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February 04, 2009
Obama Replacing 'Hail to the Chief' With Sting's 'Desert Rose'?
Informality Excess: Obama Replacing 'Hail to the Chief' With Sting's 'Desert Rose'?
By Tim Graham
Veteran CBS Radio White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports that President Obama is relaxing more than the dress code at the presidential mansion. Pomp is giving way to piano-bar pop:
"On Day One of his presidency, everywhere Mr. Obama went they played "Hail to the Chief" for him – but not since. In fact the U.S. Marine Band's duties at the White House over the last 10 days appear to have been dramatically downsized.
Instead of the usual contingent of trumpets, tubas and drums, a single piano player now provides musical interludes before and after the president's appearance.
And the tunes have little connection to the military marching music of John Phillips Souza [sic] that is the usual accompaniment to presidential appearances. These days the pianist's repertoire includes Cole Porter's "Night and Day" and Sting’s "Desert Rose."
"He's not a 'Pomp and Circumstance' kind of guy," says press secretary Robert Gibbs of the new president."
To many Americans, this excessive informality suggests a real distaste for "official" or "patriotic" music, not to mention the Marine band that plays it.
This issue is light enough that Matt Lauer could have asked about it yesterday during his fluffy pre-Super Bowl interview. Will the rest of the media inquire about this musical flag-pin controversy?
At this rate, why doesn't he just put his i-Pod in a speaker and hit "Shuffle"?
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This is the Remix version of the song , the first version is slower.
NOTE: The translated Arabic lyrics sung by Cheb Mami
Desert Rose by Gordon ‘Sting’ Sumner
I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand
I dream of fire
Those dreams are tied to a horse that will never tire
And in the flames
Her shadows play in the shape of a man’s desire
This desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this
And as she turns
This way she moves in the logic of all my dreams
This fire burns
I realize that nothing’s as it seems
I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand
I dream of rain
I lift my gaze to empty skies above
I close my eyes
This rare perfume is the sweet intoxication of her love
I dream of rain
I dream of gardens in the desert sand
I wake in vain
I dream of love as time runs through my hand
Sweet desert rose
Each of her veils, a secret promise
This desert flower
No sweet perfume ever tortured me more than this
Sweet desert rose
This memory of Eden haunts us all
This desert flower
This rare perfume, is the sweet intoxication of the fall
.
Wild Thing's comment........
Well as long as he has decided to disrespect " Hail to the Chief", he ought to pick the music from “Shaft” would be more appropriate for him and what he will give us.
"Hail to the Chief" and other, similar patriotic songs are tributes to the presidency and the United States as represented by the president, not to the individual who is the president. Similarly, the president, by wearing a coat and tie in the Oval Office, and requiring others to do the same, demonstrates his deep respect for and loyalty to the country. A president who doesn't show this respect for the office by having the proper music played and dressing respectfully, shows how much he really hates the country and its people. Just exactly what could be expected from a former communist street agitator, AKA "community organizer."
Posted by Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 04:55 AM
Comments
I had a feeling this was going to happen. Not this quick but happen. Cole Porter and Night and Day. But Sting, 'Desert Rose'? this is blasphemy. He is not only changing the White House protocol he's changing History and Tradition. First he apologises for America to our sworn enemies. In his stimulus package there was a part that said to buy American, The EU complained and threatened a trade war, so he has just backed down from that. If there is a confrontation with the Soviets I shudder to think how this nitwit will respond, if at all without giving away the country. This man is dangerous.
I thought it would take 4 years to get US to a third world status. I was wrong we will be there in 6 months.
Posted by: Mark at February 4, 2009 07:15 AM
That song "Desert Rose" sounds almost like Muslim call to prayers. But then, Obama did say call to prayers was the sweetest sound in the world. I wonder if that will be playing in the White House in the near future?
Posted by: BobF at February 4, 2009 07:32 AM
What? He turns Down John Phillip Sousa IMO the Greatest Composer of ALL TIME for this P#$$^ S*!&. WTF Can you Imagine If McKinnley had done this kind of thing to the Rough Riders during The Spanish-American War or if Wilson had done a similar thing to the Doughboys in the trenches during WWI? I think Teddy's about to rise from the grave He's so PO'd right now.
The Marine Corps Band is one of the most awesome displays of discipline and precision I've ever seen. To not use them is not only a waste it's disrespectful.
Gee I wonder if he thinks the Drill Teams the Honor Guards the Tomb Guards hell even the Dress Uniforms and the Medals are things to cut from the budget you know it's way too "militaristic" and embraces "the things that are most wrong with this country." Holy Crap, that does sound like something he would say doesn't it?
