Usually, “shut up” is from the Left. If given the time and a search engine, I can think of hundreds, if not thousands of examples of the Left using courts, legislation or shouting down opponents with cries of “racism!!”, “sexism!!”, or “homophobia!!”
It’s not quite as easy to find examples of “Shut up” from the right. The cultural high ground is possessed by those who advocate “multiculturalism” and “diversity” not “Americanism” and “Spiritual excellence.”
But, unfortunately, there are examples to be found.
I happened to have the displeasure of finding one such. Besides, it’s about time that otherwise good and decent patriots took their share of the heat for yelling “shut up” or using the government to shut up opposition. Bad acting is not confined to the Left, even though it’s most at home there.
This exemplar of “shut-uppery” is dressed in the mantle of respect for our national anthem. I’m all for respect for our national anthem. I think, for instance, that this is a disgrace.
I do wish Roseanne Barr would never open her pie hole ever again, but I wouldn’t ever DREAM of using courts or governmental force to achieve that desirable goal. I would oppose any who would do so.
If people were smart enough, they wouldn’t listen to Barr. Eventually, tired of being ignored, she would just shut up. But that’s a long way from this story:
Sen. Vaneta Becker, R-Evansville, has introduced a bill that would set specific “performance standards” for singing and playing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at any event sponsored by public schools and state universities.The law also would cover private schools receiving state or local scholarship funds, including vouchers.
Performers would have to sign a contract agreeing to follow the guidelines. Musicians — whether amateur or professional — would be fined $25 if it were deemed they failed to meet the appropriate standards.
Shame on Sen. Vaneta Becker.
Besides, if we ban unconventional renditions of the National Anthem, we would have been deprived of the following national treasure:
Good on you Ari for admitting and criticizing a member of “the right” for frivolous law-making, wasting tax-payer dollars, and trying to shut up those who don’t agree with them.
And for potentially depriving us of Carl Lewis’s rendition of the National Anthem. You can’t forget that.