Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

NYC Principal Bans 'God Bless the USA' at Kindergarten Graduation, Bieber's 'Baby' OK
News Buster.org ^ | June 10, 2012 | Noel Sheppard

Posted on 06/10/2012 5:59:35 PM PDT by Kaslin

America really is fading away before our very eyes.

A public school principal in New York City has banned kindergartners from singing "God Bless the USA" at their graduation, but according to the New York Post, is allowing them to perform Justin Bieber's "Baby":

Her refusal to let students sing “God Bless the USA” at their graduation has sparked fireworks at a school filled with proud immigrants.

Greta Hawkins, principal of PS 90, the Edna Cohen School, won’t allow kindergartners to belt out the beloved Lee Greenwood ballad, also known as “Proud to be an American,” at their moving-up ceremony.

Five classes spent months learning the patriotic song, which skyrocketed in popularity after the 9/11 attacks and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

It was to be the rousing finale of their musical show at the June 20 commencement. The kids, dressed up for their big day, would wave tiny American flags — which, as the lyrics proclaim, “still stand for freedom.”

But Hawkins marched in on a recent rehearsal and ordered a CD playing the anthem to be shut off, staffers said.

She told the teachers to drop the song from the program.

“We don’t want to offend other cultures,” they quoted her as explaining.

Catch your breath - there's more:

Department of Education spokeswoman Jessica Scaperotti gave The Post an explanation staffers said they never heard — that Hawkins found the lyrics “too grown up” for 5-year-olds.

The song starts: “If tomorrow all the things were gone, I’d worked for all my life. And I had to start again, with just my children and my wife, I’d thank my lucky stars, to be livin’ here today.”

Scaperotti said the department supports the principal’s decision. “The lyrics are not age-appropriate,” she said.

But Justin Bieber’s flirty song about teen romance, “Baby,” was deemed a fine selection for the show. Hawkins had no problem with 5-year-olds singing lines such as, “Are we an item? Girl, quit playing.

Here are the full lyrics to the Bieber song in question:

You know you love me, I know you care
Just shout whenever, and I'll be there
You are my love, you are my heart
And we will never, ever, ever be apart

Are we an item? Girl, quit playin'
"We're just friends," what are you sayin'?
Said "there's another," and looked right in my eyes
My first love broke my heart for the first time

(Chorus)

And I was like baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine

Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine

For you, I would have done whatever
And I just can't believe we're here together
And I wanna play it cool, but I'm losin' you
I'll buy you anything, I'll buy you any ring

And I'm in pieces, baby fix me
And just shake me 'til you wake me from this bad dream
I'm goin' down, down, down, down
And I just can't believe my first love won't be around

(Chorus)

When I was 13, I had my first love
There was nobody that compared to my baby
And nobody came between us who could ever come above
She had me going crazy, oh I was starstruck
She woke me up daily, don't need no Starbucks

She made my heart pound
I skip a beat when I see her in the street
And at school on the playground
But I really wanna see her on a weekend
She know she got me dazin' 'cause she was so amazin'
And now my heart is breakin' but I just keep on sayin'

(Chorus)

And these are the lyrics to "God Bless the USA":

Lee Greenwood - God Bless the USA (Live in 1985)

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life
And I had to start again
With just my children and my wife

I'd thank my lucky stars
To be living here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
And they can't take that away

And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me

And I gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota
To the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas
From sea to shining sea

From Detroit down to Houston
And New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart
And it's time we stand and say

That I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me

And I gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

And I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the men who died
Who gave that right to me

And I gladly stand up next to you
And defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

And these are unacceptable, but "Baby" is fine for kindergartners.

You gotta be kidding me!


