Free Republic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284 Watch these 5 young girls singing the national anthem! They are so talented. National Anthem will give you Goosebumps!! This was at a Texas Tech University basketball game . . . The National Anthem is sung by five little girls. The two on the right are six years old. The two in the middle are seven and the one on the left i...s eight. An entire arena remains completely silent throughout the song. You could hear a pin drop.. Take a moment to listen to this. Trust me, you will not regret it.

Can this possibly be true? An anti-Obama website, The Obama File, posts a photograph purporting to show President Obama putting his hand over his heart during the playing of the Russian national anthem, during his visit to Moscow. How can it possibly be a genuine photograph, when we know that the President didn't put his hand over his heart during the playing of the American national anthem, as demonstrated in this now-infamous photograph taken during the campaign? Please, let the purported Moscow photograph be a fake. Or, even better, someone point me to the time when President Obama noted that...

Here is video of Sandi Patty singing Our National Anthem - The Star-Spangled Banner. No one sings it like she does! It is a moving experience just to listen to, especially on this Independence Day. . . . . (Watch Video)

June 14th is Flag Day in the US. When Francis Scott Key wrote The Star Spangled Banner he posed a question. Most of us never think much about that question but events at the dawn of the 21st century beg that we revisit it. What is your answer? Video link

In the Age of Karaoke, more people (including me) like to join in the singing when they strike up the national anthem at public occasions. No one can stop you, no matter how embarrassed she might be by your obvious lack of talent. It's always disappointing when you're invited to stand and enjoy some high school glee club or famous opera singer. But chances are that even the opera singer won't get it right. "The Star-Spangled Banner" is notoriously unsingable. A professor of music, Caldwell Titcomb of Brandeis, pointed out years ago in the New Republic that its melody spans...

During Game 5 of the Playoffs last week, Tyrese Gibson decided to change the words of the National Anthem -- and now he realizes what a colossal mistake that really was. Gibson was booed hardcore after he replaced the line "our flag was still there" with "our Lakers were still there," and when we asked about his version last night, dude turned deathly serious and extremely apologetic. There's only one national anthem

ORLANDO -- Orlando Magic fans received a special treat Tuesday night when they heard Gina Incandela, 7, sing the national anthem. Believe it or not, Gina is autistic and never spoke a single word until she was three. With the use of music therapy, Gina learned to talk, and to her parents' surprise, she had a beautiful voice.

[Snip]--- MONTREAL –[snip] All ears will be tuned in to hear if the Bell Centre crowd [Montreal Canadians] will embarrass itself again by booing the American national anthem...[snip} With the sound of the boos still ringing in his head. [Boston goalie Tim Thomas] had one observation for reporters concerning the issue: "I thought when Obama got elected (president) they were going to stop doing that," he said.

Listened to the Boston Bruins at Montreal Canadiens game tonight on WBZ radio; as Rene Rancourt (I believe) started to sing the Star Spangled Banner, a huge chorus of boos could be heard during the song. At the start of Oh Canada there was a cheer, but no disrespect. I know of the long rivalry between the two teams. But how rude to boo the U.S. national anthem--why, you'd think the folks up North wouldn't do that anymore--since we have The One in office. Heck, I can't see us booing Oh Canada during a Bruins-Canadiens game at TD BankNorth Garden,...

Country music star LeAnn Rimes will help start a new tradition at the Kentucky Derby this year.Churchill Downs says Rimes will be the first national recording artist to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the historic racetrack in Louisville, Ky., as part of the Derby Day ceremonies.

Well, what do you know. The original Star Spangled Banner was about victory in the War against the Barbary Pirates (read Muslims). From Her Royal Whyness: Earlier today, I viewed a video lecture (also forwarded link to you - subject: Arabs and Zionists' tug-og-war over America since 1776 - Professor Michael Oren video)given by historian and author Dr. Michael Oren, here . Quote from the end of the lecture (he's a real tease, that one) : "Why the original lyrics of the 'Star Spangled Banner' talked about Muslims bowing down to the victorious flag of the United States." Well, it...

A Lakeview Elementary parent is upset the audience of a school program on Martin Luther King Jr. was asked to stand for a song known as the black national anthem. Two teachers performed the song, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing” — known to some as the “Black National Anthem” — as part of a 15-minute program during Black History Month. Russ Roberts, who has a first-grade daughter and fourth-grade son at Lakeview, said he was shocked when the audience was asked to stand for the song after it was identified as the “Black National Anthem.” He said he doesn’t object...

