Semck - I see you have brought Lazarus back from the dead ..... great poem though.

In summary: Losers of the World, come to America, you'll be welcomed here with open arms ...... does that sound fair.

I think much of the beauty of that poem is lost on me because English isn't my native language.

@NigeeBaby: you're in the UK, right?

Yep.... but you can tell Emma studied English literature, she writes so well

Okay, I was confused because you referred to the USA as "here".

The statue is called Liberty Enlightening the World and has a crown with 7 spikes (one for each continent). It is more a symbol of American intervention in foreign affairs than anything else.

Hey, the French gave Lady Liberty to us. Blame them. :-)

Don't worry, Draug, I blame the French for everything.

What is it with the French and tall metal structures that don't serve much purpose.

Hey,

What do you mean no purpose.

Lady Liberty is a lighthouse, and major tourist attraction.

" It is more a symbol of American intervention in foreign affairs than anything else."

Er...in 1886?

Where do you guys get this stuff from?

It was more a protest against Napoleon III than anything else.

Here is a poem that I think is good and important for everyone to remember:

"Now I dialed 911 a long time ago
Don't you see how late they're reactin'
They only come and they come when they wanna
So get the morgue embalm the goner
They don't care 'cause they stay paid anyway
They teach ya like an ace they can't be betrayed
I know you stumble with no use people
If your life is on the line they you're dead today
Late comings with the late comin' stretcher
That's a body bag in disguise y'all betcha
I call 'em body snatchers quick they come to fetch ya?
With an autopsy ambulance just to dissect ya
They are the kings 'cause they swing amputation
Lose your arms, your legs to them it's compilation
I can prove it to you watch the rotation
It all adds up to a funky situation
So get up get, get get down
911 is a joke in yo town
Get up, get, get, get down
Late 911 wears the late crown"

"What do you mean no purpose. "

I said "not much purpose". Please learn to read.

Ah, so you did. I retract the statement.

Of course we have our own share like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.

@Putin
"It was more a protest against Napoleon III than anything else."
Er...in 1886? They were well into the 3rd Republic by then and Napoleon had been out for 15 years.

On the other hand, you're right about the silliness of stating that the statue is a sign of American imperialism.

@Nigee
"Losers of the World, come to America, you'll be welcomed here with open arms"
That's roughly correct, but I think Lazarus might have phrased it (if she hadn't winced at the badly mixed metaphor), "give us your diamonds in the rough that you have no use for, and we'll make them shine."

"Er...in 1886? They were well into the 3rd Republic by then and Napoleon had been out for 15 years."

Design actually began right after US Civil War, in the middle of Napoleon's rule. It was only completed in 1886. People frequently claim the statue was donated by the French government. It was not. It was donated by French liberals.

Ah, interesting! I don't think I ever knew that.

^And that is meant with sincere thanks.

classic seinfeld bit

http://isteve.blogspot.com/2013/05/jerry-seinfeld-on-emma-lazaruss-poem.html

I think Seinfeld makes my point entirely but just in a much funnier way, because he is a comedy genius.