As thousands cheered Lady Gaga‘s surprise appearance and rousing rendition of “The Star Pangled Banner” to kick off New York City’s Pride festivities last week, former Republican Congressman Allen West was appalled that the entertainer had the audacity to alter the anthem’s lyrics to help commemorate the recent Supreme Court ruling on DOMA and marriage equality.
On his Facebook page, West said Gaga is reprehensible for breaking with tradition to sing “O say does that star-spangled flag of pride yet wave” and “the land of the free, and the home for the gay.”
West wrote:
“Having served in the US Army for 22 years alongside some very brave men and women, I find Lady Gaga’s defiling of our National Anthem reprehensible.
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“We are the land of the free because America has always been the home of the brave from Lexington and Concord to Kandahar. This young lady should be taken to Ft. McHenry and given a history lesson as to why Francis Scott Key wrote those words incredible words.
“In this week where we remember the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and the 237th anniversary of our Independence is further evidence of the level of ignorance and disrespect some have for our national character.”
Watch Gaga’s speech and performance below.
jesaves
i swear bitches be so pressed these days
2eo
“In this week where we remember the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and the 237th anniversary of our Independence is further evidence of the level of ignorance and disrespect some have for our national character.”
Oh my, a GOP parasite who genuinely spits in the face of your constitution picking a contest with someone working to make their country a better place.
Get stuffed West, you hate the founding fathers and you trample dirt onto your flag with every passing second.
hyhybt
When I was in school, every classroom had a plaque with a picture of the US flag, under which read “This is our flag–Be PROUD of it!” I believe the word “proud” was capitalized, bolded, and underlined for good measure.
mlbumiller
he should keep his trap shut… he got off with a little fine for allowing his men to beat a suspected iraqi police office. what is worse someone expressing their right to free speach or an army officer allows his men to assult a man and he himself fires a round near the mans head.
tardis
Mr. West, Lady Gaga doesn’t really care what you think. Like really.
1EqualityUSA
Allen West is trying desperately to be relevant. Go back to your Tea Party and feel accepted once again.
Mauricio
Oh Mr West, you don’t have the proper arguments to say anything against Gaga or anyone who sings the national anthem. It’s not like Gaga changed the words forever + I think she’s had done much more than you for the U.S . Mind your own business.
Dana
I believe that the only response needed to this is…
Fuck Allen West.
Dakotahgeo
As a 69 year old patriotic person who has been in the music for 60 years, I congratulate Lady Gaga for a fantastic job!!! Beautifully done, and continued best wishes and success!
dnyboy
That was actually one of the best renditions of the national anthem I’ve ever heard, in my opinion. Besides the couple of modifications for LGBT pride, Lady Gaga made far fewer embellishments than many singer who sing the Star Spangled Banner. For the most part, she sang it very close to how it is supposed to be sung. I think when sung properly, the US national anthem can be one of the most beautiful I know of.
Alan down in Florida
Leave us not forget that the melody for the Star Spangled Banner came from a British pub song.
Worry more about the fact that scuttlebutt here in South Florida is that former Rep. West is seriously considering challenging Marco Rubio for his Senate seat in 2016. West and Rubio, was there ever a pair in need of a two-headed dildo than they?
JayHobeSound
Allen West is a flag-worshipping azz clown. He seems a bit deranged, possibly from a career spent imposing “liberty and democracy” with bombs and bullets. He needs to be reminded that the U.S. has not been involved in an honorable war since 1945.