Have pride for pete's sake

Who watched the Superbowl this year? Well, if you didn't, you're one of the few. The estimates say that more 97 million people tuned in. That number varies a bit depending on your source but either way, that's a lot of people. No matter your reason for watching, something kept you in front of that TV. For many viewers, myself included, it's usually about the commercials, for some it's the half time show and, believe it or not, some people actually tune in for the game. This year, for me at least, it was a combination of the commercials and the National Anthem.

Being from a military family, I am fiercely patriotic and believe in an individuals right to freedom of expression, however when it comes to our National Anthem, I believe there are some things you need to leave alone.

This years performance was one that really got me going and not in a good way. There is no doubt that Christina Aguilera has an amazing voice, but as she's shown in the past, she just shouldn't be asked to perform our National Anthem in public. She's messed it up before, so what made anyone think she wouldn't do it again?

Our National Anthem was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key and was adopted as our nation's song in 1931. Why do I mention all the history? It's important for you to know that those lyrics written so long ago are just as relevant today as they were back then. The words have special meaning and should remain in their original form.

One should not be able to drag out words, add their own touch of soul or, God forbid, add or delete words. There have been some really terrible performances of the National Anthem, and those performers were not asked to sing it again. Take Steven Tyler who, at his performance as the Indianapolis 500, changed the last line to say "The land of the free and the home of the Indianapolis 500", or Michael Bolton who wrote the lyrics on his hand and had to stop singing in order to check the words. I appreciate both these artists, but I don't appreciate the butchering of our anthem.

I fully believe that Christina Aguilera should be placed on a type of "no fly list" for singing the anthem. She belongs on the same list as Steven Tyler, Michael Bolton and Roseanne Barr.

So, to anyone that's paying attention, let's get the word out that we don't want Christina Aguilera to perform our nation's anthem again. I'm all for giving second chances and this was hers and she failed miserably, so let's learn from this and find someone else!