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December 3, 2009

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Letter: Outsider exploiting ‘Nuestro Himno’

Wednesday, May 3, 2006 | 7:39 a.m.

Regarding Tom Teepen's May 2 column, "Ridiculous flap over national anthem":

First, I must agree that complaints are likely to give this new recording more publicity than it would normally garner.

But I have three problems with "Nuestro Himno":

1. If it's not the "Star Spangled Banner," it's not the same anthem Americans sing. Changing the title implies separation, not unity.

2. If the words are changed, as I've read they are, it's not the same song anymore.

3. A British music producer of great wealth and little fame with a family history of millions of dollars in book revenues is the last person to identify with either side of the debate.

If an immigrant Mexican musician had written a direct translation, it would make sense. Heck, if James Taylor had done it, it would make more sense.

As it is, it does not voice any desire by immigrants to be American, nor does it relay any hope by Americans that they would wish it.

It is a contrived, condescending attempt by the song's producer, Adam Kidron, to manipulate the press, the immigrants and the music industry into providing him, a mere onlooker from the sidelines, a measure of fame.

(Shudder.)

Brian Ascenzo, Henderson

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