Rewriting the ‘Star Spangled Banner’
by Ben ShapiroThe Supreme Court has authored many, many stupid opinions. Perhaps the stupidest line in Supreme Court history, however, came from Justice Anthony Kennedy’s concurrence in Texas v. Johnson (1989). That case invalidated 48 state laws prohibiting the burning of the American flag, as well as a federal law. Kennedy explained the Court’s position: “It is poignant but fundamental that the flag protects those who hold it in contempt.”
Well, not so much. The flag doesn’t protect us from paying our taxes if we disagree with government policy; the flag doesn’t protect us from urinating in public. Burning the flag is a behavior, not a form of speech. And there are many forms of behavior that express viewpoints that are simply out of bounds. It is interesting that while it is well accepted that there is no right to secede from the federal government, burning the flag – the ultimate repudiation of American sovereignty – is a hallmark of liberal “free speech.”
Why does this come up now? Because at Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, singer/actor Tyrese Gibson decided that the words to the Star Spangled Banner needed some updating. Reports ICelebz.com: “Gibson, who hails from California, took the chance to sing the anthem and cheer his favorite team at the same time. He replaced the line ‘our flag was still there’ with ‘our Lakers were still there.’” According to the LA Times initial report, the crowd cheered the substitution. According to TVShark.com, Jeannie Buss, Lakers’ executive VP, thought the “anthem was awesome.”
Treating the National Anthem like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is something you’d only see in Hollywood, where patriotism is taken lightly and the flag is seen as just another piece of cloth. Degrading patriotic symbols in favor of the “dissent is patriotic” bumper sticker anti-patriotism of the left is in vogue. A famous politician, who shall remain unnamed because I don’t really feel like undergoing an IRS audit, sums up the Hollywood position nicely: “The truth is that right after 9/11, I had a [flag] pin. Shortly after 9/11, particularly because as we’re talking about the Iraq war, that became a substitute for, I think, true patriotism, which is speaking out on issues that are of importance to our national security. I decided I won’t wear that pin on my chest. Instead I’m going to try to tell the American people what I believe will make this country great and hopefully will be a testament to my patriotism.”
Symbols matter. By degrading symbols like the flag and the national anthem, we degrade the patriotic feeling that brings significance to those symbols. You cannot burn the flag with the same reverence you salute the flag; you cannot pervert the lyrics of the Star Spangled Banner with the same patriotic fervor with which you would sing it straight. Pretending that we can ignore the symbols that unite us with our ancestors – after all, the same flag the Supreme Court allows to burn flew over Fort McHenry as Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner in 1814 – is an exercise is stupidity and an exercise in shallowness. American history did not begin the day Tyrese Gibson was born, or the day Barack Obama entered office, or September 11, 2001. American history – the tapestry of liberty that unites us all – must be respected, not mocked or burned.
In 100 years, the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant will be a minor footnote in American culture. In 1000 years, people will still speak of the glory and power of American ideals, and will look with respect at the symbols the Hollywood left so easily discards.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
100 Comments
Disgusting. Disrespectul. UnPatriot.
And the descent continues
"Burning the flag is a behavior not a statement…."
Couldn't agree more. It's a cowardly temper tantrum that shows the complete lack of respect for the symbol of the country that allows this type of behavior in the first place.
I would have more respect for these people if they were more even in their temper tantrums. For example, let's see them burn the Iranian flag because of their treatment of women and homosexuals. Burn the Mexican flag because their illegal immigration policies allow criminals to come here and murder our citizens. Burn the Chinese flag because of their lousy human rights record.
But the people that burn Old Glory won't do that because they are cowards and it's trendy to hate America. Burning our flag is a hollow, pointless act and all it does is disrespect those that have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
I wouldn't say it's something you only see in Hollywood. It's not new. There's been a trend in sports for a while to put the name of you team at the of the line "home of the ——–!" Here in KC they tend to sing land of the free, home of the Chiefs. Now rewriting it like that and letting the official anthem singer do it' that part is new, but the crowd has been doing it for while now.
As obnoxious as flag-burning is, it was originally protected by the Warren Court as a form of "demonstrative" free speech. The court said it was a variety of political speech protected by the First Amendment. Now here's the truly disgusting irony. Protected by the wisdom of the Supreme Court, you are still entitled to burn our nation's symbol of liberty any time you choose, right up to election day. But don't make sponsored public statements on television or in the press supporting a candidate or party within thirty days of that same election while you're burning that flag. Flag-burning (demonstrative speech) is OK, but actual political speech (speech speech) is forbidden. That whirring sound you hear is the Founding Fathers turning over in their graves.
The range of 'patriots' is what makes democracy work. If everyone was as tightassed as you, the place would come apart at the seams in no time.
Everything you said about ' burning is easier than saluting, and singing is different than screwing it up' it very true. But whereas you see everyday as a day to toot the waterboarding, race rioting, draft dodging American way, some people may not. Those people will still be toeing the line when the fit hits the shan, but day to day they are just trying to live their lives.
The best part about a working democracy, is that you can whinge and spew all day long, it's your right. But rights are rights for everyone. So singing THE song badly and lighting up old glory are rights too.
he has no class and no talent and I am free to point these things out
Much like most Hollywood geniuses, he thought by doing a little phony kiss-ass to the masses he'd get patted on the back for being "hip," only it backfired on him. Good. Just like when that fat capitalist phony socialist Michael Moore badmouthed GW at the Oscars and was booed (although now he thinks he was courageous for having the balls to stand there and say that).
Yet banning (or burning) books won't be tolerated in any form. It shouldn't be, but isn't it the same kind of statement or "behavior"? I say this because I have just at this moment now come to the end of my patience with the hypocrisy of the ideas of the left AND right. Blindness is blindness no matter what side of the spectrum you are on. If burning the flag is not a crime then neither should be prayer or banning books. We have got to stop this madness now. If we are to be an open and free society, we have to be free for all ideas, but those ideas should be to MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, NOT A MORE STUPID PLACE!!!
Yet banning (or burning) books won't be tolerated in any form. It shouldn't be, but isn't it the same kind of statement or "behavior"? I say this because I have just at this moment now come to the end of my patience with the hypocrisy of the ideas of the left AND right. Blindness is blindness no matter what side of the spectrum you are on. If burning the flag is not a crime then neither should be prayer or banning books. We have got to stop this madness now. If we are to be an open and free society, we have to be free for all ideas, but those ideas should be to MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, NOT A MORE STUPID PLACE!!!
You're probably right.
HEY, IT'S CALIFORNIA, LAND OF FRUITS AND NUTS. WHY TAKE ANYTHING FROM THE LOSER STATE OF MORAL AND MENTALLY BANKRUPT RETARDOS SERIOUSLY. LET THEM SIT IN THEIR PERSONAL SANDBOXES AND JUST PLAY WITH THEIR JOHNSONS.
If burning a flag is not a form of protected expression because you choose to read the 1st Amendment narrowly, then neither is blogging – it's neither "speech" nor is there a "press" involved. I'm an originalist in terms of Constitutional and statutory construction, not a textualist, and this is why. Too narrow a reading leads to absurd results.
I'm a vet, and despise flag burners. I have no patience for screwing around with the anthem. And I agree that the fact THIS is protected and political speech is not (thanks, McCain-Feingold) is an outrage, but the answer is to broaden protected expression, not to limit them.
Symbols do matter. Culture matters. But these things' value to Conservatism is that they are VOLUNTARY bindings we put on ourselves to substitute peer pressure for government force. That's how you get a society that's both free and relatively orderly and safe.
Your statement is neither funny nor appropriate.
Two things.
First, we don't know if Tiller was slain by a someone who claims to be pro-life.
Second, if Tiller's killer is pro-life, that's not a sign that ALLpro-lifers like myself are murderers. By that logic, the Columbine massacre proves that all atheists are gun-toting, suicidal lunatics.
I am boycotting the new Transformers due to this.
(Not really, but I go see maybe one movie a year because I am so disenfranchised with the industry.)
Pay that tool no mind. He sounds mildly retarded anyway….
What if they were burning or disparaging pictures of fallen soldiers? Where does the line get drawn? And who gets to decide? Seems like the banning of burning the flag would be a good place to me.
Thus proving the strength of the Constitution and the wisdom of philosophers at the same time. "Just because someone is permitted to do a thing, it does not necessarily follow that he ought to do that thing." The least thing that Laker Man was guilty of was bad taste, the worst thing was an utter lack of any sense of tradition, propriety and patriotism. He is permitted to do that, but he shouldn't have.
