Let Freedom Sing

teh
I knew it was only a matter of days before some knee-jerk Republican would introduce legislation requiring the Star-Spangled Banner be sung only in English. But who would it be?

Congratulations Lamar Alexander, you’re our winner!

Yes, it must be legislated what language in which you sing. Of course this suffers from the same problems the flag burning laws present:

It’s unenforceable because you can’t define the Star-Spangled Banner. If I
change a word or note is it still the Star-Spangled Banner? At what point is it not?

Is this really so much a problem we need legislation? Are the throngs of non-English SSB singers so intrusive on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that we need a crackdown for the common good?

Isn’t it my first amendment right to sing what I want how I want? Screw you, I’ll sing what I want to sing and do it in whatever language I want.

It’s counter productive. Won’t this law actually ENCOURAGE singing the SSB in another language as a form of protest?

But none of this will deter the pandering idiots in the Republican Party who seek to only limit the freedoms they pretend to protect. And may the Bush State Department be the first to be penalized for their Spanish version of the SSB already posted on the internet.

Update: It looks to me like Alexander's motion is a resolution rather than actual binding legislation. He still gets points for pandering but we're still looking for that resolute Republican who is bold enough to force us to sing what and how we should as good Americans.

Update II: Via Atrios who quotes from Kevin Phillips' book American Dynasty:

When visiting cities like Chicago, Milwaukee or Philadelphia, in pivotal states, [George W. Bush] would drop in at Hispanic festivals and parties, sometimes joining in singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" in Spanish, sometimes partying with a "Viva Bush" mariachi band flown in from Texas.

This is the guy who just last week said the national anthem should be sung in only English. I guess it’s a case of vote-getting over principle.