Jennifer Hudson sings the national anthem before the NFL's Super Bowl XLIII football game between the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers in Tampa, Florida February 1, 2009. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes (UNITED STATES)

OK, this girl has such a sweet and clear voice it some how reached out to me and brought tears to my eyes. Have a listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhwoXrdZmIw

U.S. President Barack Obama, his wife Michelle, Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Jill, and former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton sing the national anthem during the Presidential inaugural prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington January 21, 2009. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

An Islamic college in the land of Oz has banned the song Advance Australia Fair, which just happens to be the country's national anthem. It was was said to be anti-Islamic. A group of brave Australians came out in protest against the school, the Muslims called the protests un-Australian. Obviously freedom of speech and assimilating are also anti-Islamic.

Was it me or did anyone else hear portions of the National Anthem being beeped out, specifically "Land of the beeeep and the home of the beeeep". Someone please verify this as I'm still processing this unpleasant turn of events.

The Obama campaign asked Zach Bencal of Londonderry, New Hampshire to sing the National Anthem at an Obama rally there Friday and then told him to forget about it -- they had scratched the National Anthem from the program. According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, the Obama people dumped the Star Spangled Banner to make room for another speaker.

Sun, 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, General Bill Ginn' USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain why he doesn't follow protocol when the National Anthem is played. The General also stated to the Senator that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171... During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. At the very least, "Stand and Face It" Senator Obama Live on Sunday states, "As I've said about the flag pin,...

He's got his priorties straight, eh? Gotta have time for as much socialist propaganda as he can squeeze in...ditch the anthem!!

Bencal, who sings the anthem for a number of school events and is actively involved in local community theatre, had been contacted by the Obama campaign to sing the anthem. He agreed to do so, then was told later in the evening the anthem had been scratched from the program. Bencal said he was told by the campaign the decision was a simple programming change to make room for another speaker.

A SONG FOR YOU…“Three years ago, during an interview in Russia, the interviewer referred to me as an American,” Denver jazz singer Rene Marie writes on her web site (renemarie.com). “I started to interrupt her, to tell her she was mistaken. But I caught myself and was extremely surprised and dismayed to discover that I didn’t feel like an American. “On the flight from Moscow, I felt anxious to get back home. Yes, ‘home.’ And yet, I had nearly corrected the Russian interviewer when she called me American! Why?“I thought about how, from the time I was a very young...

DALLAS (Sept. 29) - Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard took a first step toward repairing his damaged reputation Monday, saying he was sorry for disrespecting the national anthem.

Have a look at the photo from the October 1, 2007 edition of "Time." It shows Obama, Hillary and Bill Richardson at the Steak Fry of Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) on September 17 in Indianola, IA during [according to the photo caption] the National Anthem. Richardson and Clinton have their hands on their heart. But not Obama. Does he perhaps believe that, like wearing the flag pin, the hand on the heart isn't "true patriotism"?

~ Star Spangled Banner ~Written by Francis Scott Key (September 14, 1814) Canteen Mission Statement Showing support and boosting the morale ofour military and our allies militaryand the family members of the above.Honoring those who have served before. As the rain cleared, and the sun began to rise, Key peered through the lifting darkness anxious to see if the flag they had seen the night before was still flying. And so it was that he scribbled on the back of an envelope the first lines of a poem he called Defense of Fort M'Henry Barbershop Quartet Boston Pops Whitney...

US Open Final on CBS opens with Anita Baker singing “America” as the flag unfolds and not the National Anthem. WHY?

Video of the U.S. National anthem as it was played by our Chinese "hosts" for Michael Phelps' gold medal...awful!! CLICK HERE

Students attending a youth leadership conference were reprimanded by capitol security on July 10 for singing the National Anthem and God Bless America in the state capitol rotunda. The patriotic expression was apparently so egregious that state troopers were called in to the rotunda to rebuke the students. As the students ended their singing, several armed troopers entered the rotunda along with capitol sergeants-at-arms. They confronted conference staff and informed them that such singing is prohibited in the state capitol without a permit from the Rules Committee. Undeterred by their shocking treatment at the hands of government officials, the students...

For those who are unaware, at a military theater, the National Anthem is played before every movie. From a Chaplain in Iraq : I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3,' 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...

Last week in Denver, almost all the values of the post-1960s Left were exhibited in one act. It happened on the Denver mayor's most important day -- the one in which he was to deliver his annual State of the City Address. The day was to begin with the singing of the National Anthem by the black jazz singer Rene Marie. But Ms. Marie had, by her own admission, long had other plans. Instead of the National Anthem, she sang "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," a song written in 1899 and often referred to today as the Black National Anthem....

My apologies for being late with this July 4th post (and if it's been posted before) It's a good read -- however, I have been out shooting bottle rockets, Roman candles and Black Cats the past two nights and haven't been on line much!

A jazz singer shocked some Denver residents after replacing the words to the national anthem with those of the "Black National Anthem" during the annual State of the City address this week. Rene Marie was asked to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper delivered the annual address on Tuesday. Instead, she sang the lyrics of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" — a hymn commonly referred to as the "Black National Anthem" — to the tune of the national anthem, MyFOXColorado.com reported. "If anyone has got a right to be angry it's probably me," Hickenlooper told the station....

