1.
Politics 2012: Ron Paul strategy keeps things interesting
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 13 (UPI) -- A measure to replace "Old Folks At Home" with a new state song advanced Thursday in the Florida Legislature.
"Florida -- Where the Sawgrass Meets the Sky" received unanimous approval from a House committee, The Tampa Tribune reported. But the bill almost stalled in the state senate, with two senators who do not like the song but said it should be discussed on the floor joining the sole backer in a 3-2 vote.
"Old Folks At Home" by Stephen Foster, also known as "Way Down Upon the Swanee River" or simply "Swanee River," has been the official Florida state song since 1935. The song was a popular hit in the 19th century and helped make northern Florida a tourist destination as curious visitors flocked to the Suwannee River.
But the song, written for a minstrel show from the point of view of a slave longing for the "old plantation," has become something of an embarrassment. Gov. Charles Crist refused to have it played at his inauguration, substituting "The Florida Song" by jazz musician Charles Atkinson.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Additional Top News Stories | |
WASHINGTON, May 28 (UPI) --
Rolling Thunder motorcyclists moved into Washington as part of the annual Memorial Day weekend ride held in remembrance of war dead and those missing in action.
|
NEW YORK, May 28 (UPI) --
"Sex and the City" actress Cynthia Nixon married her girlfriend, education activist Christine Marinoni, in New York, officials say.
|
To avoid a meltdown in 2006, Ford Motor Co. mortgaged the farm putting up its assets – including its Blue Oval logo, and F-150 pickup and iconic Mustang trademarks – to secure $23.5 billion in credit.
|
MEMPHIS, May 28 (UPI) --
A California auction house said Elvis Presley's original crypt in Tennessee, where the King was entombed for two months, is going up for auction.
|
| Stories | Photos | People | Comments |
View Caption
