Buchanan on Spanish anthem "insult": Americans "are awakening to the character of these people"
SUMMARY: On MSNBC's Scarborough Country, Pat Buchanan said that a Spanish-language version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is "a provocation and an insult" but that, ultimately, it is "a good thing in this sense: The American people are awakening to the character of these people."
On the May 1 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country, MSNBC political analyst and former Republican presidential candidate Pat Buchanan said that a Spanish-language version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" is "a provocation and an insult" and that immigrants are "not welcome to come here and insult the symbols of our country, and that's what these outsiders have done." Buchanan then said that the Spanish recording is "a good thing in this sense: The American people are awakening to the character of these people." He added: "The good thing about this insult is that I think a lot of Americans are going to tell their senators and congressmen: 'You had better not capitulate to these people demanding amnesty and demanding the right to control our border when a whole bunch of them are here illegally.' "
Buchanan made his comments during a discussion with host and former Rep. Joe Scarborough (R-FL) and Evelyn Sanchez of the Bay Area Immigrant Rights Coalition.
In April, the record label Urban Box Office produced a Spanish version of the national anthem titled "Nuestro Himno" (Our Anthem) that, as Scarborough noted, "has not only changed the language but also key words." As the Associated Press noted on April 28, the song's second stanza says: "My people keep fighting. It's time to break the chains."
Buchanan's outrage over "Nuestro Himno" comes shortly after President Bush criticized the song in an April 28 press conference:
QUESTION: Mr. President, a cultural question for you. There is a version of the National Anthem in Spanish now. Do you believe it will hold the same value if sung in Spanish as in English?
BUSH: No I don't, because I think the National Anthem ought to be sung in English. And I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English, and they ought to learn to sing the National Anthem in English.
But as the weblog Think Progress noted on May 2, author Kevin Phillips wrote in his book, American Dynasty: Aristocracy , Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush (Penguin, September 2004), that during the 2000 presidential campaign, Bush sometimes sang the national anthem in Spanish:
When visiting cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, or Philadelphia, in pivotal states, he 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 [page 142].
Think Progress also noted that the Department of State lists four different Spanish versions of the national anthem on its website.
From the May 1 edition of MSNBC's Scarborough Country:
SCARBOROUGH: "The Star Spangled Banner" -- it's a song that's been ingrained in American culture since Francis Scott Key penned a poem for the original flag that survived a night of British bombardment at Fort McHenry back in 1814. Now, maybe the national anthem's long and storied history is why so many Americans are upset that a new Spanish version has not only changed the language but also key words.
[...]
SCARBOROUGH: Americans -- so many Americans I've talked to are very angry about this issue. Why?
BUCHANAN: Well, it's a provocation and an insult, and you know, as the great grandson of Francis Scott Key said, I mean, for a foreigner to come into this country and then insult and alter our national anthem is simply despicable.
SCARBOROUGH: But isn't America the melting pot?
BUCHANAN: Yeah, America's the melting pot, Joe, but we have our own -- we have our own symbols of nationhood. People are welcome to come here and become Americans. They're not welcome to come here and insult the symbols of our country, and that's what these outsiders have done. But it's a good thing in this sense: The American people are awakening to the character of these people.
SCARBOROUGH: Well, you say they're awakening to the character of these people -- you see this as a direct assault. Others would say -- the State Department, in fact, [Secretary of State] Condoleezza Rice, said it was a good idea because it would have more people singing allegiance -- their allegiance to America. Do you disagree with Condoleezza Rice?
BUCHANAN: I certainly do. I think this is an insult. Even [Sen.] Teddy Kennedy [D-MA] said, "The Star Spangled Banner ought to be sung in English," and it ought to be sung with the words of our national anthem. The good thing about this insult is that I think a lot of Americans are going to tell their senators and congressmen: "You had better not capitulate to these people demanding amnesty and demanding the right to control our border when a whole bunch of them are here illegally."
Pat, you moron, It's called the first amendment. Whether you like it or not anybody can make up and sing whatever words they want. The official version will still be in English. What a total non-issue to distrct us with.