I had a government professor once who actually said in class something like we'd save a lot of money if we did that. To start off I was so enraged I could barely form a coherent sentence and I stood up and told him all the things I would cut from the federal budget (social programs, welfare, etc.) Oh boy, it got heated and I won the argument. I know that because he threw me out of class. I still managed to make a "B" at the end of the course too.
Posted by: JohnE PFC U.S. Army at February 4, 2009 07:37 AM
Told my father - USMC Gunny Vader (1st 2nd 6th MAR DIV in WW II / Korean War) - that socialists are IN the U.S. military now. Just a matter of time before we fall from within...
- Paper Tiger 2009
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at February 4, 2009 09:30 AM
I forsee a tar and feather party in the very near future followed by the messiah being run out of town on a broken down mule.
Posted by: cuchieddie at February 4, 2009 10:10 AM
He should play "Moving on up" from the Jeffersons TV show.
He is king now, so he is going to change things to suit himself. Tradition is out, cool is in. Would not surprise me if he augmented his Secret Service protection with some black panthers.
Posted by: TomR at February 4, 2009 11:05 AM
Cuchieddie, plus he can take the rioting mobs with him back to africa. If they love africa so much they should go there and see how african blacks treat black people.
Posted by: JohnE PFC U.S. Army at February 4, 2009 12:08 PM
P.S. If that previous comment earns me the title of "racist" by the pc freaks then "que sera, sera" (Spanish: "what is to be, will be") I'm tired of the whole race-baiting finger-pointing name-calling bullsh!t. It's childish and stupid.
Posted by: JohnE PFC U.S. Army at February 4, 2009 12:19 PM
Sheesh!!! What insanity!!!
Now the idiot has nominated his LBGT lawyer friend David Ogden to break down the morality too, his nominee choice would be deputy to Attorney General Eric Holder, you can kiss the Constitution goodbye.
Posted by: Jack at February 4, 2009 12:33 PM
The Office of President and Commander-in-Chief deserves respect. However, Bill Clinton and now Barack Obama have earned disrespect while President by their words and deeds. The first affirmative-action and African-American President not knowing, understanding, or practicing the traditions and respect of the Office of President is understandable. They didn't teach those American things in the Muslim school he attended in Indonesia.
I recommend a new musical piece to be played by the Marine Band when Barack Obama makes a ceremonial entrance -- Fail to the Chief.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20080430/cartoon20080430.gif
Posted by: Les at February 4, 2009 04:30 PM
Mark, when I first saw the article I honestly thought it was a satire or something. But when I saw the quotes by Robert Gibbs then I knew it was for real.
I agree, I thought it would be a slow process with Obama, little by little doing his thing upon America, but he is in the fast lane from day one. Very scary.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 05:23 PM
BobF, it sure does sound like that. YIKES oh yes and 5 times a day playing the Islam call to prayer.
Dear God help us.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 05:27 PM
JohnE PFC U.S. Army, DITTO all you said.
"I think Teddy's about to rise from the grave He's so PO'd right now."
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 05:31 PM
Darth, thank you. Yes they are everywhere. It is so very sad.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 05:35 PM
cuchieddie, I would vote for that.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 05:39 PM
Tom....LOL exactly.
"He should play "Moving on up" from the Jeffersons TV show."
And yes the Black Panthers, that is probably on his wish list that he is fullfilling.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 05:42 PM
JohnE PFC U.S. Army, LOL that is a perfect video for how stupid PC is and how there is a double standard. Thank you JohnE.
And I agree if they hated America so much and they keep wanting to use the hyphenated American thing sheesh they go back to Africa.
What I don't get too is how when some, not all but some blacks become wealthy like Oprah etc. they all want to donate to children and schools in Africa. Why not help black American children if that is they thing. IMO it is only because they could care less about America and it shows.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 05:47 PM
Jack oh my gosh, thank you for the link and information about Ogden.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 05:49 PM
Les, good one and thank you for the cartoon too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at February 4, 2009 05:52 PM
What happened to Otis Day & the Nights 'Shama Lama Ding Dong?' - Animal House 1978 / 2008
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at February 5, 2009 08:06 AM
All Hail the Boy King!!!
Posted by: yankeemom at February 5, 2009 09:17 AM
Hey Osimba Been Lyin... Play around with roses and beware of the pricks!
Posted by: drstrangeloveb52isok at February 6, 2009 08:06 AM
