Turner Comments Anger Nra Media Mogul Says ‘America The Beautiful’ Would Make A Better National Anthem

National Rifle Association members have sent thousands of postcards to Montana newspapers condemning media mogul Ted Turner’s suggestion this summer to replace “The Star-Spangled Banner” as the national anthem.

More than 4,000 postcards were received in a two-day span this week by The Billings Gazette. The Missoulian newspaper reported getting “hundreds, if not a couple thousand.”

Cards also went to Turner’s Flying D Ranch southwest of Bozeman. Turner’s ranch manager, Russ Miller, said they were thrown away.

The cards said Turner’s suggestion showed “callous disrespect to those who have fought and died for our nation.”

Turner made the remarks July 4 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia while accepting the Liberty Medal on behalf of CNN International. He said “America the Beautiful” was more appropriate as the national anthem.

“‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ is a war song written by a prisoner of war of the British at Fort McHenry. It’s all war,” Turner said. “It’s time to change with the times because brotherhood is a lot more important than military force and that’s what ‘America the Beautiful’ is all about.”

Jim Manown, manager of public relations and communications for the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, said that three cards were sent to selected NRA members nationwide with a letter explaining the issue and asking for donations.

The six-page fund-raising letter links the Star Spangled Banner to gun ownership, contending the Americans fought off the British at Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 because they had the right to bear arms.