I was waiting before any pundit would criticize an artists impression of the national anthem.
The values of the US are not imbedded in a flag or an anthem, but within its people. The flag and the anthem itself are mere symbols, but without the people they are hollow.
The values are described in the constitution, the bill of rights, and in other laws, which includes freedom of thought and speech, including the freedom to have an artists impression of the anthem.
while i may agree with you that is really a non issue and not that important considering what we are facing today, the fact remains that these illegals who march here demanding their "rights" is ridiculous. they are here illegally. imagine how we would be received if we marched in mexico city demanding anything. their unappreciative demeanor of many is illuminating, and backfiring on their cause, whatever that is.
agree with you there: they are illegal, although I am still not sure how much people that marched were illegal and how much legel. Still, they demand rights for those who actually broke a law!
what they deserve is to be treated with dignity, as we would treat any human being. beyond that, they have no right to demand anything from a country they reside in illegally.
demanding rights can only be done by Americans or those with legitimate visa etc. Would be interesting to see a couple of XXXXX (just fill in) coming over (just on vacation) and demanding the right to stay here. It is not really fair for those suffering all the pain to come here legally and try to stay here because the love the US and are ultimately turned away when their visa runs out. They could better stay here illegally after that and wait for amnesty.
but like I mentioned before the big reason the "legal" way is so difficult is because our republican friends in office tried to turn the program into a self funding entity. They charge $400 to recover ALL costs associated with legal entry. As a result, you have a smaller than necessary work force trying to get the paperwork done in 2 years or less time. Most immigrants sneaking over the border can't wait 2 years or have $400 in their pockets. Funny thing is that attitude goes against the basic tenets of conservatism, i.e. spend money to make money.
You know I am so tired of hearing all these people whine that the people immigrating here illegally have no right to demand anything or if they we were in their country we could not demand anything. You see that is why they came here. Not only could we not demand anything if we were in their country, essentially they could not demand anything either. I watched the rally from my window at work in Downtown Chicago. I went down to the street level to view the people. And the only thing I could think of was this was the original intent of our founding fathers.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Notice the use of “ALL”. Everyone while in this country has certain rights. The right to speak and the right to peacefully protest are two of them. Of course people who are not citizens can not vote to directly change the laws but they have the ability to speak to help change the attitude of those of us with voting powers. So I believe they have every right to demand whatever they wish.
I also keep hearing that people who break the laws of immigration do not respect the laws of this country. This too is a pointless argument. To each person who says that I have two questions. First, have you ever driven over the speed limit? Second, how old were you when you first consumed an alcoholic beverage. You see these are laws too. Just because you break these laws does not mean you have no respect for the laws of this country. Most of the people coming here are doing so to help their families. Most do not have the money needed to come here legally. When faced between breaking this law and saving their family most people will help their family as long as they are not hurting people in the process.
Let’s wake up and use some common sense.
Very well said. I too cringe every time I hear someone say they have no rights because I immediately think of that phrase from our constitution about being equal. This is a complex issue, but what is fascinating is to sense the hatred and vile coming from so-called religous conservatives. Maybe they should look up the word hypocrite.
I do agree that they should learn to speak English
I'm glad I'm not the only "bleeding heart" in the group.
h-man says: " I also keep hearing that people who break the laws of immigration do not respect the laws of this country. This too is a pointless argument. To each person who says that I have two questions. First, have you ever driven over the speed limit? Second, how old were you when you first consumed an alcoholic beverage. You see these are laws too. Just because you break these laws does not mean you have no respect for the laws of this country. "
YES it does! It does mean you have no respect for that law. Those who drive the speed limit DO respect the law, those who drink their first drink after legal age DO respect the law. Those who rape and murder do NOT respect the law. Those who enter our country illegaly do NOT respect our laws. So, you're arguement is false, on this point.
This is the USA – one of our cherished symbols is the Statue of Liberty – either we believe in what that statue stands for or we are a country of hypocrites. Most citizens are of the USA are lucky that they were born here in the USA and therefore have the right of citizenship. The Statue of Liberty stands for the ideal that this nation takes in the poor and the huddled masses yearning to be free from the entire world. Either we as a nation believe in the ideals as symbolized by the Statue of Liberty or we should end the Statute or Liberty back to France. Either we believe in the ideals that all people should be free or we are hypocrites.
Didn't the Declaration of Independence ennumerate certain rights for all mankind? That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Why do you deny these fundamental rights to anyone?
reriding says: " Didn't the Declaration of Independence ennumerate certain rights for all mankind? That among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? "
Read it again, it says; " all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness ". That means God gave us those rights. Not the DoI....God gave them to us.
A lot of liberals seem to forget that part of it, and try to have it seperated from the history of our country. But, as long as we are focusing on the DoI, let's be sure to give credit where credit is due... God.
In your post, you imply that Reriding asserts that the Declaration grants certain rights, instead of God. That is incorrect.
From Merriam-Webster:
Enumerate 1 : to ascertain the number of 2 : to specify one after another
I.e., you can enumerate rights without being the one to grant them. Reriding's post was accurate.
You possibly make another error in your post as well. If by God you refer to the Judeo-Christian God, you are incorrect. The Declaration's concept of God, i.e., "Nature's God" is deistic. From M-W:
Deism: a movement or system of thought advocating natural religion, emphasizing morality, and in the 18th century denying the interference of the Creator with the laws of the universe
"Liberals" don't forget the Declaration, we just understand that it isn't the law of the land. The Constitution is. And it doesn't mention God or a Creator. Personally, I think the Declaration is a wonderful document - a stirring preamble, followed by a list of grievances against a wacked-out despot named George. I like the sound of that.
Please re-read the Declaration of Independence.
It uses the word “creator” not God. You may think that the words are synonyms, but they are not. The people who signed the document understood the difference. Most of the people who signed the document had a Christian background and were intelligent enough to know the difference. When you go to church you may pray to God, the creator. But the Declaration of Independents does not use the word God. Nice try.
It states that people within the borders of the US have the rights enumerated therein, not just American citizens.
The Constitution applies just as equally to illegals within our borders as it does any other person here, citizen, vacationer, traveller, guest, or illegal or undocumented.
Therein lies its greatness, and it is precisely that greatness, which makes the US unique among world nations, the the neocons want to demolish.
I'm not aware of any part of the Consitution that specifically states that the rights enumerated therein apply to everyone within the borders of the U.S. What section did you have in mind?
In any event, the wording of some sections, e.g., the 14th Amendment's due process and equal protection clauses, are written in a general manner that has been construed to apply to all persons, not just citizens. (I believe the same can be said for most of the Bill of Rights, though I'm not up to date on precedent.)
However, some sections refer only to citizens, e.g., the 15th Amendment. Thus far, the Constitution hasn't been interpreted to protect the right of non-citizens to vote. (Btw, nor does it say that non-citizens can't vote. In fact, for a large part of our history, many states permitted non-citizens to vote.)
Why do wingers get so hung up on symbols? I mean every Bushie and Foxite you see has a flag pin in their lapel, yet they’ve shown disregard time and again for the principles of Americanism documented in the constitution.
P.S.
A great grandson of Francis Scott Key is still alive? Key was born in the late 1700's.
Just like the giant marshmallow man in Ghost Busters, a giant Straw Man has been released to terrorize the American public and to garner attention from any real issue, immigration-related or not.
...burn motherf'r, let the motherf'r burn!
THE WAR ON THE NATIONAL ANTHEM!
Buchanan, of course, doesn't think Donald Rumsfeld should resign just because a series of experts (retired generals) says he should - something about the "Minister of War?" Where the H--- did that come from? Some Banana Republic? For once Bob Schieffer didn't call a guest on a silly statement - wish he had.
PS: Francis Scott Key wrote a poem! It was put to the tune of "God Save the King" and became our anthem some time later. After hearing the anthem butchered at baseball parks for many, many years, it's hard to get excited about hearing it sung once or twice in Spanish...
