Learning something new everyday

Did you know that there is a "Negro National Anthem?" Well there is, and recently in Denver a woman who was supposed to sing the National Anthem at the Mayor's "State of The City Speech" decided to sing the other one instead:

Mayor John Hickenlooper’s annual State of the City address may get more attention for what wasn’t included than what was.

At the start of the event Tuesday morning, City Council President Michael Hancock introduced singer Rene Marie to perform the national anthem.
Instead, she performed the song “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” which is also known as the “black national anthem.”

When she finished, the audience responded with mild applause. The national anthem was never performed.

She didn't tell anyone she was going to do that, so one can't blame the city officials, but where is our backbone in this country? If I was at an event and they said over the speakers"and now the National Anthem," and some woman sang something else, then I would start singing the National Anthem right there and then by myself until others joined me. But no, we just let these narcissistic self involved people do what they wish and we stand there and "politely" clap.

Ugh. You just know the Democratic convention will be awash with displays like this, except they will be sanctioned.

Update: Not related to that fiasco exactly, but if you are ticked at reading that, then you will love reading this. I got from a Mom blogger (Mama Drama) at the Chron:

***This is the text of a letter written a US Navy chaplain that was passed to my friend Bill by MA1 Michael S. Hainline, Patrolman US Navy Law and Order Det. For photos, look here.***

I recently attended a showing of feature film here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies, as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments; and everyone would sit down and call for a movie.Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place. Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen?

Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone finally sat down and expected the movie to start. But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:

'And the rockets red glare, The bombs bursting in air, Gave proofthrough the night That our flag was still there. Oh, say does thatstar-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free, And the homeof the brave.'
It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq. I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here. Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price.

Written by Chaplain Jim HigginsLSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad