Black National Anthem (whatever that is) Sung in Denver

In Denver, during Mayor John Hickenlooper's State of the City address, Rene Marie was introduced to sing the National Anthem. But she didn't. She sang "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing" which the Denver Post cited as being known as the "black national anthem". Try as I might, I am unable to find the Nation of Black anywhere on the globe, and even if I was able to find this elusive place, why the heck would it's national anthem be sung at a State of the City address here in the United States of America?

Sadly, this person was hired to sing the "Star Spangled Banner". She didn't. No one knew ahead of time she wouldn't sing the right song. Apparently no one on that stage knew how to pull a plug either. Then Ms. Marie states she meant no disrespect, it was her artistic expression and was absolutely not a political statement. This pegs the BS meter, especially when you read this:

"I pulled a switcheroonie on them," Marie said later.

She explained that she decided months ago to switch the lyrics because she will no longer sing the national anthem. She said that she made the decision after a Russian broadcaster interviewed her and asked her what it was like to be an American. At that moment, she said, she realized that as an African-American she at times feels like a foreigner in her home country.

"And I was going to correct her," Marie said. "And I realized I didn't feel like an American, and that bothered me a great deal."

Great. You don't feel like an American. So don't be one. Pick a new place to go. How about Dijibouty? Its fun to say, sounds like a neat place to me! Let me know how you enjoy all the freedoms there that you don't here! In fact, go to ANY African nation and report back to me if you have any more civil liberties or a better standard of living than you do in the USA. I'll just be sitting here waiting...

Let's counter the above craptastic story with this:

Written by U. S. Army Reserve Chaplain Jim Higgins (May, 2007) LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad:

"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 this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments; and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone finally sat down and expected the movie to start.

But here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice , then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:' And the rockets red glare, The bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night That our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, O'er the land of the free, And the home of the brave.'

It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq.

I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here. Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price."

Nothing left to say.