PPS: When the Silly Savage stops using the American Flag on his billboards (and that is against the law) and Bull O'Really? stops selling shlock with the Flag on it (ditto) then we might have something to talk about...
It's "My country Tis of Thee" that was put to the tune of "God Save our King", but I do get your drift. Anyway I prefer “America the Beautiful”. The sentiment is more to my liking. I like the 'Star Bangle Banner’ but it's more of a battle victory song.
thanx for the correction.
I'd also prefer "America The Beautiful" or "This Land Is Your Land". But I doubt those in charge today believe in the sentiment expressed in either one of those songs.
I like "The Pledge of Allegiance", it has more meaning towards how I feel about this country of ours.
Really? Yet you have stated that by being here in a way different from you they should miss out on the last line..."with liberty and justice for all".
For ALL...not just US. Not just the Johnny Whitebreads. Something conservatives seem to forget.
But if you want to declare your loyalty to a piece of cloth then be my guest. I think I'll stick with believing in principals and ideals. I don't need words, symbols, or any other assorted pagentry to reaffirm what I stand for.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure it's not against the law to use the U.S. flag on a billboard or product.
It is illegal to display the legal tender of the United States in advertising, not the flag.
Key's poem was put to the tune of a drinking song called "To Anachreon in Heaven."
And it's hard as hell for most people to sing. I wish they had put it to a tune that didn't span so many octaves.
Key's poem was NOT set to the tune of "God Save the King", but rather an old, but at the time popular, DRINKING song, "To Anacreon in Heaven".
Another of our great national songs, "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)" is set to the tune of "God Save the King (Queen)".
thank YOU, Pat, for furthering racial and ethnic slurs and prejudices... that does the country a great service...Oh.. and by the way- YOU are an idiot who should learn to respect others.
Let no windmill pass un-tilted-at.
And there seems little evidence that the matter had concerned Bush before. The Center for American Progress, a liberal group run by Clinton chief of staff John D. Podesta, posted on its blog a reference to Bush singing the anthem in Spanish. In his book, "American Dynasty," Kevin Phillips wrote that 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."
Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander is proposing a law prohibiting the singing of the anthem in any language but English. Jesus H. Christ; the man was the president of a University; can he be that friggin' stupid? He's obviously planning another run for the White House...why else would he feel it so necessary to pander to the troglodytes?
I wonder what the penalty will be for this dreadful offense? Maybe they should require that we give the Nazi salute while they're at it...
Such a law would, or should, be quickly struck down as brazenly unconstitutional. Of course, that may change if Puddinhead gets to appoint one more Supreme Court Justice.
Mexicans who enter the US illegally do not bomb our people. They work. Americans invaded Iraq illegally, and for no reason. When the American government withdraws from Iraq (and apologizes and jails his president) then I would understand an anti-illegal immigrant argument.
I said "Americans" invaded Iraq. It should be: the american government.
Wait, you should add, Canada, Britian, Australia, Germany, France, and many..many more invaded Iraq. Don't just put all the blame on the US. If I remember my history correct it was a UN Coalition of troops that invaded. But, in some cases facts don't necassarily matter, do they?
Germany and France explicitly refused to take part in the illegal invasion.
As Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, "Everyone is entitles to their own opinion. They are not entitled to their own facts."
Next time, make sure you know what you are talking about before you hit the keyboard.
So, I was right on the other countries, including the "many, many others"? My point was clearly made. Too bad it can't be clearly refuted.
I know your assertion wouldn't have even been questioned on the usual right wing threads you visit. So I've provided a list below for you. It is the original list of the 'Coalition of the Willing'. Now somewhere along the way some of the willing became the unwilling. You see they believed Bush's assertion that they would be greeted with flowers, candy, and dancers and when they were instead greeted with suicide bombers and IEDs they left. BTW some of the "willing" were bribed or coerced into participation and MANY did not provide troops. Some provided "strategic and diplomatic" support and some simply issued pronouncements asserting that they considered Iraq a threat to world stability per the request of the US.
