Students at Lincoln Memorial Told to Stop Singing National Anthem

I'm sure ol' Abe is just tickled to death about that.

He saved the Union so that 150 years later, you can't fly a US flag or sing the National Anthem.

There has to be something more to that, because as it is, it's just royally screwed up.

When I was a kid, my parents took me to Washington and we visited the Lincoln Memorial. They had bought me a bag of popcorn from a street vendor. The park police wouldn't let me in to the memorial with the popcorn, so I had to throw it in the trash.

This may explain some things.

They're asking visitors to give the memorial the same respect they'd give the public library. No food, no loud noises. Singing falls under the "loud noises."

Maybe Obama can go over there and give a crotch salute. That's quiet.

Damn right. They should have been singing "Dixie."

No, a vuvuzela falls under "loud noises". Singing the National Anthem is a form of showing respect, in this instance.

Now THAT's an idea!

Not the way Obama does it.

If the people in charge of the memorial have specific rules in place, then intentionally breaking those rules is disrespectful, regardless of how you do so.


It's also a dick move to the people going there for quiet contemplation.

I agree with Jamey, though, in that singing the National Anthem is a sign of respect.

I don't understand the logic around here that makes breaking rules okay if you do so in a manner that can be considered patriotic.

Evidently, the rules prohibit, "loud noises". Just because the singing of the American National Anthem is cause for butthurt for you doesn't mean it falls into the "loud noises" category.

And there's some really tasty irony in your passing judgment on what is and what is not a "dick move". Thanks for the laugh.

I love how you're more interested in going after me than in the actual topic. From the OP:

That's the rule they broke.

Why don't you try this one on, Ray. Every July 4th, the United States Government rolls out a Fireworks Display which is launched from the Lincoln Monument area, and has, on several occasions over the years, been accompanied by very, very loud music broadcast from speakers on the Potomac (among the compositions played are the 1812 Overture and, that's right, you guessed it, The United States National Anthem).

So, tell me, is the government showing disrespect by firing off ostentatious, and yes, LOUD explosive entertainment with a lively musical soundtrack, or is that a display of respect that coincides with the celebration of the birth of the U.S.? Isn't this a "dick move", because there are still people milling around in all of the National Monuments in our capital at that time? What about the folks who wanted their quiet contemplation?

Nah, I think I'll wait for someone who's not obsessed with me to post, and respond to them instead.


You have a good night, now.

This was not a double post.

They shouldn't claim absolute neutrality when it isn't true. It just depends on who you are.

[YT="Lincoln Memorial Concert"]qARIEfJYm1g[/YT]

Irony, indeed.

It's good to know that tomorrow's conservatives are learning at a young age how to stage a scene and turn themselves into self-righteous martyrs over nothing. These things take training.

It's not complicated logic. Visiting the Lincoln Memorial is a patriotic act. The patriotic act of singing the national anthem while there is a natural progression of that first act. A rule which prohibits that natural progression is a bad rule. Therefore, in the context of foundational patriotism -- loving your country, your shared history and shared principles more than loving your government -- breaking that bad rule is also the patriotic thing to do.

Well, that is disconcerting. I don't have a rebuttal for that. Though going back to the library analogy, I know some libraries do invite musicians, and those musicians get to play louder than people are usually allowed to talk.

I dunno.

Arguable. It's possibly to hate America but have an interest in Lincoln, just as it's possible to love America and loath Lincoln.

Singing the national anthem isn't necessarily a patriotic act, in and of itself. It's the intent behind the gesture.

It's also kind of weird that a group of young conservatives would find Lincoln inspiring, considering the disdain so many conservatives seem to have for the man, at least here.

Unless the vast majority of visitors are breaking into song, I'd hardly call it a "natural progression."

And you're not leaving because your ass got handed to you on a sliver platter.

Because I'm not joining in the hysterical outrage over some kids being asked to move 25 paces?


Yeah, I really got "pwned" there.

Face it, just a stupid fucking idea to move them.

They were signing the goddamn anthem. Let them sing.

Oh, that makes it okay then.
Everyone keep being awful then.

Ahh, freedom rings in America....

Fuck you commie pig! There, someone had to say it.

Noise is noise.

It's the result of years of increasing Progressivism and Political Correctness.

Sometimes singing the National Anthem is to be avoided.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkhbpeL-8sY