Thus proving the strength of the Constitution and the wisdom of philosophers at the same time. "Just because someone is permitted to do a thing, it does not necessarily follow that he ought to do that thing." The least thing that Laker Man was guilty of was bad taste, the worst thing was an utter lack of any sense of tradition, propriety and patriotism. He is permitted to do that, but he shouldn't have.
"the tapestry of liberty that unites us all – must be respected, not mocked or burned. "
Agreed
Thanks for reinforcing my theory that liberals have the maturity level of 13 year olds. I think yours is much less.
a couple of things here. First, Flag burning- as reprehensible as it may be, it is and should be constitutionally protected. North Korea imprisons those who burn the flag- if they're stupid enough. In our world a sound thrashing should suffice as to let said burners know the lay of the land… and the anthem should be respected- it is a voluntary exercise to perform- and Mr Gibson is a pinhead, as is Ms Buss. Nothing new here. So, considering that conservatives have far bigger fish to fry these may pass little noticed…
But Fred, if you go to Huffpo you will find that that is exactly the logic they are using. It is funny that not all Muslims are terrorists, but ALL Christians are (as per several Huffpo contributors at least the ones I could stomach reading anyway)
Do you get some odd sort of satisfaction in coming here and making stupid statements?
O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
-4th verse of the Star-Spangled Banner.
I think he has to reinforce that he is stupid.
Auntie, you really are dumb. I keep repeating it, but you keep proving me right. Your points are something I would normally see on DailyKos or Democrat Underground. Pure fascist hate.
Lighten up, chief. You say the Lakers will be a footnote in history, but somehow Tyrese Gibson cheering the Lakers is worthy of a whole blog post? Much less, comparing it to flag burning? Don't jump at any chance to stir up a fuss about patriotism.
Go learn to bake or STFU.
What a sick monster you are.
All right, and I trust you'll keep a list of those of us who have been there, and you'll moderate those comments separately?
This is still America, not the former Soviet Union. Political speech, no matter how reprehensible it may be, must remain protected in this country.
If you are offended by what someone says, don't listen. If you are offended by what someone does, turn your head.
If you wish for our government to limit political speech in any way, you unwittingly align yourself with those who have fought against the ideals of this nation since its founding. The best of intentions often leads to the worst of outcomes, and this is most true when it concerns granting the government power.
wow- auntie visited to bless us with an insult and we missed it… he/she/it referred to us as a 'threat to civilzed society' the other day; cracked a small smile… as a scholarly constitutional type do you agree that is both reprehensible- and protected?
It is something we fought to defend…
Actually, I would prefer that scum like Billy Ayres, Bernie Dorhn, Dickie Durbin, Nancy Pelosi, Brbara Boxer, and Chuckie Schumer DO burn our flag. The only way to properly 'cleanse' a soiled flag is to burn it. I would prefer that any flag those @ssclowns have touched is burned, in order to decontaminate the Flag and prevent further embarrassment to our Nation.
They do it all the time now. I hate it, but then, I hate a lot of things the left does and says. That doesn't mean I want it illegal. The answer is to shed light, not heat – expose them, don't ban them. Shame them! It's far more effective. A bunch of lefties pissing on pictures of soldiers will do more to drive voters to Republicans than all the Colin Powell-esque pandering in the world.
The answer isn't to preemptively criminalize political expression. It's to ensure that the aggrieved parties have a cause of action civily if they can prove harm, which at common law, they could.
"Who gets to decide?" The First Amendment says no one does. The right to express yourself, especially in the political context, even in ways that are vile, is a fundamental, natural right people are born with, and cannot legitimately be abridged by government. Once YOU get to decide where the line is, the next election cycle Barack Obama might get to – and I refuse to give him that much power.
Excellent comments, as usual, by Ladyhawke. I haven't paid attention to this incident, but suspect this guy was not even particularly trying to be disrespectful. More likely, it was just a stupid effort to be "cool" and supportive of the team. Well, at least he got the stupid part right.
So next time you are in a crowd yell "FIRE!". It should be your right to do so…………..
give. me. a. break.
There's a little bit too much sacrosanct sacredness coming from the right on the subject of all things related to patriotism. The truth is- if you do your history homework – the tune that the Star Spangled Banner is based originated as a beer hall sing along.
get over it!
I am waiting for the apology.
Yelling FIRE in a crowd has been determined to be dangerous. Burning a flag is not. It might be dumb, disgraceful and unpatriotic. But it is protected. And it hurts no one.
Actually, Gibson was booed, according to several other easily search-engined accounts, but I suspect it was by Nuggets fans, not out of patriotic anger. You alter the anthem at your own peril, certainly, and it was dumb for him to do it, but not harrumph-worthy. And c'mon, kid, 100 years later Babe Ruth isn't a footnote, is he? Who knows, this whole internet thing might be as much of a quaint artifact as the telegraph.
Strawman, and you know it. One pisses people off, the other creates a risk of imminent death or substantial bodily harm. One expresses a political opinion, the other does not. You don't have to be an attorney to see the vast, vast, vast difference.
If Conservatives can ban flag burning, then liberals can, with the same justifications, ban talk radio. They incited the killing of that abortion doctor, after all – at least that what the idiot hippies claim. Why would you want to go down such a road?
You fake Liberals think free speech mean unfettered speech. You can't yell Fire in a crowded theater. You shouldn't be able to diss a symbol that represents sacrifice made by our real heroes so you can spew your mental illness on the rest of decent society.
The reason flag burning and perverting of the National Anthem is so important to you is because you have no moral compass. Everything is morally relative is nonsense.
I'd like to see them wrap themselves in the flag before they burn it. . . but that's just me.
The Star Spangled Banner did not become the National Anthem until 1931. Most Americans don't even know the lyrics. But I am sure that because ONE performance of it substituded one word the whole country is not going to go down. Symbols matter – somewhat – but what matters more is freedom and the fact that as Americans we can express ourselves and still love this country in our own way. To call what this singer did as unpatriotic is well…idotic.
Apparently the first "pop" performance of the anthem was in 1968 by Puerto Rican singer and guitarist Jose Feliciano. He shocked some people in the crowd at Tiger Stadium in Detroit and some Americans when did a slow blues version of the song. It caused controversy. We survived.
BTW when was the last time someone burned a flag? I'm a left liberal but I revere the flag and it's meaning. I disagree with the burning of it but I understand protected speech. I see no reason to arrest people for politcal speech unless it hurts people in a direct way – like burning a cross on a lawn or yelling 'fire' in a theatre does.
dcase, I'm a big believer in letting people make fools of themselves. It doesn't diminish the strengths of my beliefs in the least to have an idiot tell me that I'm wrong. If anything, it strengthens them.
(By the way, I answered your question the other day about amending the Cal. Constitution, but I was late in posting, so I don't know if you saw it.)
I'm a Laker fan and I know in 100 years they'll be winning their 80th championship but aside from that I was at the Dodger game the day Manny Ramirez was suspended and chants of "We wan't Manny" were drowned out by chants of "let's go Dodgers." Seeing that display of people sick at what Manny did makes me pretty certain that the fans at the Lakers game DID boo because they didn't like the substitution of lyrics. I doubt there were not enough Nuggets fans there to be heard.
Whose flag is it? How in the heck can a government tell me what to do with my flag. They have NO right to do so. I'd NEVER burn it, and have choice words for someone who does but where is this manufactured right to tell me what to do with something I bought or made on my own. The one thing I like about being a conservative though is both conservatives respect for the flag and the large number of conservatives that disagree with flag burning laws even on sites like Free Republic.
I mean I doubt there WERE enough Nuggets fans to be heard.
You know something? I'm okay with it being legal for people to burn the flag. I think few other acts send as clear a message to the public that the person performing that act is a non-thinking douchewad. And it performs a public service – it makes those fools very easy to avoid!
Passerby: "Let's see… you're burning the symbol of the principles that allow you to share your thoughts. That's really dumb."
Flag burner: "Hey man, we're like, killing people in wars! America is the worst country ever!"
Passerby: "Okay then. I'm just gonna walk on the other side of the street…"
Now I really hope the Magic beat them.
SWEEP!!!
In my opinion, the real problem is when people place more value on symbols than on ideals. That's when we know the country is going to hell because that's when we know people have stopped thinking about our founding principles and started fixating instead on stuff that supposedly "represents" those principles.
The things that really matter in this country are the things about which our founders spoke: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They said very little about symbols because they understood that symbols are secondary to beliefs when it comes to creating and maintaining a free and prosperous nation.
Some of you would do well to remember that.
If sporting organizations would STOP inviting a soloist to sing the National Anthem, this kind of antic would come to a stop. We should stand and sing the National Anthem together, each time—every time.
