Randi Rhodes Forums

Liberal Radio Host Bill Press Goes On ‘Major Crusade’ To ‘Get Rid Of The Star-Spangled Banner’

Liberal radio host Bill Press took to the air on Tuesday to discuss his “major crusade” to “get rid of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’” His critique of the National Anthem spanned both musical theory and politics – while both are worthy of criticism, only one assertion is so fundamentally flawed that it deserves condemnation. The other deserves a measure of praise.

Press opened his assault on “The Star-Spangled Banner” with a caveat: “Now I know you’re going to say I am not a true American; I’m not patriotic. I don’t think patriotism has anything to do with it.”

“The National Anthem is just absolutely monumentally un-singable,” Press said. “It ranges two octaves most people can only do kind of one octave.”
[snip]

http://www.mediaite.com/online/liberal-radio-host-bill-press-goes-on-major-crusade-to-get-rid-of-the-star-spangled-banner/

I think the real issue here is that Press is both mind-numbingly boring and so poorly informed that in order to draw viewers he has to really reach to find an issue. He and NorMAN are two show where I really look forward to guest hosts. Full Court Press would probably be much better if they canned Press and let Ogburn have it full-time.

If I'm up really early, like past 6AM Eastern, I'm listening to The Black Eagle Joe Madison. He does very little local DC stuff unless it has national implications. Press is a boring dude.

While I don't disagree with you, I actually miss Bill Press, ever since XM put Alex Bennett on in place of 2 hours of Press and 1 hour of Stephanie Miller.

I emailed XM, complaining about the change to Alex Bennett. All they did was send me a form email saying, Hope you like our new lineup. Jerks.

He must be pretty boring. I can't say I even know what an Alex Bennett is.

Good thing he's under the radar. Do we really need this?

I agree that Press is boring, but not as bad as Goldman, who's both boring AND seems to think his having a "Unique" opinion is a bigger deal than the future of the country.

I do agree with Press though, but the problem is, it's NEVER going to happen. Over the years, I've seen the exact same discussion at least a dozen times--people agree, then the issue dies.

Self-described "patriots" really believe that all the icons of our country were really PLACED here by a deity. How can we change things with that kind of idiocy?

Lucky you. I almost dread to drive earlier than 10:00 AM EST, unless it is hockey season and I can switch to an otherwise boring discussion about hockey.

Alex Bennett isn't really political in any significant way. He's just a waste of radio airtime.

Oh, I wonder if that's the shapeless pile of goo Goblueadam was complaining about them installing in Detroit radio in place of an actual progressive?

No, I don't think that Goblueadam was complaining about Alex Bennett replacing Stephanie in Detroit, it was some other radio jerk.

Wow. I haven't heard of Alex Bennett in years. I used to listen to him in the 1980's. His show was pretty funny (not ideological) and he seemed to have a pretty decent cadre of up and coming comedians. Didn't know he'd moved on to political talk.

Exactly.

Moreover, not changing an existing tradition, but simply adding another somehow is an ATTACK on the existing. I guess the biggest example is the way allowing a same-sex marriage is somehow an assault on all hetero marriages. Two men get married, and somehow the 40 year marriage of the two conservatives across the street from me is ended, and they sit weeping... I guess.

But specific to the OP, MLK Day somehow magically devalues Washington's B-day (Which everyone KNOWS is the best time to buy a mattress, or a new car!) Earth Day somehow threatens and devalues Thanksgiving.

Press is hardly the first to lambaste the SSB as "unsingable" for most people. Hell, I doubt he was the first this week.

Press does a going job echoing party rhetoric. But he ain't a thinker, or an analyst.

As a Canadian I find the Star Spangled Banner offensive.

Stoon. I thought it was cool that Neal Young's new album, "Americana," has for its last track, "God Save the Queen."

I bought it on itunes the minute it became available, listening on my car stereo

Neil Young with Crazy Horse is the definition of rocknroll, well one of em anyways