Posted on 03/09/2002 5:37:21 AM PST by Federalist_In_Michigan
By Ron Strom
© 2002 WorldNetDaily.com
The Orange County, Calif., chapter of the American Red Cross has canceled the planned performance of a music group at an upcoming event honoring the organization's volunteers who helped at the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11 attacks because the group planned to sing songs that mention "prayer" and "God."
"Somebody has gone a little overboard" at the Red Cross, said Cherilyn Bacon, director of First Act, a choral group made up of middle school-aged students from a local performing arts school.
The group was invited to perform "Heroes' Triology" and to dedicate it to the 9-11 volunteers at tomorrow's event. The arrangement includes three songs: "America the Beautiful," "Prayer of the Children" and Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the U.S.A."
First Act's rendition of "Declaration," a song that includes the opening lines from the Declaration of Independence, was also deemed inappropriate. Bacon says Patricia Johnson, a representative of the American Red Cross in Orange County, told her the Declaration is "a political document that … may offend" some.
Lynn Howse, public affairs director in the Orange County Red Cross office, defended her organization's decision on the Fox News Channel yesterday.
"We need to remain a neutral organization," she said. Howse said another group from the same school will perform in place of First Act and that the program will still include patriotic numbers.
While there have been issues raised by public school districts throughout the U.S. about the religious content of songs students perform, the charter school First Act represents has no problem with its repertoire. As a California charter school, it receives some private funding.
"The school is totally supportive," Bacon told WorldNetDaily. She refused to divulge the name of the school, citing the desire of administrators not to be drawn into the controversy.
Bacon mentioned that her group has received rave reviews for its moving rendition of "Heroes' Trilogy," which was arranged specifically to commemorate Sept. 11.
"The kids have performed these songs for a wide variety of organizations, from the Democrat and Republican Parties to the Santa Ana Interfaith Council," she said in a statement. "Without fail, the performance has brought tears and instant standing ovations. From Muslim to Hare Krishna to Christian to Jew … there has been unanimous applause."
Cindy Boragno, mother of one of the performers, was stunned by the Red Cross' action.
"What rot! This is outrageous," she said. "To think that the word 'God' cannot be used in a song."
Student Malorie Bryant expressed disappointment at the withdrawal of the group's invitation.
"We were so excited to finally be able to perform our special 'Heroes' tribute to the real heroes themselves," she said.
Surmised Bacon, "By taking this 'neutral' position, [the Red Cross] has just offended most of America."
Yes. The Declaration offends tyrants and their bootlickers.
This made such a bad impression on him, that he refused to donate even a nickle to the Red Cross after 9-11.
**FIND STORY** Orange Co. Red Cross denys kids singing "America the Beautiful"
Putting it back in my wallet and will do my best not not offend these folks with any of my money
Dan
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News Release: American Red Cross Statement Regarding Orange County High School Music Program on March 10, 2002
Contact: American Red Cross National Headquarters.
Phone: (202) 639-3500
National Headquarters
430 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20006ORANGE COUNTY, March 8, 2002 — The Sunday volunteer recognition program at the American Red Cross Orange County Chapter in Santa Ana, California, honors America both through the presentation of colors and in the music program.
The American Red Cross Chapter in Orange County and the Orange County High School of the Arts regret that we were not able to reach agreement on the music program with conductor Cherilyn Bacon. The dispute was over the music program and has nothing to do with patriotism. "God Bless America" is a wonderful song.
The event begins with the posting of the American Flag and the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." The dispute centers only on our sensitivity to religious diversity, and a preference for a music program that would be inclusive and not offend different populations participating in this particular event.
To: American Red Cross
The dispute was over the music program and has nothing to do with patriotism.
Nice CYA attempt you bunch of cowards.
Now, explain how the Declaration of Independence, one of the most revered documents in the history of this country, has nothing to do with patriotism.
I told them:
1) Fire the idiot who made the statement about the Declaration, and
2) Issue a public apology and a NEW invitation to First Act.
Beyond that NO Red Cross will ever see one Red Cent of my money.
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