"Jeannie Buss, Lakers Executive VP, thought the 'anthem was awesome.'" Awesome? What is she, 16 years old? And the guy singing the anthem is wearing a t-shirt that a toddler would wear to a Monsters Big Truck birthday party. Maybe we should be impressed that he even knew half the words.
Hey, the SC justified abortion based on the RIGHT TO PRIVACY??????
Are you kidding me? Tell me how this works again? I can kill my unborn child because it is done in privacy?
If so, can I kill myself in private? No, THAT is a crime.
The SC is a joke.
I just hope you aren't holding your breath
Only in a state like California do you get this nonsense….what else to they have pride in.,…their ECONOMY!..Pelosi? Schwarznegger?…what a fine society this liberal state has educated. I hope the remaining states..except for the liberal states that adore California and want to follow in their footsteps…see this and stay away from this type of behavior…when is it going to be……enough is enough? Hopefully in 2012…we need to get a strong conservative base back in Washington to eradicate (entitlement programs, the green crap!… etc…) everything this administration is cramming down the americans throats without debate and/or approval of the United State citizens…And for all you people that think by cap and trade you save the world….read about France and the corruption it causes with HIGH TAX RATES TO ALL! What will it take for all you liberals to understand you will be poorer than you are now!
Yet another Idiot…
Please Oh Darwin, please come save us from the stupidity that is within the borders of this magnificent country… Come quick so that our children may now what it means to have common sense and decency.. To not know what stupid and ignorence lies within Hollywood or any other city or state… A-mena (<~That's supposed to be pig latin)
Here's another double standard.
There was a recent shooting at an Arkansas recruiting center, leaving one recruiter dead:
http://michellemalkin.com/2009/06/01/and-now-this...
Will the Huff Post claim this as proof that ALL anti-war protestors are murders? Or will they apologize for making broad stereotypes about conservatives?
Sadly, I won't be holding my breath for that one.
ddi not- will go into your lair… yes, fools do not appreciate their precious freeedoms and therefore flag burning 'outs' them as such. So we think an amendment to the Constitution is not needed. But a good whuppin' might be in order…
Who the *ell is Tyrese Whatshisname? Must be one of the room-temperature IQ'd sports freaks. Yawn! These spoiled idiots are stupid, overpaid,. unpatriotic and pathetic.
Tyrese is just a hollow Hollywood model/actor/singer/future has-been whose mindless act is akin to Roseanne's ridiculous anthem mangling. We can remind ouselves and especially others (kids, students, liberals) what the anthem represents, but we'll all get past this.
Flag burning should and must be allowed in a free society. If the symbol of a nation becomes more important than what that symbol stands for, then that nation ultimately is as meaningless as the burned symbol.
Nope. It's me too.
Disenchanted, you mean?
*MissQuinn*
Actually, it's the loosening of our civic traditions that has caused 'this place to come apart at the seams'. You would be hard pressed to find anyone under the age of 50 who understands the workings of government and it's branches. Because of that, people tend to think they are entitled to things they aren't, and in any case, are not willing to work for. This country started coming apart at the seams when they stopped teaching civics in school. It's a testament to your way of thinking that you would use your substantial freedoms (that no other country has, by the way) to denigrate instead of celebrate this great country. But I guess that's your right, huh?
dcase, I wrote about it at the lair today, but I was actually referring to your original post — I responded there first.
Zakk Wylde recently performed the same song with his guitar during the May 29th playoff game between the Denver Nuggets and LA Lakers. He took great liberties with the song, and his performance is certainly not like the original composer meant it to be heard. Here is the video:
http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net...
Certainly his version changes the song much more than Tyson Gibson's did. Where's the outrage against Wylde's performance? Oh, that's right. Zakk's a white, conservative, good ol' southern boy. Gibson's a black, America hating Hollywood phony.
Forgot where I was for a moment. Carry on.
To call what this singer did as unpatriotic is well…idotic.
Now wait a minute. There's a difference between saying that the whole country is going to collapse (which no one here even remotely suggested) and condemning something as unpatriotic. And in this instance, when you consider the context, I think that yes, what Mr. Gibson did was unpatriotic. This is not the same thing as performing as “slow blues” version of the song. The man altered the lyrics to deflect the focus and admiration of the song onto the Lakers, when the focus and admiration should remain completely on the United States of America. Deliberately detracting from and mangling an earnest expression of love and devotion to one’s country is the very definition of unpatriotic.
