Why Does Nancy Pelosi Hate Patriotic Music (And, Of Course, America)?

September 1st, 2009, 2:39 PM EDT

Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? But that is the latest right-wing meme, because of a test program whereby the music you hear on hold when you call a congressional office was changed from patriotic songs to American jazz.  And Michigan Republican Congressman Fred Upton (right), isn’t taking this lying down. Upton sent a nastygram to House Administrative Officer Henry Beard in protest.


…it has come to my attention that as of Tuesday, August 11th all “holding” music was changed at your request from the traditional patriotic songs to elevator music. CAO Telecommunications affirmed that congressional offices currently have no choice in the genre of music played, but merely are given the option between the elevator music on hold or no music at all, despite the fact that we’ve had the patriotic music for years!

 

This decision has been reversed because of great patriots like Congressman Upton.  Beard issued this statement:


“The music was changed during recess as a pilot program in an attempt to offer offices a choice of hold music,” said CAO spokesman Jeff Ventura. “But based on the feedback we received, the old music was preferred and we reactivated it today.”


So Pelosi is now being called a “patriot hater,” accused of “banning” patriotic music, and tagged with “having a problem” with it. And that’s before you even get to the posters under those headlines on these conservative websites.  Has anyone pointed out that jazz is uniquely American?

Posted in Liberaland by Alan

Responses to this post...

  1. Has anyone pointed out that jazz is uniquely American?

    It’s what immediately came to my mind as I began reading this post, how much more ‘merican can you get than jazz?

    …it has come to my attention that as of Tuesday, August 11th all “holding” music was changed at your request from the traditional patriotic songs to elevator music.

    But was it jazz, or elevator music? There’s a pretty big difference between Bitches Brew and a Casio version of ‘Light my Fire’.

    EricG Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 5:13 pm

    “There’s a pretty big difference between Bitches Brew and a Casio version of ‘Light my Fire’.”

    More true words have never been spoken in regards to music…

    Posted by Um Cara
    September 1st, 2009 at 2:45 pm

  2. What’s next?

    Posted by Celticwitch
    September 1st, 2009 at 2:57 pm

  3. Here here, I want to make a proposal:

    Have them loop Hail to the Chief all day and night…

    See if that turns them around.

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    good one…

    Joel Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 5:47 pm

    That, Alex, is a brilliant idea.

    Posted by alex
    September 1st, 2009 at 3:36 pm

  4. This is ridiculous. What to they mean by “patriotic music”?

    I hope it’s not Lee Greenwood’s extremely annoying “God Bless the USA”. God, I HATE that song – it’s not even grammatical.

    What do they want? John Philip Sousa marches blasting in your ear while you’re on hold? No wonder people get irritated when phoning government departments!

    Kate Smith belting “God Bless America” at the top of her lungs? That would get old quick.

    The 360-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing “America the Beautiful”?

    “Hold” music should be calm and soothing. A little light jazz or classical usually works. There’s a lot of “patriotic” music that could fit the bill. Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” comes to mind. Maybe conservatives could have a committee to decide which music is or isn’t “patriotic”. They could have a witch-hunt against “unpatriotic” music, like the good ol’ days of McCarthyism. I’m sure Michele Bachmann will volunteer. Lots and lots of Anita Bryant and Pat Boone, no doubt.

    EricG Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    We should all listen to opera music.

    Yea… that’s right

    jasperjava Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 5:44 pm

    PATRIOTIC Opera music.

    Or maybe the Horst Wessel song.

    Die Fahne hoch! Die Reihen fest gesshlossen!
    S.A. marchiert mit ruhig festern schritt!

    Catchy Republican lyrics.

    average james Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pm

    How about Ethel Merman singing ‘God Bless America’.

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Nah, Kate Smith! I remembered when the Philadelphia Flyers won their first Stanley Cup, she was invited to the Spectrum and she sang that Song, God Bless American.

    Sarah Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 4:26 pm

    Imitating Ethel Merman was one of my talents as a little kid.

    Admittedly, I was a pretty odd little kid.

    average james Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    How about Ethel Merman sings all your favorite love songs ?

    FEELINGS——NOTHING MORE THAN FEELINGS—–TRYING TO FORGET——-THESE FEELINGS OF …LOVE….

    Sarah Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 4:48 pm

    I don’t think I can do “Ethel Sings Slow, Introspective Radio Hits.” She’s much better with show tunes.

    But I can also sing AC/DC and Guns N Roses tunes in a nun voice. It’s fun. A real crowd-pleaser at parties, provided everyone’s drunk.

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    Cool Sarah, do you do Hell’s Bells? Heard it every morning when my kids were small, Hells Bells was my wake up calls.. GNR I love November Rain, now Metallica, I love the Black Album, Enter Sandman. Sarah singing in a Nuns voice, High and cracking?

    Sarah Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 5:09 pm

    CW: “Sarah singing in a Nuns voice, High and cracking?”

    No, more like nerdy, upbeat, cheerful, and clearly enunciated. Bobbing, lilting. Like a Vatican II nun who’s “tryin’ to connect with the kids.” Kinda like Julie Andrews, when she sings “Do Re Mi” in the Sound of Music.

