Obama White House Defends Anti-American State Dinner Music
- Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:06pm by
Meredith Jessup
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After a number of conservatives criticized the White House for sitting idly by while Chinese pianist Lang Lang tickled the ivories with an anti-American ballad at last week’s State Dinner for President Hu Jintao, the White House responded Monday condemning the criticism and insisting the song, “My Motherland,” was no insult to the United States.
As we reported Sunday, the pianist claims to have chosen the song because “playing the tune at the White House banquet can help us, as Chinese people, feel extremely proud of ourselves and express our feelings through the song.” The song was written for the 1956 Chinese war film, “Battle on Shangganling Mountain” which depicts PRC soldiers as the heroes and Americans as the bad guys.
Although Lang Lang performed the song without accompanying lyrics, the original song portrays Americans as wolves (or jackals), greeted by “the hunting rifle.”
Conservatives were quick to point out the misnomer. John Hayward, a writer for Human Events even compared playing the song at a White House state dinner to “an American president providing music from Rambo II during a state visit to Vietnam.”
The joke was not lost on Chinese internet writers who acclaimed Lang Lang’s choice of music. “It’s deeply meaningful to play this in the United States, but I don’t know if the Americans can understand? Ha ha,” Asia One news reports.
Radio and television host Glenn Beck went so far as to demand President Obama’s chief protocol officer be fired over the apparent gaffe:
But when asked about the mishap on Monday, White House spokesman Tommy Vietor told ABC News that “any suggestion that [the song] was an insult to the United States is just flat wrong.”
“As Lang Lang has stated before, he plays this song regularly because it is one of his favorite Chinese melodies, which is very widely known and popular in China for its melody. Lang Lang played the song without lyrics or reference to any political themes during the entertainment portion of the State Dinner. He simply stated the song’s title and noted it was well known in China,” Vietor said.



















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Comments (267)
Dale
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:59pmSince last Friday, I sometimes get a different web site (premierradio.com if I remember correctly lasting most of the day). I get a large “Not Found” message on most stories. Has anyone else experienced these problems?
Report Post »Dale
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:03amShould have said when visiting theblaze.com.
Report Post »Tyr
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 1:28amDale, you have a computer virus. Probably Trojan.DNSChanger, Googlrredirect or similar. Get a good, up to date virus/spyware scanner.
Report Post »Whostolemypig
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:59pmTo heck with the song. Where the birth certificate, college and passport records?
Report Post »Grandpa Harley
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:10amAnd what about the fake Social Security Numbers and what passport did he use to visit Pakistian?
Report Post »Robbedagain
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:51pmThe boss is here, quick grab your ankles.
Report Post »MaryKayB
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:50pmThere is no respect nor class from this White House. It is bullying as usual. Unfortunately, they do not realize that as the bible states, you reap what you sow. What goes around comes around. They produce negative karma, they will eventually attract negative karma.
Report Post »THank you curator_JDR for that terrific link to http://www.marcrubin.com/obama.ivnu
Marc Rubin certainly speaks for so many of us. I recommend this to everyone and pass it on.
Information is power.
The Vengislator
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:50pmWhat were you expecting? “Oh Beautiful for Spacious Skies”? Look, people, I hate America, and I’m going to insult her (and you) every chance I get. I’m just doing what I was hired to do. My ultimate goal is to have minarets constructed around the Capitol, and broadcast the Call to Prayer, aka, the prettiest sound on Earth, all across the city.
Report Post »onegodinkansas
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:45pmProv 22:7
7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
KJV
Hu pays the piper, he gets to choose the song.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:44pmOf course sorry sob defended it he probably ordered it.
Report Post »Grandpa Harley
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:44pmI give it a 3. The beat wasn’t that good, the melody was OK but it was hard to dance to.
Report Post »the hawk
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:43pmI’m sure they might of let him go home with them if he had ask !
Report Post »TJexcite
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:39pmAt the next event they have to play Dixie http://youtu.be/xHpjElnH370 and say that there is nothing wrong with it as it is a very popular song in the south so why not play it. That will go over so well.
