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Education

School Marching Band Brandishes Large Hammer and Sickle — Why?

Sep. 24, 2012 5:41pm
Pennsylvania School Marching Band Commemorates Russian Revolution With Hammer and Sickle During Halftime

(Photo: New Oxford High School Band via Fox News)

A Pennsylvania school marching band is under fire for a performance reportedly commemorating the Russian Revolution, in which they waved a large hammer and sickle during halftime.  Photos show the students wearing military-style uniforms, with bright red belts.

Todd Starnes wrote on the Fox News Radio website:

“St. Petersburg: 1917” [was] the theme for the New Oxford High School Marching Band [performance]. Ironically, the school’s athletic teams are called the Colonials and their colors are red, white and blue. The band’s website features a picture of the group with students holding a hammer and sickle.

“There is no reason for Americans to celebrate the Russian revolution,” said one irate parent who alerted Fox News. “I am sure the millions who died under Communism would not see the joy of celebrating the Russian revolution by a school 10 miles from Gettysburg.”

The parent, who asked not to be identified, attended a football last Friday night with his children. He said he was shocked by what he saw.

“It was Glee meets the Russian Revolution,” he told Fox News. “I’m not kidding you. They had giant hammers and sickles and they were waving them around.”

“Who thought this was a good idea?”  [Emphasis added]

But the school’s superintendent Rebecca Harbaugh insists the performance was “not an endorsement of communism.”  According to the school official it was a “representation of the time period in history called St. Petersburg 1917,” and she is “very sorry” it was interpreted as anything other than a “history lesson.”

Paul Kengor, author of “The Communist,” remarked: “The Bolshevik Revolution launched a global Communist revolution that from 1917 through the 1990s was responsible for the deaths of over a hundred million people…What the Russian revolution unleashed was a nightmare – a historical human catastrophe.  This is something that should be condemned and not in any way commemorated or laughed at.”

One parent equated it to unexpectedly seeing your children waving swastikas during a halftime performance, noting that communism has killed more people than the Nazis.

Gerson Moreno-Riano, the dean of Regent University’s College of Arts & Sciences, added for Fox News: “To raise the emblems of the hammer and sickle – the emblems of so much violence, destruction and terror – is a lack of knowledge of history.”

(H/T: Todd Starnes)

 

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Comments (185)

1 2 3 … 5
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:38pm

    Maybe they were inspired by the SOVIET Russian warships that were shown on the giant screens at the Democratic National Convention?

    Report this comment

    TH30PH1LUS  
    • TH30PH1LUS
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 7:13pm

      Russian warships at the DNC: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81141.html

      http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/09/dnc-apologizes-for-showing-russian-warships-in-tribute-to-us-veterans/

      http://www.navytimes.com/news/2012/09/navy-dnc-update-apology-russian-ships-democratic-convention-091212

      Perhaps we should focus on teaching students AMERICAN history?

      Report this comment

      TH30PH1LUS  
    • Idahosauce
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 9:32pm

      I think, Russian warships and Turkish fighter jets, were perfectly appropriate for the Dem convention…they are winning the war against America more and more each day.

      Report this comment

      Idahosauce  
    • TulsaYeeHaw
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 11:22pm

      @TH30PH1LUS

      If I may, from the 45 stated goals of the American Communist Party from 1958, entered into congressional record in 1963…..

      GOAL 31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the “big picture.” Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

      Report this comment

      TulsaYeeHaw  
    • scarebear83
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 1:08am

      Considering I was in marching band (band was my life school however, wasn’t at the top of my list lol) I see bands and drum corps perform all sorts of pieces. I’m assuming the show is NOT an endorsement of communism but rather just an artistic piece about the time during the Russian Revolution. I was at BOA in ’99 and watched Plymouth Canton perform this piece: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD0Xvzrulug which is entitled “Thought Crime Music for an Orwellian Era” It doesn’t mean they endorse thought crime it just happens to be a piece about it. Also Blue Devils did the music from The Godfather in 2006 it doesn’t mean they’re endorsing the mob. That’s something to consider before calling this an endorsement of communism or that they agree with the Russian Revolution. It sounds kinda neat I’d like to see the show. And before anyone thinks I’m a liberal, I’m not. I am very much conservative I just happen to be a big band geek.

      Oh and BTW Santa Clara Vanguard did a similar piece (or maybe it’s the same one) in 2005 called “Russian Revolution/Evolution 1917-1991″ and I didn’t hear of anyone getting upset. Here’s the show: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7409315091617183511

      Report this comment

      scarebear83  
    • 000degrees
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 7:33am

      But the school’s superintendent Rebecca Harbaugh insists the performance was “not an endorsement of communism.” According to the school official it was a “representation of the time period in history called St. Petersburg 1917,“ and she is ”very sorry“ it was interpreted as anything other than a ”history lesson.”

      Maybe the next halftime performance will include a bunch of white hoods….hey just teaching history..
      or some hitler “stashes” or maybe they can take all the concessions one night and create their own little black market for U.N. night…….

      Report this comment

      000degrees  
    • CABERNETQHS
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 8:04am

      @scarebear83

      You’re missing the point. No one cares about the artistic quality of the Russian tribute. 2005 seems like decades ago… much has changed. Most of us are now awake and seeing how they are trying to weaken us by slowly introducing their culture or erasing ours.

      Report this comment

      CABERNETQHS  
    • Marine 1
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 8:07am

      The Colonials marching to Communism. Sad commentary on stupid educators and band teachers. What in the heck were they thinking? I’d fire all of them involved.

      Let’s hear it for the educators in the education system! What a bunch of idiots.

      By the way, has anyone found the other seven states that Obama talked about a few years back? They are missing according to the Idiot-in-Charge. He needs their votes come November.

      An idiot in the WH and he’s running things. Holy crap! We are in BIG trouble.

      Now we have educators that know nothing of the Russian Revolution showing their true colors.

      Man, oh, man! How’s that hope and change working out for you all?

      Semper Fi – Do or Die

      Report this comment

      Marine 1  
    • TEA4Me
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 8:30am

      Students don’t go to public school to learn anything resembling history. They go to school to learn to be good global citizens… SEND YOUR KIDS TO A PRIVATE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL, if you want them to actually learn anything. (Yeah, even if you aren’t religious…)

      Report this comment

      TEA4Me  
    • stage9
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 8:57am

      it was “a “representation of the time period in history called St. Petersburg 1917…”

      AGAIN! Why are we celebrating St Petersburg 1917? This is America you mindless drones!

      Report this comment

      stage9  
    • lordjosh
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 10:12am

      @Tulsayeeha
      Well Done!

      @Scarebear83
      Not buying it, my friend. An “Orwellian” theme would be in the future and could be interpereted as a warning so to speak. The godfather trilogy, for better or worse, is part of American nostalgia. As the article states, the communist revolution was a bad f’in deal which is responsible for millions of deaths. Communism is a dictorial form of government that directly and immediately results in starving, dying masses of people while a few maniacs try to hold it together long enough to sustain their luxurious lives. The action of this school was akin to waving around swatzikas. Do you really see a difference?

      Report this comment

      lordjosh  
    • downhillmike
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 12:41pm

      To Scarebear – the modern communists/marxists/LGBT have become very adept at using pop culture to “spread the word” and make things more acceptable to our young people. Che t-shirts abound among people who don’t support communism and revolution, but want to wear a “cool” t-shirt. Glee, New Normal, and Modern Family are all used to spread the idea that homosexuality is just fine and normal. The more we allow these cultural events to be “just a cool piece of music” or that “it’s just a shirt” to be present in our schools and in our media, the more “acceptable” these ideals become before people are passe about communism, marxism, and the overthrow of our society by peaceful revolution.

      Report this comment

      downhillmike  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on September 26, 2012 at 2:59pm

      Students in the South who hold their own private Civil War Balls with Civil War reenactors get suspended from school and threatened. In some towns in Pennsylvania the police will knock on a person’s door for displaying the Southern Stars and Bars. What would happen if a school marching band carried the Stars and Bars and dressed in Southern Military Uniforms. Would Romney and Obama both condemn it?

      Report this comment

      muffythetuffy  
  • blackyb
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:34pm

    They just keep mocking America and using the youth in “innocent” events to display their mockery.

    Report this comment

    blackyb  
  • hpyagl
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:32pm

    You think that’s bad. I was always drawing war planes, tanks and stuff when I was a kid. One day I drew an American flag on a sheet of 8-1/2 x 11 and another flag with a big Swastika on another and staked them one on each side of our driveway. I got a good wollup on the backside when dad pulled in the driveway after work. Ahhhh! 7 year olds!!

    Report this comment

    hpyagl  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:27pm

    Why do I have the feeling this was not closely looked at by any admin people? Is the band leader a fan of Russsian music, and if so, why didn’t anyone notice? Lastly, why didn’t kids discuss this with their folks, were they asked to keep quiet for a suprise? Lots of questions here as parent I would want answerd, and quickly. Also would pull my kid if it wasn’t changes asap.

    Report this comment

    Jenny Lind  
    • JimL
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:42pm

      “Dewey is conceded to have had a large part in organizing the Soviet educational system. Lunarcharsky, the Russian Minister of Education, was a personal friend and ardent admirer of John Dewey. In 1928, he was asked by the Soviet Government to visit Russia, study the educational needs in that country and make recommendations for improvement. Returning to the United States, he wrote a series of articles on Russia that were very sympathetic in tone with the U.S.S.R., which led to his being described as a “Bolshevik” and a “Red” in the conservative press. [7]

      Dewey’s most lasting influence, however, was exercised personally and directly as professor of philosophy at Columbia University since 1904. Teachers College of Columbia, with which Dewey was associated, is the largest in the country. Of the 23,631 students at the University in 1950, over a third 9,032, were enrolled in Teachers College, training twice as many teachers and educational administrators as any other college in America. It was during his early connection with Columbia that Dewey helped to organize the American Association of University Professors and served as its first president.”

      see, John Dewey: Prophet of American Naturalism, Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

      Report this comment

      JimL  
    • watashbuddyfriend
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 7:13pm

      @ Jenny Lind
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:27pm

      Jenny, this came my way over the weekend, and I am not sure why I have not used it before, but, you used “asap,” and it should be spelled out more often: ALWAYS SAY A PRAY! It is like unto “push” PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS.

      Why not hang onto these acronyms?

      Oh, BTW, always get in sync with God before you pray!

      Report this comment

      watashbuddyfriend  
  • jcldwl
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:21pm

    “But the school’s superintendent Rebecca Harbaugh insists the performance was “not an endorsement of communism.” According to the school official it was a “representation of the time period in history called St. Petersburg 1917,“ and she is ”very sorry“ it was interpreted as anything other than a ”history lesson.”

    What a liar. Why would they use a half time show to teach Russian history? This woman and all school officials involved need to be vetted for what they are. Communists. We need to start a movement to stop paying taxes for public schools that indoctrinate and don’t educate.

    Report this comment

    jcldwl  
    • HumbleMan
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:53pm

      This is disgraceful. But it is the product of 3 decades of indoctrination, now to the point that even the teachers do not understand communism for the evil it is. (I’m sure JZS and ENCINOM will have a comment on this).

      Even in my family, which was very traditional, the generation after mine doesn’t react to the word “communist” the way they ought to if they were informed. It breaks my heart; but it will break their backs if we do not turn it back. They are on the 2 yard-line ladies and gentlemen.

      Report this comment

      HumbleMan  
    • idarusskie
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 9:46pm

      not to mention that the October revolution was in November( our calender).

      Report this comment

      idarusskie  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:19pm

    “One parent equated it to unexpectedly seeing your children waving swastikas during a halftime performance, noting that communism has killed more people than the Nazis.”
    Not exactly. Neither communism nor Nazism killed anyone–Hitler, Stalin, Mao Zedong, Mussolini, Pol Pot, the “Kims” and Ho Chi Minh killed millions. But IDEAS in and of themselves don’t kill people. What’s that line conservatives are fond of saying…oh yeah “guns don’t kill people–people kill people.” Well the same could be said for ideas; “ideas don’t kill people–people kill people [if they've got an idea to and a gun].”

    Report this comment

    The Third Archon  
    • Git-R-Done
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:29pm

      Except communism, socialism, and Nazism are based on evil to begin with.

      And aren’t you always denouncing capitalism, hypocrite?

      Report this comment

      Git-R-Done  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:30pm

      THE THIRD ARCHON,

      you got backwards.. as usual

      guns don’t kill people as they don’t think and act on their own.. people do

      ideas or ideologies do kill people as they drive human thought, perception, reality and actions..

      So, yes guns don’t kill people,, ideologies kill people… like Statism (communism, socialism etc…)

      let me know if you need anymore help working this out,, ok

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
    • JimL
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:30pm

      the collective is concerned about individuals- souls?

      Report this comment

      JimL  
    • Lordcsmith
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 7:28pm

      That was, perhaps, the dumbest thing I have read in quite a while. Very well, if you subscribe to that philosophy, Christianity has never killed anyone either. I’m curious to see the mental gymnastics in trying to accuse Christians and absolve the commies. Good luck.

      Report this comment

      Lordcsmith  
    • bgotts27
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 9:51pm

      Ideas absolutely and regularly DO kill people.

      Let me guess: you are a government school graduate?

      Report this comment

      bgotts27  
    • ICanComment
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 10:35pm

      …so, to play devil’s advocate:

      Racism is an idea, and it never killed anyone, right?
      The worst, unthinkable perversions are only ideas and never hurt anyone, right?

      I suppose you could argue this in a philosophy class, but in the real world, I think many would object to this logic. The practice of moral absolutes is a welcome restraint toward the near infinite evil conceived by the human mind. While it is well and good not to practice evil, it is even better not to consider it.

      Report this comment

      ICanComment  
    • Al J Zira
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 6:11am

      Leave it to a guy whose screen name is derived from an ancient Greek stone to make such a comparison. I think his thought process is still in that period of time to come on here and equate a gun to communism.

      Beyond the droll comparison, the economic design of communism by itself leads to nowhere but starvation, oppression and despair of its citizens and in a lot of cases death from starvation alone. This is not including the police structure for keeping the government first and foremost in the minds of the considered minions. Remember the gulags? I’ll bet they still exist in China and N. Korea at least.

      Report this comment

      Al J Zira  
    • italy2007
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 7:00am

      you idiot – celebrating a period in history that KILLED millions shows your ignorance. It would be the same if they celebrated The Holocuast with Richard Wagner’s music (who by the way was a known anti-semite!

      Report this comment

      italy2007  
    • foxdogs
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 7:54am

      It is true that ideas don’t kill people but ideas do motivate some people to kill others who disagree with or oppose their ideas.

      Report this comment

      foxdogs  
  • possom
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:10pm

    Next year they’ll do, A praise to adolf complete with a large oven.
    I name as barry santeoros and I approve the actions of this marching band and possoms post!

    Report this comment

    possom  
  • ksmike
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:08pm

    Are you serious? The resignation or firing of everyone involved in this should be demanded by every parent who has a kid in this school and school district. This is beyond reprehensible. It is the most asinine and idiotic thing I have heard of in a long time.

    It reminds me of when I visited the home of the chairman of the Demoncratic party in California in 1981 and saw a large portrait of Chairman Mao over the fireplace “just to see the reaction of people”. This is who this party is and we need to fight it will all we have. They have control of the schools and we need to yank it from them. Don’t hide. Put the pressure on and fight them with all you have!

    Report this comment

    ksmike  
    • drs1969
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 9:12pm

      In the 80′s, I had a teacher who had visited and was in love wirh the USSR. Just a few years before it collapsed!
      Keep you kids away from public schools.

      Report this comment

      drs1969  
  • hempstead1944
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:08pm

    Shame on the parents of these children! Shame on Pennsylvania !

    Report this comment

    hempstead1944  
  • Dano9375
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:06pm

    Our country is going down at warp speed. The change in our country is horrible and it all started with this President. The damage he has caused and the damage he has encouraged will forever change this country and I believe that history will call this darkest time in American history as the republic slipped away from the people. The communists are no longer afraid to show themselves. If Obama wins I can guarantee you he will try to take our guns away by executive order. And the one true need for our freedom to bear arms (to protect ourselves from our own government) will most likely be realized (in our lifetime)!

    Report this comment

    Dano9375  
  • usafpatriot
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:01pm

    Has anybody ever noticed the murals painted inside BJ’s Brew house Restaurants—-Definitely socialist realism.

    Report this comment

    usafpatriot  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:43pm

      Has anyone noticed the paintings and themes at the Denver airport. They are satanic and NWO.

      Report this comment

      NHwinter  
    • JimL
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 7:38pm

      The Detroit Industry Murals, Diego Rivera

      Report this comment

      JimL  
  • LB
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:00pm

    I’m a marxist, you’re a marxist, wouldn’t you want to be a marxist too? If my kids attended this school…..

