"Bombs bursting in air" unacceptable at Goshen

Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana is the alma mater of a former girlfriend of mine. Since it's a Mennonite school, I suppose that it's understandable that it finds the lyrics of The Star Spangled Banner too violent for the pacifist sensibilities of its constituency.

Still, it seems a bit excessive that its Board of Directors has banned even the music.

At the same time, the decision is less outrageous than it sounds. Apparently the college would have no problem with playing, say, America the Beautiful at sporting events and suchlike. They say they're simply interested in finding a way to honor America that is a little less martial. Which, in a diverse society that respects the First Amendment, this seems reasonable to me.

I must confess , though, that I don't see anything terribly warlike about the music to The Star Spangled Banner.

HT: Drudge

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