Here is their e-mail response to my original message objecting to their policy, and my reply that prompted the publication of my article:
Dear Mr. xxxx:
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. What you heard reported has entirely been blown out of proportion and is in fact inaccurate, and we're trying to work with the media right now to get the facts out as they happened.
An annual volunteer recognition was being planned at the Orange County (California) Red Cross, and the Red Cross asked a middle school to sing an inspirational song. The school and Red Cross were in agreement as to the type of content to be included and had already planned a number of patriotic elements including the singing of The Star Spangled Banner, a military Color Guard and some children's poetry. To round out the program, the choir master suggested Lee Greenwood's country song, "God Bless the U.S.A." and "Prayer for the Children." At this time, the Red Cross representative suggested they look at other, more inclusive selections so that the very diverse community would be reflected in the program. The volunteers and the chapter jurisdiction includes a wide and diverse variety of religious faiths who would be in attendance.
There was no discussion, ever, about the Declaration of Independence. The choir master hung up on the Red Cross and, without the knowledge nor permission of the school, sent a press release that characterized the discussion as the Red Cross being unpatriotic. These were her views alone.
The school is providing other students to sing at the event. Here's what the principal had to say: "In working together to honor the efforts of our volunteers, the American Red Cross and the Orange County High School of the Arts have developed a program that both celebrates the strength, unity and diversity of the American people and our history," stated Dr. Ralph Opiacic, executive director of the Orange County High School of the Arts.
The Red Cross is guided by its Fundamental Principles, that include Neutrality and Impartiality -- and a guarantee that we provide assistance to people in need regardless of race, nationality or religious background. We are a volunteer-led organization that is made up of people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds, and we respect them all. These Fundamental Principles do not prohibit us from acknowledging our pride in being Americans and contributing members of the American family. The American flag is displayed with pride and national songs such as "God Bless America" are often sung at American Red Cross events.
We are sorry that this situation was so blown out of proportion, and reported inaccurately in the press. We do hope that you will see through the inaccuracies and ratings-driven sensational reporting and see the true facts. We rely on members of the public like you to make the financial contributions that allow us to provide relief to the victims of more than 67,000 disasters each year in this country. I hope that you will continue to support this life saving mission.
Thank you.
and my response that lame explanation. And I will apologize for my disgusted attitude:
Dear Ms. Allen:
As a consistent supporter of Red Cross Blood drives and financial donations, I can only say that I am absolutely disgusted with your organization and your overboard liberal psychosis. Diversity is only cover for your true intentions. There is no diversity of thought, no opinion other than wipe out any mention of Christianity and God, and call it inclusive. That's a real distortion of the terms don't you think?
You and your Marxian socialist organization (you know what marxism is right? atheism good, God bad) have gone out of your minds. Not a dime from me again, count on it.
To show you and yours in the simplest terms the hypocrisy of your statement:
"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."
Translated:
1. Sensitivity to all, EXCEPT THE 80% OF AMERICANS WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH and BELIEVE IN GOD.
2. Would be inclusive, EXCEPT TO THE 80% OF AMERICANS WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH and BELIEVE IN GOD
3. Not offend different populations, EXCEPT THE 80% OF AMERICANS WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH and BELIEVE IN GOD
You people disgust me, not only in your arrogance in handling millions of OUR dollars, but in your complete and absolute intolerance of our country's Christian history.
With complete certainty you can count on my widespread distribution of your fifth grade explanation to as many people I know who have ever been donors to such a thoughtless group of cowards. I feel very saddened for the wonderful volunteers and people I have met over the years who work for the Red Cross, who themselves will have nothing but speechless embarrassment to offer a generous public when they too are asked to explain this socialist lunacy.
Have a nice day a former generous donor
Guilty as charged, and not another dime will go their way from my pockets.
Good point with the exception that "God Bless America" isn't "Jesus Bless America." Therefore it applies to Jews, Christians and MANY other faiths. So 80% might be too low a number. Jews should be offended by this too.
She probably quit reading your response as soon as she hit the word "liberal." Either that or "Marxist."
My mother is a nurse who was one of the volunteers honored at yesterday's event. In a phone conversation after the luncheon, she mentioned that the singing portion had simply been skipped; there were no replacement students or anything (even though it remained on the printed program, there being no time to reprint the program).
My mother also relayed the Red Cross' line on the issue: this was a manufactured controversy by conductor Cherilyn Bacon, who has political ambitions (she is or may be running for some office?) and who wanted to create an incident to get publicity. She did so by going to Fox News, which is well-known as being anti-Red Cross.