    It’s hard to remain in a bad mood when I’m doing it. “She was a fast machine, She kept her motor clean, She was the best Christian bus that I’ve ev-er seen….”

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 5:13 pm

    Thanks I forgot the Sound of Music, since I had seen that movie in three different states!

    Posted by jasperjava
    September 1st, 2009 at 5:04 pm

  5. “Upton sent a nastygram to House Administrative Officer Henry Beard”

    I have soooo many “nastygrams” to send these days.

    I don’t think I could even find enough time to send them all out. Mostly for Republicans but a few go out to Democrats as well.

    Like those Blue Dogs … I could think of a “nastygram” or two to send their way…

    Posted by EricG
    September 1st, 2009 at 5:10 pm

  6. Score another one for the good guys. Thank you, Honorable congressman from Michigan, Upton. We need to have them getting their un-patriotic message revealed in every nook and corner that they try and hide in.

    average james Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm

    Because if you are not of the Republican conservative ilk who wants to listen to patriotic marches, then you are surely un-patriotic and anti-america, right ?

    Facist tactics 101.

    You are an apt pupil of the loud conservative right DRK.
    Learn the goose step DRK.
    Those marches are tailor made for lock step, in unison marching.
    Rather fitting for the Republicans of today, to be blunt.

    Posted by Drk H
    September 1st, 2009 at 5:44 pm

  7. I love it when my good friend, whom is liberal, comes over to the house and sees my american flag hanging on a flag pole in the yard. He can’t even stand it when people place thoes flag stickers on their cars.

    OldLefty Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:35 pm

    “He can’t even stand it when people place thoes flag stickers on their cars”

    ……………………..

    Wow, I’ve never ever know a liberal who felt that way…except for those who get angry at the people who have their frayed tattered flags on their cars or their made in China flag pin.

    I do see though, that some on the right have rendered certain things meaningless, especially when they act as though patriotism is something for lip service only.

    deeznuts Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    Guess what. I’m 100% certain I’m more liberal than anyone you know and I’VE got an American flag in front of my house and have NEVER criticized anyone for having one on their car or anywhere. Nor do I know any liberals who would.

    See your strawman in flames?

    hhhhhah Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    Nooo, i’m just glad to see that not everybody is that way. He is so extreamly liberal that he keeps refering to the military as a bunch of “high school drop outs” but maybe that’s just him.

    OldLefty Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    Military has nothing to to do with liberal or conservative,……it’s how they are used.

    libpatriot Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 12:22 am

    It may just be him, Hhhhhah.
    I’ve got an American flag sticker on my car (near the Obama/Biden sticker).

    Lib Patriot Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 12:33 am

    So, with the combination of those two stickers, even the back of my car says “Lib Patriot”, lol.

    average james Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 10:41 am

    Good one Lib Patriot.

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 10:43 am

    Morning AJ.

    average james Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 10:45 am

    Mornin’

    Lib Patriot Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 1:44 pm

    Thx, AJ.

    Posted by hhhhhah
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:16 pm

  8. I’ve actually flown the soviet flag since 911, and the jolly roger.
    It pisses off all the right people.
    I sew little soviet flags onto my clothing.
    For real.
    It’s a great catalyst for discussion.
    I’ve found that everyone who flies the stars and stripes(without exception to date) is not even aware of the constirtutional congress minutes, most are not aware of the federalist papers
    Only about half have read the constitution in the last ten years and of those most confuse the declaration of independence with the constitution.

    Posted by average james
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:34 pm

  9. Hammer and sickle baby

    Pisses em off every time.

    Old punk rockers age very ungracefully.

    Posted by average james
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:39 pm

  10. I distinctly recall El Rushbo going on about symbolism over substance.
    Is not the flag a symbol?
    Is not a Sousa march symbolic?
    Look whose hung up on symbolism now.

    karthiks030977 Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 3:07 pm

    “Look whose hung up on symbolism now.”
    Cant fault Rush, he says what he says because that’s the only way he can peddle his wares.
    The joke’s on folks like Daddido,who find Rush intelligent.

    Posted by average james
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:47 pm

  11. I’ll take a brief step back from my usual partisan perspective and propose this tune for the new Congressional telephone theme music:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g094B573iWI

    average james Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 10:41 pm

    Pennywise is the gnarliest clown ever.

    average james Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 10:43 pm

    If they don’t stand and be counted on health care reform I think it may well be fitting music.

    craig7120 Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 12:43 am

    pennywise was a bad clown but Im gonna trump that with John Wayne Gacy… IMO

    average james Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 2:53 pm

    Yah,
    the real deal.

    Posted by Rocky the Liberal Rottweiler
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:49 pm

  12. I’m American. I’m patriotic.
    And I HATE all American patriotic music.

    Posted by deeznuts
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:51 pm

  13. And on the other hand I have thank Rep. Pelosi for cleverly providing republikkkans with yet another opportunity in which to make themselves look like raving buffoons obsessed with trivial nonsense.

    And, yes, on the scale of things this is all about trivial nonsense.