So while listening to the lyrics did you suddenly forget they were about the United States? Did anyone? Talk about much ado about nothing.
But if you want to say he is 'unpatriotic' go ahead.
This to me is what I call Right Wing poltical correctness.
This is what I call Right Wing politcal correctness.
Just as goofy as Liberal poltical correctness.
Just please don't attempt to set up a government agency to prevent people from changing lyrics to the National Anthem.
Whitney Houston's singing of the National Anthem is one of the most popular versions ever. Because she sang it beautifully, and her rendition closely followed the original composition so widely recognized.
You''re right, burning a flag is not dangerous at all.
Strawman? Not sure you know what that is if that's what you think that was. However, I was making the point that there is a line drawn already.
I will say, I tend toward the "don''t illegalize flag burning" side of the house myself. But I think assault on flag burners should also be decriminalized.
Yeah that.
You're right, "burning the flag is behavior, not a statement." If I were to put a bunch of old hippie bell bottom pants in the street and light them on fire, I would be arrested for lighting a fire without a burn permit — or even arson. Same thing for lighting up a cigarette in some towns across America. I can't light a cigarette in public but I can burn a marijuana cigarette if I have a medical permit.
I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK!
I think Gibson only showed his ignorance as a Lakers fan, but that's me, Celtics guy, holding onto the glow of the 17th title for a little longer.
More curious, though, by show of virtual hands, how many people were offended by Lt. Frank Drebin's take on the National Anthem in his spin as Enrico Pallozzo in The Naked Gun? If it's comedy, does it make it more (or less) permissible?
[...] Rewriting the Star Spangled Banner The Supreme Court has authored many, many stupid opinions. Perhaps the stupidest line in Supreme Court history, however, came from Justice Anthony Kennedy
This Marylander does not approve. I'm a big fan of Ft. McHenry history and this may be stupid, but it pisses me off.
So while listening to the lyrics did you suddenly forget they were about the United States? Did anyone?
Well, one might argue that hearing a familiar and very poignant line of the Star Spangled Banner so disrespectfully altered was, indeed, jarring enough to momentarily distract from the song’s focus on the United States, but that’s not the point. The point is that by changing the line’s subject from the American flag to a basketball team, Mr. Gibson disregarded the symbolism and importance of the national anthem in favor of giving one more cheap shout out to the Lakers.
This to me is what I call Right Wing poltical correctness.
When the ACLU decides to take legal action against Mr. Gibson, then we can talk about “right wing political correctness.”
Zakk didn’t change anything that affected the message of the song.
Christ, no wonder you people can’t tell the difference between a soldier and a terrorist.
"like burning a cross on a lawn…"
I don't see how burning one little cross on a lawn is harmful to anyone, although it might singe the crabgrass. Oh, wait a minute, I get it! Burning a cross is harmful because it SYMBOLIZES racism, which is hurtful to people of color. Just as the American flag SYMBOLIZES freedom and all that it entails, such as sacrifice, to those who are patriots. Therefore, altering the lyrics, as if to honor a sports team, rather than the country whose existance allows the league and the team to exist, is hurtful to patriots. I guess insulting patriots is OK, but insulting anyone else is NOT. And by the way, I was at the game that you refer to in Detroit, and you are correct. Mr Feliciano's version of the National Anthem did cause quite a stir, but it was only for the style in which the song was rendered.
There's a good bit from Jurassic Park that works here, too: The scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn't stop and think about whether or not they should.
Yes, Tyrese could change the lyrics, and I rather suspect that he knows about the trend to sing "home of ——-." at the end of the anthem (something I don't particularly like). I'm guessing he thought he'd put Lakers where he did because "brave" and "Lakers" just don't interchange as well as it would to substitute it further up. However, just because he could do it and make it sound good doesn't mean that he should have. Some things remain a tradition out of respect. We don't change them on a whim due to respect for those things and what they represent.
Having respect for the country that gives you the right to live pretty much as you please takes very little away from your day, but I would think it's not asking too much to respect the song that is her calling card and symbol just as you would hope that someone would respect any of your personal property.