Report Post »butler180
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 1:47amEspecially if it a dinner attended by the Rev’s Jackson and Sharpton.
Report Post »I can hear them now
missionarydad
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 3:57amExactly what I was thinking.
Report Post »paulamadden
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:34pmObama was a sniveling little weakling. Why? Because he looks up to the dictator.
Report Post »paulamadden
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:33pmThey’re spinning and spinning and spinning…..
Report Post »ampatriot
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:02amseems like after over a 100 years of spinning they would have gotten dizzy an passed out by now…
Report Post »vinnymac46
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:32pm“any suggestion that [the song] was an insult to the United States is just flat wrong.”
Report Post »Remember when the dems say United States they really the United liberal, democrat, progrssive,latino, naacp, pink States.
Neil Mariner
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:31pmI can’t believe this time at night and theres only two comments on this subject. This whole insident proves that National pride is slipping away. Were starting to practice third world country humbleness. I guess tomorrow I’ll start bowing my head and wincing with fear. NOT! In Washington there boldly going were no American has gone before. There displaying the lefts cowardess. The Chinese are totally aware of the cowardness they displayed. Thats what they were looking for. McDuff; like you I,m ashamed.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:46pmUm, count again, Neil, then read the little disclaimer down there, “Your comment may take a few minutes to appear on the site.”
Right now you are actually #23 I believe.
Report Post »ohru12
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:29pmI don’t think they knew they were being insulted until it was pointed out after the fact.
Report Post »mwconservative
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:35pmSadly, i’m sure that was true.
Report Post »MaryKayB
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:56pmDidn’t know they were being insulted? Really? Someone approved the program. Are we really supposed to believe they didn’t do their homework? The same W.H. that returned Winston Churchill to the UK?
Report Post »There is no class here folks. And class is not about money; but values.
Lucifers Hammer
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:28pmSo…when Obozo hosts Merkel maybe some band can play “Deutschland, Deutschland, uber alles”
Gibbs Response to the Media (minus the 100 or so uh‘s and uhm’s you’d hear from the moron.)
Report Post »You know it’s a great melody…and they really don’t play it much anymore in Germany…since it was outlawed. I can see how it might upset Jews and American’s who fought in the war…but we‘ve got to be sensitive to those Nazi’s. I mean the song doesn’t say anything offensive about the US.
Goldmember
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 2:39pmDidn’t you know the sky is orange, no it really is! Trust me, you just think its blue but it is not, its orange. And the government didn’t take your free speak away, really they didn’t. You just think the Gov. took your free speech away when the internet is shut down and Fox is off the air. Really, its still there, trust me fellow sheep. And the cheesburger you used to eat doesn’t taste good anymore, really it doesn’t. You just think it tastes good. But if don’t start listening to me, the Gov., a lot better I will have the IRS give you call and restrict your flying privileges. Down is up and up is down. Really it is, trust me, your friend the Gov.
Report Post »mickie4
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:21pmPlaying this song in our White House was purposely disrespectful to the American people. That’s the way I see it.
Report Post »cmgnp
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:20pmdoes it really surprise anyone , obama allows them to totally disrespect the Korean Vets and all Americans ….. how is this new , obama would do it and has done it himself time and time again ….
Report Post »if anyone can say they feel obama is an American at heart … let me know when you’re in the market for a bridge ….
davecoolworld
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:20pmThe song that Lang Lang played should have been checked and cleared before the first note was played. The song is known by all Chinese and was clearly chosen to slap America in the face. Lang Lang is from Hong Kong and makes a lot of money playing in China. Hu would never allow Lang Lang to play in China again if the choice of song was not without Hu’s blessing. Hu would never allow Lang Lang to choose a song like that unless that’s what he wanted. Conclusion: Hu instructed Lang Lang to play that song. Lang Lang did it for the money, Hu did it to slap American‘s in his citizens’ eyes. Chinese are very sensitive to “saving face”. 100% intentional. China is NOT our friend, they will be our new partner in cold war tactics, but they will not blink the the Soviets did.
Report Post »mairfromkalifornia
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 12:08pmI am sooooooooooooo embarrassed…..the chinese “saving face” just ripped ours off….with help from our (dear God save us all) President…..this was not an oversite, please tell me someone should be checking out little things like playing anti american music ….??? My fear is they did and it was on purpose…..
Report Post »pamela kay
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:20pmAs usual it was done in poor taste and showed no respect for the citizens of The United States. It amazes me how little compassion is shown by the obama’s toward America, yet they continue to bow down to every other nation. obama is merely a well trained community leader who was groomed and polished and ridiculously funded to become president. He has not got the strength of a leader and it shows. No other president that I am aware of has ever appologized for their country or called it’s citizens enemies. It is hard to respect him because his policies and his actions do not benefit the people, or honor our constitution.
RepubliCorp
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 4:23amLow-life Chicago ghetto thug goes to Washington………
Report Post »Eagle07
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 5:44amRepublicorp even Hollywood wouldn’t make that movie too unbelievable.
Report Post »beebacksoon
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 6:07ampamela kay
Report Post »Exactly! And, “As Lang Lang has stated before, he plays this song regularly because it is one of his favorite Chinese melodies, which is very widely known and popular in China for its melody.” THEN KEEP IT IN CHINA! The Chinese ARE laughing at us!
American only
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 9:01amWhat do you expect? Our own so called elected politicians have given China rule over us!
They push their disgusting and immoral products on us and the so called trade act has never been balanced!
They have forced American corporations to outsource! Penalties for producing on their own soil instead of incentives!
Cunningly evil and brilliant! China intentionally spits on the hand that has made them Communist capitalists! Now, there is an oxymoron one will have a hard time wrapping it’s head around!
Yes, as one comment said, Let us no longer play Hail To The Chief but instead If I Only Had A Brain!
LOL! I wonder what would happen!
Granpa Harley,
The fake social security numbers are for security reasons! This way no one can really find out who this low class person is! Your leaders sit on their rich little duffs doing nothing!
Short on trust anyone!
This low life dictator has broken more laws than I care to know about! What does the GOP do?
Why is this man not tried for sedition? Boehner has now announced that he believes this person wasborn in Hawwai! His beliefs are contradicted by the majority he represents! That is what matters here! Not what he thinks!
The Rosenberg’s deserve a full pardon for what was called treason! Compliments of your elected officials and the pork stuffers of 2005, April of this year will include Federal ID cards issued by the state MVB! Talk about this Glenn!
God Bless America and any American’s that still have a viable mind!
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:15pmWhy not play Dixie at the NAACP convention. Same difference.
Report Post »Xcori8r
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:14pmThese aren’t the droids your looking for… move along.
Report Post »boomcrash
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:23pmIt has a good beat, and I can dance to it!
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:13pmLook at the other hand!
Report Post »RobertCA
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:12pmit‘s a great chinese melody but it’s against the USA but hey it’s still a great melody !!!!
Report Post »duh duh duh !!!!!!!!!!!!
CatB
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 1:08amDon’t the Chinese make a big deal out of “dishonor” ? .. well that is what this is and don‘t for a minute think it wasn’t intentional … they knew exactly what this tune represents and I am sure so do the Chinese people who heard we were dishonored and took it!
Report Post »So
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 5:31amDarmok, You said it:
“How about instead of Hail to the Chief tomorrow at the State of the Union, we play “If I only had a Brain” from wizard of Oz. That would be appropriate.”
How right you are! This president and his administration can’t even recognize an insult. How pathetic and sad is that?!
Report Post »Marylou7
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 7:49amOf course the Obama WH approved, it displays Obama’s sentiments also.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:10pmHa ha, yeah, and when the Israelis come by for a visit, be sure to have the White House pianist play Haydn’s beatiful hymn “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken (Zion City of Our God)”. I’m sure the incidental fact that it has lyrics written to it beginning “Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles” will be completely overlooked, and the music enjoyed just for the melody!
Report Post »quiet little lamb
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:18pmcomment of the year!
Curator_JDR
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:21pmOf course they do. Tomorrow, if Obama has the mendacity to try to reinvent himself, he will become “Madonna-Bama” like the singer who is accused of doing the same.
Watch this humor and irony laden video of renowned artist Marc Rubin destroying his presidential portrait of Obama in 2009, in response to the NEA fiasco. Its called “Catharsis” and its great viewing for pre-SOTU. http://www.marcrubin.com/obama.ivnu
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:23pmHow about instead of Hail to the Chief tomorrow at the State of the Union, we play “If I only had a Brain” from wizard of Oz. That would be appropriate.
RealAmerican2011
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:24pmAll I can say is,….. MASSENGILL!
Report Post »AzDebi
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:24pmExcellent response!
Report Post »BMartin1776
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:27pmCmon he would have any Israeli’s to visit in the first place and if he did they would have to come in the back door past the garbage where DaliLama exited!
Is anyone really suprised by this defense from them? Why wouldnt they support anti-American music? Almost everyone in the WH is anti-American to begin with!
Chairman Obama who is more or less a socialist marxist progressive who sees the Constitution as negative charter that limits what the govt can do to you must have been humming right along. He probably got a signed copy of it!
This is just one more example of how out of touch this Pres and admin are with the American people. Dont you people see you are too stupid to understand and appreciate music like this, the guy plays it all the time!!
http://www.savingtherepublic.com
Report Post »VanGrungy
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:30pm‘comment of the year!’
seconded…
Report Post »mwconservative
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:34pmDarmok — perfect!
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:38pmWhite House spokesman Tommy Vietor told ABC News that “any suggestion that [the song] was an insult to the United States is just flat wrong.”
Report Post »———–
I believe him.
Prove it you say ?
OK feast your eyes :
http://www.redstate.com/streiff/files/2010/02/0219-dalai-lama_full_600.jpg
Secret Squirrel
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:39pmThe White House doesn’t want to “rush to judgment” on the song.
Give it a couple more years.
click4cheapandeasyweb
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:40pm“Obama White House Defends Anti-American State Dinner Music”
Is anyone surprised???
Diane TX
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:49pm@ Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra,
“If I only had a brain” is the perfect song for Obama, and he even looks like the scarecrow!
LOL!
NickDeringer
Posted on January 24, 2011 at 11:56pmOr they could play Wagner, Hitler’s favorite composer.
When will people realize that O‘Barry is a passive aggressive and he smiles as he’s slipping in the knife.
Report Post »independentvoteril
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:08amI am amazed at how this president just doesn’t get it.. guess that’s what happens when you lie your way through school and life..
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:16amI am amazed at how this president just doesn’t get it..
——-
Oh he gets it alright , thats why he does it .
Report Post »Its just that he doesn’t get it that WE know when he does and does not get it
Thatsitivehadenough
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:34amDon’t give them any more ideas.
Report Post »Templar Knight
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:35amShould we have expected anything less? Mr. Obama, you are no president of mine. My grandfather fought in the Korean war and it scarred him for life. He fought for You Mr. Obama and everyone in this country. Do you think you know better than him? Do you have any RESPECT for our veterans who fought AND died for us. You are a DISGRACE Mr. Obama, a disgrace to the Constitution, our country, and us as in the “People”. There should be an impeachment on this “President”.
UpstateNYConservative
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:35amI’ve heard things from Flatt & Scruggs from 1948 that are so totally racist even the devil would cringe. How about we play one of those songs, without the lyrics, ‘just for the tune’?
Report Post »LUDWIKA BRONISLAWA
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 2:27amYeah, and white supremacists are all about pride in their culture too. You know what I say (Ludwika original quote here) BULLSH**!!!! Of course, like Donald Trump says, “The Chinese are laughing at us!”
Report Post »godlovinmom
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 3:27amNice…I just pray Americans remember all this crap when it comes time to vote in 2012…can it get any more anti-American in our white house..
KICKILLEGALSOUT
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 3:37amWell that’s what Traitors do of course! Defend anti Americanism!
Keep spreading the word folks, the traitors in our government must go! This is a perfect example, I guess when Obama finishing selling our country to China he has plans to move back to the Motherland with his half brother and Chinese wife to sing this song together!
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 3:48amYou said it all……….Thanks
Report Post »*************************
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 4:01amDe black man vs. the red (shirt) man — no, not Obama vs. Lang Lang [but THAT'S got to be the joke everyone's talking about] :
Blazing Saddles, Camp Town Ladies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H2W1lK7P-I
“Hold it! Hold it! Hold it! What the hell is that shít? I meant a song. A real song.” -cowboy Lyle, Blazing Saddles
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 5:46amWhen you get caught red handed, lie like a dog….Obama.
Report Post »FirefighterWife26
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 6:20am@The Grey Piper
Report Post »PERFECT Comparison !! Excellent comment !!
treshall
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 6:29amExcellent point, Piper. Well said.
Report Post »Dustyluv
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 6:47amWhy aren’t we actively bringing TREASON charges against this Administration?
We have lost the Republic. But the good news is when it all implodes we can rebuild it Constitutionally.
Report Post »chazman
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 7:39amThese morons in the ‘Whitehouse’ are nothing but a pack of lousy COMMIES themselves!!
Report Post »LibertarianLady
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 7:40am@ thegreypiper .
Report Post »I agree with quiet little lamb. One of the best posts I have seen. You nailed the whole concept perfectly.
happyboy
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 7:55amWARNING: THE FOLLOWING COMMENT MAY CONTAIN IN-CIVILITY AND EXPRESS PSYCHOLOGICAL FREEDOM
THAT ANTI-AMERICAN SONG IS OBAMA’s FAVORITE
Obama’s hand picked that song; it was the lullaby his Mother sang him to sleep with every night. As Lang Lang (the Panda name) played it, Obama’s closed his eyes in ecstasy. Michelle whispered the words tune rolled on. This song will be the Anthem of the Blood Libeler Democrat’s Convention in 2012.
beth.purdy
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 8:52am“Whoretown Hears a Hu” – Dr. Seuss is rolling in his grave.
Report Post »Noogan
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 9:22amComment of the year, indeed; it’s got my vote, too.
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 9:39amOf course the most anti-american white house defends the song, they love all that is anti-american.
Report Post »jblaze
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:19amCURATOR_JDR
Report Post »Quite the Statement made in the video! Very profound!
lketchum
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 10:46am@Curator_JDR
Marc Rubin rocks and so does the 50′s era cartoon explaining the dangers of “ism”
Excellent post!
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 12:19pmOK, so will we play Battle Hymn of the Republic when we have a party in China?
Report Post »lasvegas
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 1:48pmHitting it on the nail!
Report Post »hud
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 4:51pmPOTUS is so stupid he didn’t know the chicoms were shooting him the finger, and then he doesn’t care. We really need to keep him around in 2012, so we too can be stupid commies.
Report Post »VRW Conspirator
Posted on January 25, 2011 at 5:01pmthis might be too childish…wait…it is for obambi…….
Report Post »i was thinking that he might be perfect for the Pinkie and the Brain music….from the Animaniacs cartoon series….
i mean he looks more like Pinkie to me than the scarecrow…not to be insulting to Pinkie though.. NARF!!
UPSETVET
Posted on January 26, 2011 at 7:38amGREYPIPER I fully agree with you. The song played was completely inappropriate and regardless of what Whitehouse spokesman Tommy Vietor said, that the choice of “My Motherland” wasn’t and insult to America or Americans, I disagree. I‘m an American and I’m certainly insulted and deeply offended since I lost several close relatives in the Korean War. What a bunch of brain dead liberal progressives in and out of the Whitehouse. I’m from the Southern USA, Texas, and I supposed no one would be offended if the song “Dixie” was played at a New York State NAACP convention Yea, right ! The Whitehouse is presently occupied by a group of commies, that‘s why they don’t see any thing insulting about the music Lang-Lang chose to play.It’s passe the time these imbeciles should be put in their place. For a group of people who conisder themselves better and superior to the average common American, they sure do a lot of very ignorant and stupid things.
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