Red Cross nixes 'God' from 9-11 program [also Call for Boycott]

WorldNet Daily ^ | March 9, 2002 | Ron Strom

[Brandybux]

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' Trilogy" 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."

[CDHart]

My father was in WW II. He told my mother never to give money to the Red Cross because they charged the soldiers for the coffee and donuts, and the Salvation Army didn't.

[Abundy]

I added this paragraph to my email and then added the words to Greenwood's "God Bless the USA":

Additionally, if your organization views the Declaration of Independance as a "political document that may offend some" I suggest you remove your organization from this country where the document offends no one.

[RightOnline]

". 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."

So, Patty girl...............just what planet are you from, anyway?

God save us from such idiocy.

BTW, Patty girl.........if someone is "offended" by that so-called "political document", tell 'em to leave my country. I've had it with such traitorous talk.

[b4its2late]

My email was sent yesterday and I told them not to expect a check anytime soon...........

[Aeronaut]

if someone is "offended" by that so-called "political document", tell 'em to leave my country. I've had it with such traitorous talk.

Jeez I don't get it. They don't want to offend anyone, so they do the one thing GUARANTEED to offent huge numbers of people. What's up with that?

[Alamo-Girl]

Jeepers... Thanks for the heads up!

[Mo1]

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.

The Declaration may offend some?????

HELLO ... The Declaration is the foundation of what this Country is made of

If there those that are offended by the Declaration ... then may I suggest that they get the hell out of this Country

As for the Red Cross ... sorry they have over stepped the line one to many times

[johndpringle]

My deceased father told me something along the same line years ago. He said the Red Cross charged money for (I don't remember what) whatever it was they were providing. He also told me he would never give anything to them. Becuase of this warning I did not contribute to the Red Cross' 9-11 Fund. My wife did contribute and when she heard they were going to keep the money for their own use she told me she regretted giving it to them. I believe in supporting local charities anyway.

[grammymoon]

571-214-8619 Ms. Dana's cell # as listed on her voice mail
You have freepmail

[CDHart]

"I believe in supporting local charities anyway."

That's the best thing to do, IMO. At least then you know what's happening with your money.

Carolyn

[grammymoon]

BTTT

[Victoria Delsoul]

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.

This is totally ridiculous. There is no end to political correctness.

[grammymoon]

BTTT

[VaMarVet]

My letter just sent:

Ms. Allen

I personally find it beyond comprehension that you and your organization would deem it necessary to ban a group from an event organized as a tribute to the heroes and victims of the 9-11 attack on our nation. I find particularly disturbing that the reason these groups were "banned" was because the songs they intended to sing contained references to God and prayer.

Unless this is immediately rectified -- as in reinviting the group and issuing an apology - I will find it necessary to join the growing grass roots movement that is calling for a boycott of the Red Cross. This is the second fiasco self-induced by the Red Cross in regard to 9-11. I can find better outlets for my hard earned money rather than donate to a politically correct and self-serving charity. To think, only a few years ago your organization was regarded as an American icon. Clara Barton must be turning over in her grave in regard to the direction the Red Cross has taken.

Dave Dilegge
Stafford, Virginia

[oc-flyfish]

For those of you who want to protest the Red Cross's actions click here.  Freeper jrewingjr came up with this great idea.  Ping all your friends and chapter members.

[Abundy]

Oh King of Ping, could you ping the appropriate people to show them the following response from Rebecca Long of the Red Cross:

Thank you for writing to us. I apologize for the delay in responding to you. Please know that we are trying to respond as quickly as possible. If you have any further questions, please write to me. Thank you.

On Sunday, March 10, 2002, the Orange County Chapter of the American Red Cross recognized its more than 4,000 local volunteers at its annual Volunteer Recognition event. This event was held to recognize the dedication of all chapter volunteers for their year-long service. The program included the U.S. Army Reserve presenting the colors, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, an inspirational speech and a moment of silence for the victims of September 11 and Armed Forces members serving all over the world.

The Fundamental Principles that guide the American Red Cross -- Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntarism, Unity and Universality - are more important today than ever before. We have used these principles time and time again to govern our work here in Orange County and around the world.

We used these same principles to develop the program to honor our volunteers this past Sunday who provide vital services to our community throughout the year. We certainly did not intend to hurt or offend anyone.

But the judgments we made in this case in applying our principles clearly offended some in our community. Principles should remain inviolate. But like many things in life, it is important to use reasonable judgment in applying principles to the everyday circumstances we confront. So, while our principles remain sound, the judgment we made to exclude certain songs from the Sunday program was a mistake. We want to apologize to the community and to any people who were hurt or disappointed by our actions.

All I can say to this response is that W.J. Clinton must have contributed to her DNA...