Controversy over National Anthem...

[applepansy]

I'm shocked that kids would get in trouble for spontaneously singing our National Anthem at the Lincoln Memorial. I hope they sang "land of the Free and Home of the Brave" extra loudly.

I hope this link works:

Videos Posted by Fox News: National Anthem Controversy [HQ] | Facebook

[beefche]

I didn't watch that video, but I read an article about it. Did you know that it is illegal to sing any song within a certain distance of the Lincoln Memorial? It isn't as if the officer picked on them for singing a particular song. They could have sang Old MacDonald and have been asked to cease.

Once he did, the teens (being teens, of course) sang louder. The authorities decided not to press any charges, although they probably could have according to the ordinance or law in force.

The thing is the "news" agencies are making this sound so unpatriotic on the part of the "government." I don't think it was this administration that enacted that ordinance (I could be wrong, but I'm sure I'm not). Further, it may not even be a federal ordinance (this I'm willing to concede that I could be wrong). These kids broke a law, were asked to cease, and they chose not to. Simple. They were lucky they weren't fined or anything.

[applepansy]

I think the ordinance is wrong. If someone is moved and starts to sing the National Anthem at a Nationally historic site, more power to them.

[MarginOfError]

I think the ordinance is wrong. If someone is moved and starts to sing the National Anthem at a Nationally historic site, more power to them.

Unfortunately, you have to change the law before you can sing. Just how it works.

[Just_A_Guy]

I dunno. Something that struck me about the Lincoln Memorial when I visited was the statement engraved over Lincoln's statute:

"In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever."

There was a sacred feeling about the place; and any music at all--even the National Anthem--would have been out-of-place.

[WmLee]

I am old; there is no dispute about that. But I remember my instructor telling us there was the "letter of the law" and the "spirit of the law" and we, as police officers, MUST use common sense. Though there may be an ordinance on the books that defines and restricts singing at the Lincoln Memorial, we need to use a little common sense here! I have the kids back on this one!!

[MarginOfError]

I am old; there is no dispute about that. But I remember my instructor telling us there was the "letter of the law" and the "spirit of the law" and we, as police officers, MUST use common sense. Though there may be an ordinance on the books that defines and restricts singing at the Lincoln Memorial, we need to use a little common sense here! I have the kids back on this one!!

While I agree with your point, I can't fault the police officer for applying the letter of the law.

But you're right...in an isolated incident, I'd be likely to ignore it and move on. If there were an epidemic of musicality, however-such as students stopping by every day to sing a song, or a group setting up and singing multiple songs--I'd be more inclined to step in and tell them to move along.

But still, it's just wrong to ever criticize someone for applying the letter of the law within reasonable means (by which I mean, if the officer broke out the billy club and beat these kids senseless for their singing, he'd draw my criticism).

[HoosierGuy]

It might be illegal or prohibited to sing there because they had problems in the past of too many people sining and maybe that interrupted other visitors at the memorial. I don't know, I'm just guessing. What I do know - no shock Fox News would jump on this story. I'm sure there is half the country that would love for this to blow up into a big issue - gay marriage, immigration, kids can't sing the national anthem!

[Matthew0059]

It might be illegal or prohibited to sing there because they had problems in the past of too many people sining and maybe that interrupted other visitors at the memorial. I don't know, I'm just guessing. What I do know - no shock Fox News would jump on this story. I'm sure there is half the country that would love for this to blow up into a big issue - gay marriage, immigration, kids can't sing the national anthem!

It's the "boy who cried wolf" syndrome.

Jump at enough innocuous things that are exposed as trivial, the public will eventually stop listening. Then the wolf is free to come in and gobble up the sheep.

I do wish the figurative "boy" at Fox would use more discernment...