You are absolutely 100% correct. Political speech (even including rewriting the National Anthem) is a form of free speech and therefore protected. And you are also correct in that since this is still a free country (at least for now) people are free to not listen to speech that they find offensive, although that is sometimes impossible to do. Who besides Mr. Gibson knew that he was going to take liberties with the lyrics? If the fans and those watching at home had been given some advance notice, we could have at least stuck our fingers in our ears, or left the room, and would not have been subjected to listening to some egomaniac making a mockery of the anthem. ( By the way, just for the record, I also find your avatar to be offensive, but I would defend your right to display it, as a form of protected free speech and a symbol of your liberal disdain for our country.)
Agreed!
Hmmm, well since there were no lyrics being sung there was no message that could be altered. In fact, I think that wasn't too far off Hendrix's version. And while there were a few points where the stylistic flourishes almost obscured the melody, I never quite lost it all the way. If I had a criticism, that would be it; that he almost lost the thread a few times, but that may have been the quality of the recording as much as anything.
Personally, I like our college pre-game where the band spreads out across the field and we all sing with the lyrics displayed on the jumbo-tron. There have only been a very few times where we have had someone sing it for us, and those were special times to honor a player's family member or something similar.
Mr. Shapiro – I don't disagree with your take that hollywood is out of touch and would treat our national anthem as a joke.
However, burning the flag is speech. And as Obama passes more laws (note: I didn't include "congress" in that) and restricts us more and turns us in the USSA, I will be happy to burn the flag.
Here is the fallacy of your logic: the constitution is what's important, not the symbol of it, not the idea of it, but the ideas in it.
It is the constitution we must protect, and your faith in symbols as opposed to our constitution is what routinely gets us into trouble, and the liberals know it.
You're busy getting upset at Tyreese- yet your Constituion is going away, little, by little, by little.
Focus on what's important: not symbols.
The symbols that reflect the sacrifice by our real heroes – I assume you mean servicement, are their headstones and National cemeteries in which they lie.
Focus on what's real: protect the constitution.
You're losing your rights as you.
gb8898 has it right.
I'm a vet – and as this country becomes a symbol of hatred and a marxist state – I want to burn the flag along with all my conservative friends – outside the Democratic National Convention.
Your "name" and message indicate you're not conservative, and therefore probably liberal. It's always interesting and amusing in a sad way that the first to call others "racist" and even raise the issue of race are so-called liberals, and never surprising, though, when they don't actually say it out loud but rather sarcastically imply it in a smugly blithe, ""oh, I 'forgot where I was for a moment'" manner. When all you've got are names to call, you've got nothing.
Check yourself Rufus! I happen to live in California, but do not agree with the WHACKOS in our government or in Hollywierd. We are not all " retardos". Conservatives are having a hard time trying to turn this state around with all the gays, liberals, not to mention actors running the state house. God, I love living here, but the political climate is putrid. Nancy Piglosi & Barbra Boxeater can burn in hell for all i care. BTW what "normal" state do you hail from?
I feel a lot of blacks show more patriotism to Africa then America.
What a completely childish thing to say, Rufus. Would you like me to respond with what I think of your state full of toothless, inbred, banjo-pickin' hillbillies? Oh, wait. That's not true? Well, your caricature of California isn't true, either. Get off your sofa and come see for yourself sometime.
So you actually think the fact that the Star Spangled Banner's TUNE–not the words, just the tune–is based upon a beer hall sing along has something to do with the price of tea in China? Shall I point out that I can read Wikipedia too and that prior to the SSB being the national anthem, it was My Country 'Tis Of Thee, which was derived from the British national anthem and NOT a drinking song? Or does that make your point look just as idiotic as it actually is?
Gibson is far too young to have had a decent education. He has been "indoctrinated" to think what he did was right. He has been taught that "I" is greater than "We the People." He has not been taught respect or love of country. Sad but true.
I was thinking the same thing.
I still say that if flag burning is protected as demonstrative expression, then I should be able to express myself by kicking their ass if I see them, do it.
And me.
Websites you should visit…
[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]……
Get your horse tack!…
Not sure if this is the right place (I’m not really good with computers), but left you a trackback for your readers, if they ever need some information about horse tack….
puppy breeders The model of these blogging engines and CMS platforms is the demand of limitations and of touching that allows developers to complete colorful content and ‘skin’ the place in such a way that with minuscule sweat one would never respond…
The model of these blogging engines and CMS platforms is the demand of limitations and of touching that allows developers to complete colorful content and ‘skin’ the place in such a way that with minuscule sweat one would never respond what it is makin…
You must be logged in to post a comment.