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Front Page News
KEYWORDS: 1stamendment; churchandstate; education; graduation; homeschoolingisgood; justinbieber; kindergarten; ny; nyc; publicschool; publicschools; schools
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 next last
To: Kaslin

The following is a comment written in response to the article about this story in the NY Post today:

“I’m serving on a deployment as I write this and I don’t even know what to say. What the hell am I doing this for? For my own good! We’re sacrificing our time and energy among other more valuable things such as my life and this stinking principal robs our kids of the history of who we are. I swore an oath to defend this country and it’s citizens of enemies both foreign and domestic, but how do you defend against ignorance. It’s simple... you fire people who decide that their own agenda is what should be taught instead of our history. And don’t label this racism & don’t label it religious persecution, just call it for what it really is... she doesn’t believe it as a Jehovah’s Witness so she decided that because she doesn’t believe in it that our kids should not believe in it. How have all the other complaints gone unnoticed? We really don’t have to worry as much about an enemy from a foreign land as much as people who live in this country tearing it down from the inside.”

Well said soldier and thank you for your service!


21 posted on 06/10/2012 7:01:08 PM PDT by Batman11 (Obama's poll numbers are so low the Kenyans are claiming he was born in the USA!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BzuMJq9f1I

“We Hate The USA” lyrics

If tomorrow all of this were gone
The American way of life
And I had to start again
I’d be sure to ditch my wife

I’d thank my lucky stars
Who needs the USA?
Yeah, that flag that stand for nothin’
So we just threw it awaaaaaaaay

I’d be proud to be a Canadian
‘Cause at least their health care’s free
And I’d rather be an Iranian
‘Cause they all hate Bush like me

And I’ll gladly stand up for illegals, too
And defend their right to stay
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt we hate this land
We hate the USA!

Well, we all like Minnesota
But I still hate Tennessee
I could’ve become President
But they didn’t vote for me

There’s not much that we recognize
If it’s b’tween New York and LA
If there’s any pride left in the American heart
Then it’s time we stand and say:

That I’d be proud to be a Canadian
‘Cause at least their health care’s free
And I’d rather be an Iranian
‘Cause they all hate Bush like me

And I’ll gladly stand up for illegals, too
And defend their right to stay
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt we hate this land
We hate the USA!

I think everyone know dat already...
Don’t you?


22 posted on 06/10/2012 7:01:32 PM PDT by Tzimisce (THIS SUCKS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Teachers unions for starters.


23 posted on 06/10/2012 7:06:15 PM PDT by redshawk (0pansy is a Liar and Hates.........he just hates!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tzimisce

That would be the perfect Democratic Party anthem.


24 posted on 06/10/2012 7:07:59 PM PDT by ReformationFan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Isn’t affirmative action wonderful?

Pray for America


25 posted on 06/10/2012 7:11:46 PM PDT by bray (Power to We the People)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: God luvs America
What we need is the internet address of the school board.
Anyone found that yet?
26 posted on 06/10/2012 7:11:46 PM PDT by publius911 (Formerly Publius 6961, formerly jennsdad)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

I think of President Reagan every time I hear ‘God bless the USA’ since I first heard it during the 1984 campaign.

This whole incident is not only infuriating but also a sad commentary on our culture since I find that Justin guy to be insipid, and not even a very good singer. I guess all you have to do is look pretty and “razzle dazzle” them and you can be a star.


27 posted on 06/10/2012 7:17:00 PM PDT by TNCMAXQ
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2893743/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2893702/posts


28 posted on 06/10/2012 7:23:24 PM PDT by upchuck (Need is not an acceptable lifestyle choice; dependent is not a career. ~ Dr. Tim Nerenz)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

And supposedly this woman is a Jehovah’s Witness, I believe I read this elsewhere. Though she sounds more like a Devil’s Advocate. Maybe they should make up a song such as “We hate our country, oh yes we do. We hate country and we hate each other too.” Perhaps singing a little ditty like that would cement love, joy and peace among the citizens of our nation. I think it would NOT. A Bieber song? About what? Reading the lyrics, it is basically about lust, pre-teen lust. So strange for it to be okay for preschoolers to sing about pre-teen lust rather then pride in country.