    Posted by Rocky the Liberal Rottweiler
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:53 pm

  14. I like the Copeland idea, Alex.
    How about some blues or bluegrass?
    Easy listening jazz is personally offensive to me, as is pop country, pop music in general sucks.
    Sousa sucks.
    How about some Wilco?

    I am feelig rather snarky today.
    Does it show?

    karthiks030977 Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    Yeah, you’re coming out with some good music suggestions, which doesnt usually happen when you “arent snarky”.

    Posted by average james
    September 1st, 2009 at 6:54 pm

  15. Johnny Cash
    Frank Sinatra
    Elvis Presley
    Aaron Copeland
    Carl Perkins
    Bing Crosby
    Ray Charles
    Gershwin

    How about some american music gang?

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    How about Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA

    average james Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 10:10 pm

    ok
    That surely qualifies as American music.

    RDM Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm

    Bocephus!

    Posted by average james
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:07 pm

  16. Is Jimi’s version of the Star Spangled Banner in there patriotic music mix?

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    I like that version of the Star Spangle Banner. Jimi was the best! That should wake anyone up.

    libpatriot Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 12:17 am

    AWESOME suggestion, Placefield!

    Posted by placefield
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:07 pm

  17. Yah Place

    Right on

    Posted by average james
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:10 pm

  18. Lou Reed
    Suicidal Tendencies
    Agent Orange
    Black Flag
    Ramones
    Neil Young
    Iggy Pop

    placefield Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:16 pm

    I would be calling and ask just to be left on hold with that lineup.

    average james Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 10:08 pm

    Woodie Guthrie
    James Brown
    Benny Goodman
    Les Paul
    Fats Domino
    Scott Joplin
    Jerry Lee lewis
    Buddy Holly
    Cole Porter
    Charlie Parker
    John Coltrane
    Tony Bennett
    Neil Diamond
    R.L. Burnside
    Jimmy Wilson
    Tommy Dorsey
    Screamin Jay Hawkins
    Bob Dylan
    on and on

    So much good American music without Sousa.

    craig7120 Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    what no Lee Greenwood…. lol

    now thats unmerican

    thought I would give some a break from having to post.

    average james Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    HURL

    craig7120 Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    LOL dude

    Yo AJ I was thinking of your boy, Willy when I seen the list. u made me laugh thanks brother.

    average james Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 10:44 pm

    He he he

    Same on this end bro.

    Posted by average james
    September 1st, 2009 at 7:14 pm

  19. It has been my experience that most conservatives have lousy taste in music.

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 8:25 pm

    Hey AJ, I grew up on the Beatles, The Stones Manfred Mann and then the Psychedelic Music. I like the music of Woodstock, I do like the Jimi Hendricks redition of the Star Spangled Banner.

    OldLefty Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 8:40 pm

    How about Dylan’s “Everybody Must Get Stoned”

    They’ll stone you when you’re trying to be so good
    They’ll stone you just like they said they would
    They’ll stone you when you’re trying to go home
    They’ll stone you when you’re there all alone
    But I would not feel so all alone
    Everybody must get stoned

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    I forgot about Bob Dylan, has the old Coffee Bar sounds. Where the beatniks went to recite their poetry.

    OldLefty Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 8:49 pm

    God help us , he’s supposed to be doing a Christmas album…

    I can’t imagine his nasal crooning, “Oh, Little Town of Beaathlehem..

    average james Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 9:51 pm

    Bob Dylan.

    Yeah.

    average james Reply:
    September 1st, 2009 at 9:56 pm

    Finally home after a lot of traveling.

    I tried very hard to be good and not play on the internet while driving, with some success.

    Nice to be home.
    My blackberry does not let me into the reply space.
    I like this better.

    Posted by average james
    September 1st, 2009 at 8:20 pm

  20. How about Phil Ochs?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ob7cDBMc6g

    On second thought, this should be the National Anthem.

    jazmine Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 6:24 am

    Here’s the last two verses. And quite fitting for these times.

    Yet she’s only as rich as the poorest of her poor
    Only as free as the padlocked prison door
    Only as strong as our love for this land
    Only as tall as we stand

    But our land is still troubled by men who have to hate
    They twist away our freedom & they twist away our fate
    Fear is their weapon and treason is their cry
    We can stop them if we try.

    nite all

    Posted by cogitoergodavesum
    September 2nd, 2009 at 6:03 am

  21. WOW!! Two stories about the music. It must have been a really, really, slow news day for you Alan.

    average james Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm

    A fun post day.

    With gay ice cream as a kicker.

    You rock Alan.

    craig7120 Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 4:58 pm

    lol @gay ice cream… cmon tooty fruity is the gay ice cream, Fruity has been outta the closet for years. sorta like Liberace just kinda of knew.

    karthiks030977 Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 5:00 pm

    While we’re enjoying the icecream conversation, dont forget the picture of Carrie that Alan brought back into circulation.
    Yeah,Alan, you are the maaaan.

    Celticwitch Reply:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    Your wife Karth, your wife… on the sofa… you will have a rare Hawaiian disease? better get those roses ready..

    Posted by Daddio
    September 2nd, 2009 at 7:59 am