Students at Lincoln Memorial Told to Stop Singing National Anthem

Students at Lincoln Memorial Told to Stop Singing National Anthem

www.foxnews.com

students attending a conservative leadership conference in Washington, D.C. said they were ordered by a security guard to stop singing the national anthem during a June 25 visit to the Lincoln Memorial.

“They told them to stop singing,” said Evan Gassman, a spokesman for the Young America’s Foundation. “I was taken aback. You wouldn’t expect a display of national patriotism to be censored."

(visit the link for the full news article)

This just blows my mind away. Against the law to be patriotic? What message did we just send this group of future leaders? Personally, I would like to see a followup on this story to find out what the official stance is on such a rediculious notion.

How exactly is showing patriotism a form of protest? Why is it against the law to support your country? What is the nation coming to?!?!

www.foxnews.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Here is a video of a news story on the "protest".

I am not sure how to imbed a video from this source.

reply to post by TLomon

U.S. Park Police confirmed that the students were in violation of federal law and their impromptu performance constituted a demonstration in an area that must remain “completely content neutral.”

It's explained right there. No one can sing anything. I cant' go over there and sing Tosca, "Bad Romance" or freaking ABBA. It's probably some way in which they prevent lawsuits.

Or maybe the kids stunk at singing.

Here you go OP, I found it on YouTube.

Well, at first the story shocked me, but on further consideration it makes sense.

Regardless of what the students were singing, the rules at that site are pretty simple. You simply aren't allowed to do a "performance" at the Lincoln Memorial.

The last time I was at the memorial it was a time of quiet reflection for me. I don't think I would have been too displeased if a group of students decided to start singing the national anthem, but it would have been somewhat disturbing to the peace.

I think this is a case of the security guards strictly following the rules (as they are supposed to) and the students violating the rules. The fact that they were singing the national anthem is not relevant to the reason they were asked to stop.

reply to post by TLomon

U.S. Park Police confirmed that the students were in violation of federal law and their impromptu performance constituted a demonstration in an area that must remain “completely content neutral.”

“It’s not the content of their activity – that being the national anthem – it’s the location,” he said. “A couple steps and it would have been no problem whatsoever.”

Well... is it the content or not?

In any case I don't see this as a big deal, they could have just moved a couple of steps away, however where did this federal law come from?

I've never heard of it.

In any case, the national anthem was written by a christian socialist baptist.

For god's sake when is Fox News gonna grow up, unwrap the flag from around them and quit trying to incite hate?

reply to post by TLomon

.....to “maintain a contemplative and reverent area for the Lincoln Memorial, for the other guests and visitors.”

link

I think that is reasonable .

Schlosser said the students would have been in compliance had they moved approximately 25 steps from where they were standing.

link

So what's the problem , you don`t have to be sitting in Lincoln's laps ,singing the national anthem into his ear to show you are patriotic .




[edit on 10-8-2010 by UmbraSumus]

Well, I guess this place is not a free speech zone.

I wonder how all the people here would feel about the free speech zone laws?

Well...................just wondering.

You either BELIEVE in free speech or you do not.

Or, does the singing harm you in some way? Or, does it hurt your feelings? Or does it offend you?

I just checked the Bill of Rights, nothing in their about the right to NOT be offended.

You can find it on the Bill of No Rights though.
But it goes the OTHER way, you do NOT have the right to not be offended.

Teapot Forecast: Tempest

This is the sort of story that inspires the "Faux News" epithet: a carefully-crafted headline that is intended to provoke a reaction among people who don't actually read the non-story article beneath it. It's a practice akin to slinging mud at a wall to see what sticks, and sure enough, there's a well-primed audience ready to gobble it up.

Fox should give proper credit to William Randolph Hearst for their signature journalism style.

While they're at it, they might also have the basic decency to credit Ivan Pavlov for their extensive reliance on classical conditioning in their "news" reporting.

Maybe Rush or Hannity (or both) can pick this up as a cause célèbre to rally the "troops" for "emergency action," because this is such an "outrage."

Even better, maybe as Election Day approaches we'll see a string of "guerrilla national anthem singings" break out in places like court rooms, churches, mosques and funeral homes as a form of "patriotic civil disobedience."

Sheesh.

Rules are rules. It would be the same thing if they were singing any song. They were told that they couldn't sing in that particular location and they were asked to move approx. 25 feet from that spot. This is not a crime of being patriotic, its a crime of being loud. Places have posted rules that people should follow because its common courtesy: No cell phones in doctors office, don't be loud in a library, no running around the pool.

reply to post by Majic


Actually I watched Fox news cover this story last night, and this wasn't conservative propaganda. Fox's side was, and I agree, that the kids were clearly breaking a rule of that establishment to not sing.

It was a slow news day yesterday, this is a pointless issue that will be forgotten in 3 days.

*edit - errant quote.

[edit on 8/10/10 by GENERAL EYES]

Originally posted by Majic
Teapot Forecast: Tempest

This is the sort of story that inspires the "Faux News" epithet: a carefully-crafted headline that is intended to provoke a reaction among people who don't actually read the non-story article beneath it. It's a practice akin to slinging mud at a wall to see what sticks, and sure enough, there's a well-primed audience ready to gobble it up.

Fox should give proper credit to William Randolph Hearst for their signature journalism style.

While they're at it, they might also have the basic decency to credit Ivan Pavlov for their extensive reliance on classical conditioning in their "news" reporting.

Maybe Rush or Hannity (or both) can pick this up as a cause célèbre to rally the "troops" for "emergency action," because this is such an "outrage."

Even better, maybe as Election Day approaches we'll see a string of "guerrilla national anthem singings" break out in places like court rooms, churches, mosques and funeral homes as a form of "patriotic civil disobedience."

I could swear this reminds me of something. . .

That's right, "Freedom Fries!"

Crazy Like A Fox

Originally posted by Loutty
It was a slow news day yesterday, this is a pointless issue that will be forgotten in 3 days.

Indeed, no doubt replaced by something equally pointless.

But it's intriguing to hear that Fox didn't spin this for sensationalism on their TV network (I don't watch TV).

It challenges my conditioned response.

I used to get into "trouble" at school for refusing to stand up and "pledge allegiance to the flag", and for refusing to 'sing' the 'national anthem' when "required" to do so. .
I knew, even back then how corrupt and wrong this country/world is. lol

Just more pointless crap stuffed in the kids heads.

Come to think of it, this reminds me of a Star Spangled Banner incident that I witnessed last weekend. . Truth is sometimes stranger than fiction:

I decided to see my first Demolition Derby, cool stuff. Just before the start of the event, everyone rose, presumably for some patriotic display. The person out in the pit announced, "uh, we don' have a flag. . Wait. . I got one right here!" He proudly raised his American flag racing cap. It gets better. No one seems to know the song! The crowd stammered in unison uttering "by the dawn's early light. . . " Yes, it was not even properly sung. but the crowd of 600 or so was in a patriotic orgy. .

I refused to participate, here is why:

176. Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.


* (d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red,

US Flag Code


Many of those displaying "patriotism" are in their ignorance, disrespecting even making a mockery of the very same symbol. We have lost all sense of dignity and decorum. . And hide behind the flag as an excuse.

reply to post by GENERAL EYES


Because no one remembers the lyrics to those songs

I rememeber when I was in grade school, we were taught those songs and more. Does anyone know if they still teach them to our children?

Darn shame if they don't.

I think my signature says it best....