was not much more to the gift the French gave the citizens of the U.S. And currently people can still come to this country legally (and unfortunately illegally). We are still the land of opportunity.

I understand that she represents immigration. But it is also a symbol for enlightenment, freedom, justice, equality etc.

You said "futile war" but did not describe what "war" you meant. I may have read too much into your meaning; I thought you meant the actual wars we have fought (which would have little to do with the statue)

I have to disagree when you say that america is still the land of opportunity. Your economy is held together with scotch tape.

the Iraq War is the futile war I was mentioning

True, but we do not deny education to people and we have ways for the poor to get money for post high school education. We also have equality in housing (with the poor paying very little). We have voting for all. Our bad economy is the result of our elected leaders, with "elected" being key. We are still the land of opportunity. If you want proof, look at the Chinese and Indians who come to this country and work their tails off (and then sponsor family members); their groups are extremely succesful here.

This is only my opinion of the song. I'm sure it could be interpreted many ways.

Then we are pack to your original post. The statue has nothing to do with wars. And even if it did, it would not represent inequality as our military is entirely voluntary/enlisted.

I know, and you're entitled to your opinion which cannot be wrong:) I just enjoyed reading what you wrote and trying to get a full explanation. I appreciate the responses.

Yes I'm aware of how it is voluntary to join the army. The point I was trying to make from the begining (which you clearly missed) was that your soldiers are dying in a war that people hardly understand (even I don't understand it!). It has bankrupted your country, and you can't deny that.

I am not american. So I really don't know what it is like to live there. All I know is that I would have felt outraged to know that my government was spending more money and effort on Iraq for that many years, while so many american children go hungry, go without proper medical attention because of privatized healthcare - even go without a house to live in. The foreclosures, the billion dollar bailouts, the Occupy Protests speak for themselves. You're liberty drowned a long long time ago.

No American children go hungry if they have a parent or guardian who wishes to see them fed. There are enough govt programs (free breakfast and lunch) and charities and welfare checks to keep kids from going hungry. Sadly, you can't make every parent put his/her child first. A house is not a guaranteed and shouldn't be. A roof over the head should...and is. We have Section 8 housing. There will always be those who fall through the cracks (sadly) but more often than not it is due to the choices/neglect of adults (and children often suffer). As for Iraq, Saddam took care of 1/3 of his population. He slaughtered those to the north for decades. He denied human rights to Sunnis. He also did not comply with conditions he had agreed to. He also had oil that could fall into the hands of terrorists groups (who could use the money to destroy other countries). I am glad we went into Iraq. However, as with Afghanistan after the Russians left, our leaders have not handled the wars well.

Clearly we have a difference of opinion. That's ok with me. Because you're entitled to believe that children go hungry, not because their parents are out of work, but because they just don't wish to feed their kids. If you want to hear more opinions about these issues I strongly suggest you watch:

"Sicko" and "Capitalism: A Love Story"

And I really hope that you at least listen to the song we've been arguing about, Matthew Good is a phenomenal artist, and has a lot of his own political opinions.

Also I just dug up an interview on the internet which proves that it was about the statue of liebery - perhaps not so much on the Iraq War.

As for the rest of the record, much of it is "about kids and the future, really, to be honest with you. The song 'Lights of Endangered Species' is actually about 'New Colossus' which was written by Emma Lazarus, which is on the Statue of Liberty, and it talks about the abandonment of the principles of that poem... and the new American ideal and the youth, not just of the United States but everywhere."