Europe Asia The Americas Other Western Europe: United Kingdom Spain Portugal Denmark Netherlands Iceland Italy
Baltic States: Estonia # Latvia # Lithuania #
Central Europe: Poland Czech Republic Slovakia # Hungary
Balkans: Albania # Macedonia # Romania # Bulgaria # Turkey Croatia # Slovenia #
Eastern Europe Ukraine
Japan South Korea Singapore Philippines Afghanistan Azerbaijan Uzbekistan Georgia Marshall Islands Micronesia Solomon Islands Mongolia Palau Tonga North America: United States of America
South and Central America: El Salvador Colombia Nicaragua Costa Rica Dominican Republic Honduras ANZ: Australia
Middle East: Kuwait
Africa: Eritrea Ethiopia Uganda Rwanda Angola
Once you were wrong on France and Germany, you were just wrong. The rest of your post didn't have to be read.
When you are corrected you really shouldn't continue displaying ignorance. It makes your points even harder to read without laughing.
I agree - 2 or more wrongs do in fact make a right. So if one county was wrong (Our country for example) than the fact that at least one other country joined us make us right. (For example: Just like Natzi Germany, Italy and Japan in WWII) I am not saying that the US is or was as bad as thse counrty - I am making an argument ad absurdum - am pointing out that 2 or more wrongs do not make a right - Iraq should not have been invaded. (Or we should invade every single country run by evil dictators - and that is a lot of countries. - Next target: IRAN and North Korea.)
because in the fantasy world that most conservatives live in you have to worry about those other kingdoms. I'm waiting for Bush to forget about Parliment and the Prime Minister and declare that Britain is under a corrupt monarchisitic despotism and invade London.
The UN did not invade Iraq this time. The UN refused to take military action. The countries you listed may be members of the UN but they were not acting as members of the UN when they invaded Iraq.
According to Peter Baker of the Washington Post, the State Department website has four Spanish versions of the Star Spangled Banner posted. And, as someone has already noted in another post on this thread, Spanish versions of the national anthem were sung during Bush's 2000 campaign. So, why does Bush now say the national anthem should only be sung in English (as though his opinion means anything)?
Plato
Bush probably doesn't even remember the 2000 campaign. He just goes where they send him, stands on the X and says what they tell him to say. The man is an empty suit. Anyone who still believes that Bush makes any major decisions just hasn't been paying attention.
I say sing the song in Arabic. If we're going to anger the idiots and conservatives...let's go all the way.
The Conservatives throwing out another reason for US (as Americans) to hate THEM (Mexicans). Notice how anyone who comments negatively on the immigration issue immediately refers to Mexicans solely as the illegals (ie "Burn the Mexican flag", "THEY are changing the National Anthem to Spainsh"). The Conservatives are developing a fear within anyone who listens to their rhetoric; a fear of change. It's the idea that with all of these ILLEGALS "suddenly" in our country, everything will change. No one in the South West will speak English anymore. And THEY will steal all the jobs.
are that upset about the singing of the National Anthem in Spanish, please inform them of two key points:
1. NOBODY has proposed the Spanish version of the NA be made the official version - so the First Amendment GUARANTEES the right of any citizen to sing it in ANY language they choose - be it Spanish, French, Old High German, Latin, or Farsi . . .
2. If Lamar Alexander, or any other idiot, wants to propose legislation to forbid the singing of the anthem in any language other than English, then they better first work on making English the USA's official language . . . which, btw, the US has none . . .
P.S. - I'm willing to bet Pat Buchanan wouldn't be as upset about the anthem being sung in, say, Gaelic . . . and I wonder if he knew that Francis Scott Key's poem was set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven" - a popular British tavern song?
" Buchanan then said that the Spanish recording is "a good thing in this sense: The American people are awakening to the character of these people."
It is time that the "legal" Latino community becomes aware of the character of those that "speak" and/or "sing the national anthem" in Spanish at political rallies for the purpose of garnering their votes -- and then derided them for doing the same thing when the elections are over.
