¡ASK A MEXICAN!

Dear Mexican: Why do Mexicans love writing songs about Mexico, Mexicans, mi tierra, etc.? “Soy Puro Mexicano,” “Como México No Hay Dos,” “México Lindo y Querido,” for instance. It starts with the national anthem, which every Mexican knows — that is, if they’re lucky enough to finish fourth grade. It helps brainwash Mexicans into being some of the strongest patriots in the world, with little justification. Want to burn a flag in Mexico? Better call the mortuary. Maybe they were patriotic and the songs came later. So what came first, the patriot or the chant?

—Pensive in Mero Pasadena

Dear Gabacho: “America the Beautiful,” “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” “God Bless the USA,” “The Yankee Doodle Boy,” “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “God Bless America,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue” — did I miss any?

For more answers from the Mexican, including his take on some Limbaugh lies, go to www.laweekly.com.

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