Improper use of our National Anthem?

[Laurence Glavin]

>----- Original Message -----
>From: Gary's Ice Cream
>Sent: 06/25/11 01:13 PM
>To: Boston radio e-mail list
>Subject: Improper use of our National Anthem?

 >I was shocked and appalled today to hear a BMW commercial on WBZ (1030 AM) >that used the Star Spangled Banner as its music bed. The spot appeared to >be a national one tagged at the end by one of the usual WBZ production guys. >I was beside myself that BMW would do this and that CBS would allow it to be >aired. At one time CBS was known to have the toughest "Standards & >Practices Department" in the business. If this is any indication then they >must have eliminated that department altogether. Am I over-reacting or is >this a reprehensible use of our National Anthem? Your comments are >appreciated and solicited. 

 In any performance of the Puccini opera "Madama Butterfly", set in Japan, when the
 American character Pinkerton (no known relationship to the security firm) enters the scene,
 the orchestra plays "The Star Spangled Banner". At the time of composition, TSSB was not
 yet the USA's National Anthem. Nobody actually sings it, although most opera singers could
 (ahem); it's just played by the orchestra.