Sometimes Its Okay to be an Ass

Okay before I get started on the actual rant, let's study a little history first. The Poem, The Defense of Fort McHenry was penned by Francis Scott Key in September of 1814 while he viewed the British Attack on Fort McHenry. When the handbills for the poem were published, the song To Anacreon In Heaven (A British Drinking song BTW) was suggested as the tune to be played if the verses were sung. This poem would become known as the Star Spangled Banner. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson ordered that it should become the National Anthem played by the military and naval services, but it wasn't until March 3rd, 1931 that it was officially designated as the National Anthem by act of Congress.

"America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates and the music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward. Bates originally wrote the words as a poem, Pikes Peak, first published in the Fourth of July edition of the church periodical The Congregationalist in 1895. At that time, the poem was titled America for publication.

Ward had originally written the music, Materna, for the 19th century hymn O Mother dear, Jerusalem in 1882. Ward's music combined with the Bates poem was first published in 1910 and titled America the Beautiful. The song is one of the most beloved and popular of the many American patriotic songs.[1] From time to time it has been proposed as a replacement for The Star-Spangled Banner as the National Anthem, including television sign-offs.

Everyone caught up? Excellent, now on with the rant!

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Indiana-college-not-playing-the-national-anthem-?urn=ncaab-wp4428

As the article says, Goshen College in Northern Indiana has opted not to play the Star Spangled Banner at their sporting events. They feel that the very militaristic air of the song (Bombs bursting, rockets red glare etc) does not set well with the pacifistic beliefs of the Mennonite faith. Instead they have decided to play America the Beautiful. Needless to say, this has sparked all kinds of heated discussions.

The general air of the rants directed at this decision are that Goshen is somehow being unAmerican by refusing to play SSB. Lots of "Well, that is the way it has always been" and "they have to" comments are floating around. Instead of supporting and praising these people for sticking to their beliefs and still trying to show their patriotism, people are considering them to the bad guys.

Now folks, I'd understand the rage if Goshen was playing the Russian National Anthem or even if they were refusing to play anything at all, but that's not what is happening here. They have chosen one highly patriotic song (As noted above, one that has been many times considered to replace the SSB) over another. Just because the one they chose isn't the same as the one everyone else uses doesn't mean they are doing anything wrong.

There is no law or even hard set rule that states the SSB or any sort of music has to be played at public events (Non-military). It's a tradition and a tradition that is less than a hundred years old so it hasn't always been a tradition. Hells there are people alive today who were around before the tradition started.

Goshen is just doing its best to fit both sides of a coin together. We should applaud them for doing this, not rage against them. I love the SSB (Even with that particularly hard note towards the end) and still feel my heart fill with pride every time I hear it. I also love the song America the Beautiful and feel that it also is a fitting tribute to this great country. "Let each person celebrate this great nation in a manner that befits their beliefs and cultures."