29 posted on 06/10/2012 7:38:32 PM PDT by This I Wonder32460
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

And supposedly this woman is a Jehovah’s Witness, I believe I read this elsewhere. Though she sounds more like a Devil’s Advocate. Maybe they should make up a song such as “We hate our country, oh yes we do. We hate country and we hate each other too.” Perhaps singing a little ditty like that would cement love, joy and peace among the citizens of our nation. I think it would NOT. A Bieber song? About what? Reading the lyrics, it is basically about lust, pre-teen lust. So strange for it to be okay for preschoolers to sing about pre-teen lust rather then pride in country.


30 posted on 06/10/2012 7:39:02 PM PDT by This I Wonder32460
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

And supposedly this woman is a Jehovah’s Witness, I believe I read this elsewhere. Though she sounds more like a Devil’s Advocate. Maybe they should make up a song such as “We hate our country, oh yes we do. We hate country and we hate each other too.” Perhaps singing a little ditty like that would cement love, joy and peace among the citizens of our nation. I think it would NOT. A Bieber song? About what? Reading the lyrics, it is basically about lust, pre-teen lust. So strange for it to be okay for preschoolers to sing about pre-teen lust rather then pride in country. Grooming the next generation...


31 posted on 06/10/2012 7:39:34 PM PDT by This I Wonder32460
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: This I Wonder32460

“And supposedly this woman is a Jehovah’s Witness,..”

I have many relatives who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and this woman can call herself anything she wants, but she’s no JW! No TRUE JW would say the things attributed to her, racially or religiously.


32 posted on 06/10/2012 8:30:44 PM PDT by howlinhound (Live your life so that, when you get up in the morning, Satan says, "Oh Crap!..He's awake" - Unknown)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: ari-freedom
“Really set the idiot on fire, have the kids sing all 4 verses of the the STAR SPANGELD BANNER.”

Better yet, have them sing even just one verse of "The Bonnie Blue Flag", that should rip her stiches.

33 posted on 06/10/2012 8:33:00 PM PDT by calex59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: calex59

Let’s ALL get on the phone, fax, email and burn this despicable racist’s butt...this is war on our culture, our Constitution.

Let’s show this piece of crap how We the People feel about her politics.

Call

Fax

Email


34 posted on 06/10/2012 9:02:34 PM PDT by itssme
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

Reviews of her by teachers. Just amazing.

http://teachervoice.com/principal-reviews/Brooklyn/P-S-90-Edna-Cohen-School/10-47416/


35 posted on 06/10/2012 10:39:20 PM PDT by doug from upland (Just in case, it has been reserved: www.TheBitchIsBack2012.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

And now she’s receiving hate mail. Some real gems about her in this article.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/high-school-principal-target-racist-rants-article-1.1093240


36 posted on 06/10/2012 10:53:48 PM PDT by azishot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: azishot

She may be the worst school executive alive, but people who do this harm their cause, and make it even more difficult to get her out of that position. Stuff of this nature is disgusting.


37 posted on 06/11/2012 5:44:47 AM PDT by bcsco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

““We don’t want to offend other cultures,” they quoted her as explaining.”

“Other cultures” are offended that you exist, sister. See what you can do about that.


38 posted on 06/11/2012 6:02:55 AM PDT by Eleutheria5 (End the occupation. Annex today.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Kaslin

I know.
A graduation for kindergarten?. I mean, for ****’s sake.

And I agree with the poster who dosent like God Bless The USA. It is dreadful. You have so many great patriotic songs, Greenwood’s is banal to the point of inducing vomit. So saccahrin, I fear too many listens may induce diabetes.


39 posted on 06/11/2012 6:31:11 AM PDT by the scotsman (I)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: the scotsman
Perhaps your and the other posters dislike of the song is that you are not into country music?

What about "Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen? I hate that song and have never liked it.

40 posted on 06/11/2012 6:36:45 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-60 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson