Liberal columnist Jamie Stiehm complains after hearing national anthem in DC: 'How dissonant'
WASHINGTON, DC: Liberal columnist Jamie Stiehm complained on Thursday, November 20, about hearing the American national anthem in Washington, DC.
She wrote for The Capital Times on Thursday that though the "Star-Spangled Banner" might be appropriate for "ballparks and stadiums", it is "dissonant" to play before a classical music concert in current political climate.
Stiehm added that classical music transcends boundaries, but the national anthem pulls the arts back into the orbit of President Donald Trump’s influence.
Jamie Stiehm slams Trump over national anthem at Kennedy Center
Jamie Stiehm attended a symphony at the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and after the event, she opined about the National Symphony now reportedly playing the national anthem ahead of performances, under the POTUS' leadership.
"Readers, President Donald Trump’s new regime at the beloved center decreed the National Symphony Orchestra must stand and play the national anthem before every concert. How dissonant," Stiehm wrote.
She added, "Ballparks and stadiums are fine venues for that tune, but classical music is an international language. … This is just one more way Trump leaves his fingerprints on our city scene, after tearing down the White House East Wing."
Interestingly, Trump is the new chair of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees and appointed former US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as the center’s president.
Meanwhile, Grenell earlier told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the Kennedy Center under Trump’s leadership will be a "place for everyone".
Stiehm further wrote in her opinion, "Seeking spiritual solace, I washed ashore at the John F. Kennedy Center’s concert hall. Yes, I loved the crashing chords of the ‘Organ Symphony’ by Saint-Saens and the lyrical light notes of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1. ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ not so much."
The columnist concluded her piece by talking about someone else who attended. She wrote, "These times reminded her of her German girlhood", and added that this person was a young girl during World War II.
Furthermore, Stiehm told Daily Caller that the article articulates her stance on the national anthem being played before classical music concerts. She said that "there is a time and place for everything".
Trump admits East Wing demolition wasn't necessary for ballroom project
In early November, President Trump admitted that his decision to demolish the East Wing of the White House to make way for the ballroom project was not strictly necessary.
However, he justified the decision and said that the building would have looked like hell and in poor condition. He made these statements while discussing his architectural choices and renovation projects.
During Fox News’ 'Laura Ingraham show' on November 10, the POTUS was asked about former first lady Michelle Obama’s criticism of the destruction of the East Wing.
Trump said, "First of all, the East Wing was a beautiful little, tiny structure that was built many years ago, that was renovated and expanded and despanded and columns ripped out."
"It had nothing to do with the original building. It was a poor, sad sight, and I could’ve built the ballroom around it, but it would not have been– we’re building one of the greatest ballrooms in the world. By the way, zero money spent by the government. Zero," he added.
The POTUS also said, "We’re gonna have the best ballroom anywhere in the world, and I built a lot of them. You know that. You know a lot of them. This will be one of the greatest ballrooms in the world."
