Over the weekend there has been a fair bit of discussion on the Chattanoogan concerning the inclusion of quotes by President Obama being mixed with the musical selections that played along with the fireworks display Saturday night. We want to know how you felt about this.
Contribute your thoughts in the comments below.
josiahq on July 6, 2009
were you allowed to bring Macdonalds into the Park?
mattdaviss on July 6, 2009
For lack of a better word... all of the negative comments are dumb.
You're going to let some quotes from Barack Obama ruin your whole night? Because you know, there's plenty of good music, and food, and fireworks... and oh yeah, you're family. Which may include children who are having an absolute blast, running around w/ sparklers and glow sticks, not caring whose voice is playing during the music.
If it was mash-up of quotes from Obama/McCain or any leading Dem/Repub figures, I'm sure this guy would have hailed it as the greatest pops ever.
Geeze, "It put a sour taste in my mouth about attending any future Pops." Grow a pair.
//end rant
ghostfreeman on July 6, 2009
One word comes to mind: Butthurt.
bobw on July 6, 2009
we've found the blaring fireworks music to be rather obnoxious, quotes notwithstanding, so we opted to watch from the south side of the river this year and watch the fireworks as nature intended: only accompanied by oohs and ahhs.
stevaker on July 6, 2009
I knew the Obama sound bites would cause a stir. It would be the same for any president, past or present. Personally, I would rather the organizers not play music or sound clips at all. There's something pretty cool about just hearing the pop of fireworks and the "oohs and ahhs" of the crowd.
Josiahq - We brought in Bojangles. Luckily, there were no Boathouse managers or parent critics wearing visors in site.
mattdaviss on July 6, 2009
I went to the 4th celebration in Collegedale a few years back, that was probably the best I've been to. Great symphony w/ classic and modern selections. They played Star Wars music during the fireworks... A lot of military personnel on hand and some politicos, Zach Wamp was there among others. Nothing special, just music and explosions.
admgrn on July 6, 2009
I didn't know Collegedale had a symphony.
mattdaviss on July 6, 2009
They came in from somewhere... I think maybe Georgia. Nun idea.
erinj on July 6, 2009
we didn't go, but i 'm sure i would have been totally annoyed. they have never done that before, why do it this year? i'm okay with the music, but even that can get a little annoying. just the fireworks is fine with me!
mattdaviss on July 6, 2009
Same.
stephen42 on July 6, 2009
I'm curious, who made the decision to include the quotations?
ghostfreeman on July 6, 2009
I would like to know myself.
IMO on July 6, 2009
Pops on the River is great but it, as well as other "on the River" events, needs some tweaking.
Re: Pops on the River. The CSO is awesome and really should be the ONLY music we hear during the POR celebration. The music that plays during the fireworks is just horrible. This is a classic case where LESS is MORE! Ditch the cheesy music during the fireworks! While you're at it, also ditch the horrible music at Grand Illumination. We stopped going years ago because instead of Christmas carols and holiday songs, we heard some crazy non-holiday-sounding Rap music blaring from one of the stages. Stick with classic holiday music and you won't go wrong.
Now...about the parking and traffic flow......
catdog12 on July 6, 2009
The "passions for arts" folks understand this, and other efforts to help homeless people with more yard art on Main Street. I am in the group eating cake and we do not understand the dimension and meaning of all of this art in music form. If you had a Passion for the Art" you would understand that this was not a political statement it was art, commoners.
stevaker on July 6, 2009
"Pops On The River" is a great way to enjoy our talented orchestra, some great bluegrass by the Dismembered Tennesseans, and some of the best fireworks around -- all for free! My wife and I have enjoyed it for the last 4 years. It's a lot of fun for our son as well. It's definitely not for everyone, though.
You should check it out sometime.
joelance on July 6, 2009
The symphony that plays for Collegedale's fireworks show and other events at Veterans Park is known as the East Tennessee Symphony Orchestra, and is based in Collegedale.
http://www.etsomusic.org/
joelance on July 6, 2009
I played Horn in that one. Richard loves the John Williams. :-)
admgrn on July 6, 2009
Thanks for clarifying that! Always nice to know these things.
doodle on July 7, 2009
Keep all quotes out of the program, rep or dem or independent. Individual freedom is what makes this country great. It seems at times that everyone is against the pursuit of happiness, yep...sounds dorky yet the "fathers" of our country started something of incredibale worth. Take a deep breath and enjoy the music and the fireworks.
stevaker on July 7, 2009
As I said, it's definitely not for everyone.
mattdaviss on July 8, 2009
Adam Green, UTC Democrat Adam Green?