The U.S. Senate yesterday approved S. Res. 458, a bill that:
…affirms that statements or songs that symbolize the unity of the Nation, including the National Anthem, the Oath of Allegiance sworn by new United States citizens, and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States, should be recited or sung in English, the common language of the United States.
Particularly troubling is the vague wording that applies this law to, “statements or songs” beyond those enumerated in the bill. How exactly is that determined? The only criteria is that the item, “symbolize the unity of the nation.” What other statements or songs would would this bill apply to?
- America the Beautiful
- My Country Tis of Thee
- God Bless America
- Born in the USA
- This Land Is Your Land
- Home on the Range
- Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Would we be in violation of this law if we translated the Constitution or the Declaration of Independence or Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address or King’s “I Have a Dream” speech?
What moronically shallow thinking produced this idea that would inhibit our freedom to share our principles and patriotism with the majority of the people in the world that do not speak our language? It’s just another example of the Persistent Legislative State that seeks to impose its own form of mind control.
To all of this I say simply:
Amanece: ¿lo véis a la luz de la aurora
Lo que tanto aclamamos la noche al caer?
sus estrellas, sus franjas flotaban ayer,
en el fiero combate en señal de victoria.
Fulgor de lucha, al paso de la libertad,
por la noche decÃan: «¡Se va defendiendo!»
¡Oh, decid! ¿Despliega aún su hermosura estrellada,
sobre tierra de libres, la bandera sagrada?
-“Nuestro Himno”