All interest groups, not just Latinos, must learn to ask not whether people are mouthing the words they want to hear, but will the candidate lead in a the country in a way that they (the interest group would desire). There is not a group, other than CEO's and multi-millionaires, should desire. The religious right, less fanatics, can not believe that the dictates of this administration follow anything resembling the teachings of Jesus. The middle class can not honestly believe they are represented by the White House or Congress. Other than Rush, Savage, Coulter, and Fox News no one can tell me that the President or Congress have the welfare of the country in mind.
that in early 2000, then Gov Bush of Texas was so in need of garnering votes that he himself sang the national anthem in Spanish and now that he is in has the audacity to say it should only be in English?
This is kinda like that alleged abortion that his girlfriend in the 70's had (which would have been illegal since this was before Roe v Wade) ...... you know......get what you can, but screw the little guy!!
It must be nice to have power and influence and friends to get you things that us 'average' joes and janes can't........
I wonder if Mr Buchanan remembers this or rather.....being that this was on Scarborough Country....simply ignored to get yet another lie into the minds of the ignorant portion of this country that believe, watch and listen to these right-wing ideologs!!
Oh wait......this is right-wing talking points........ Ingorance is Strength, Slavery is Freedom, and War is Peace..........
How could I forget.............
When you sing another country's anthem in another language and change the words to it while singing it in another nation's language you insult that country.
Their "Day without immigrints" is nothing more than a mockery of the The Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955-1956.
"Singing our anthem in another language is a insult."
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GWBush sang the anthem in Spanish during the 2000 campaign. I'm sure his apology will be forthcoming.
You are wrong. (I just wanted you to know that since no rational argument will convince you of that.)(The Spanish version in question is honoring the USA.)
The entire harrange by Buchanan is typical of these hypocritical biggots, they love to beat their chests and go on an hormonal tirade. That type of reactionary divisiveness does little to unite people instead incites the type of behavior you might have seen in Germany the 1930's. America had better wake-up to the reality of power-mad White House and an Administration that has succeeded at making the world a much more unstable and volatile place than it was in 2001. Osama must be dancing watching America's government implode from such gross illegal behavior being conducted by the White House. We need an honest government that actually works on behalf of the people and not corporate Oligarchs. If we can't reach him, impeach him!!
Spanish is such a beautiful language. I think if it's good enough to teach our children in public schools, it should be good enough to sing our anthem in.
This is a non-issue. Not immigration, but the LANGUAGE of the national anthem. I could translate it into French and sing it -- so what? It doesn't mean I hate this country or that I want France to dominate. It means that I am capable of singing our national anthem in a different language, furthering the ability of other people to appreciate the song.
Seriously? We're going to ignore EVERTHING THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW to talk about whether or not people should be allowed to sing the national anthem in Spanish or not? I wish I could wake up from the terrible dream I've been having that is politics.
Will some please tell Mr. Xenophobia Buchanan and his merry band that in 1919 the ALL WHITE US congress commissioned a Spanish version of the National Anthem. However, selective memory is the trade mark of these bigots, and sadly their voices of hatred will continue to be dignified by our corporate media. Yet, ask these very media and advertising and business moguls if they will not accept money from us BROWNIES, and their answer will be a resounding NO. Of late our country has lost its moral compass, its highly valued democratic principles, and honesty. Hey, even most, so-called 3rd worlders are more honest than we are!
In 1819, the US translated the National Anthem into Spanish for distribution in schools. In 1946, for reasons I can't remember but could guess at, the US gov't again had the Anthem translated into German.
Everybody is so prickly these days.
My hometown recently had a flap over a Mexican grocery store flying a Mexican flag beneath the US flag. We also have an English import shop, which flies the Union Jack--and Lord knows, we've got a buncha Confederate flags flapping.
So tell me some of this uproar isn't about these folks being Mexican!
Republican hypocrites, yes I know it's redundant...
I had totally repressed that memory of Dubya .
Here's one for you: When Dubya was still governor of Texas, someone mentioned to Jim Hightower that he (the Gov) was perfecting his Spanish. Hightower replied, "Good. Now he can be bi-ignorant".
You're welcome.