Re: Patriotic Music 101

[Donna Halper <dlh@donnahalper.com>]

>Dan B wrote--
>I find it interesting that you defended Madonna's comments made just days
>after the terrorists attack but you apparently take offense to the Sox
>network not playing the anthem.  Not showing symbolic support for the
>country on a daily basis is offensive but making substantive criticisms of
>the country at a time of crisis is not?

HUH???  I was asking about a programming change.  I am neither for it or 
against it.  I was merely asking, since this is a list populated by radio 
people, why a particular element of WEEI's programming got changed and how 
long did people think it would last.  Read into it what you will.  As for 
Madonna, last time I checked, the First Amendment still guarantees her the 
right to say whatever she wishes about this country, and it also guarantees 
you the right to disagree with her.  I don't think opposing war is always 
an accurate criterion for how much patriotism one has-- after several of my 
friends died in Viet Nam, even my father (a political conservative and a 
decorated combat vet from WW2) began to question that war and could not 
totally support it; even Walter Cronkite came to object to the government's 
policies, and let's not question *his* patriotism.   I don't think showing 
"symbolic support" is an accurate measure  of patriotism either -- those 
who wave the flag and spout the right slogans for the cameras may be no 
more and no less patriotic than those of us who love our country in a more 
quiet way.   I show my patriotism by working with the Muslims in my 
community to ensure their safety from dummies who want to condemn American 
citizens just because of where they came from.  I show my patriotism by 
defending the right of any citizen to speak his/her mind peacefully, 
whether I agree or not.  But I will not march in lockstep with any 
president, even one I voted for, if that president does things that I feel 
are wrong.  And to me, that too is patriotic.  Hope you will agree.