But its nothing new. I dated a girl in college who dragged me to a political meeting where everybody stood up to sing it. I refused. I didn't get any trouble, but I got a lot of dirty looks. That was 50 years ago.

I've got nothing against black folks, but one anthem and one flag is enough for any country. Pledges of Allegiance and other such crap are all fascist bullshit designed to call out, identify or intimidate anyone who doesn't buy into their program.

I must have tuned in too late to hear the Black National Anthem, but I did see some tattooed punk sing America the Beautiful, and Reba Macintire do the Star Spangled Banner in her best redneck twang. So I guess they covered all their bases--they had something for everyone. I'm surprised everyone didn't have to recite a prayer, like we were forced to do in my High School Home Room as late as 1964. And if you didn't pretend you were praying the good Christian boys would meet you after school and beat the shit out of you.

This is is all classic fascist iconography, like brownshirts and swastikas and salutes, bandannas and cunt caps. My mother got it right when I asked her if I could join the Boy Scouts. She answered back; "No goddamn NAZI is going to dress up my son in a uniform and march him around, saluting flags and reciting pledges." I didn't understand her at the time, but I certainly do now.