Calif. Youth Reprimanded for Singing National Anthem in Capitol

Faith News ^ | 7/16/8

[calex59]

Bet the founding fathers would love this rule huh? How far we have fallen. Nothing is dumber or more freedom hating than a politician, and I include 99.9 percent of them in that statement.

[montag813]

Kalifornication.

[Alex Murphy]

"This was a ghastly overreaction to some students expressing their patriotism in the seat of government," stated Karen England, Executive Director of Capitol Resource Institute and director of the youth conference. "These young leaders have sacrificed a week of their summer to come learn about our government system and this is the 'welcome' they receive from the government."

They just sang the wrong anthem. After all, Washington D.C. is the capitol of Obamerica...

[HIDEK6]

Visiting the U.S. Capitol nowadays is NOTHING like it was even 20 years ago or even 10 years ago.

That's probably because the "tourists" started dressing like they were going to a backyard barbeque instead of like they were visiting the national shrines.

Today I doubt that anyone even realizes that different standards of dress would apply.

[Turret Gunner A20]

I'm surprised you feel compelled to ask. It is most certainly not the kids to whom I am referring.

Thought so. Just wanted to be sure you weren't one of the jerks who lurk abound here, you know, the kind who would agree with the kids being treated like thugs -- as they were.

[rockinqsranch]

“Tourists walking through the capitol stopped to listen to the singing and clapped enthusiastically.”

This to me would indicate a quality in their passion.

[Allegra]

Just wanted to be sure you weren't one of the jerks who lurk abound here, you know...

Goodness...I've been a fairly regular poster on FR since early 2001. First time I've had that suspicion cast upon me.

I'm curious...what would you have done had I been one of these "jerks?"

[rockinqsranch]

I agree with your comment on the matter. Somebody’s feathers got ruffled it seems.

[weegee]

[weegee]

Wonder if they would’ve asked Code Pinko for a permit if they were caught singing “Give Peace A Chance”.

[Turret Gunner A20]

I'm curious...what would you have done had I been one of these "jerks?"

Welllll, while I abhor violence .....................

[Allegra]

I ain’t skeered...

[elpadre]

“45 young people from California know the word to the National Anthem and God Bless America?”

I believe they are Christian and therefore not typical CA school kids

[JoJo Gunn]

Thank God that armed Barney’s stepped in before it was too late!

[hdstmf]

Singing is a version of free speech. The right to peacefully assemble is also acceptable. The kids were applying their constituitional rights. The authorities were denying them those rights in an arbitrary manner. Heads up ACLU. Here is a slam dunk for you. We know how much you care about patriots rights(yeah, right...)

[mvpel]

There are standards of decorum in public buildings that have nothing to do with constitutional rights.

[Polyxene]

Oops! You are right!

[Citizen Blade]

Singing is a version of free speech. The right to peacefully assemble is also acceptable. The kids were applying their constituitional rights.

It's a complex issue. You can't exercise your Constitutional rights in every place, even in a public building. The Pentagon is owned by the American taxpayers, for example, but you can't hold a protest in its cafeteria.

The working portions of a State Capitol aren't really a traditional venue for the exercise of constitutional rights.

[Red Boots]

We don’t need no stinking permits.

. The right of the people to peaceably assemble, and all that archaic stuff./sarcasm