    Report this comment

    LB  
  • vox_populi
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:59pm

    Meh. Say what you will about Lenin, but he still did better for the Russians than the Tsardom.

    Report this comment

    vox_populi  
  • Joe_The_Patriot
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:57pm

    How bout we take all the teachers and administrators in the school who allowed this and send them over to russia with only the clothes on their back (which was probaly made in china)!!!!

    Report this comment

    Joe_The_Patriot  
  • RJJinGadsden
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:57pm

    Well, why not celebrate the Russian Revolution. It did occur during the Woodrow Wilson Administration. And, he did after all celebrate the revolution itself too. He promoted the ‘fact’ that this would bring democracy to the land, and it would be easier to communicate and cooperate with the new government.
    Hmmmm, sound familiar? Wasn’t his said about Egypt, Libya, and other Arab Spring up and comers?

    Report this comment

    RJJinGadsden  
  • LB
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:57pm

    Did any of the parents ask their kids prior to the performence what they were working on as they practiced after school? If they had could have stopped it before it ever happen. Get involved people. Don’t let others have so much influance and control over your kids.

    Report this comment

    LB  
  • DonLukas
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:57pm

    The real problem is that this march even made it through rehearsal.

    Not one of those kids came home and told their rents what the band was working on?

    Whats next, the rise of the Third Reich?

    The birth of a caliphate?

    Report this comment

    DonLukas  
    • Dismayed Veteran
      Posted on September 25, 2012 at 9:20am

      The failure of the students to tell their parents about the communist theme speaks volumes about the belief system ingrained in these students.

      Report this comment

      Dismayed Veteran  
  • JimL
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:56pm

    Playing for global governance inauguration invitation, 1-21-13

    Out with the old soviets in with the new globalists

    Report this comment

    JimL  
  • momrules
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:56pm

    Well this High School won’t have to worry about a letter and lawsuit from the FFRF.

    Where were the parents of these students before this performance was put on? Surely someone knew that their kid was going to be celebrating communism and the death of millions with song and dance.

    Why wasn’t there a parent rebellion of 2012 before this awful display ever got off the drawing board?

    Report this comment

    momrules  
  • clinker
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:54pm

    Communists? In our educational system?

    NAHHHHHH!

    Report this comment

    clinker  
    • ICanComment
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 10:45pm

      Look up Yuri Bezmenov. Some old videos of him from the 80s are on YouTube. His experiences retold after working for the KGB will make your skin crawl.

      In the public school they engrained in us that aversion to communism makes one an alarmist kook and a McCarthyist oppressor. I can imagine how much more that’s being taught now.

      Report this comment

      ICanComment  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:52pm

    o.m.g., what kind of communist obamavoting school teachers and admin do they HAVE?!?! time to fire them ALL.
    time to gather ALL those kids and TEACH THEM what they just did.

    Report this comment

    BurntHills  
  • nueces
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:51pm

    Send your kid to government schools … this is what you get morons. Stinking parents are not rearing their children any more. Haven’t been for decades. They have the schools and the children they deserve.

    Report this comment

    nueces  
    • UNALIEN
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 6:00pm

      yup, modern liberals aka socialists are naturally drawn to “education” aka indoctrination as they can both influence ideology and collect Gov pay without accountability.

      Report this comment

      UNALIEN  
  • maddog777
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:50pm

    I live very close to New Oxford Pa and am very surprised to see this nonsense. The people in the area are hard working ,god loving and patriotic. I would expect this crap from Philadelphia school districts.

    Report this comment

    maddog777  
    • drs1969
      Posted on September 24, 2012 at 9:19pm

      Most teachers are from ‘state-run’ teacher colleges, you can see it everywhere.

      Report this comment

      drs1969  
  • fande3rls
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:50pm

    This was not about history, it was about INDOCTRANATION , this teacher and this school offical needs to be terminated TODAY.

    Report this comment

    fande3rls  
  • UNALIEN
    Posted on September 24, 2012 at 5:49pm

    didn’t Obama say something like this… recently

    “If you are dumb, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to be ignorant. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you’ve got a adolescent intellect—you didn’t create that. Somebody else made that happen.”

    Report this comment

    UNALIEN  
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