Electronic Bagpipes
I love bagpipes, the war pipes, although that loophole version from Ireland sounds good, too. They stir my blood. I don't doubt that my Irish, Scots, Welsh and Cornish ancestry has something to do with that. I think the pipes make a statement as much now as when the English banned them from Scotland. If I were POTUS, I would be piped into and out of every public event. My piper would be escorted by an armed Marine and US Army Airborne Ranger and the group would be in the charge of a Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer armed with a sharpened cutlass or an Old Guard officer with spontoon. The pipes kick ass and I'd want everyone to know that is exactly what I'd do to our enemies. But enough of the Walter Mittyisms, from Lawdog comes this bit about a Spanish musician who invented electronic pipes. Jose Angel Hevia Velasco -- who performs under the name Hevia -- is a Spanish bagpiper who hauled off and invented a MIDI bagpipe which he plays live during concerts. He's actually pretty good.
The following video is probably his most famous piece:
For us, the American ideal is personified in the concept of self-reliance, work ethic, honesty/forthrightness, decency, personal property rights, family, religion, an ability to defend oneself from criminals and crooked politicians, and personal responsibility.