A singer who was to perform the "Star Spangled Banner" at the presentation of Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address yesterday substituted the "Black National Anthem" without notifying anyone, because she says as a black, she just doesn't feel American. "I pulled a switcheroonie on them," Rene Marie said in a report in the Denver Post. In a video of the event, Marie had been introduced by city council president Michael Hancock, who said she would sing the national anthem. Instead, she sang "Lift Every Voice and Sing," also known as the "Black National Anthem," to the...

As Denver dignitaries gathered today for Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address, City Council President Michael Hancock introduced singer Rene Marie to perform the national anthem. But that's not what she did. Instead, Marie performed the song "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," which also is known as the "black national anthem." When she finished, the proceedings moved forward, and the "Star-Spangled Banner" was never performed.

As Denver dignitaries gathered today for Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address, City Council President Michael Hancock introduced singer Rene Marie to perform the national anthem. But that's not what she did. Instead, Marie performed the song "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," which is also known as the "Black National Anthem." When she finished, the proceedings moved forward, and few seemed to notice that the Star Spangled Banner was never performed. One who did notice was Councilman Charlie Brown, and he took to local talk radio Tuesday afternoon to blast the lack of the nation's anthem at the...

Here's to the Army and Navy and the battles they have won; here's to America's colors, the colors that never run. May the wings of liberty never lose a feather. (Wang Chi & Jack Burton - "Big Trouble In Little China")

Idol contestant, Kristy Lee Cook, brings down the American Idol House tonight with rendition of Lee Greenwood's mega hit: God Bless the USA"Simon says: "Brilliant "

Did anyone else notice the lack of respect by the Stanford women who were playing for the Championship against Tennessee last night? Openly not holding hand over heart when the National Anthem was played. A bunch of losers. Reminds me of BHO.

The Cactus Cuties (group of 5 adorable little girls) sing the National Anthem before a basketball game.

The way the National Anthem should be sung!

This is a video of the Cactus Cuties, Young ladies ranging in age from 8 to 13 singing The Star Spangled Banner. The performance was at the Texas Tech vs Texas basketball game January 20, 2008 in front of over 11,000 people. These young girls can REALLY sing!

Boos for American national anthem put British fans to shame Ron Lewis The crowd had been billed as one of Ricky Hatton’s biggest assets against Floyd Mayweather Jr, but it became his greatest liability when large sections of the overwhelmingly British crowd disgraced themselves by booing the national anthem of that the country that was hosting them. The crowd loudly joined in when Sir Tom Jones sang God Save The Queen. But when Tyrese, the R&B singer, stepped forward to sing The Star- Spangled Banner, the United States national anthem, he was almost drowned out. The singer gamely plugged...

The NFL and the Pittsburgh Steelers decided to start their Monday Night Football game without the National Anthem. Bad enough football has taken away all our free time in the fall and early winter. Now, it's going to take away our patriotism? This time, it seemed like the NFL had gone too far. The game between the hometown Steelers and hapless Miami Dolphins was delayed roughly 25 minutes because of horrendous weather. Understood. The rain drove with the intensity of a hurricane residue. There were frightening lightning strikes, a strong wind, a swampland for a Heinz Field playing surface. Everyone...

Click here to go to the video on YouTube.

This is a follow-up of my post, A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.

<p>Barack Obama complained on Wednesday about an Internet photo that claims the Democratic presidential candidate didn't hold his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.</p> <p>"This is so irritating," Obama said when asked about the photo in Muscatine, Iowa.</p>

On October 20th, I posted this item at NewsBusters: "Obama: No Hand on Heart for National Anthem," which included a "Time" photo of Barack Obama at Sen. Tom Harkin's steak fry in September. In contrast with the other candidates, Obama was shown not placing his hand over his heart during the playing of the national anthem. A reproduction of the photo is seen here, as displayed on today's "Morning Joe." I believe I may have been the first person in the blogosphere to discuss the story. Fox News made reference to the matter on a couple shows, but to my...

This is a video of Obama during the National Anthem, along with, IMO, is the worst rendition of the National Anthem I ever heard in my life! Not surprising that it was a Democrat event.

What's wrong with this picture? If picture doesn't show, please click on link.

Francis Scott Key 1780-1843On Sept. 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key peered through clearing smoke to see an enormous flag flying proudly after a 25-hour British bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry. Key was inspired to write a poem, which was later set to music. Even before "The Star-Spangled Banner" became our national anthem, it helped transform the garrison flag with the same name into a major national symbol of patriotism and identity. The flag has had a colorful history, from its origins in a government contract through its sojourn with several generations of a Baltimore family to its eventual donation to...