No National Anthem on 4th of July!!!

[6spdYJ]

Southern California Residents, please join me. If you have watched the KOLA 99.9FM 4th of July in the sky, will you please note that for at least the last two years in a row, they have NOT played The Star Spangled Banner. They have played the Rolling Stones - good music - not patriotic to our country. They have played I Want to Live in A-mer-ri-ca from West Side Story - while it sings of the greatness here, it still isn't the National Anthem. The following is what I addressed to Gary Springfield, Program Director at KOLA 99.9 FM: gary@kolafm.com
Gary,

I have enjoyed the 4th of July in the sky program for several years. Thank you for putting it on. There has been one song conspicuously missing though for at least two years: The Star Spangled Banner. While God Bless the USA is a truly great song, it is not the National Anthem. The same goes for Born in the USA. The nods to our armed forces are also greatly appreciated. Being a Marine Corps veteran, I appreciate this. But my service and the service of others was to ensure that The country represented in The Star Spangled Banner would be the land of the free and the home of the brave. Do not let it's importance be lost simply because Christina Aguillera can't remember the words. Please include this great musical story behind the bombs bursting in air to help others remember, and respect those who gave their lives on the night it was written - and all others since. Respectfully,

Please send your thoughts to him. Let's see if the voice of the people still matters. Thanks, Ted

[6spdYJ]

This morning's response:

thanks for your email. Pyrospectacular puts together the music montages for the show, so I'll forward your request.


Thanks again.


- Gary

[6spdYJ]

Here is the link to the production company that puts on the show. They do the fireworks and the music. Please contact them to express the importance of respecting our country on Her birthday. Thank you. http://www.pyrospectaculars.com/cont...ctaculars.html

[6spdYJ]

No reply from Pyrospectaculars. Here's their phone number - (888) 477-PYRO (7976) Jeff is the name of the guy who sets up the music.
Please post your thoughts and results of efforts to contact them. Thanks.

[6spdYJ]

Just got a reply from KOLA FM. Seems like they care!!!
Here's the reply from the radio station.

I did speak with Pyrospectacular and they like your idea. However, they did the music for the program almost 2 months ago and they can't make changes because of the technical work of synchronizing the fireworks.


- Gary


I put in a long-term song request for the Star Spangled Banner as the last song of the station's day before the fireworks program. I'll keep you posted. IF we get this, on the 4th of July, if you are within reach of KOLA FM 99.9, drive your Jeep out to where you can see the top of Mt. Rubidoux, and if you hear our National Anthem, PLAY IT LOUD!
If we get this, I'll post the time to be tuned in.

[6spdYJ]

Okay, time to pull this one back out. Pyrospectaculars has refused to cooperate. Here's what we can do - call the radio station starting on July 1st all the way through the 4th to request that they play the Star Spangled Banner as the last song of the day before the fireworks program starts.
I ask one thing, be nice. The station program manager has been very helpful in communicating with the fireworks company. We are asking a favor. Let's just give them a documentable voice that they can show to Pyrospectaculars and convince them that they need to include our National Anthem in their next and ALL FUTURE shows.

Here'e the request line number: KOLA 99.9FM (909)798-5600

Thanks

[Gary]

You shouldnt even have to request this. I've never been to this show, definately wouldn't go after hearing this. Listened to kola a little though, won't ever again if they wont play it. I'll send a polite email and give them call. Hearing this makes me angry.

[troyboy162]

whats the stance of the fireworks people? do they just need something with a faster beat to time the fireworks to? possibly easier? there selection dosnt sounds un patriotic, just not as good as the anthem. I do like fireworks along with the anthem. thats always a very meaningful presentation

[6spdYJ]

The fireworks company responded to the radio station that two months advance was not enough time. For crying out loud, it could be used as an intro and have the first blast with "bombs bursting in air". It would give them more time to set up. They play the Rolling Stones, cool music, deeply rooted in American rock-n-roll, NOT patriotic. They play an instrumental of "I want to be in A - mer - i - ca!" from West Side Story. Yes, written in and about America, NOT patriotic. The 4th of July is our country's birthday. Lets say you have a birthday party for somebody named Bob. It just so happens that "Bob" has provided everyone attending with the opportunity to live free and pursue their goals and passions. The party director/MC directs everyone to sing as loud as they possibly can. The song? Anything BUT Happy Birthday dear Bob. Pretty disrespectful.
The radio station program director has been very understanding. He brought this concern to them. I brought this concern to them. The fireworks company has not responded to my email.
Look these guys up, their business started on the grounds of a WWII munitions dump. It was the events of the 4th of July that allowed there to be a country to WIN WWII and allow the business to take root from the opportunities left behind from the victory. Now they are turning their backs on the very country that has provided them the ability to put on fireworks shows. Side note - guess where they get their fireworks??? Hint, it's a country that wouldn't be bothered at all to not see a country with the Star Spangled Banner as it's anthem.

[inVERt'D]

That's the problem with America--we're running out of Americans.

[Materdaddy]

That's the problem with America--we're running out of Americans.

x2

We used to be the melting pot... problem is, nobody seems to want to melt anymore.

[TipsE-Z]

Cheers to that, read this article on ABC new's site. No more melting, or maybe too much depending on your vantage point.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/america...ry?id=13934948

[curtis]

This might help explain it.


Die-hard Democrat? Don't take your children to July 4th parades 'or they'll turn into Republicans'
By David Gardner


Die-hard Democrats may want to keep their children well away from July 4th parades, according to a new Harvard study.
Researchers at the university claim youngsters who attend the patriotic events are much more likely to grow up as Republicans.
And it's not just children - the study also claims that adults are more likely to vote for a GOP candidate on election day if they go to one of the parades.

A Harvard study claims youngsters who attend Independence Day parades are much more likely to grow up as Republicans
'Fourth of July celebrations in the United States shape the nation's political landscape by forming beliefs and increasing participation, primarily in favour of the Republican Party,’ the report says.
Harvard Kennedy School Assistant Professor David Yanagizawa-Drott and Bocconi University Assistant Professor Andreas Madestam claim the right identifies itself more closely with patriotism and that Republicans believe they love their country more than Democrats.
According to the study, Republicans consider themselves more patriotic than Democrats
The report continues: 'The political right has been more successful in appropriating American patriotism and its symbols during the 20th century.'
'Survey evidence also confirms that Republicans consider themselves more patriotic than Democrats.

'According to this interpretation, there is a political congruence between the patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party.

'Fourth of July celebrations in Republican dominated counties may thus be more politically biased events that socialize children into Republicans.'
The study found that for youngsters under the age of 18 attending the parades, the likelihood of them identifying as a Republican goes up by at least two per cent.

It also raises the possibility of parade watchers voting Republican by about four per cent.
By the same token, Democrats gain nothing from the independence parades that are held in towns and cities across the nation.
'There is no evidence of an increased likelihood of identifying as a Democrat, indicating that Fourth of July shifts preferences to the right rather than increasing political polarization,’ the authors write.
'Surprisingly, the estimates show that the impact on political preferences is permanent, with no evidence of the effects depreciating as individuals become older,’ says the study.
Irrespective of political allegiances, the researchers say people should head to Republican strongholds if they want to have the most patriotic fun.
'Republican adults celebrate Fourth of July more intensively in the first place,’ they say.

[6spdYJ]

Let's do it KOLA 99.9FM (909)798-5600

[6spdYJ]

Riverside fireworks show starts at 9:00PM. Tune to 99.9 FM and see if our voice has been heard. Happy Independence Day, Americans!